• About
  • Contact
  • Destinations
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Destinations
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Contact
    • Destinations
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Trending

    29 easy dessert recipes that taste straight out of grandma’s kitchen

    Published: Nov 3, 2025 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Old favorites always seem to taste the best. With a warm and cozy touch, these awesome 29 dessert recipes bring back sweet memories from another time. Each bite feels like something made with care in a kitchen that knows comfort!

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    The crackled tops and fudgy centers bring back holiday cookie tin memories. Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies are chewy, chocolatey, and just tart enough to stand out. They’re easy to make in big batches and freeze well too.
    Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies

    Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake

    Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    There’s something about lemon and cream that always feels like a recipe passed down through generations. Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake is light, layered, and perfect for any casual get-together or weekend bake. It’s the kind of cake that does not need frosting to make its point.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake

    Newsletter

    Sign up to receive our latest posts to your inbox! No spam ever.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    Blueberry Ice Cream

    An overhead shot of homemade blueberry ice cream in a metal loaf pan next to waffle bowls, spoons, and a cream colored napkin.
    Blueberry Ice Cream. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

    Creamy texture and fresh berries make this one a summer favorite. Blueberry Ice Cream tastes like something from an old-school ice cream maker on a porch in July. It keeps well in the freezer and scoops easily.
    Get the Recipe: Blueberry Ice Cream

    Rainbow Chia Pudding

    Rainbow Chia Pudding with dark background in a glass.
    Rainbow Chia Pudding. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    Even the lighter options can still feel like something from the past. With fruit layered in and a creamy texture, Rainbow Chia Pudding offers an easy way to end a meal without much fuss. It’s sweet, chilled, and easy to prep ahead.
    Get the Recipe: Rainbow Chia Pudding

    Salted Mocha Protein Bars

    Salted Mocha Protein Bars. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    These bars come together fast and still feel like a treat. Salted Mocha Protein Bars give you that sweet-salty combo with a little caffeine boost for good measure. Great to keep on hand for post-dinner or anytime snacks.
    Get the Recipe: Salted Mocha Protein Bars

    Strawberry Sheet Cake

    A slice of strawberry sheet cake with white frosting.
    Strawberry Sheet Cake. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

    Old-school and no-frills, just the way it should be. Strawberry Sheet Cake is soft, easy to slice, and great for feeding a crowd. It holds up well overnight and doesn’t need anything extra to work.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sheet Cake

    Cranberry Lemon Pistachio Wreath Cookies

    Cranberry Lemon Pistachio Wreath Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    These cookies look like they took a lot more effort than they actually do. Cranberry Lemon Pistachio Wreath Cookies are tart, nutty, and shaped for special occasions but simple enough to make anytime. One batch goes a long way.
    Get the Recipe: Cranberry Lemon Pistachio Wreath Cookies

    Apple Galette

    Overhead shot of an apple galette on parchment with fresh apples on the side.
    Apple Galette. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

    Rustic and easy always wins when dessert needs to get on the table fast. Apple Galette keeps things flexible but still gives you the flaky crust and soft apple filling that feels like home. It slices up neatly and goes with just about anything.
    Get the Recipe: Apple Galette

    Almond Coconut Bars

    Almond Coconut Bars. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Sweet, chewy, and full of texture, these bars are easy to throw together and easy to love. Almond Coconut Bars work well for bake sales, snack trays, or whenever you need something familiar. They hold up well and are easy to pack or store.
    Get the Recipe: Almond Coconut Bars

    Baked Cranberry Cheesecake

    A slice of cheesecake with cranberry sauce on top.
    Baked Cranberry Cheesecake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Tart fruit meets creamy filling in the best way here. Baked Cranberry Cheesecake is a little sweet, a little sharp, and holds up well in the fridge for a few days. Serve chilled and let it do the rest.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Cranberry Cheesecake

    Strawberry Tiramisu

    An image of two glasses filled with strawberry tiramisu.
    Strawberry Tiramisu. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    This one’s got layers of cream, cake, and just enough fruit to make it feel special. Strawberry Tiramisu keeps the flavor fresh while still giving you the comfort of something classic. It’s easy to make ahead and even easier to share.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Tiramisu

    Chocolate Chaffle Cake

    Chocolate Chaffle Cake on a plate with whole cake in the background.
    Chocolate Chaffle Cake. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

    Quick to make and fun to stack, this one’s made for casual nights. Chocolate Chaffle Cake has all the chocolatey comfort of grandma’s sheet cake in a scaled-down form. Just top with whipped cream and it’s ready.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chaffle Cake

    Eggnog Crème Brûlée

    A serving of eggnog creme brulee with sugared cranberries on top.
    Eggnog Crème Brûlée. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

    A soft custard with a crisp top always brings back memories. Eggnog Crème Brûlée takes a holiday classic and turns it into something worth eating all year. Crack into the top and enjoy it just as it is.
    Get the Recipe: Eggnog Crème Brûlée

    Easy and Delicious Gluten-Free Apricot Crisp

    Easy and Delicious Gluten-Free Apricot Crisp. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Bubbly fruit and a golden topping never go out of style. Easy and Delicious Gluten-Free Apricot Crisp is quick to pull together and doesn’t require fancy ingredients. It’s the kind of thing people go back for until it’s gone.
    Get the Recipe: Easy and Delicious Gluten-Free Apricot Crisp

    3-Ingredient Pavlova Recipe (Chewy & Crunchy!)

