Add an old-school touch to your holiday dessert table with one of these vintage Christmas dessert recipes. From sugarplum cake to Strufoli, these classic desserts have survived the test of time.
30 Vintage Christmas Dessert Recipes to Try This Year
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Gingerbread Men Cookies
No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread man cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Don’t miss our other vintage Christmas dishes worth trying today.
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Pizzelle
This recipe was adapted from one that my Italian-born mother and grandmother followed. They used old irons on a gas stove, but now we have the convenience of electric pizzelle irons. These delectable cookies are still a traditional treat in our family. —Elizabeth Schwartz, Trevorton, Pennsylvania
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Baked Cranberry Pudding
This is an old-fashioned pudding that's a cranberry lover's delight. Serve warm topped with whipped cream for an elegant look, or in bowls with rich cream poured over for a homey touch. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado
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Grandma’s Molasses Fruitcake
This dense, dark, moist fruitcake was my grandmother's recipe. The flavor just gets better and better as it sits in the fridge, so be sure to make it ahead! —Debbie Harmon, Lavina, Montana
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Torcetti
Our Sicilian grandmother often had my sister and me roll out the dough for these tasty torcetti. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good without being overly sweet. —Joy Quici, Upland, CaliforniaFind more vintage Christmas cookies to bake this year.
Also check out this vintage Yule log is a no-bake, one-bowl treat that’s sure to impress during the holidays.
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Italian Holiday Cookies
Many of our holiday traditions center around the foods my mother made while I was growing up. These cookies, which we called "Strufoli", bring back wonderful memories. —Sue Seymour, Valatie, New York
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Grandma's Christmas Cake
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
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Grandma's Christmas Spice Cutouts
My great-grandmother made these, and the tradition was passed down in the family—without a written recipe! My mother would always start them the day after Thanksgiving, which was exciting for us kids, as we knew Christmas wasn’t far off. They are easy to decorate with family; my grandchildren always look forward to them.—Elaine Phelps, Cornell, Wisconsin
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Almond-Filled Stollen
I’ve been making this during the holiday season for nearly 50 years. When we flew to Alaska one year to spend Christmas with our daughter’s family, I carried my stollen on the plane!—Rachel Seel, Abbotsford, British Columbia
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Grandma's Star Cookies
My husband's grandma would make these butter cutouts only with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Plum Pudding
Perfect for holidays or special meals, this chewy plum pudding recipe is packed with sweetness and warm, inviting spices.
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Grossmutter's Peppernuts
Before Christmas, my grandmother would bake peppernuts and store them until the big day. When we came home from school, the whole house would smell like anise and we knew the holiday season was about to begin. —Marilyn Kutzli, Clinton, Iowa
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Black Forest Cake
Make a homemade Black Forest cake with chocolate cake, cherry filling and whipped cream. Its impressive, colorful layers make it a great dessert for showing off to guests.
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Gingerbread
My grandmother first used this recipe for gingerbread more than 100 years ago. I remember that the kitchen smelled like heaven when Grandmother baked her gingerbread. The only thing better was when she took it out of the oven and served it with a generous topping of fresh whipped cream! —Ellouise Halstead, Union Grove, Wisconsin
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Creme de Menthe Cream Puff Tree
A tower of creme de menthe-flavored puffs makes a spectacular centerpiece for your dessert table. Guests will have this sumptuous pyramid deconstructed in no time at all! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Chocolate Gingerbread Yule Log
If you’ve tasted a yule log sponge cake, you’ll love this version with fresh ginger and spices. The holiday stunner can be made ahead. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grandma's Pecan Rum Bars
My grandmother handed down the recipe for these gooey bars that we all love. The candied cherries are a must. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama
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Pignoli Cookies
Don't let a holiday go by without baking these traditional almond cookies rolled in pine nuts.
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Black Forest Panettone Pudding
My chocolate-cherry bread pudding uses panettone, the holiday bread people often receive but aren’t sure how to use. I make a glorious sauce for it using ice cream. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
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Tender Pecan Logs
Folks always ask me to make these tender nutty logs. Not overly sweet, they're just right with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. —Joyce Beck, Gadsden, Alabama
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Steamed Carrot Pudding
Carrot pudding gets its soft, airy texture as it's gently steamed until the batter is just cooked through. Adding a few warming spices and nourishing ingredients—such as carrots and potatoes—makes this a heartier dessert than most.
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Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida
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Lebkuchen
Dense, chewy lebkuchen is a great addition to your Christmas-cookie routine, but you can make it any time of year. While most lebkuchen contains ginger, this is a ginger-free version that uses other spices and molasses to achieve a similar flavor.
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Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky toffee pudding is a sponge cake that's loaded with softened dates and soaked to the core with a heavy-handed pour of homemade butterscotch sauce.
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Holiday Snowflake Cake
The coconut sprinkled on this old-fashioned, fluffy white cake gives the impression of snow, without the cold. It's a beautiful dessert that is a fitting end to a delicious winter meal. It’s best to frost the cake just before serving as the frosting may soften over time. —Lynne Peterson, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Ricotta Cheesecake
Indulge in the rich, velvety texture of this classic ricotta cheesecake, featuring a crisp cinnamon-spiced crust and tangy sour cream topping.
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Butterscotch Candy
This butterscotch candy is irresistibly sweet, so we love that it's also easy to make. Fewer than 10 ingredients and just 40 minutes are all you need to make these delicious homemade candies.
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Molasses Cookie Mix
These spicy, old-fashioned treats are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. For holiday gift giving, I put a batch of this cookie mix in an attractive basket along with the recipe and a festive tea towel. —Barbara Stewart, Portland, Connecticut
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