Do you remember the days when Christmas desserts weren’t fancy? No layers of cream, no sugar snowflakes, and definitely not a single hint of matcha. We’re talking about grandma’s recipes that were passed down through generations; the ones that bring memories of your grandmother in the kitchen stirring a pot of hot cocoa while singing carols. Those types of desserts are making a comeback this holiday season. And if you love desserts and looking for a complete set of Christmas meals to make this holiday season, you can check out our best Christmas appetizer recipes and best Christmas casserole recipes. Read on to learn more about classic recipes that will have everyone at your party screaming “Merry Christmas!”
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite vintage Christmas desserts:
DAINTY LOG BUTTER COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS
Source: Those Old Cookbooks
These Dainty Log Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips are both easy to make and delicious. By topping them with melted chocolate chips and your favorite nuts, these chocolate chip shortbread logs will be sure to please everyone at your next Christmas gathering.
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TRIFLE
Source: Feminologie
The vintage Christmas trifle is a classic. It’s a combination of cake, custard, fruit, and jelly that packs a flavorful punch. With layers of all these ingredients and the opportunity to get creative in decorating it, the vintage Christmas trifle is perfect for those that want to show off their baking skills!
VINTAGE PEPPERMINT FLUFF RECIPE
Source: Retro Housewife Goes Green
Jello-based recipes were especially popular in the mid-century for some pretty interesting reasons. Gelatin molds, while not new, had only been accessible to the wealthy up until that point. Gelatin was very time-consuming and expensive to produce, so it wasn’t widely available.
PEPPERMINT DIVINITY
Source: Southern Living
In a few short decades, divinity has gone from being a treasured Christmas dessert to something that is mostly forgotten. Why? Because it’s delicious! It contains pecans and can be made quickly with only a few ingredients. Divinity is an heirloom worth preserving for future generations.
SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN PIE PUDDING
Source: These Old Cookbooks
With only a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Pudding is the perfect holiday dessert for when you’re short on time. It’s essentially a crustless pumpkin pie made in a slow cooker, so all you have to do is mix everything together and let it cook. Serve with some whipped cream on top and enjoy!
CANDY CANE COOKIES
Source: Dash of Jazz
These Christmas sugar cookies are made with peppermint bits for a delightful two-bite holiday cookie. Baked in festive shapes, this vintage Christmas dessert recipe is a must-have at any holiday gathering.
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TREE CAKE
Source: In Katrina’s Kitchen
This Vintage Christmas Tree Cake is exactly like the retro ceramic Christmas tree you had as a kid- except sweeter!
OLD-FASHIONED CHERRY WINKS
Source: These Old Cookbooks
These Cherry Winks are a delicious blast from the past, made with Kellogg’s cornflake cereal.
CORNFLAKE WREATHS CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Source: Southern Living
If you’re looking for a fun and easy Christmas activity for the kids, look no further than these delicious no-bake wreath cookies. They’re perfect for any holiday table and only require a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. The best part is that the kids can make them completely on their own with little to no supervision.
OLD-FASHIONED POTATO CANDY
Source: BellyFull
This easy, 4-ingredient potato candy is a great way to enjoy the classic taste without any baking!
CHRISTMAS TRUFFLES
Source: Princess Pinky Girl
These Peanut Butter Christmas Truffles are a quick and easy holiday dessert that only requires 4 ingredients!
GRANDMA’S SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE
Source: These Old Cookbooks
Grandma’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe is an old-fashioned pound cake made in a Bundt pan. This moist coffee cake, complete with granulated sugar on top, is scrumptious for breakfast or dessert. Best served alongside a hot cup of coffee.
Related Post: Best Christmas Bundt Cake Recipes
CHOCOLATE PECAN SLICE AND BAKE COOKIES
Source: Thrifty Jinxy
Make your holidays sweeter with Chocolate Pecan Slice and Bake Cookies with this Grandma’s recipe!
FRENCH BUTTERCREAM COOKIES
Source: These Old Cookbooks
French Buttercream cookies are light and buttery, as well as the perfect cookie to add some holiday cheer. Add food coloring to the dough or sprinkle colored sugar on top for a beautiful dessert that’s great for sharing with others.
OLD-FASHIONED GINGERBREAD
Source: Southern Living
There’s no more traditional way to get into the Christmas spirit than by making a gingerbread house. The sweet and spicy smell of baking bread will make your whole house feel Christmassy in no time!
Related Post: Best Christmas Gingerbread Recipes
OLD-FASHIONED PECAN PRALINES
Source: Grits and Pinecones
These Pecan Pralines are an old-fashioned Southern candy and a one-of-a-kind treat. They’ve got the perfect mix of crunchy pecans, creamy butterscotch, caramel, and sugar–all wrapped up in a fudgy package!
CORNFLAKE CANDY
Source: Pear Tree Kitchen
This no-bake Cornflake Candy is an incredibly easy and tasty sweet treat that can be made in one pan with just a few simple ingredients. Peanut butter and cornflakes combine to create a delicious, crunchy snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth without taking up all of your time.
