20 Old-Fashioned Desserts from Grandma’s Recipe Box
These dishes taste just like childhood.
Grandma’s desserts are hard to beat—and there’s a reason for that. Sure, it’s fun to try the trendy new treats on TikTok, but nothing compares to the comfort of a classic recipe that has been made and loved for generations. Maybe your favorite memory is a warm blackberry cobbler cooling on the counter for a church potluck, a slice of coffee cake alongside your morning cup of coffee, or a plate of perfectly spiced gingersnaps waiting after school. These old-fashioned desserts are filled with the kind of nostalgia that takes you back—and makes you want to go back for seconds.
Of course, this list includes a few of Ree Drummond's own childhood favorites and beloved recipes passed down from her mom, Gerre, and her mother-in-law, Nan. For instance, there’s Iny’s Prune Cake, a recipe from Ree’s great-grandmother, and the apple dumplings that Ree says comes from "my mom's trusty recipe binder from which I have pried more than a handful of delicious recipes over the years." Other Grandma-approved desserts include comforting cobblers, Jell-O recipes, and cakes made from scratch. Each of them are timeless, and they're all made with love!
Try the Drummonds' favorite recipes for more nostalgia:
Iny’s Prune Cake
A true family classic! Ree’s great-grandmother Iny passed down this wonderfully moist, warmly spiced cake, which gets even more irresistible when it’s drenched in a buttery, caramel-like icing.
Get Ree’s Iny’s Prune Cake recipe.
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding
If you grew up in the South, you’ll remember this one: Creamy pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers get topped with golden-brown meringue for a classic dessert that’s perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
Get the Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding recipe.
Million Dollar Pie
Here’s a retro favorite: light, fluffy filling gets loaded with pineapple, coconut, maraschino cherries, and crunchy pecans before chilling in a graham cracker crust.
Get Ree’s Million Dollar Pie recipe.
Blackberry Cobbler
This cobbler will send you right back to your youth. The recipe calls for just five ingredients, and every bite is bursting with juicy, fruity flavors. Serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Get Ree's Blackberry Cobbler recipe.
Best Coffee Cake Ever
This one comes straight from a handwritten recipe card in Ree’s mom’s recipe binder. Every forkful will transport you to early mornings as a child thanks to its rich and buttery base with a cinnamon-pecan crumb topping.
Get Ree's Best Coffee Cake Ever recipe.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
If you’re looking for something this fall season, look no further: This pumpkin chiffon pie is light, fluffy, and perfectly spiced.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Chiffon Pie recipe.
Strawberry Shortcakes
Is there anything more nostalgic than strawberry shortcake? With this dessert, you’ll get a tower of crumbly shortcakes layered with sliced strawberries and airy whipped cream.
Get the Strawberry Shortcakes recipe.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Mexican wedding cookies (aka snowball cookies) have been around for decades: They’re packed with buttery goodness and dusted with mouthwatering powdered sugar.
Get the Mexican Wedding Cookies recipe.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Zesty and sweet, lemon meringue pie is hard to beat. This classic custard-based treat, baked in a flaky pie crust, is particularly refreshing for summer get-togethers.
Get the Lemon Meringue Pie recipe.
Gingersnaps
Your house will smell warm and spiced thanks to these simple, scrumptious cookies. They're chewy and crisp, just like the kind you might remember from holidays at Grandma's house.
Get Ree's Gingersnaps recipe.
Apple Dumplings
This recipe is incredibly comforting, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to make! That's all thanks to some supermarket shortcuts like canned crescent roll dough and citrusy soda. It's no wonder Ree calls it "the best dessert of all time."
Get Ree's Apple Dumplings recipe.
Jell-O Mold
No trip to Grandma's would be complete without a ring of jiggly Jell-O. With a layer of creamy coconut and a topping of bright berries, you're sure to get the ultimate old-fashioned experience.
Get the Jell-O Mold recipe.
Perfect Pound Cake
You might remember those 7-Up cakes from the 1970's that are simple, moist, flavorful, and downright perfect. Well, this pound cake is exactly that!
Get Ree's Perfect Pound Cake recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
It might be called a "salad," but don't be fooled! This dessert is made with fluffy marshmallows, crunchy coconut flakes, and plenty of sweet, juicy fruit.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Homemade Apple Pie
Made with melt-in-your-mouth apples and a flaky double pie crust, this towering dessert is sure to impress the whole family. It's one dessert you'll want to make again and again.
Get the Homemade Apple Pie recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This sweet treat dates back to the 1960s, but it's just as fun to make today! The layers of salty pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and strawberry Jell-O topping are a timeless hit.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These are the cookies you don't think you want until you have one—and then maybe three more. They're soft, chewy, and just nostalgic enough to bring you back to those after-school kitchen-counter moments. Raisins and all!
Get Ree's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe.
Cherry Delight
This one lived in the Pyrex with the snap-on lid in the back of Grandma's fridge. It's cold, creamy, and unapologetically topped with cherry pie filling from a can. (And somehow, that's the best part!)
Get Ree's Cherry Delight recipe.
Pineapple-Upside Down Cake
This iconic cake is making a comeback! It's no surprise though since it's topped with sweet pineapple rings and maraschino cherries.
Get the Pineapple-Upside Down Cake recipe.
Snickerdoodles
These chewy, cinnamon-spiced cookies are a year-round favorite. Make them for the holidays, birthdays, or any day in between.
Get Ree's Snickerdoodles recipe.
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