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Home » Recipe Collections

18 holiday desserts grandmas used to make — you haven’t seen most of these in years

Published: Nov 30, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Some desserts carry a kind of warmth that feels passed down, especially during the holidays. Simple methods and familiar flavors often echo the treats grandmas used to make, the ones that brought everyone to the table. Here’s a lineup of homemade desserts that lean into that same easy comfort.

An overhead image of three Linzer cookies on a plate.

Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Overhead view of Christmas sugar cookies on a white plate, with cookies on the side as well.
Christmas Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Christmas sugar cookies with royal icing bring a buttery, tender texture that feels instantly nostalgic. They’re an easy way to add something homemade and familiar to the dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies

Christmas Cake Roll

An image of a slice of Christmas roll cake on a serving plate.
Christmas Cake Roll. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A Christmas cake roll offers a soft, airy bite with a festive look. The straightforward prep makes it a natural choice for classic holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cake Roll

Holiday Butter Cookies

A close-up view of holiday butter cookies on a white plate.
Holiday Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Six-ingredient butter cookies deliver crumbly simplicity that feels timeless. They bring the same dependable charm as the treats many families grew up with.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Butter Cookies

Mixed Berry Galette

A top view image of mixed berry galette in sheet pan with a scoop of icecream in the middle.
Mixed Berry Galette. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A berry galette adds fruity brightness with minimal effort. Its rustic style channels the kind of dessert that shows up at casual family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Galette

Upside-Down Mandarin Cake (with Caramel)

Close up of Mandarin Cake showing the perfect caramelization.
Upside-Down Mandarin Cake (with Caramel). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mandarin cake layers caramel and cocoa for a rich, memorable finish. Served warm, it brings the cozy feel of an old-fashioned holiday recipe.
Get the Recipe: Upside-Down Mandarin Cake (with Caramel)

Linzer Cookies

An overhead image of three Linzer cookies on a plate.
Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Linzer cookies blend buttery dough with jam for a festive, spiced treat. Their design and flavor echo the kind of cookies often passed down through generations.
Get the Recipe: Linzer Cookies

Pistachio Bundt Cake

Close-up image of a pistachio bundt cake on a cake stand.
Pistachio Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

A pistachio bundt cake turns out light and airy in under an hour. It’s a simple bake that carries the same charm as many tried-and-true family recipes.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Bundt Cake

Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake

Close-up of a Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake with two slices stacked at the front of a serving platter.
Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

The lemon drizzle loaf cake adds bright citrus with an easy method. It brings a cheerful, homemade touch that fits right into a classic holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake

Eggnog Cheesecake

Eggnog cheesecake on a plate.
Eggnog Cheesecake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Eggnog cheesecake with a gingersnap crust delivers creamy, spiced comfort. It feels like a modern nod to flavors grandmas relied on every season.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Cheesecake

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Close-up image of a slice of homemade pumpkin pie being taken.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pumpkin pie with a flaky crust brings a familiar mix of spice and simplicity. It has the same dependable appeal as the desserts that show up at every holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Snowman Cookies

A close-up image of Snowman Cookies.
Snowman Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Snowman cookies add a playful, homemade touch to the season. Their simple prep makes them great for family baking traditions.
Get the Recipe: Snowman Cookies

Double Chocolate Blossom Cookies

Two chocolate blossom Christmas cookies on a white plate.
Double Chocolate Blossom Cookies. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Chocolate blossom cookies offer a fudgy base topped with a chocolate kiss. They’re quick to bake and carry that unmistakable holiday-cookie nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Blossom Cookies

Christmas Reindeer Cookies

Reindeer-themed cookies decorated with icing.
Christmas Reindeer Cookies. Photo credit: Food Plus Words.

Christmas reindeer cookies bring a fun, decorative touch to the table. They’re the kind of treat that reminds everyone of childhood baking sessions.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Reindeer Cookies

Egg Custard Pie

A slice of Egg Custard Pie on a plate with a fork.
Egg Custard Pie. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Egg custard pie blends vanilla and spice into a smooth, comforting slice. It’s a familiar dessert that often shows up at family celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Egg Custard Pie

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookie on a plate beside a jar of milk.
Easy Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Gingerbread cookies pair crisp edges with soft centers and warm spices. Their classic shapes and flavor make them essential for any holiday lineup.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Easy Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Top view of peanut butter kiss cookies on a cooling rack.
Easy Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Peanut butter kiss cookies stay soft and sweet with a timeless flavor combination. They’ve long been a holiday favorite for all ages.
Get the Recipe: Easy Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

An image of Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie.
Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Pumpkin pie with coconut milk offers a silky twist on a familiar dessert. Its cozy, seasonal flavor feels right at home among traditional holiday bakes.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

Mini Key Lime Pie Bites

A front view of a mini key lime pie with more on a white plate in the background.
Mini Key Lime Pie Bites. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Mini key lime pie bites add tangy brightness in a small, shareable size. They’re easy to serve and bring a refreshing contrast to richer classics.
Get the Recipe: Mini Key Lime Pie Bites

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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