26 Vintage Church Cookbook Desserts

From the Recipe Creator: This tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it's big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois

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

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

From the Recipe Creator: I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and on holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: This simple, old-fashioned milk cake tastes so good it will surprise you! As I remember my mom's delicious meals, this dessert was always the perfect ending. Mom always used "a dash of this and dab of that" to come up with what we thought was "the best." —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland

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

From the Recipe Creator: A friend shared this rich, velvety mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California

From the Recipe Creator: Inspired by an abundance of zucchini, I found a new way to use it up in this spiced and lightly sweet cake. It even won a blue ribbon at our county fair! —Regina Stock, Topeka, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: The delicate orange flavor of this simply delicious cake is perfect for rounding out a rich meal. The orange glaze would also be a nice way to top off slices of your favorite angel food cake. —Marjorie Ebert, Conewango Valley, New York

From the Recipe Creator: What a great make-ahead treat! This cake log is perfect for the holidays because you can make it when you have time, store it in the freezer and scratch dessert off of your to-do list. —Brenda Sinclair, Princeton, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: Be patient when making the crust for this lemon tart. It will take a few minutes of pulsing for the food processor to work its magic. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: This apple pandowdy, which comes from a very old cookbook, is tangy and delicious. —Doreen Lindquist, Thompson, Manitoba

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

From the Recipe Creator: Thanks to frozen pound cake and a can of pie filling, this torte is easy to make. If layers slide, keep them in place with toothpicks around the edges as you build. Just remove them before serving. —Joan Causey, Greenwood, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: My sister gave me the recipe for this delicious bread pudding that's dotted with raisins. It's a big hit with everyone who tries it. A homemade vanilla sauce comes together quickly on the stovetop and is drizzled over warm servings of this old-fashioned, tasty treat. —Sherry Niese, McComb, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: You can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York

From the Recipe Creator: Our teenage son, John, has done lots of 4-H baking. This old-fashioned chocolate cream pie recipe with a flaky crust was his favorite thing to make. —Mary Anderson, De Valls Bluff, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: This special-occasion cake impresses all who see and taste it. People are surprised to hear that this torte starts with a simple cake mix—they're sure I bought it at a bakery. —Julie Hein, York, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: The very first time that I made Cherry Crisp, my brother happened to be visiting. He is an ice cream lover—but he passed up the scoops of vanilla that he tops most desserts with so he could taste the cherries better! Wheat, soybeans and milo are the main crops on our farm. We also have three small cherry trees. I apportion all of that harvest for this recipe. My husband's is the manager of a coop. I work part-time as a church secretary...teach piano in our home...and enjoy making clothes for myself and our 3-year-old daughter. Cross-stitch is one of my favorite hobbies.

From the Recipe Creator: A cookie-like crust holds the sensational filling of cream cheese, apples and almonds. This comforting apple torte will be welcomed addition to a bake sale or potluck. —Sheila Swift, Dobson, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California

From the Recipe Creator: This soft coconut custard pie has a mild coconut flavor. Who wouldn't love a generous slice topped with a dollop of whipped cream? —Betty Swain, Bear, Delaware

From the Recipe Creator: Everyone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It's divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas