There is something really magical about the holidays and Christmas time is such a great time to enjoy all the delicious desserts. The smell of a cake in the oven or the family gathered in the kitchen making candy. It’s a wonderful time of year to spoil your friends and family with baked goods and treats.
These old-fashioned Christmas desserts are the kind that bring families together, recipes that have been passed down, shared, and cherished. Whether you love a simple cookie or a vintage cake, these desserts will make your holiday season feel extra sweet.
Old Fashioned Cakes & Pies
Every Southern Christmas table has a pie or cake that’s been made for decades. These are the desserts that taste like home! We make the jam cake every year!
Southern Jam Cake
If you have followed our website for any amount of time, you know how much this cake means to us. It has been in our family for 80+ years and we make it every Christmas. It is our tradition and we never waver from it. It’s an old-fashioned classic, and if you have never tried it, what are you waiting for? It’s a classic! Learn more about why we love this cake here.
Coconut Cake with Coconut Frosting
Our Nannie made this cake and it was always a hit. It’s perfect for Christmas and you can even toss the coconut in green or red food coloring to give it a little more holiday cheer. Can be made in advance too, it’s better the next day. For an easier version check out this coconut cake.
Watergate Cake
This vintage cake goes way back, and if you love the watergate salad, you will love this one. It’s made with a mix but no one will ever know. We love this layered cake and it’s another one you can make in advance.
Sweet Chocolate Pie
This pie is the perfect addition to any Christmas gathering. This recipe has fantastic reviews and it’s always a hit. If you love chocolate, add this one to your holiday menu.
Gingerbread Cream Pie
This pie comes together quickly and doesn’t take a lot of ingredients. It’s one you can make in advance and will be a great addition to any holiday dessert table. It is served cold and is wonderful with a hot cup of coffee.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cake
This cake is made with a mix but you would never know. Then you combine raspberries and make a swirl in the center of the cake. Plus the white chocolate chips and you have the most amazing Christmas cake!
Italian Cream Cake
This creamy cake is perfect for the holiday season! It’s a layer cake with delicious cream cheese, coconut, nuts and your friends and family will love this one.
Classic Christmas Cookies
Whether you’re baking for Santa or filling a cookie tin for neighbors, these Christmas cookies bring back sweet memories of childhood kitchens.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
These cookies are always a hit during the Christmas season. They remind me of shortbred cookies, and they melt in your mouth. These also make a wonderful gift!
Christmas Cool Whip Cookies
These crinkle cookies are only a few ingredients and come together quickly! You can add food coloring to make them very festive for the holidays. They are also a great gift for your family and friends.
Old Fashioned Clove Cookies
If you love the taste of spice, like cloves, this is a great cookie. Every time we make them, we all talk about how wonderful they are. The whole house will smell like Christmas while they bake!
Tea Cakes
These delicious little cookies go way back, my Grandmother made them for her friends a lot and we have always enjoyed them. We love to make them at Christmas and put them in festive tins for a great food gift.
Molasses Cookies
These cookies are great year-round, but the flavor really goes with the Christmas season. These are easy to make and one your friends and family will thank you for!
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
These Christmas cookies are always a winner. You can decorate them however you like and kids love to make them. These Christmas Cookies make a wonderful tradition during the holidays. Great gifts too!
Southern Pecan Cookies
These are a classic southern cookie and they are perfect for the holidays. We try to make them every Christmas and always include them in our gift bags.
Holiday Candy
Tis the season.. for candy making! No candy thermometer needed for these easy recipes. Great for any gift bag.
Easy Christmas Divinity
This used to be a tough candy to make until this microwave recipe came out in the 1970’s! It’s one of our most popular Christmas recipes and has wonderful reviews.
Microwave Peanut Brittle
This is another wonderful Christmas recipe that we enjoy every year. It’s great to make for gifts for friends and family. It’s super versatile too, can be made with pecans, cashews, etc.
Old Fashioned Potato Candy
This is a classic recipe that has been around for so many years. Some people call it “depression candy.” You can call it whatever you like, but we call it delicious!
Kentucky Bourbon Balls
These are a Kentucky treat that people love to make during the holiday season. If you are not a boubron fan.. no worries.. we tell you how to make them with or without.
Martha Washington Candy
This is candy your Grandmother probably made and one your friends and family will love during the holiday season. They are easy to make too!
Must Make Fudge
Who says making fudge has to be difficult?! These easy recipes are perfect for the holiday season.
Five Minute Fudge
This is a super easy recipe that is very versatile! You can make it peanut butter, butter scotch, or any flavor you love. It’s a no-fail recipe too.
Old Fashioned Penuche Fudge
This is an old fudge recipe and it’s one of the best! It has been a family favorite for a very long time and a must-make during the holiday season.
Maple Walnut Fudge
If you are a fan of maple this is a recipe you will fall in love with.. it’s just that good! It’s easy to make and the walnuts are a great addition. You can also use pecans!
Easiest Fudge Ever
We love a versatile and straightforward fudge that comes together quickly and this is just that! Super easy and really delicious.
Vintage Holiday Favorites & Easy Recipes
We couldn’t leave these vintage recipes out! They have stood the test of time.
Mandarin Orange Cake
This is a classic cake that many make during the holiday season! It is refreshing and delicious and one your family will love.
Cherries in the Snow
This is a super simple recipe that anyone can make! It’s a great addition to any Christmas dessert table and if you love angel food cake.. this is the one for you.
Three Day Coconut Cake
This is a vintage cake that has been around a long time. It has to be made 3 days in advance so it’s great for the holiday season!
Southern Maple Pecan Pie
We make this pecan pie a little different, we use maple syrup instead of karo syrup. This recipe has wonderful reviews and it’s great for Christmas.
Mini Cheesecake Tarts
These little cheesecakes ar so simple to make and are so good! Great for Christmas and can be made in advance. Look great on a dessert table.
Kentucky Bread Pudding
This is a classic that we haved loved for many years. The sauce makes this dish! You can use biscuits, sourdough bread, etc.
Appalachian Stack Cake
This vintage cake is very unique. It is made in thin layers almost like pancakes and inbetween the layers is apple butter or dried apples.
Every recipe here has a story, whether it’s a pie baked by your grandmother or a candy you always made with your kids. We hope these old-fashioned Christmas desserts bring back memories and inspire new traditions.
Which dessert do you always make at Christmas? Tell us below — we’d love to hear your story.
OUR NEW PRINTED COOKBOOK IS HERE!
We’re bringing back the sweetest memories with our NEW cookbook…“SOUTHERN SWEETS!!” With a focus on old-fashioned southern treats, these are our family recipes that have been requested time and time again.
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