12 Contest-Winning Recipes from Mom and Grandma
Updated: Jan. 31, 2022
Gather the family around the table and serve a comforting, nostalgic recipe. These are our readers' best main dishes, sides, desserts and more—all passed down from the women they love.
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Grand Prize: Russian Potato Salad
This Russian potato salad recipe comes from my grandmother, who had written it down in Russian before she translated it for me when I was a teen. We made this every Easter, or for any event where family and friends gathered together. —Gala McGaughey, Berryville, Virginia
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1st Place: Mom’s Pickled Carrots
My mother is the only other person I've known to make this recipe. In fact, when I take it to a potluck or picnic, no one has ever heard of pickled carrots. But once they try them, they are hooked. —Robin Koble, Fairview, Pennsylvania
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2nd Place: Comforting Tuna Patties
My grandmother and mother made these tuna patties on Fridays during Lent. I'm not the biggest fan of tuna, but it's perfect in this dish. These patties are even good cold the next day, if there are any leftovers. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
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3rd Place: Mom-Mom Bessie’s Coconut Molasses Pie
I'm the keeper of my husband's grandmother's handwritten recipe book. Mom-Mom Bessie was one of the best cooks I knew, and we think of her every time we make this pie. The flavor combination of coconut and molasses is a family favorite. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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Runner Up: Grandma’s Onion Squares
My grandma brought this recipe with her when she emigrated from Italy as a young wife and mother. It is still a family favorite. —Janet Eddy, Stockton, California
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Runner Up: Turkey Crepes
This savory crepe recipe has been passed down through many generations in my family. You can also use any leftover turkey filling for turkey pot pie. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
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Runner Up: Apricot Mud Hen Cake Bars
These mud hen bars have been in my family for generations. My maternal grandmother gave this recipe to my mother, who shared it with me. I’ve been told the name comes from the speckled meringue topping that resembles the coloring of hens. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
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Runner Up: Apricot Ice Cream Soda
This recipe came from my husband’s aunt, who was born in the early 1900s. It's a delightful drink for hot Texas summers. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Runner Up: Bread Pudding Pie
This unique dessert is a bread pudding-pie combo. It was created by my paternal grandmother's family. They had a farm and made their own bread, which made this a low-cost dessert. — Kelly Barnes, Lexington, Indiana
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Runner Up: Cornish Pasties
My Great-Aunt Gladys was from a small mining town in England where pasties were popular. I loved to watch her craft each Cornish pasty, as she made them in different sizes depending on who was eating. Serve with a green salad to make a wonderful meal. —Verna Hainer, Pueblo, Colorado
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Runner Up: Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake
This scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. The recipe is over 100 years old, and I remember my grandma making it. We still carry on the family tradition by making this old-fashioned recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
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Runner Up: French Dressing
My mom was born in 1920, and this was always the salad dressing we had, as there weren't many bottled varieties at the time. I still make this blast-from-the-past recipe. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, WisconsinOriginally Published: February 21, 2020
