30+ Vintage Christmas Dessert Recipes To Remake (2024)

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

ThisVintage Christmas Tree Cakeis 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 deliciousno-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

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

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!