PISTACHIO COFFEE CAKE
Source: These Old Cookbooks
Our family loves this light and fluffy Pistachio Coffee Cake! It’s not only delicious but also beautiful with its bright green center. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a special breakfast or any day of the week.
TRADITIONAL BRITISH CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Source: Fuss Free Flavours
This traditional British Christmas pudding is rich, sticky, and has the perfect amount of spice. It also included a hint of chocolate which any family will enjoy immensely.
1940s SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE
Source: Fun and Frosted
This sugar cookie recipe comes from the author’s grandmother. She clipped it out of a newspaper in the 1940s and rewrote it on a piece of paper, which she still has today – stains and all!
SLICED SWEET POTATO PIE
Source: Southern Living
Although it may not look like much, this sweet potato pie is absolutely delicious. The sweet potato slices are stacked high and covered in a sweet glaze that has just the right amount of spice. It’s perfect for the fall season and might even taste better than pumpkin pie!
RED HOT FLUFF
Source: These Old Cookbooks
Red Hot Fluff is a vintage dish that includes not only cinnamon but also classic ingredients such as crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, and mini marshmallows. Cinnamon Imperials melt into the crushed pineapple to form a sweet base with a strong cinnamon flavor before adding the fluffy marshmallows and whipped topping.
MARTHA WASHINGTON CANDY
Source: The Kitchen is my Playground
Martha Washington Candy is an excellent choice for holiday indulgence — and for good reason. This classic confection features creamy sweetened coconut-pecan centers coated in chocolate, making it rich and delicious. You can enjoy it in its traditional coconut-pecan flavor, or add chopped maraschino cherries for a twist. Either way, this candy is sure to please!
TRADITIONAL EGGNOG
Source: Simply Recipes
Make your own eggnog following our simple recipe below, and enjoy it without all the added fillers found in store-bought versions. Just cream, sugar, eggs, and spices make up this delicious holiday drink. Add alcohol for a spiked version or leave it out to keep it kid-friendly.
OLD-FASHIONED DATE PUDDING
Source: These Old Cookbooks
A timeless dessert, Old Fashioned Date Pudding consists of a date cake paired with a decadent caramel sauce. Once cooked, the sticky sauce settles at the bottom- just like Grandma used to make it. Serve warm with the oozing sauce on top and don’t forget the whipped cream!
Related Post: Best Christmas Pudding Recipes
CHRISTMAS SNOW SALAD
Source: Southern Living
This red-and-green congealed salad recipe from 1982 is still one of our all-time favorites. It’s sweet, soft, and festive — just what we want in a vintage Christmas dessert!
OLD-FASHIONED TEA CAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Source: Intelligent Domestications
The holidays are the perfect time to whip up a batch of Old Fashioned Tea Cakes. As the name suggests, they are thin sugar cookies that can be decorated for Christmas. They have the perfect amount of sweetness and make for a great holiday treat!
SUGARED MIXED NUTS
Source: Luci’s Morsels
I know this sugared nuts recipe isn’t the kind you’re familiar with, but it’s so much better! They are absolutely divine and made in a classic way. Just trust me on this one!
CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY CAKE
Source: Stress-free Christmas
Cranberry cake is the perfect holiday dessert. It’s easy to make, but your guests will never know that. Plus, it’s really great for Christmas eve too!
VINTAGE PINEAPPLE PRETZEL SALAD
Source: These Old Cookbooks
This Pretzel Pineapple Salad is awesome because of the sweet, buttery pretzel crumbles. To make it, you just need Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, and cream cheese – a foolproof combination. Your whole family will love this classic side dish!
LIGHT FRUITCAKE
Source: Southern Living
Even the biggest skeptic will enjoy this fruitcake covered in bourbon, passed down from Cassandra King’s mother. The recipe has been ever-so-slightly tweaked to create a unique twist on a childhood favorite.
AUNTIE’S APPLE CAKE
Source: Southern Living
With fresh apples, a spiced batter with pecans, and heavenly praline-like frosting, this traditional recipe for easy apple cake has got it all. It’s perfect for dessert but also works well as a brunch treat or sweet snack with some afternoon tea.
Whether you decide to make a classic fruitcake or go all out with a yule log cake, adding some vintage desserts to your holiday spread is sure to bring back fond memories for your family and friends. And don’t forget about other traditional dishes such as mince pies or plum pudding — these are also great choices when trying to put together an old-fashioned Christmas dinner! So get ready for the holidays by baking up some nostalgia with these vintage recipes!
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SOME CHRISTMAS DESSERT COOKBOOKS THAT YOU CAN BUY:
- Hardcover Book
- Sheehan, Jessie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- LOXLEY, KENDALL (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 150 Pages - 10/02/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- GREAT GIFT OPPORTUNITY: With happy festive photography and anyone-can-do-it recipes this is a perfect holiday gift alongside a cute apron or baking product. It's sure to please anyone in your life who...
- Hardcover Book
- Kieffer, Sarah (Author)
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