For many, the holiday season evokes memories of spending time in the kitchen with mom. And many of those cherished memories include baking desserts. When those pie, cake, and cookie recipes are passed down, it lets holiday dessert traditions be passed from one generation to the next. This roundup of holiday dessert recipes shares an assortment of recipes that members have shared that remind them of their mom and grandmother.
Butter Cookies (Swedish)
“These were a staple of holiday cookies in my childhood. My great grandmother, grandmother, mom, and I would make them together. As the child, I had the job of using a thimble to make the perfect dent to fill with sparkling jellies.” – Wendy
My Ricotta Pie
“This is one of my family’s favorite holiday desserts. I make this pie recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, of course, Easter. When I make it, my kids can’t wait until after dinner so they can have a piece.” – Lin
Grandma Ann’s Iced Oatmeal Spice Cookies
“These bring back many childhood memories, and they were also a favorite of my father’s. It took a while for me to develop the exact recipe, as my mother did not leave this one with us. She may have gotten her recipe from my father’s mother because he once said he used to eat cookies like these as a boy.” – Susan
Grammy Peg’s Christmas Cookies
“As a child, receiving these cookies from my Grammy Peg was a huge part of our Christmas tradition. Now, my mom, sisters, sister-in-law, nieces, and daughter-in-law all get together and make these delicious cookies every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving.” – Bridget
Sweet Potato Pie
“This is the best recipe! It was my great-grandmother’s. However, if you don’t want to cook the sweet potatoes from scratch, use canned sweet potatoes and mash them. Of course, we top it with whipped cream!” – Kelsey “Rose”
My Mom’s Flaky Pie Crust
“It doesn’t matter where my mom takes one of her pies; she receives compliments on her light, flaky pie crusts. You never see the crust still sitting on the plate when someone eats a slice of her pie! This is a versatile crust recipe and can be used for more than just pies.” – Kimberly
Milk & Sugar Pie
“This recipe is at least 65 years old, according to my mom. She remembers her mom making it when she was a little girl, and she is now 74 years old. Mom said it was an economical pie and very rich, so it would serve a large family. It is scrumptious.” – Gloria
Dolly’s Chocolate Snowballs
“This recipe is from my mom. As a child, I would watch her make these cookies, and it was always around the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. They simply melt in your mouth. I remember watching her add or take out an ingredient until she had it just right.” – Rosemarie
Grandma Lu’s Vanilla Anisette Christmas Cookies
“Growing up in an Italian family, our kitchen was always filled with family, food, and fun. But during the holidays, it was simply magical! My favorite cookies were my grandmother’s vanilla anisette, which I would help her make every year. To this day, I make her cookies, carrying on the tradition and transforming my kitchen into that very special, magical place I always loved as a child.” – Nancy
Momma’s Homemade Apple Pie
“My mom made this when I was a little girl and told me how to make it.” – Teresa
Grandma Cookie’s Carrot Cake
“This recipe came from my mom, a.k.a. Grandma Cookie. When my mom and dad were married back in 1970 my great-grandma gave them a church cookbook and this was a recipe in it. I have changed a few things by adding some ingredients and lightened it by replacing half of the oil with applesauce. You won’t miss the extra oil because this is a super moist and tasty cake. It also makes fabulous cupcakes.” – Cara
Grandma’s Butterscotch Pie
“Grandma liked to cook, and she used to love looking through cookbooks for different recipes. This is a pie that she said she made a lot when my dad was younger and is a favorite.” – Melissa
Mom’s Special Pumpkin Pie
“My mother-in-law made this pie for every holiday, and we all loved it. She had seven children, and each child brought along a spouse for dinner, so she had to make quite a few pies to satisfy all of us. I have made this pie over the years, and even those who do not care for pumpkin pie love this since it is spicy and not too pumpkiny.” – Lucille
Gingerbread (Old Recipe)
“I knew I loved gingerbread because of this recipe. It was soft, warm, spiced just right, and tasted good with a little butter spread on it, like bread. My mouth is watering!” – Marcia
Grandma’s Bread Pudding
“I don’t know what it is with grandmas and bread pudding. But when I have a grandma over for dinner and say I have bread pudding, I see a big smile on their face.” – Jane
Mom’s Chess Pie
“My mom passed this recipe on to me years ago. Everyone loves her chess pies!” – Erin
Mom’s Molasses Cookies
“This is my mother’s recipe. I’ve never come across anything better for a molasses cookie. Full of flavor and so incredibly soft. Top it off with some frosting, and you are in pure heaven. They are so delicious that you won’t just stop at one! Trust me!” – Sheila
Lizzie’s Coconut Custard Pie
“This was one of Grandma’s holiday pies. I loved it!” – Kathie
Frosted Spicy Sweet Potato Bars
“For as long as I can remember, during the holidays my family has always gotten together to share in our holiday cookies. One of our favorite ones is these yummy Spicy Sweet Potato Bars.” – Brenda
Cinnamon (or Cardamom) Butter Cookies
“This is my grandmother’s recipe. She made them every Christmas. These little cookies just melt in your mouth!” – Val