From Mom's Italian beef sandwiches to Aunt Marion's fruit dessert, you can now make these secret family recipes from home cooks across the country right in your own kitchen.
74 Secret Family Recipes
Grandma’s Rice Pudding
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
1/74
2/74
English Trifle
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings (1 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Loaded with cake cubes and fruit, an old English trifle is always welcome at a holiday dinner. The creamy, homemade custard is well worth the effort. —Nancy O'Connor, Glen Ridge, New Jersey
3/74
Focaccia Barese
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 142 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
4/74
Green Tomato Pie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
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.
5/74
Italian Pork and Potato Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 1 cup potatoes and 1/2 cup sauce: 412 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 506mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 39g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch.
6/74
Steamed Carrot Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe, passed down from my Canadian grandmother, has been in my family for at least three generations. It's been a favorite wintertime dessert for us and is always served for Easter and other holiday meals. —Ann Searcey, Kettering, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with 1/4 cup sauce: 570 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein.
7/74
Sauteed Mushrooms
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These tasty garlic butter mushrooms are so delicious served with steak, chicken or pork. The sauteed garlic is the secret! —Joan Schroeder, Mesquite, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 109 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
8/74
Sausage Stuffing
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Every family seems to have their own favorite dressing recipe that becomes a tradition, and this is ours. It came from Grandma, who passed it down to my mother. Now our children have carried it into their kitchens. This is truly a good old-fashioned recipe. —Norma Howland, Joliet, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 352 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 826mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
9/74
Martha Washington Candy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Passed down by my grandmother and mother, this Martha Washington candy recipe is a cherished family tradition. We've even had each grandchild and great-grandchild take a turn stirring the candy mixture! —Cindi Boger, Ardmore, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 196 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
10/74
Boston Baked Beans
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a potluck or picnic, you can’t beat this classic side that starts with a pound of dried beans. Molasses and maple syrup give it a slight sweetness. —Pat Medeiros, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 385 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 810mg sodium, 77g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 8g fiber), 11g protein.
11/74
Frikadeller
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My great-grandmother made these meatballs, and I'm sure her mother must have taught her. Six generations have enjoyed them, and one of my daughters even served them at her wedding. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 meatballs with 3 tablespoons gravy: 333 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 786mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
12/74
Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an update to a recipe that's been in our family for three generations. The combination of white chocolate and amaretto mingled with seasonal cranberry is my favorite way to end any celebration's meal. —Jennifer Evans DaCastello, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup pudding with about 1 tablespoon sauce: 367 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
13/74
Turkey Sloppy Joes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we were first married and poor college students, I found this sloppy joe recipe and tweaked it. The fresh bell peppers give it a wonderful flavor. —Kallee Twiner, Maryville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 251 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
14/74
Grandma Pruit’s Vinegar Pie
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This historic pie has been in our family for many generations and is always served at our get-togethers.—Suzette Pruit, Houston, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 545 calories, 25g fat (13g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 316mg sodium, 78g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
15/74
Chicken-Fried Steak
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 steak with 1/3 cup gravy: 563 calories, 28g fat (5g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 46g protein.
16/74
Grandma's Christmas Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings (2-2/3 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of this old-fashioned spice cake will bring back memories. Loaded with raisins and nuts, it tastes extra special drizzled with the rich buttery sauce. —Linda Stemen, Monroeville, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with about 3 tablespoons sauce: 624 calories, 35g fat (19g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 271mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
17/74
Turkey Stew with Dumplings
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love dumplings, and this mild-tasting, homey dish has flavorful ones floating on a tasty turkey and vegetable stew. It hits the spot on chilly fall and winter days. —Rita Taylor, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 255 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.
18/74
Coconut Almond Candy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The secret ingredient in this homemade candy is a true surprise—no one tasting these delicious morsels will guess what’s in the sweet, creamy filling! —Katrina Smith, Lawrence, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 candy: 167 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 61mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
19/74
Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
2 dumplings: 414 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
20/74
Raisin Bread & Sausage Morning Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we used to have Sunday breakfasts with my grandparents, my mom often made this for grandpa because he enjoyed it so much. Pork sausage and cinnamon bread taste surprisingly good together. —Carolyn Levan, Dixon, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 425 calories, 25g fat (10g saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 324mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein.
