19 Desserts I Learned From Grandma

Photo of author

| Published:

19 Desserts I Learned From Grandma

Sometimes the best part of finishing work is knowing there’s a homemade dessert waiting at home. My grandma’s recipes are all about that straightforward, sweet finish to your day.

These 19 desserts are easy to make and hit the spot perfectly after dinner. They’re the kind of recipes that remind you of the simple pleasures in life.

No need for fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients; these treats are all about bringing a bit of joy with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of baking that feels just right when you’re looking to relax after work.

A slice of strawberry cake on a plate next to strawberries.
Lemon Almond Yogurt Cake with Strawberries. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.
A plate of apple pie with a slice taken out of it.
Almond Apple Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Almond Apple Cake

Almond Apple Cake is a delightful blend of nutty almonds and sweet apples, ready in about an hour. Main ingredients include almond flour, apples, and cinnamon, creating a moist texture and a comforting taste. This cake is a testament to simple baking that yields rich flavors. It’s a cozy dessert that harkens back to my grandmother’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Almond Apple Cake

Chocolate Hazelnut Bars

Chocolate Hazelnut Bars combine the irresistible duo of chocolate and hazelnuts in a treat that takes less than an hour to prepare. They feature a crunchy base with a smooth chocolate topping, mainly composed of hazelnuts, cocoa, and sugar. The bars have a satisfyingly sweet taste with a hint of nuttiness. It’s a nostalgic recipe that never fails to please a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Bars

Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses

The Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses is a visually stunning dessert that takes around an hour and a half to create. With main ingredients like almond flour, fresh apples, and honey, it offers a sweet and slightly tart flavor profile. The apple roses on top add an elegant touch to the moist and dense cake. This recipe is a cherished piece of my grandmother’s baking repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses

Overhead view of bread pudding.
Gluten-Free Honey Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Gluten-Free Honey Cake

Gluten-Free Honey Cake is a traditional dessert made with buckwheat flour and honey, requiring about an hour to bake. The main ingredients yield a cake that’s moist with a deep, sweet flavor accented by notes of spices. This cake is often enjoyed during festive occasions and is a staple in my grandmother’s collection of recipes. It’s a comforting treat that brings warmth to any family gathering.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Honey Cake

Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe

Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe is a creative twist on a classic, taking about two hours including dough rising time. This dessert features ripe bananas, rich chocolate, and a fluffy dough that creates a delightful taste and texture. The combination of banana with chocolate offers a sweet and satisfying experience. This recipe is one of my grandmother’s favorites for special celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe

Lemon Almond Yogurt Cake with Strawberries

Lemon Almond Yogurt Cake with Strawberries takes about 50 minutes to prepare and is a delightful combination of tangy lemon, nutty almonds, and sweet strawberries. The main ingredients create a moist cake with a refreshing taste. This dessert is perfect for a weekend brunch or a casual gathering. It’s a recipe from my grandmother that always brings a smile to our faces.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Almond Yogurt Cake with Strawberries

Lemon mango cheesecake slice.
Vegan Lemon Mango Cheesecake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Vegan Lemon Mango Cheesecake

Vegan Lemon Mango Cheesecake is a refreshing dessert that can be ready in about two hours, including chilling time. It’s made with cashews, mangoes, and lemons, resulting in a creamy, tangy, and fruity flavor. This cheesecake is both indulgent and light, a perfect end to any meal. My grandmother’s recipe proves that plant-based desserts can be just as delicious as their traditional counterparts.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Lemon Mango Cheesecake

Gluten-Free Krembos with Pistachios

Gluten-Free Krembos with Pistachios are a fun, handheld dessert ready in about two hours. They consist of a biscuit base, fluffy marshmallow center, and a chocolate coating sprinkled with pistachios. The flavors are a mix of sweet, chocolatey, and nutty. This recipe is one of my grandmother’s cherished treats, especially during the cooler months.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Krembos with Pistachios

Gluten-Free Coffee Sufganiyot

Gluten-Free Coffee Sufganiyot are a festive dessert that requires about two hours, including dough rising time. These doughnuts are filled with a cardamom-coffee cream and feature a blend of coffee, cardamom, and a sweet dough. The result is a rich, aromatic flavor that’s both comforting and sophisticated. It’s a recipe from my grandmother that has become a much-anticipated holiday tradition.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Coffee Sufganiyot

