Old Fashioned Christmas Dessert Recipes

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I’ve collected our most popular Old Fashioned Christmas Dessert Recipes to share with your and your family this holiday season. From Christmas candies and cookies to vintage Jello salads, this collection has something for everyone.

Old Fashioned Christmas Dessert Recipes

What is it about Christmas-time that brings out the baker in all of us? Maybe it’s the wonderful aromas that arise from the kitchen that scream Christmas, or possibly you love to hand out homemade treats to everyone you know, but for me, it’s all about memories.

Memories of Grandma making her famous fudge, and memories of Mom teaching us all her favorite Christmas cookies. I’m addicted to these memories and recreating them with my family.

I’ve collected all my favorite Old Fashioned Christmas Dessert Recipes, and each and every one has a memory associated with it.  I hope you find a recipe you love, and I challenge you to make your own memories.

Old Fashioned Christmas Candy Recipes

Christmas Candy recipes are a plenty in my house. Anything goes from Grandma’s caramel corn to my favorite copycat mall nuts.  Make a batch and split between containers to share with everyone you know.

Grandma’s Fantasy Fudge 

Grandma's Chocolate Fantasy Fudge is a rich, decadent treat that is quick and easy to make. A small piece is all you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Cinnamon Glazed Pecans 

Ever wanted to make those sweet, crunchy nuts that are a staple at mall kiosks across the country? Look no farther than our Cinnamon Glazed Nuts (pecans)! And guess what? They are simple to make, and only takes five ingredients.

Cream Cheese Mints

These easy three-ingredient Cream Cheese Mints are the perfect compliment for any bridal or baby shower, wedding, or family gathering.  The best part is that the only utensil needed is your hands.

Triple Layer Chocolate Squares

Grandma's Three Layer Chocolate Squares are a family favorite treat that are served every Christmas at my house.  The triple layer cookie bar consists of a chocolate graham cracker crust, a vanilla cream center and a sweet Hershey's chocolate topping.  The combination is a match made in chocolate heaven. 

Church Windows

Church Windows Candy is a fun, festive no bake recipe that kids love to make and eat!  Colored mini marshmallows are coated in a chocolate mixture and rolled up. When ready to serve, slice them up to look like cathedral window cookies.

Caramel Puffed Corn

Caramel Puff Corn takes an ordinary snack food and turns into a sweet treat that you won't be able to stop yourself from eating! Seriously, this treat is addicting.  And, it's cheap to make!

Grandma’s Caramel Corn

You won't be able to resist Grandma's Caramel Corn made on the stove top and finished in the oven.

Crispy Almond Bars

Crispy almond bars are an almond brittle that feature chocolate chips, almond extra and instant coffee powder for the perfect combination of flavors. Cut these into perfect bars or break into irregular brittle bites, and be sure to share with your friends and family. 

Pop Tart Balls

Old Fashioned Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookies come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. The sky is the limit.  I love putting together a variety platter of Christmas cookies just like my Mom did growing up (and still today).  Plates of cookies can be wrapped up with a bow or try some of the adorable Christmas-themed air-tight containers.  These make the perfect gifts for teachers, friends, landlords, beauticians, mail-carriers and more!

Can I freeze Christmas cookies?

Yes, freezing is a great way to prepare your Christmas cookies in advance.  Prepare the Christmas cookies according to the recipe, and then let cool completely.  Once cooled, store them in an air-tight container or zip-lock bag in the freezer for up to 1 month prior to Christmas.

Cinnamon Snaps

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Snaps are a molasses cookie that's big on flavor.  The combination of butter and Crisco gives a perfectly soft interior and slightly crisp exterior.

Triple Fudge Bars

Fudge Nut Bars are a thick and luscious three layered cookie.  The top and bottom is a sweet oatmeal cookie, and the middle is a decadent nut-filled chocolate fudge. The recipe makes a huge pan which is perfect for your next bake sale or family gathering. 

Dainty Logs

Chocolate Crinkles

Need an easy cookie that everyone will love? These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rich and perfect with a tall glass of milk or hot cup of coffee.

