39 Family Cookbook Recipes from Grandma

Read Time: 16 mins

39 Family Cookbook Recipes from Grandma2/39 Nut Rolls 17 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Hungarian Nut Rolls Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 4 loaves (12 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It isn’t officially the holidays until I’ve made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband’s grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 222 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 87mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 3/39

I always thought it was better than turkey!

Grandma’s Roasted Duck 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Grandma’s Roasted Duck Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 55 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was growing up, my grandma always served roast duck for the holidays, and for other family events throughout the year. I always thought it was better than turkey! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 6 ounces cooked duck: 649 calories, 51g fat (18g saturated fat), 152mg cholesterol, 550mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein. 4/39 Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple

They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years

Cake) 17 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple Cake) Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 422 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 5/39 Green Tomato Pie 11

Speaking of kids, read about

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Green Tomato Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When frost nips our garden, I quickly gather all the green tomatoes still on the vine and make this old family favorite. It’s been handed down from my grandmother, and now my granddaughters are asking for the recipe. —Violet Thompson, Port Ludlow, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 433 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 71g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Speaking of kids, read about

how this student donated 500,000+ meals to kids in need with her cookbook

how this student donated 500,000+ meals to kids in need with her cookbook. 6/39 Egg Yolk Cookies Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These simple egg yolk cookies truly melt in your mouth. They’re thin cookies, just like my Grandma used to make. —Kathy Gagliardi, Holmdel, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 46 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 7/39 Kabobless Chicken and Vegetables 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As the primary caregiver for my grandma, I am trying to cook healthier for her. I am fascinated with Mediterranean cuisine. It is much easier to have chicken and vegetables off the kabob, which inspired this sheet-pan dinner. —Chelsea Madren, Fullerton, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 305 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 158mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 8/39 Grandmother’s Toad in a Hole 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grandmother’s

Slather it with butter and maple syrup

Toad in a Hole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have fond memories of my grandmother’s Yorkshire pudding wrapped around sausages, a puffy dish my kids called The Boat. Slather it with butter and maple syrup. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 336 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 126mg cholesterol, 783mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein. 9/39 Buttermilk Pecan Pie 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: This is the treasured “golden oldie” that my grandmother made so often whenever we’d come to visit. Grandma grew her own pecans, and we never tired of cracking them and picking out the meat when we knew we’d be treated to her special pie! —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 691 calories, 41g fat (20g saturated fat), 191mg cholesterol, 401mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (53g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein. 10/39 Mint Chocolate Wafers 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mint Chocolate Wafers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings

It’s best to store these in the refrigerator

10 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother gave me a cookbook stuffed with recipes. This is a slight twist on one of the first—and best—recipes I made from the book. It’s best to store these in the refrigerator. —Mary Murphy, Evansville, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 wafer: 52 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 11/39 Italian Pineapple Trifle 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother made this rich, tempting trifle every

year for our family’s Christmas Eve celebrations

year for our family’s Christmas Eve celebrations. Now I make it to carry on her special tradition. It’s an easy, delicious no-bake dessert everyone will love. —Ann-Marie Milano, Milton, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 362 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein. 12/39 Easy German Potato Salad 3 Reviews Easy German Potato Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy potato salad stirs memories of my grandma, who made it for us.

Now my mom makes it with brats and sauerkraut—truly the best meal!

Now my mom makes it with brats and sauerkraut—truly the best meal! —Devin Mulertt, Cedarburg, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 147 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 13/39 Bacon Roll-Ups 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Roll-Ups Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 10 roll-ups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This family recipe dates back to the 1930s, when my grandmother started making these hearty breakfast rolls. —Janet Abate, North Brunswick, New Jersey Nutrition Facts:

My grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world

1 roll-up: 164 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 14/39 Southern Collard Greens 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 2 hours 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk cornbread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 204 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 849mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein. 15/39

My grandmother was the queen of care packages

16/39 Walnut Caramels Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 3-3/4 pounds (117 pieces) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother was the queen of care packages. The Christmas season didn’t start until the mail carrier arrived with her anticipated box of goodies. These caramels are my father’s favorite. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 51 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 17/39 Granny’s Spice Cookies 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: Granny always had a batch of these delicious, crispy cookies waiting for us at her house. When I miss her more than usual, I make these cookies and let the aroma fill my house and heart. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 188 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 18/39 Chicken Zucchini Casserole 92 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

It’s a perfect platter

Creator: A co-worker shared this chicken zucchini casserole recipe that was originally her grandmother’s. When I make it, I use precooked chicken from the grocery store and fresh zucchini my neighbor gives me from his garden. —Bev Dutro, Dayton, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 481 calories, 31g fat (18g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 1174mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. 19/39 Sliced Tomato Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I got this recipe from my grandmother. It’s a perfect platter

💡 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