Side view of three cookies on a dark plate.
Snowflake Date Cookies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Snowflake Date Cookies

Snowflake Date Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that can be prepared in just under an hour. With dates, nuts, and a dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies have a sweet, chewy center with a light, crisp exterior. They are reminiscent of a winter wonderland and are a favorite recipe from my grandmother. These cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones during the festive season.
Get the Recipe: Snowflake Date Cookies

Baked Cranberry Cheesecake

Baked Cranberry Cheesecake takes approximately an hour and a half to bake and is a rich, creamy dessert with a tart cranberry topping. The main ingredients include cream cheese, fresh cranberries, and a graham cracker crust. This cheesecake has a balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It’s a beloved recipe from my grandmother’s kitchen, ideal for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cranberry Cheesecake

Light Cheesecake with Crumb Topping

Light Cheesecake with Crumb Topping is a less dense version of the classic dessert, ready in about an hour. It features a creamy filling and a buttery crumb topping, made with ingredients like cream cheese, yogurt, and biscuits. The taste is subtly sweet with a satisfying texture. This recipe is one of my grandmother’s lighter options for those who love cheesecake but prefer something less rich.
Get the Recipe: Light Cheesecake with Crumb Topping

A stack of doughnuts on a white plate.
Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos

Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos are a unique dessert that takes about 40 minutes to prepare. They combine diced apples, granola, and honey into a delightful puff pastry. The taste is a harmonious blend of sweet and cinnamon-spiced flavors. This recipe, passed down from my grandmother, offers a modern twist on a traditional Hanukkah treat.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos

Maple Sufganiyot with Dulce de Leche Filling

Maple Sufganiyot with Dulce de Leche Filling is a two-hour dessert adventure, including dough rising time. The doughnuts are made with a sweet maple-infused dough and filled with rich dulce de leche. They offer a delightful contrast of flavors with a soft, pillowy texture. My grandmother’s recipe brings a touch of warmth and sweetness to any festive occasion.
Get the Recipe: Maple Sufganiyot with Dulce de Leche Filling

Oreo Sufganiyot

Oreo Sufganiyot is a playful dessert that requires about two hours, including dough rising time. This treat combines the classic flavors of Oreos with a fluffy doughnut base. The taste is a delightful mix of creamy filling and chocolate, a modern take on a traditional recipe from my grandmother. It’s a fun addition to any celebration, especially popular with the younger crowd.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Sufganiyot

Slices of chocolate pistachio cake.
No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake

No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake is a decadent dessert that can be assembled in about 20 minutes, plus chilling time. It features layers of chocolate ganache, pistachios, and biscuit crumbs. The taste is intensely chocolatey with a hint of nuttiness. This recipe from my grandmother is perfect for those times when you want a luxurious dessert without turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake

Gluten-Free White Chocolate Lava Cake with Raspberries

Gluten-Free White Chocolate Lava Cake with Raspberries is a sophisticated dessert ready in about 30 minutes. It features a molten white chocolate center and tart raspberries, creating a balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The cake is rich and indulgent, yet gluten-free. This recipe from my grandmother is perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a luxurious dessert.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free White Chocolate Lava Cake with Raspberries

Gluten-Free Honey Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce

Gluten-Free Honey Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce is a moist and flavorful dessert that takes about an hour to prepare. The cake is made with honey, apples, and gluten-free flour, topped with a homemade salted caramel sauce. The combination of sweet apples, rich honey, and the slight edge of saltiness creates a well-rounded flavor. It’s a cherished recipe from my grandmother that always feels like a warm hug.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Honey Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce

Apple cinnamon bundt cake.
Apple Olive Oil Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Apple Olive Oil Cake

Apple Olive Oil Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert that takes about an hour to bake. It’s made with fresh apples, olive oil, and a hint of citrus, providing a fruity and slightly zesty taste. This cake is a staple in my grandmother’s collection, known for its simplicity and deliciousness. It’s a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed year-round.
Get the Recipe: Apple Olive Oil Cake

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.