Iced Thumbprints

Holiday Iced Thumbprint Cookies with red or green icing are perfect for Christmas cookie trays.

Molasses Chocolate Chip Bars

Chocolate Chip Molasses Bars are an old-fashioned molasses cookie with a dense texture.  They have that traditional molasses cookie flavor enhanced with the addition of chocolate chips.  Making these as a bar cookie cuts down time and energy.

Chocolate Nut Logs

These Chocolate Nut Cookies are easy to make and perfect served with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.

French Buttercreams

The dough for these French Buttercream Cookies can be tinted to make them extra festive for any occasion and be sure to add colored sugar crystals on top.

Granny’s Sugar Cookies

Pride of Iowa Cookies

Snickerdoodles

Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies are a soft sugar cookie which a crispy cinnamon-sugar coating.  These old-fashioned cookies are simple to make and will please any crowd---young or old. 

Old Fashioned Cherry Winks

Old Fashioned Cherry Winks is a vintage recipe from Kellogg's back when cornflake cereal was commonly found in your pantry.  Making these Cherry Winks with Cornflakes Recipe is a welcome blast from the past. 

Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cakes are actually a cookie! Also called Russian Tea Cakes, these super simple cookies contain nuts (usually pecans or walnuts) and are dusted in powdered sugar. Add these to your holiday baking or make them in a matter of minutes for a sweet treat.

Old Fashioned No Bake Cookies

No bake cookies refer to just that—a dessert that does not get baked in the oven. Most no bake cookies are cooked on the stovetop, and then set up at room temperature on the counter until hard.

How long do no bake cookies stay good?

The great thing about no bake cookies is that they tend to stay fresh longer than regular baked cookies.  Most no bakes will stay fresh for up to two weeks in an air-tight container at room temperature.  If you want the cookies to last even longer, store the in the refrigerator or freezer.

Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

Peanut Butter Cornflake Drop Cookies contain 4 simple ingredients transformed into a no bake cookie sensation.  You too can conquer these easy, chewy cookies with a perfectly peanut butter flavor, in approximately 10 minutes flat. 

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters are a no bake peanut butter candy recipe that can be completed in less than 15 minutes.  The white chocolate peanut butter base coats a crunchy combination of peanuts and Rice Krispies that perfectly complements slightly melted mini marshmallows.  

Ting A Lings

Old Fashioned Ting A Lings are a chocolate butterscotch no bake cookie made with only 4 ingredients.  The classic crunchy texture comes from a surprise ingredient---chow mein noodles. Whip these simple treats up in a flash.

Salted Nut Squares

Salted Nut Squares are an easy, no bake cookie recipe with a creamy, peanut butter base that is perfectly complemented by salted peanuts.  This irresistible dessert just so happens to be a copycat Payday Bar.  This microwave is simple with only five ingredients (salted peanuts, butter, peanut butter chips, condensed milk, and miniature marshmallows).

Chocolate Scotcheroos

Rice Krispies Scotcheroos are a no bake, 2 layered treat that is a favorite of all families.  The bottom bar layer is a  cookie made with sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter and Rice Krispies while the top layer is a combination of melted chocolate and butterscotch chips. With the help of the microwave, this entire recipe can be completed in 10 minutes or less

Christmas Pudding Recipes

Puddings are a great, vintage option for holiday desserts.  Old Fashioned Christmas puddings can range anywhere from the traditional British or Irish versions using dried fruits to the American versions that are more like a custard.

Persimmon Pudding

If you are looking for an old fashioned persimmon pudding recipe, look no farther. Our version is authentic and pure and full of true persimmon flavor.  This simple recipe tastes like just like it should---like persimmons!

Toffee Date Pudding

Old Fashioned Date Pudding features a date cake with a rich, sticky sauce that separates to the bottom while cooking. Serve warm with the sticky sauce poured over top and a dollop of whipped cream. One whiff or bite will take you back to Grandma's kitchen. 

