33 of Grandma’s Best Fall Desserts
- A collection of family recipes passed down through generations, including Grandma's Apple Cake and Amish Vanilla Pie, are shared by home cooks across the United States.
Grandma's Apple Cake (Oma's Apfelkucken)
My husband's German family calls this Oma's apfelkuchen , which translates to "Grandma's apple cake." They've been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio
Cardamom Spritz
4 Reviews
Total Time:30 min
Servings:about 6 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: As far back as I remember, I have loved cardamom. My grandmother often added the spice to her baked goods. I usually make these cookies with a spritz press—and camel disk—that I found at a thrift shop. It reminds me of a time when I rode a camel in the desert while deployed with the Navy. Of course, any design will do! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Amish Vanilla Pie
3 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: We live in rural northern Indiana where we have several Amish communities. I found this recipe in our local paper a few years back, and after making a few adjustments, I came up with a fabulous pie! It reminds me of the many cream pies my grandma made for holidays. Be sure to allow the Amish vanilla pie to set and cool completely before cutting and serving. —Shelly Brubacher, Nappanee, Indiana
Date Pinwheel Cookies
9 Reviews
Total Time:40 min
Servings:4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My granddaughter nicknamed my mother Cookie Grandma because she made wonderful cookie—including these crisp and chewy treats. —Donna Grace, Clancy, Montana
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
7 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 35 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
Baki's Old-World Cookies
10 Reviews
Total Time:45 min
Servings:3 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My uncles have always called these "cupcake cookies" because of the unique, pretty way they're baked. My maternal grandmother mixed many batches. —Marilyn Louise Riggenbach, Ravenna, Ohio
Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie
2 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother made this treat every year for Christmas. It's much better than everyday apple pie. The recipe is a family treasure. —Maxine Theriauit, Nashua, New Hampshire
Grandma's Carrot Cake
3 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan
Scottish Shortbread
80 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:35 min
Servings:4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this shortbread recipe, along with other favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba
Southern Sweet Potato Pie
36 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This Mississippi sweet potato pie is very popular in the South. It's a particular favorite at our house because we always have plenty of sweet potatoes in our garden. Try it with a dollop of whipped cream. —Bonnie Holcomb, Fulton, Mississippi
Snickerdoodle Cheesecake
1 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 35 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My maternal grandmother preferred sewing and quilting to cooking and baking, but there were some things that she cooked and baked really well. She was the only person I knew who made snickerdoodles, simple but yummy cookies that I've always enjoyed. Since cheesecake is my very favorite dessert, I couldn't resist coming up with one that re-creates those flavors. I think of my grandmother each time I make it! Sometimes I'll drizzle the slices with maple syrup. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Mexican Chocolate Sugar Crisps
6 Reviews
Total Time:40 min
Servings:4-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My grandma loved these so much, she would hide them from my grandpa! I think of her every time I make a batch. Like Mexican spice? Try stirring in a little chili powder. —Michele Lovio, Thousand Oaks, California
Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake
6 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled if you have a real sweet tooth. —Catherine Hahn, Winamac, Indiana
Pumpkin Pecan Custard
5 Reviews
Total Time:55 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My family loves pumpkin pie flavor, but this is a delicious, creamy, healthier alternative—and we don't miss the crust at all. It firms up as it cools. —Abby Booth, Coweta, Oklahoma
Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting
2 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:45 min
Servings:20
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My mom and I bought a jar of cookie butter to try it out, and we fell in love with it. I knew the flavor would go well with maple syrup and pecans, so I came up with this cake. I like to make a pretty design on the top of the cake with pecan halves. —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
Old-Fashioned Stack Cakes
1 Reviews
Total Time:40 min
Servings:3 stack cakes (6 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother has always fixed these at Christmas and they are the first thing everyone asks about. "Where is the stack cake?" The super thin layers are what make this recipe stand out...delicious! —Stephanie Gilbert, Whitesburg, Kentucky
