Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes 20 Old-Fashioned Desserts Just Like Grandma Used to Make These cakes, pies, cookies, and more feel like a blast from the past in the coziest, most delicious way. By Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani is a New York City-based writer with 24 years of experience working in professional publishing and communication roles in addition to being a food writer for six years with MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on October 23, 2024 Close Photo: Bryan Gardner Step back in time with this collection of desserts that bring instant warmth and comfort. These recipes evoke the simple pleasures of baking with Grandma, where every ingredient had a purpose and every bite was just plain delicious. They’re the kind of treats that fill a kitchen with rich aromas and make family gatherings feel special. From tender cakes to timeless cookies, these treats embody cozy, homespun charm. While some have a few modern touches, each one stays true to the flavors and traditions that made them classics in the first place. Whether you're seeking a slice of nostalgia or a new favorite, these recipes are sure to satisfy, so grab an apron, a wooden spoon, and maybe a cast-iron skillet or Bundt pan, and jump in. 30 Easy Cake Recipes Every Home Baker Will Love 01 of 20 Vanilla Pound Cake Brie Goldman This classic vanilla pound cake recipe brings back memories of warm kitchens and buttery slices fresh from the oven. With no leavening agents, the secret lies in carefully creaming the ingredients to create the perfect rise—just the sort of trick Grandma would know. View Recipe 02 of 20 Easy Chocolate Mousse Romulo Yanes With a refreshing hint of peppermint and a sprinkle of crushed candy on top, this dessert is a festive treat we can imagine Grandma bringing out on a winter night. View Recipe 03 of 20 Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Chris Court Old-fashioned charm is on full display in this recipe, with its use of canned pineapple, a retro ingredient you don't see in too many desserts today. You can skip the traditional maraschino cherries, letting the caramelized fruit shine, or go all in on nostalgia. View Recipe 04 of 20 Snickerdoodles With a soft, pillowy texture and a generous coating of cinnamon sugar, these cookies are irresistible. They're made with simple ingredients and are perfect for any occasion. View Recipe 05 of 20 Pecan Pie Brie Goldman Thanks to a marketing push by Karo syrup, pecan pie has become a classic addition to the Thanksiving table. The traditional dessert only gets better when you serve it with barely sweetened whipped cream on the side. View Recipe 06 of 20 Orange Chiffon Cake Bryan Gardner Originating in the 1920s, chiffon cakes became known for their unique combination of a light, fluffy texture, and rich flavor, courtesy of using oil instead of butter. This orange chiffon cake, with its bright citrus notes and delicate crumb, is a keeper. View Recipe 07 of 20 Rhubarb-Strawberry Lattice Pie Con Poulos A nostalgic nod to classic summer desserts, this pie combines the tartness of rhubarb with the sweetness of strawberries in a buttery, hand-woven crust. View Recipe 08 of 20 Devil's Food Cake With Fluffy Frosting This rich cake brings a touch of nostalgia with its deep chocolate flavor and fluffy, marshmallow-like frosting, reminiscent of old-fashioned bake sales and family gatherings. View Recipe 09 of 20 Classic Bread Pudding Rachel Marek Bread pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert, rich with the flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Soaked in a creamy custard, the brioche or challah, along with tender raisins, forms a beautiful golden-brown top when baked. View Recipe 10 of 20 Blackberry Buckle Bryan Gardner A fruit buckle is the kind of simple, rustic dessert that grandmothers have been making for generations. This one stars juicy, fresh blackberries nestled into a golden, buttery batter. View Recipe 11 of 20 Martha's Banana Cream Pie Bryan Gardner This dreamy dessert is packed with old-fashioned flavors. Our recipe is a classic, with a graham cracker crust, sweet custard, and plenty of homemade whipped cream. View Recipe 12 of 20 Martha's Lemon Meringue Pie This lemon meringue pie is a favorite, like something Grandma might make for a special family gathering. The tart lemon curd, topped with billowy meringue, sits in a crisp pie crust, creating a gorgeous and elegant dessert. View Recipe 13 of 20 Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies These tasty treats are the kind you’d always find in Grandma’s cookie jar, just waiting for an afternoon snack. With a blend of oats, raisins, and a touch of vanilla, they come out golden brown and soft. View Recipe 14 of 20 Easiest Rice Pudding Grant Webster This simple recipe features Arborio rice, vanilla, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a comforting dessert that feels like a warm hug from Grandma. Simmer the rice and milk, chill the mixture, and finish it with heavy cream to create a rich, nostalgic treat that never goes out of style. View Recipe 15 of 20 Apple-Cinnamon Bundt Cake With tender Granny Smith apples folded into a spiced batter and topped with a sweet glaze, this cake pays homage to the 1960s and 1970s, when Bundt cakes hit peak popularity. View Recipe 16 of 20 Classic Strawberry Shortcake Yossy Arefi Classic strawberry shortcake is a perfect balance of flaky biscuits, juicy strawberries, and indulgent cream. This one strikes it perfectly. View Recipe 17 of 20 Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding John Kernick Classic homemade pudding is silky smooth and surprisingly simple to make. This recipe transforms pantry staples into a rich and creamy indulgence that you can easily adapt to vanilla or chocolate cravings. View Recipe 18 of 20 Double-Coconut Cream Pie Johnny Miller This double coconut cream pie features shredded coconut and coconut milk, plus a fluffy whipped cream topping. Indulgent, classic, and homey—what's not to love? View Recipe 19 of 20 Chocolate, Banana, and Graham Cracker Icebox Cake David Prince Combining graham crackers, ripe bananas, and a rich chocolate custard, this nostalgic icebox cake is the perfect chilled, creamy treat for a summer day. View Recipe 20 of 20 Sponge Cake Marcus Nilsson This sponge cake, light and airy, is simple and elegant, just like many a family matriarch. Whether layered with fruit and whipped cream or served on its own, it's always a delight. 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