Bread Pudding (Using Leftover Donuts)

Don't let those uneaten glazed donuts go unused, instead turn them into this delicious Leftover Donut Bread Pudding. You can even freeze leftover donuts until you have enough to make this yummy dessert.

Pumpkin Pudding Dessert (Slow Cooker)

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Pudding recipe is a crustless dessert perfect for a holiday dessert.

Classic Chocolate Pudding

Homemade Chocolate Pudding is a rich, decadent, old-fashioned dessert that is easy to make and a hit with all ages. Top with whipped cream or pour into a graham-cracker crust for a yummy treat. 

Traditional Vanilla Pudding

Crockpot Christmas Cookies and Candy

Using the slow cooker or Crock Pot is a great way to save valuable oven space for other dishes during the holidays.  If you haven’t expanded your Crock Pot game to desserts, now’s your chance!

Slow Cooker Candied Pecans

Crock Pot Glazed Pecans are the perfect sweet and satisfying snack any time of the year, and they make a great gift to share with friends and family. Hello, Christmas gift!

Crock Pot Chili Nuts

Crock Pot Seven Layer Bars

You can essentially dump in all of the ingredients, walk away, and come back to perfectly baked Crock Pot Seven Layer Bars.

Old Fashioned Jello Salad Recipes

Is there anything more old fashioned than a Jello salad? If you are from the Midwest, your grandma or mom most certainly had at least one recipe featuring jello, fruit/vegetables, marshmallows or Cool Whip!

What is a Jello Salad?

A Jello salad is a vintage dish containing flavored gelatin, also known as Jello.  Gelatin comes in a variety of flavors which means the sky is the limit when it comes to Jello salads.

Is Jello salad a side or a dessert?

The great thing about Jello Salads is that it can be a side or a dessert. Some Jello salads contain fruits or vegetables which make it more of a side dish. Others contain dessert-like ingredients such as Cool Whip, marshmallow or Sweetened Condensed Milk, making them fall along the dessert spectrum.

Red Hot Fluff Salad

Pink Lady Salad

Cherry Fluff

Grandma's Cherry Fluff recipe has just five ingredients and is a dump and go dish perfect for pitch-ins.

Vintage Pretzel Salad

Classic Ambrosia

Classic Ambrosia Salad is the perfect vintage recipe for your next family gathering or for any day of the week.  It's a simple recipe to make and easy to remember with only 5 simple ingredients. 

Orange Jello Salad

Orange Jello Salad is a cool, refreshing summer salad that can be eaten as a dessert or a side dish.  This vintage recipe only has five ingredients, and can be mixed together in a flash.

Old Fashioned Christmas Cakes and Quick Breads

Cookies and candy not your thing? Wrap up a beautiful loaf of quick bread or a whole coffee cake to make the perfect breakfast gift.  I love wrapping a new, kitchen towel around the bread of cake for added beauty. Banana Bread is always a favorite…and bonus, if you have a coffee lover in your life, give them a loaf of banana bread AND a batch of this Banana Bread Biscotti!

Mom’s Almond Poppy Seed Bread

Mom's Poppy Seed Bread is one of those quick breads that is perfect for breakfast, dessert or as an afternoon snack with a hot cup of coffee.

Pistachio Coffee Cake

This easy-to-make Pistachio Coffee Cake is not only delicious but is also pleasing to the eye with its bright green inside. It is perfect for a special family breakfast but can be easily made any day of the week.

Grandma’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Classic Pound Cake

Grandma's Traditional Pound Cake is a special recipe that uses butter, margarine and Crisco for a perfectly moist and dense texture.  Amateurs and professional bakers alike will fall for this easy recipe. Serve it up for dessert or breakfast, it will be a favorite for all.

45 Traditional Holiday Desserts

I hope you love this collection of old fashioned holiday desserts as much as I do.  You may even find that this year brings a new holiday tradition for you and your family while brightening the day of someone else with one of these homemade Christmas gifts.

I've collected our most popular Old Fashioned Christmas Dessert Recipes to share with your and your family this holiday season.  From Christmas candies and cookies to vintage Jello salads, this collection has something for everyone. 

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