These tasty and travel-friendly treats for Grandparents Day are perfect for your kids to make and take to grandma and grandpa's house.
38 Easy Treats for Grandparents Day
Updated on Mar. 13, 2024
Cherry Bars
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they’re destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1/38
2/38
Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments on these crunchy cookies. They're always part of my Christmas cookie platter. —Sarah Miller, Wauconda, Washington
3/38
Whipping Cream Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
2 cakes (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake never lasts long at family gatherings. Slices taste terrific whether served alone or topped with fresh fruit. —Shirley Tincher, Zanesville, Ohio
4/38
Homemade Chocolate Shortbread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe has been in my files for a long time…probably from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate lover will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They’re even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frosting in the middle. —Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba
5/38
Butterscotch Pecan Dessert
Total Time
35 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Light and creamy, this butterscotch dessert never lasts long when I serve it. The fluffy cream cheese layer topped with cool butterscotch pudding is a lip-smacking combination. —Becky Harrison, Albion, Illinois
6/38
Easy Puppy Chow
Total Time
15 min
Servings
13 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy puppy chow recipe uses a whole package of cereal, so there’s less messy measuring. And it makes enough to feed a hungry crowd. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
7/38
Easy Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it's quick to fix, and when it's served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it's one of my family’s very favorites. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio
8/38
Zucchini Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe started out as a plain zucchini cookie. But over the years, I added nuts and chocolate chips. These soft cookies never make it to the cookie jar! —Tina Lunt, Bass Harbor, Maine
9/38
Oreo Rice Krispies Treats
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These Oreo Rice Krispies Treats are chewy on the inside with a crispy, crunchy cookie top. Not only are they tasty, but the crumbled cookies make for a sweet presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/38
Lemon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia
11/38
Circus Peanut Gelatin
Total Time
10 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Circus peanuts are one of the most popular candies in my hometown's old-fashioned candy shop. When I saw this circus peanut Jell-O recipe, I knew just where to buy them. Kids love the cool fruity taste, and older folks enjoy the trip down memory lane. —Ruthanne Mengel, De Motte, Indiana
12/38
Chunky Drop Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love these sweet and salty gems. The night before, I measure out the pretzels, peanuts, raisins and chocolate. Assembly goes quickly the next day. —Kelly Ward-Hartman, Cape Coral, Florida
13/38
Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
With only three ingredients, these chocolate-swirl treats take just moments to whip up! If you have little ones visiting for the holidays, have them help you with the stirring. —Holly Demers, Abbotsford, British Columbia
15/38
Orange Gumdrops
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I get nothing but rave reviews when I make these gumdrops and usually have to prepare three batches. The refreshing orange flavor is a nice change from the usual chocolate holiday candies. —Becky Burch, Marceline, Missouri
16/38
Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It’s a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won’t be able to resist going back for more!
-Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
-Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
17/38
Maple Pralines
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 1 pound
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe rekindles memories of my grandfather and his love for making maple syrup. When I was in college, my mother would send me a package of her pralines during sugaring season. They were so popular with my friends, I barely managed to tuck away a few for myself.
18/38
Chewy Brownies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Corn syrup helps keep these brownies moist and fudgy. —Sheila Wood, Macksville, Kansas
19/38
Applesauce Spice Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I began making these moist cupcakes in grade school and still bake them today. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
20/38
Buckeyes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These chocolate peanut butter balls (no bake!) are always popular at my church's annual Christmas fundraiser. They resemble chestnuts or buckeyes—hence the name. —Merry Kay Opitz, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
21/38
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these banana bars with cream cheese frosting whenever I have ripe bananas on hand, then store them in the freezer to share later. With creamy frosting and big banana flavor, this treat is a real crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Knight, Marion, Iowa
22/38
Mackinac Fudge
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 pounds (117 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I got married, a woman at my parents’ church gave me this version of a popular Michigan treat. I sometimes pipe a bit of frosting onto each piece for decoration during the holidays. —Kristen Ekhoff, Akron, Indiana
23/38
Orange Dreams
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A fellow teacher shared this recipe with me. We have several great cooks on our teaching staff, and each of us takes turns bringing special treats to the lounge. These moist, chewy cookies with a pleasant orange flavor are a favorite.—Susan Warren, North Manchester, Indiana
24/38
Magic Cookie Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 bars
From the Recipe Creator:
These rich bar cookies will melt in your mouth! They’re ideal to have on hand for a snack. —Pauline Schrag, Theresa, New York
25/38
Confetti Snack Mix
Total Time
10 min
Servings
7 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve made this party mix for many years and I usually double the recipe. It makes a wonderful gift, and everyone always wants the recipe. —Jane Bray, Temple Terrace, Florida
26/38
Nutty Sticky Bun Candies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 6 dozen (2-1/4 pounds)
From the Recipe Creator:
Save room on your holiday treat trays for these sweet and salty spirals. Oh, and hide some for yourself, too. They'll be in high demand! —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
27/38
Chocolate Peanut Treats
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was in high school, I took these sweet and crunchy squares to bake sales— and they were the first to sell out. I still make them for family and friends who love the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. —Christy Asher, Colorado Springs, Colorado
28/38
Oat & Coconut Icebox Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen.
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was passed down through my family from Grandma Irene and is a favorite of my dad and cousin Dennis. It's a true cookie lover's cookie: crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and perfectly dunkable. —Lori Rowe, Tigerton, Wisconsin
29/38
S’mores Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
30/38
Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California
31/38
Cookie Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
If you have a craving for cookies and you want them now, these yummy strips take just a few minutes to make from start to finish. —Kathy Zielicke, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
32/38
Chocolate Malt Crispy Bars
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These chunky, chewy squares are a feast for the eyes. Malted milk flavor coats this treat from top to bottom. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
33/38
Ribbon Fantasy Fudge
Total Time
20 min
Servings
49 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this recipe especially for my husband, who likes anything that has chocolate and peanut butter together!
34/38
Mama Arnold's Honey Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet, custardy pie could not be simpler to make, but it will have your guests asking for more. The boiled honey gives it a caramel-like flavor that's divine. —Ruth Arnold, Pearsall, Texas
35/38
Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona
36/38
Nut Butter Cups
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My indulgent, nutty treat is simple to make and looks fabulous. At our house, we use all-natural ingredients for them. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
37/38
Snickerdoodle Blondies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
20 bars
From the Recipe Creator:
When asked to bring a dessert for my boys' football team to share, I whipped up these unique blondies and was instantly named "the greatest mom" by all. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
38/38
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
