Best Homemade Dessert Recipes

Explore Grandma's best Homemade Dessert Recipes on this unique recipe site. Immerse yourself in warm family memories as you explore the vintage comfort foods and treats from your childhood. This delightful journey through time offers a refreshing blend of nostalgia and irresistible flavors.

Grandma's Favorite Old Fashioned Dessert Recipes

Vintage Homemade Rhubarb Pie Illustration from 1918You Can Make Delicious Old Fashioned Desserts
(Crisco® by Smucker's)

There's a good reason why this recipe site has proven itself popular over two decades. Grandma's delicious desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth and bring to mind fond memories of wonderful times spent with family and friends.

Let me take you on a nostalgic heartwarming journey complete with stories of cherished family moments and historical details making each dessert and its treasured recipe extra special.

Don Bell With His Mother's Vintage Recipe ScrapbooksWelcome to the World of Homemade Desserts
(Source: ©Don Bell)

Grandma's Legacy

Growing up in the 1950s, I was surrounded by an abundance of homemade desserts at family gatherings. From flaky fruit pies to rich chocolate cakes and crumbly cookie bars, these delights were lovingly prepared by Mom and her sisters, creating a dessert lover's paradise.

With Mom's cherished recipe cards, scrapbooks, and vintage cookbooks in hand, I'm excited to share her treasured recipes with you. Get ready to indulge in unforgettable homemade desserts that will tantalize your taste buds.

This website is dedicated to Mom and dessert enthusiasts like you who appreciate the best homemade dessert recipes and the timeless flavors of country-kitchen treats. Join me on this delightful journey as we savor every delicious spoonful!

Don Bell

Explore 30 Dessert Categories

Grandma's collection includes a range of 30 Dessert Categories including pies, cakes, puddings, cookies, pastries, ice creams, and more. Over 2,000 dessert recipes! Each category reminds us of delights from our childhood.

Homemade Devil's Food CakeMake an Old Fashioned Devil's Food Cake
(Source: ©asimojet/Depositphotos.com)

Discover the nostalgic charm of Old Fashioned Cake Recipes, from the classic Chocolate Layer to light Angel Food. These timeless cakes recall the warmth of Grandma's kitchen. They offer a delightful journey through flavors and textures that transport you back to cherished childhood memories and warm family gatherings.

Homemade Old Fashioned DonutsEnjoy Old Fashioned Donuts While Still Warm
(Source: ©jentara/Depositphotos.com)

Explore the world of Old Fashioned Donut Recipes, from crispy yeast-free varieties to classic Crullers and homemade Funnel Cakes. Learn to craft these beloved childhood treats at home, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas and creating lasting memories with loved ones.

A Piece of Homemade Chocolate FudgeEnjoy Grandma's Homemade Chocolate Fudge
(Source: ©bhofack2/Depositphotos.com)

Discover the joy of Old Fashioned Candy Recipes, from rich Chocolate Fudge to delectable Toffee Treats. Relive the excitement of Grandma's Sunday afternoon candy-making sessions by crafting your own sweet delights from scratch, continuing a delicious family tradition.

A Variety of Homemade CookiesMake and Enjoy Grandma's Homemade Cookies
(Source: ©Dukell/Depositphotos.com)

Rediscover the magic of Grandma's kitchen with her Old Fashioned Cookie Recipes. These timeless treats offer more than just delicious bites; they're a nostalgic journey connecting generations. Uncover the secrets to baking perfect homemade cookies that fill your home with irresistible aromas and warm memories.

Chocolate Candy Cane FudgeChocolate Candy Cane Fudge for Christmas
(Source: ©TeriVirbickis/Depositphotos.com)

Grandma's favorite old fashioned Christmas Dessert Recipes let you indulge in the nostalgia of Christmas with classic desserts like Gingerbread Houses, Plum Puddings, Shortbread, and Sugar Cookies. These traditional treats will transform your home into a hub of festive cheer, rekindling cherished childhood memories.

Homemade Italian CastagnoleMake Authentic Italian Castagnole
(Source: ©fiorellamacor/Depositphotos.com)

Explore a world of traditional sweetness with International Dessert Recipes. From the sweet crispy Italian Castagnole to buttery French Crepes, these classic treats offer a delightful culinary journey. Break your dessert routine and indulge in diverse flavors that will transport your taste buds across the globe.

Renaissance Apple TartEnjoy an Authentic Renaissance Apple Tart
(Source: ©studioM/Depositphotos.com)

Step back in time with authentic Renaissance Dessert Recipes. From sweetmeats to marchpane and gingerbread, experience the flavors that delighted Shakespeare and royalty alike. Easily recreate these exquisite delicacies and bring the sweetness of history to your noble table.

Young Woman Tying Her Kitchen ApronImagine Tying Your New Homemade Apron
(Source: ©artursfoto1/Depositphotos.com)

Relive the charm of yesteryear with Old Fashioned Fun and Nostalgia. From Victorian Crafts and Apron Sewing to Old Time Radio Shows and Aeolian Harp Building, these timeless activities offer a delightful journey through cherished traditions. Experience the joy of simpler times and create lasting memories.

