33 of Grandma’s Best Fall Desserts

Read Time: 12 mins

33 of Grandma’s Best Fall Desserts2/33 Cardamom Spritz 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 6 dozen Go to Recipe 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 3/33 Amish Vanilla

It reminds me of the many cream pies my grandma made for holidays

Pie 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Amish Vanilla Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe 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,

She would make

Nappanee, Indiana 4/33 Date Pinwheel Cookies 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Date Swirl Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe 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 5/33 Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe 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

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 6/33 Baki’s Old-World Cookies 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Baki’s Old-World Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe 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 7/33 Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie Recipe

My grandmother made this treat every year for Christmas

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe 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 8/33 Grandma’s Carrot Cake 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe 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

When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon

was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan 9/33 Scottish Shortbread 81 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Scottish Shortbread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe 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 10/33 Southern Sweet Potato Pie 38 Reviews Test Kitchen

Try it with a dollop of whipped cream

Approved Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe 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 11/33 Snickerdoodle Cheesecake 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

I think of my grandmother each time I make it!

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 12/33 Mexican Chocolate Sugar Crisps 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings

I think of her every time I make a batch

4-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe 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 13/33 Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe 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

if you have a real sweet tooth. —Catherine Hahn, Winamac, Indiana 14/33 Pumpkin Pecan Custard 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe 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 15/33 Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 20 servings. Go to Recipe 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

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 16/33 Old-Fashioned Stack Cakes 1 Review Old-Fashioned Stack Cakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 3 stack cakes (6 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother has always fixed these at Christmas and they are

the first thing everyone asks about

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 17/33 Butterscotch Fudge 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Butterscotch Fudge Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 1-1/2 pounds Go to Recipe 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 18/33 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 51

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe 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 19/33 Gingersnap Crumb Pear Pie 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe

The classic Sticky Toffee

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 20/33 Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 15 servings (2-1/2 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The classic Sticky Toffee

Pudding is a traditional dessert in the United Kingdom

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 21/33 Maple Carrot Cupcakes 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Maple Carrot Cupcakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe 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

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community