Old-Fashioned Christmas Desserts From Scratch

The Christmas carols are on, the kitchen is a mess, and these are the recipes I’m baking. I can picture every single one of these on a flour-covered, torn-edged recipe card in my Grandma’s recipe box.

grid of eight photos with old fashioned christmas dessert recipes

Save This Post

I'll send you a link so you can find it later.

You'll join my email list which you will love. And if you don't, unsubscribe in one click. ❤️

Chocolate Bundt Cake

This cake has quite a few steps, but the result is worth it. You can make the candied cranberries the day before.

Get the Recipe

Close-up of spice cake slice showing fluffy texture and thick praline frosting.

Spice Cake with Praline Frosting

This can sit at room temperature, which makes it great for traveling or just leaving out on the sideboard for the evening.

Get the Recipe

Bread Pudding with Vanilla and Cinnamon

Bread pudding is the ultimate old-fashioned dessert. If you’ve never tried it, make this recipe. It’s simple and not too sweet.

Get the Recipe

Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Another bundt cake for the center of the table. Make this cake if you want to bring something that looks a little fancier than a traditional gingerbread cake. The powdered sugar topping is so easy, yet so pretty!

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Cobbler

This dessert is baked and served in the same dish. There’s no fancy cake pan, no complicated topping, just a classic cobbler.

Get the Recipe

Yule Log Cake

This is the ultimate centerpiece. It’s not that hard, I promise. The cake is more forgiving than it looks, and rolling it is actually pretty simple. You can even make it a day ahead of time.

Get the Recipe

Eggnog Pie

Make this pie with that leftover eggnog in the fridge. It’s a great way to add a pie to the table with traditional flavor but a little different than a basic apple or pumpkin pie.

Get the Recipe

Panettone

This one takes a while, but it’s stunning and worth the work. Gather the kids around and make it a group project.

Get the Recipe

slice of layered chocolate pie with fork.

Chocolate Meringue Pie

Make this in the morning, and you can enjoy it later with a cup of after-dinner coffee. It’s perfect for chocolate lovers and brings back so many potluck memories.

Get the Recipe

Old English Fruitcake

This cake is dense, dark, and requires some TLC – just as it did a hundred years ago. It’s a project, but worth trying at least once in your life.

Get the Recipe

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

One bowl is all you need for this recipe. No icing, no fuss. You can serve it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Upside-down cakes are truly straight out of the 1920s. It’s another bright and beautiful dessert that looks amazing on the dessert table, garnished with some edible greens and fresh berries.

Get the Recipe

Butterscotch Pudding

You can save some time and make this the day ahead of time. Pour them into little single-serve jars and finish with a scoop of homemade whipped cream.

Get the Recipe

baking sheet with slice of apple cake being lifted up.

Apple Spice Cake with Boiled Caramel Frosting

If you like caramel apples, make this cake. The caramel frosting poured over (no frosting skills required!).

Get the Recipe

Sticky Toffee Pudding

This is pretty rich, which is why I like to serve it with vanilla ice cream on the side.

Get the Recipe

Cranberry Curd Tart

A make-ahead tart that wins for being the prettiest at the table. You won’t see another dessert with an all-natural bright color like this.

Get the Recipe

Boiled Custard

A drinkable dessert! This looks pretty cool in a fancy glass pitcher with small sipping cups. You can drink it straight or pour over pound cake or ice cream. It also makes a great base for eggnog.

Get the Recipe

Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

For the best density and flavor, make this one a few days ahead of time. The little slices are perfect when you just want one little bite of dessert. It’s a great brunch item, too.

Get the Recipe

Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

The kids will love this one. It’s perfect when you need a dessert, but low on oven space.

Get the Recipe

Mince Pies

Yes, there is real meat in these little pies. It will make the older generation in your house smile ear-to-ear. The little pies are perfect for grazing and trying something for the first time.

Get the Recipe

Lane Cake

This can be made a day ahead of time. In fact, it’s recommended. It’s a layer cake with a rustic vibe that truly makes it a classic farmhouse dessert.

Get the Recipe

Baked Rice Pudding

Scoop-and-serve rice pudding is another no-fuss dessert you can just leave on the table. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and only needing a few simple ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen.

Get the Recipe