21/74
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With only a few ingredients, this roast beef is a snap to throw together. And after cooking all day, the meat is wonderfully tender. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 278 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 735mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
22/74
Old-Fashioned Applesauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
We had all kinds of apple trees in the yard when I was growing up, so I don't know for sure which ones Mother liked best for applesauce. (Today I use Cortlands.) I do know that her applesauce was very white. The secret, she said, was to keep the apples in salt water while she peeled them so that they wouldn't darken. —Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 122 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 31g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 0 protein.
23/74
Peanut Butter Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When she got married, my mother insisted my grandmother write down one recipe for her. Grandma was a traditional pioneer-type cook who used a little of this or that until it felt right. This treasured recipe is the only one she ever wrote down! —Janet Hall, Clinton, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 180 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
24/74
Aunt Marion’s Fruit Salad Dessert
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Aunt Marion, my namesake, is like a grandma to me. She gave me this luscious salad recipe, which goes to all our family reunions, hunt club suppers and snowmobile club picnics...and I go home with no leftovers! —Marion LaTourette, Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 218 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
25/74
Mom's Potato Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These old-fashioned pancakes are fluffy inside and crispy outside. Onion adds nice flavor. Mom got this recipe from Grandma, so we've enjoyed it for years. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 171 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
26/74
How to Cook a Ham
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed ham recipe. Be prepared to serve seconds! —Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces ham: 284 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 1110mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.
27/74
Apple Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This yummy fruit salad was a favorite of my great-grandmother’s. My family always enjoys it, and I’m happy knowing it’s good for them, too. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 140 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.
28/74
German Red Cabbage
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 64 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
29/74
No-Knead Knot Rolls
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom, Velma Perkins, loved to serve these light, golden rolls when I was growing up on our Iowa farm. They're extra nice since they require no kneading. The dough rises in the refrigerator overnight, so there's little last-minute fuss to serve fresh hot rolls with any meal. —Toni Hilscher, Omaha, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 102 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
30/74
Cold-Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 195 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 639mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
31/74
Grandmother’s Orange Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This orange salad dessert is slightly sweet and tangy, too. It adds beautiful color to any meal and appeals to all ages! —Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 161 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
32/74
Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 548 calories, 34g fat (14g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 1135mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein.
33/74
Daughter's Apple Crisp
Total Time
50 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom’s apple crisp is the best in all of Texas, honest! I tweaked it slightly, though, and now I spend less time in the kitchen and more time catching up with my spry 92-year-young mother. —Joan Hallford,
North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without ice cream): 391 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 216mg sodium, 68g carbohydrate (41g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
34/74
Apricot Jam
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator:
This thick, chunky apricot jam was my grandma's recipe; it's lovely to make something for my family and friends that she made for hers! —Linda Wegner, Robinson, Illinois
35/74
Easy Ice Cream Sundae Dessert
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In summer, nothing's better than ice cream sundaes. We kids couldn't wait to dig into this tempting dessert. It's cool and smooth with a ribbon of fudge inside. Whenever I make it for my family, I think of Mom. —Anne Heinonen, Howell, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 406 calories, 24g fat (14g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 276mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
36/74
Corn Stuffing Balls
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom had many "winning" recipes, and this was one of our family's favorites. I can still picture these Corn Stuffing Balls encircling the large meat platter piled high with one of her delicious entrees. —Audrey Groe, Lake Mills, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffing ball: 365 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1233mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
37/74
Lemon Tea Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These sandwich cookies taste rich and buttery and have a lovely lemon filling. The recipe has been in our family since the 1950s, when my mother got it from a French friend in her club. —Phyllis Dietz, Westland, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 70 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
38/74
Lahmajoon (Armenian Pizza)
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With my family's Armenian background, I grew up surrounded by great cooks. Since Armenian food is time-consuming and labor-intensive, cooking for any party started weeks in advance. I learned to cook from my mom but have revamped many of her dishes to make them healthier, simpler and quicker, like this version of Armenian Pizza. —Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 pizzas: 385 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
39/74
Rhubarb Compote with Yogurt & Almonds
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Grandma Dot used to make rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I came to visit. This breakfast is a tribute to her. No two stalks of rhubarb are exactly alike, so make sure to taste the compote before you chill it. It should be tart, but sometimes it needs a little extra sugar. —Michael Hoffman, Brooklyn, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup yogurt with about 2 tablespoons compote and 2 tablespoons almonds: 218 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 reduced-fat milk, 1 fat.