The above is just a small sampling of over 2,000 old fashioned dessert recipes and other features published on this site with more still to come!

What's New

  1. Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Desserts: Grandma's Favorite Recipes

    recipes-for-thanksgiving
    Get Grandma's recipes for old fashioned Thanksgiving desserts recipes and make pies, cakes, and unique vegetable desserts to serve for Thanksgiving meals.

    Read More

  2. How to Sew an Apron: Get a Free Vintage Basket Apron Pattern

    tying-on-apron
    Learn how to sew an apron with free instructions and a vintage pattern download. Lack the time? Get beautiful handmade aprons from Cindy Best's Studio.

    Read More

  3. Old Fashioned Seafoam Candy Recipe: Foamy and Fun to Make at Home

    homemade-seafoam-candy
    Get Grandma's old fashioned Seafoam candy recipes and make a plateful of delicious sponge candy tonight. Try the Seafoam dipped in chocolate for special treat.

    Read More

  4. Grandma's Sweet Quick Bread Recipes: From Biscuits to Banana Breads

    homemade-biscuits
    Discover Grandma's favorite sweet quick bread recipes and bake old fashioned biscuits, mouthwatering scones, hot cross buns, moist banana bread, and more.

    Read More

Take pride in serving wholesome desserts so unlike the typical recipes found on most food blogs. Your friends will be begging to know how you made something so unique and delicious!

Many recipes featured were invented by the famous celebrity chefs of Grandma's day, while others evolved from humble farmhouse kitchens. You are sure to find a delicious dessert for that special occasion.

Also Get Grandma's Cooking Tips

kitchen-cooking-tips

Unlock Grandma's Simple Cooking Tips to elevate your culinary skills. Learn precise measurements, perfect oven temperatures, and tricks that transform ordinary dishes into masterpieces. Uncover time-tested secrets for creating memorable meals with Grandma's heartwarming approach to old fashioned cooking.

After browsing through Grandma's recipe box and selecting her best homemade dessert recipes, I am careful to publish them EXACTLY as they were written. That way, you can have the fun of reading and preparing them just as she did.

Plateful of Delicious Homemade Chocolate Nut FudgeFreshly Made Chocolate Nut Fudge
(Source: ©Don Bell)

Don't fall into the trap of ignoring vintage recipes simply because they might be written in paragraph form without step-by-step photos. Recipes from Grandma's day are easy-to-follow, so you can expect to have good results.

Remember, old fashioned dessert recipes were written for home kitchens lacking the electric mixers and modern appliances we enjoy today, so you can expect to make mouth-watering desserts in half the time that Grandma did!

Join Others in Celebrating Grandma's Best Homemade Dessert Recipes

An Original I Want to Draw a Cat for You Drawing by Steve GadlinAn Original "I Want to Draw a Cat for You" Drawing by Steve Gadlin, as Seen on ABC's Shark Tank Series
Coffee Break Podcast Illustration

Thanks for providing the world with a nice dessert website that looks as nice as the desserts themselves! —Rick, U.S.A.


I absolutely adore your recipe site. I had to say thank you for sharing your Grandma's wonderful recipes and I can't wait to try them.

I love how everything is set up. It's so easy to move around in, not like other sites that are cluttered and unorganized.

I also enjoy the articles about the recipes and their history. Just had to let you know I will be returning here again and again! —Maggie, U.S.A.


I love this website. So nostalgic and cosy! —Judy, USA


Thank you so much for these wonderful dessert recipes. They always bring back such cherished memories. —Sharon, USA

Homemade Angel Cake Topped with Fresh Raspberries and Whipped CreamHomemade Cake with Berries and Whipped Cream
(Source: ©Don Bell)

Pour your favorite cuppa, get comfy in your chair, and browse this collection of Grandma's best homemade dessert recipes. But, don't hurry! Take time to enjoy the heartwarming nostalgia too.

Let's Keep in Touch

Grandma's legacy of sharing love through cooking lives on through this site. We aim to keep her tradition of delicious, homemade dessert recipes alive in hearts and kitchens. Experience the joy of baking and sharing these treats, from homemade pies to chocolate layer cakes, with your loved ones, just as Grandma did.

Grandma's Recipe Box and Cookbooks
Browser Bookmark Icon

BOOKMARK THIS PAGE in your browser. I am always adding new desserts along with items of interest and nostalgia, so be sure to visit often.

Old Fashioned Desserts Icon

GET YOUR FREE MEMBERSHIP in Grandma's Dessert Club. Instantly download your FREE Recipe Ebook and receive regular club Bulletins featuring delicious recipes, page updates, and items exclusive to members delivered to your inbox.

Grandma McIlmoyle's Little Dessert BookGrandma McIlmoyle's Little Dessert Book
RSS Icon

GET YOUR FREE RSS SUBSCRIPTION to Homemade Dessert Recipes blog. Read about new recipe pages in your favorite RSS feed reader the instant they go live.

Sharing Icon

SHARE THIS SITE with friends and family. Add this page to Facebook, Post it on X, and Pin it by using the handy social buttons below. Thank you!

Like This Page? Please Share It

Get Grandma's Old Fashioned Homemade Dessert Recipes - Pin for Later!