    A pavlova topped with berries and figs.
    3-Ingredient Pavlova Recipe (Chewy & Crunchy!). Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

    A crisp shell with a chewy middle and just enough sweetness to keep things balanced. 3-Ingredient Pavlova Recipe (Chewy & Crunchy!) proves dessert does not need to be complicated to be good. Top with fruit or serve it plain because either way works.
    Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Pavlova Recipe (Chewy & Crunchy!)

    Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse

    Two glasses filled with yellow passion fruit pulp and seeds are placed on a marble surface. Beside them is a halved passion fruit displaying its vibrant inner pulp and green seeds.
    Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Tangy and light with a creamy finish, this one is great for warm days and quick cravings. Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse feels old-school in the best way, even if the fruit is a little less common. Spoon it into cups and chill while the flavor does the rest.
    Get the Recipe: Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse

    Peach Tart

    Peach Tart. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    There’s something familiar about fruit tucked into a flaky crust. Peach Tart gets the job done without much extra work, and it looks great on the table too. Best served slightly warm with nothing else needed.
    Get the Recipe: Peach Tart

    Tiramisu Swiss Roll

    Tiramisu Swiss Roll. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Rolled cakes have a way of making dessert feel homemade even when it looks fancy. Tiramisu Swiss Roll keeps all the flavor of the original but makes it easier to slice and serve. Great for birthdays, holidays, or any casual dessert table.
    Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Swiss Roll

    Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler with Buckwheat Flour

    Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler with Buckwheat Flour. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    No one’s going to miss the gluten when the topping turns out this good. Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler with Buckwheat Flour has a slightly nutty flavor that works well with the soft baked fruit underneath. It’s simple, cozy, and doesn’t stick around long.
    Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler with Buckwheat Flour

    Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp

    Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Warm spice and soft fruit come together with barely any effort. Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp brings that old-school baked-fruit comfort with a citrusy twist. It’s one of those desserts that makes the whole kitchen smell right.
    Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp

    Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake

    A slice of cake with whipped topping, cherries and chocolate chip.
    Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake. Photo credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

    Moist, easy to slice, and packed with fruit and chocolate. Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake brings big flavor with minimal effort and is great for potlucks or laid-back dinners. It’s a dessert that gets requested again.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Poke Cake

    Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme

    Three blackberry pots de creme lined up on a wooden board next to silver spoons.
    Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

    Rich, fruity, and smooth, this is the kind of dessert that feels a little special without asking for much. Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme brings together simple ingredients in a way that tastes like it took hours. Grandma would have approved of the creamy texture and hint of berry sweetness.
    Get the Recipe: Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme

    Chocolate Strawberry Cream Bars

    Chocolate Strawberry Cream Bars. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Layers of soft filling and sweet berries always feel familiar. Chocolate Strawberry Cream Bars are a no-fork-needed kind of dessert that feels like something you'd find at a church bake sale. You won’t need to sell anyone on them.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Cream Bars

    Air Fryer Pavlova

    Air Fryer Pavlova. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and ready for whatever fruit you’ve got. Air Fryer Pavlova keeps things simple while still giving you that old-school feel. It’s a smart way to bring something impressive without too much work.
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pavlova

    Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

    Strawberry shortcake with brown sugar biscuits and whipped cream.
    Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits. Photo credit: Ruthybelle Recipes.

    Flaky biscuits, fresh fruit, and a little cream go further than you think. Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits feels like something that shows up on the table after Sunday dinner. It is simple, soft, and does not need much extra.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

    Double Chocolate Cherry Brownies

    Double Chocolate Cherry Brownies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Rich cocoa and cherries baked into one pan? That’s a win. Double Chocolate Cherry Brownies are soft, dense, and hold up well for a few days if there are any left.
    Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Brownies

    Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries

    Chocolate stuffed strawberries on a white plate.
    Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    These are always the first to disappear when they hit the table. Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries feel playful but still homemade, with just the right amount of effort. Great for holidays or last-minute desserts.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries

    Chocolate Hazelnut Semifreddo

    Chocolate Hazelnut Semifreddo. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Cold, creamy, and layered with flavor, this dessert feels both easy and familiar. Chocolate Hazelnut Semifreddo looks fancy but doesn’t take much to pull off. It keeps well in the freezer and slices clean every time.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Semifreddo

    Citrus Dream Tart

    A plate with Citrus Dream Tart next to slices of grapefruit and blood orange.
    Citrus Dream Tart. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

    Sharp citrus and a creamy base come together with very little effort. Citrus Dream Tart brings a fresh, clean finish to any meal and cuts well into neat slices. It is light, easy to serve, and hard to forget.
    Get the Recipe: Citrus Dream Tart

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

    Follow Us!

    • Pinterest

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Foodventures Abroad