40/74
Secret-Ingredient Stuffed Eggs
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My take on deviled eggs is full of surprises. The down-home appetizer Mom used to make gets an upscale touch from mango, goat cheese and pecans. People love these tempting treats. —Beth Satterfield, Dover, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed egg half: 94 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
41/74
Southern Collard Greens
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
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.
42/74
Cream of Crab Soup
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of our Chesapeake Bay delicacies is the Maryland Blue Crab. It's abundant from May through October and used in a variety of dishes, like this rich soup.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 262 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 878mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein.
43/74
Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom's side of the family was German and Irish. Settling in Pennsylvania, they adopted some of the cooking and customs of the Pennsylvania Dutch. This is a dish Mom loved, and today it's my favorite garden salad. It tastes delicious alongside a plate of homegrown tomatoes. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 61 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 406mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
44/74
Caesar Orange Roughy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm so thankful that my mother taught me to cook at a young age. She won several cooking contests over the years and this is one of my favorite recipes of hers. —Mary Lou Boyce, Wilmingon, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 421 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 716mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
45/74
Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up on a farm, I often ate rhubarb, so it's natural for me to use it in a pie. I prefer to use lard for the flaky pie crust and thin red rhubarb stalks for the filling. These two little secrets helped this strawberry rhubarb pie recipe win top honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 531 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
46/74
Icebox Rolls
Total Time
45 min
Servings
36 rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember my mom making these rolls almost every Saturday so they'd be ready to bake on Sunday for company or someone just dropping by. Although they take a little time to prepare, they're really not all that difficult to make. And there's nothing in the stores that can compare to them! —Jean Fox, Welch, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 162 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 117mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
47/74
Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
Total Time
10 min
Servings
3-1/3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This cheese ball will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It's delicious! I've found it's especially popular at a party or get-together.
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 98 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 99mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
48/74
Thyme & Basil Roast Pork
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dad’s favorite roast pork was rubbed with cinnamon, thyme, basil and lemon. He loved thick slices and wanted only a salad to finish off the meal. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked pork: 266 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 493mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
49/74
Apricot Gelatin Mold
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings (1/2 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
After my husband and I got married, he asked me to get this special holiday recipe from my mother. Mom prepared it for every family celebration, and now I make it for my family! You can replace peach with orange gelatin if you prefer. —Suzanne Holcomb, St. Johnsville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 144 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
50/74
Grandma’s Cajun Chicken & Spaghetti
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m originally from Louisiana, where my grandma spoke Cajun French as she taught me her spicy chicken spaghetti. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup chicken mixture with 3/4 cup spaghetti: 550 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 917mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
51/74
Skillet Herb Bread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom's was my favorite—she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 275 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 598mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
52/74
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is never enough—it's better than all the other carrot cakes I've tried! —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 531 calories, 28g fat (7g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 203mg sodium, 68g carbohydrate (54g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
53/74
Sausage-Vegetable Egg Bake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we were kids, our mom tucked homegrown Swiss chard inside this comfy casserole. Now I grow the chard, make the dish and savor the memories. —Cathy Banks, Encinitas, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 248 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 253mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
54/74
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom loved sweet potatoes and fixed them often in this creamy, comforting baked sweet potato casserole. With its nutty topping, this side dish could almost be served as a dessert. It's a yummy treat! —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 417 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.