Butterscotch Fudge
14 Reviews
Total Time:20 min
Servings:about 1-1/2 pounds
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Lovers of butterscotch and fudge will agree—this award-winning recipe is a match made in heaven! Special add-ins like walnuts and marshmallow take this butterscotch fudge recipe to a whole new level. —Virginia Hipwell, Fenwick, Ontario
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
50 Reviews
Total Time:30 min
Servings:about 3-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A friend gave me the recipe for these cookies many years ago, and they're as delicious as the ones Mom used to make. The secret to the recipe is to measure exactly (no guessing on the amounts) and to not overbake. —Wendy Coalwell, Abbeville, Georgia
Gingersnap Crumb Pear Pie
3 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 35 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This basic recipe was one my grandmother used for making crumble pies from fresh fruit. She simply substituted oats, gingersnaps or vanilla wafers depending on the fruit. Pear was always my favorite, and I added the ginger and caramel to give it a new twist. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce
2 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Servings:15 (2-1/2 cups sauce)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The classic Sticky Toffee Pudding is a traditional dessert in the United Kingdom. I love that I can just stay home and bake this cake version, featuring saucy butterscotch. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Maple Carrot Cupcakes
29 Reviews
Total Time:35 min
Servings:1-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I come from a line of family cooks and have liked to cook and bake since I was young. Mother and Grandmom were always in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. These carrot cupcakes were Grandmom's specialty, and we always have them at family gatherings. —Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio, Vineland, New Jersey
Classic Sweet Potato Pie
6 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This simple but special deep-dish pie provides a down-home finish to hearty autumn meals. Pecans and pumpkin pie spices make it a comforting seasonal classic. —Paul Azzone, Shoreham, New York
Frosted Harvest Cake
68 Reviews
Total Time:35 min
Servings:3-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Craving brownies but want something a little bit different? Indulge in a fall-flavored version topped with a cream cheese frosting. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Apple Stack Cake
1 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri
Pumpkin Seed Toffee
1 Reviews
Total Time:30 min
Servings:2 pounds
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My kids are allergic to nuts, but they can eat pumpkin seeds! Every fall we save the seeds from our pumpkins to add to various recipes, including this one. —Suzanne Earl, Spring, Texas
Rice Pudding
93 Reviews
Total Time:55 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My sisters and I always loved the recipe for rice pudding our grandma made. After she passed away, I took it upon myself to try and find the secret to her rice pudding. It took quite a bit of experimentation, but I finally got it right! And I'm glad to share this easy recipe here. —Margaret DeChant, Newberry, Michigan
Ginger Crinkles
1 Reviews
Total Time:35 min
Servings:about 2-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I came up with these cookies by combining ingredients from two other recipes. It's the perfect ginger cookie—crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle. I send them to my son, and he shares them with his employees. Whenever I ask what kind of cookies to send, these are at the very top of the list. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
Gran's Apple Cake
55 Reviews
Total Time:55 min
Servings:24
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
Pumpkin Charlotte
2 Reviews
Total Time:30 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit. —Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois
Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes
Total Time:40 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
Easy Apple Cobbler
3 Reviews
Total Time:50 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This is a common dish from where I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. It's a classic Dutch-style apple cobbler recipe—easy, quick and delicious. Who wouldn't love this golden brown delight? —Andrea Robson, York, Pennsylvania
Cinnamon Chocolate Cake
5 Reviews
Total Time:1 hour
Servings:15
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A healthy hint of cinnamon gives this chocolate cake an extra step up over the expected sheet cake. The sweet frosting is full of crunchy pecans. —Victor Clifford, San Jose, California
Pumpkin Mousse
20 Reviews
Total Time:10 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: If you've had your fill of pumpkin pie, this cool and creamy pumpkin mousse is perfect for you. Its light and fluffy texture won't make you feel "stuffed" after your favorite turkey dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
