Ready to ditch the modern, trendy desserts and get back to the good stuff? I’m talking about the tried-and-true Christmas classics that Grandma used to whip up while shooing you out of the kitchen with a flour-covered hand.
In this post, we’re digging deep into the dusty corners of Grandma’s recipe box to bring you 23 old-fashioned Christmas desserts that are so old, they’re practically hip again. So let’s celebrate Christmas, retro-style!
Church Window Cookies
Get ready to wow with Church Window Cookies, an old-fashioned wonder of the holiday dessert world. They’re a quirky mix of chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts, creating a stained-glass effect that’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies
Cream Cheese Mints
These Cream Cheese Mints are like little bites of holiday nostalgia, ready to transport you to Christmases past. Just mix, roll, and chill – no oven required! Perfect for those family bonding moments (or sneaky solo snacking).
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Mints
Italian Ricotta Cookies
Italian Ricotta Cookies are tender, cake-like treats. They’re a holiday favorite, but let’s be real, they’re too good to save just for Christmas. Like little clouds of Italian joy, these cookies have been spreading holiday cheer for generations.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies
Swedish Almond Cake
Make a traditional Swedish Almond Cake, a sweet testament to Scandinavia’s baking prowess. It’s an easy, elegant dessert that’s dusted with powdered sugar or glazed to perfection. This cake is like a Christmas postcard you can eat.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Almond Cake
Rum Balls
Unleash your inner pirate with these boozy Rum Balls, a vintage treat that’s perfect for adulting this holiday. They’re rich, they’re naughty, and they’ve got enough rum to make any party merry. Warning: may cause spontaneous Christmas caroling.
Get the Recipe: Rum Balls
Pistachio Fluff
Pistachio Fluff is a holiday throwback that’s just as easy to make as it is to devour. Five ingredients, endless delight – it’s like a secret holiday weapon disguised as a green dessert salad.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff
Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Float away on a cloud of Peppermint Meringue Cookies, the lightest, fluffiest addition to your holiday feast. With their candy cane swirls and melt-in-your-mouth magic, they’re like a peppermint dream come true. Just try not to float away with delight!
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Amish Cinnamon Bread
Amish Cinnamon Bread is a sweet and spicy loaf that’ll make your kitchen smell like a holiday haven. Quick to whip up and even quicker to disappear, it’s old-fashioned comfort food in loaf form. Perfect for sharing, but we won’t judge if you don’t.
Get the Recipe: Amish Cinnamon Bread
Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle
Whip up some Peanut Brittle and travel back in time to grandma’s kitchen. This easy-to-make, crackly sweet is the perfect homemade gift – if you can resist eating it all first! It’s like the holidays have been wrapped up in a crunchy, nutty, sweet bite.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle
Speculoos
Speculoos, the cookie with a name as fun as its flavor. These spiced European classics are like taking a bite of Christmas past, perfect for St. Nicholas’ feast or any festive gathering. They’re the cookies that whisper, “happy holidays” with every crunch.
Get the Recipe: Speculoos
Icebox Cake
Throw it back to simpler times with this no bake Icebox Cake. Layers of graham crackers and berries come together in a dessert that’s as easy as it is delicious. It’s a no-fuss, no-bake wonder that’s a surefire crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Icebox Cake
Peppermint Patties
Homemade Peppermint Patties are here to put store-bought versions to shame. Imagine biting into soft, creamy peppermint goodness, all wrapped up in a chocolate coating. It’s a minty kiss under the mistletoe!
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Patties
Cardamom Cookies
Spice up your cookie game with Cardamom Cookies, a Scandinavian treat that’s not your average holiday cookie. Crisp, aromatic, and packed with flavor, they’re the perfect partner for a cup of hot cocoa. They’re a vintage delight.
Get the Recipe: Cardamom Cookies
Swedish Tea Ring
Welcome to the sweet circle of joy that is the traditional Swedish Tea Ring. This almond-filled pastry wreath is a festive and delicious nod to Swedish holiday traditions. It’s ready to be the star of your holiday dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Tea Ring
Butterscotch Cookies
Enjoy the sweet and chewy Butterscotch Cookies, where brown sugar and butter meet for an old fashioned holiday romance. Throw in some butterscotch chips and pecans, and you’ve got a cookie that’s hard to put down. They’re like little bites of butterscotch bliss.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Cookies
Mini Pavlova
Impress with less stress with these Mini Pavlovas topped with lemon curd and berries. The crisp outside and fluffy inside are a fun combination of textures, while the toppings add a burst of freshness. This vintage classic is easy to make ahead of time!
Get the Recipe: Mini Pavlova
Jam Pinwheel Cookies
Jam Pinwheel Cookies are retro spirals of joy that’ll spin your holiday dessert game right round. Buttery dough, sweet jam, and a sprinkle of walnuts all rolled up into one delightful treat. They’re like edible Christmas ornaments (but tastier).
Get the Recipe: Jam Pinwheel Cookies
Cherry Salad
Cherry Salad, also known as Pink Fluff, is the quick, sweet retreat from the holiday hustle. Just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to whip up this retro hero. It’s an easy going and fabulous treat.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Salad
Haystack Cookies
In a holiday rush? Haystack Cookies to the rescue! Just 4 ingredients and a few minutes to create these vintage chocolate-peanut butter lifesavers. They’re the heroes your holiday dessert table didn’t know it needed.
Get the Recipe: Haystack Cookies
Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Cozy up with Amish Apple Fritter Bread, a slice of spiced, glazed goodness that screams old-fashioned holiday comfort. It’s perfect for sharing (or hoarding). Every slice is a bite of nostalgia, reminding you of the joys of simple baking.
Get the Recipe: Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are here to satisfy all your gooey, fudgy, chocolatey cravings. They’re the perfect blend of brownie and cookie, and they’re dairy-free to boot! These cookies are like an old fashioned little black dress: perfect for every occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Lime Jello Salad
Lime Jello Salad is the retro green goddess of the holiday table. It’s tangy, it’s sweet, and it’s got that wobbly charm that brings out the kid in everyone. This salad is proof that Jello never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad
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