Nowadays we’re all talking about the next dump-and-bake dessert or we’re trying out the latest trend on TikTok for a sweet treat after dinner. But what about the classic recipes Grandma used to make? We’re talking about the tried and true recipes of the past that activate our most nostalgic tastebuds.
From ambrosia salad to Jell-O forward dishes, here are some old-fashioned dessert recipes that have become classic cravings.
Peanut Brittle
Be careful not to chip a tooth on this stuff, but boy oh boy, is peanut brittle singing the songs of Christmas past to us. Akin to toffee, peanut brittle is full of rich flavor and a crisp and crunchy texture that’s just next-level. If your grandma didn’t whip up batches upon batches of this to lay out for munching around the holidays, we’re sorry about your rotten luck.
Recipe: Little Cooks Reading Books
Ambrosia Salad
Another one of Grandma’s go-to’s. This stuff is best when it’s chilled in the fridge for a while so all of the flavors and textures can mingle nicely. I still make this every Christmas, it’s that good. This recipe will never die.
Recipe: The Kitchen is My Playground
Broken Glass Jell-O
If you’re not into gelatin-forward, jiggly-textured desserts, then you’ll probably turn your nose up at this stuff, but this beautifully colored dessert was perfect for the holidays with bursts of colors and flavors of different Jell-O’s packed into a condensed milk, gelatin base.
Recipe: Bellyfull
Baked Alaska
Baked Alaska is just about as retro as desserts get. I mean, even its components are old-fashioned ingredients (like sponge cake and meringue). Still, the stuff is delicious.
Recipe: Dinner Then Dessert
Cherries Jubilee
Cherries Jubilee are basically just cherries simmered with orange and flambeed with brandy. Served with some vanilla ice cream, they’re absolutely top tier.
Recipe: Sugar Geek Recipes
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Jell-O Molds
Now, we’re not talking about Aunt Bethany’s alien-green, cat food-filled Jell-O mold from that Christmas classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” when we look back fondly on this dessert. More like the mandarin orange-accompanied version or the ones with the maraschino cherries. Good stuff.
Recipe: Dole
Corn Flake Peanut Butter Cookies
Crispy, creamy, salty … these just didn’t and still don’t miss. Plus, they’re cheap to make, and we here at Cheapism love that.
Recipe: Cupcake Diaries
Shoo-Fly Pie
“Shoo, fly” isn’t just something you shout on a hot summer day while eating dinner outside. It’s a pie! Commonly associated with Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, this pie has a sweet and decadent filling with a light crumb topping.
Recipe: Pastry Chef Online
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Molasses Cookies
Molasses cookies have a distinct spice flavor and they are the perfect balance of bite and decadence. These rich cookies are soft, chewy, and pretty much to-die-for.
Recipe: Beyond the Butter
Divinity Candy
Divinity is a classic, nougat-like candy with a foundation of whipped egg whites, corn syrup, and sugar. Flavors and fillings like dried fruit or chopped nuts make this candy completely customizable to your tastes. The roots of this candy date back as far as the 1900s, and this stuff is a lot more obscure now, albeit still a good go-to treat to make.
Recipe: Creative Homemaking
Pecan Pralines
These are an easy-to-make candy that deliver the just-right balance of creamy and crunchy. The nutty flavor is complemented by a subtle richness that is pretty well primo. Throw these in a tin and gift them to your neighbors … unless they have a nut allergy, that is.
Recipe: Life, Love, and Sugar
Butterscotch Pudding
Butterscotch is one of the best flavors in existence and you can not change my mind on that. It’s just a fact. It’s buttery and rich all at the same time without being overpowering. In its pudding form, it’s a simple dessert that just doesn’t miss.
Recipe: The View from Great Island
Gumdrop Cookies
Just like Grandma used to make. With an oatmeal cookie base, the gumdrops throughout these cookies provided irresistably chewy bites with complex flavors found in absolutely no other cookie. Best enjoyed warm, for sure.
Recipe: Bowl Me Over
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