For many, the holiday season evokes memories of spending time in the kitchen with mom. 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. Take a walk down memory lane this holiday season by baking mom’s favorite holiday desserts.
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!” – 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
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
Dolly’s Chocolate Snowballs
“This recipe was from my mom. I would watch her as a child make these cookies and it was always around the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. They simply melt in your mouth.” – 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! The kitchen was filled with incredible aromas and every inch of space was filled with spectacular desserts. My favorite cookies were my grandmother’s vanilla anisette which I would help her make every year.” – 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. You won’t miss the extra oil because this is a super moist and tasty cake. It also makes fabulous cupcakes.” – Cara
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 that do not care for pumpkin pie love this since it is spicy and not too pumpkiny.” – Lucille
Mom’s Chess Pie
“My mom passed this recipe on to me years ago. Everyone loves her chess pies!” – Erin
Gingerbread (Old Recipe)
“My mom loved recipes. I remember her making this recipe only once or twice but I fell in love with it. 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.” – 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
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
Butter Cookies (Swedish)
“These were a staple of holiday cookies at 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
Lizzie’s Coconut Custard Pie
“This was one of Grandma’s holiday pies. I loved it!” – Kathie
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”
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.” – Sheila
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