55/74
Lemony Turkey Rice Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma cook. Lemon and cilantro add a deliciously different twist to turkey soup.
—Margarita Cuellar, East Chicago, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 166 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1047mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
56/74
Gingersnap Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A classic New England cookie, gingersnaps are now universal. My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One always had these crisp and chewy gingersnaps in it. They’re still my favorite cookie. My daughter, Becky, won a blue ribbon for this recipe at a 4-H fair. —Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 92 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Old-Fashioned Green Beans
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom would prepare home-grown green beans using this recipe, and boy did they ever taste good. The bacon provides rich flavor and the brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness. This is one irresistible side dish. —Willa Govoro, St. Clair, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 145 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 132mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
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12-Hour Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was Mom's scrumptious scheme to get her kids to eat vegetables. She never had any trouble when she served this colorful crunchy salad. Mom thought this salad was a real bonus for the cook since it must be made the night before. —Dorothy Bowen, Thomasville, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 280 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.
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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 138 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Apple Bars
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is about family, comfort and simplicity. My mom made this delicious sweet treat many a winter night and served it warm with some of her famous homemade ice cream. I like to make a double batch and pass on the love! —Elizabeth Monfort, Celina, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 240 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Rhubarb Cherry Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a young girl, I dreamed of being able to make pies like my mother. Her rolling pin, which I inherited, is 2 feet long and 8 inches wide! In fact, this is Mom's recipe, although I substituted cherries for the strawberries in her version. I first made this pie for a church gathering 20 years ago, and everyone's looked for it at every potluck since! —Eunice Hurt, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 433 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
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Paprika Pork
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was little, I would often ask my mom to make my "favorite meat." She knew I was requesting this homey pork recipe. It's been in my family for more than 30 years and it's still a favorite! —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup pork mixture: 320 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
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Dilly Potato & Egg Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this potato and egg salad the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 326 calories, 22g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 413mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
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Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 124 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 462 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 68g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
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Herbed Garlic Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom cooks from scratch and rarely uses a recipe. That's how I learned—a pinch of this, a dash of that. But it was actually my dad who invented the basis for this recipe. The potatoes fit any kind of meal from fancy to burgers—and everyone asks me for the recipe. —Sherry DesJardin, Fairbanks, Alaska
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 145 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
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P.S. I Love You Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing up, there was always some scrumptious treat to eat at our house. The name my mom chose for this cake has a double meaning: P.S. for the type of cake (poppy seed) and for the love note to her family. —Sue Groetsch, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 318 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Sour Cream Raisin Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The aroma of this pie baking in my farm kitchen oven reminds me of my dear grandma, who made this pretty pie for special occasions. —Beverly Medalen, Willow City, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 381 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 253mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
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Roast Spiced Chicken
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ever have a worn index card recipe from your mother with food stains covering the words? Spiced chicken has been in our family more than 50 years. —Cindy Kanwar, Blacklick, OH
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 390 calories, 27g fat (11g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 918mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
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Grandma Schwartz’s Rouladen
Total Time
6 hours 35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This was one of my Grandma Schwartz's recipes. Grandpa Schwartz was a German butcher and this was one of his (and our) favorite meals. It's an extra-special beef entree when served with mashed potatoes made with butter and sour cream. —Lynda Sharai, Summer Lake, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 288 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 1030mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein.
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Meat Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom made the best meat loaf, and now I do too. When I first met my husband, he wasn't a meat loaf guy, but this recipe won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 366 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 135mg cholesterol, 1086mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein.
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Grandma Brubaker’s Orange Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
At least two generations of my family have enjoyed the recipe for these light, delicate orange-flavored cookies. —Sheri DeBolt, Huntington, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 97 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 58mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Mom’s Roast Beef
Total Time
2 hours 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked beef with gravy: 210 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
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Crisp Sugar Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to share with friends. —Evelyn Poteet, Hancock, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 117 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.