20 old fashioned Christmas recipes

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Take a delicious journey down memory lane with these 20 old-fashioned Christmas recipes that will rekindle the magic of childhood holidays! This collection is a treasure trove of nostalgic flavors and comforting aromas.

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Pistachio Fluff Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Amish Cinnamon Bread

Loaf of cinnamon bread sliced to show the ribbon of cinnamon inside.
Amish Cinnamon Bread. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This bread recipe comes from traditional Amish baking techniques passed down through the years. The simple ingredients and method reflect the old-world charm of farmhouse kitchens.
Get the Recipe: Amish Cinnamon Bread

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

A red, star-shaped bowl filled with candied pecans on a wooden surface.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Pecans. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This traditional Christmas snack fills your home with the scent of cinnamon. The slow cooker method comes from smart home cooks who found an easier way to make these nuts that have been on holiday tables for decades.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

Rum Balls

Chocolate rum balls on a red tartan cloth.
Rum Balls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These no-bake Christmas treats have been passed down through generations. Rich chocolate and rum come together in a traditional holiday candy that’s been part of Christmas cookie plates since the 1950s.
Get the Recipe: Rum Balls

Chocolate Lush

Slice of chocolate peanut butter lasagna on a plate.
Chocolate Lush. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This layered dessert became popular at church suppers in the 1970s. Cookies, peanut butter and chocolate pudding combine in a classic that’s been copied countless times.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lush

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate coated peanut butter balls stacked in a pyramid.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Christmas candy recipe has been passed down through generations. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate coating makes treats that have been on holiday platters for decades.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Blueberry Cobbler

Blueberry cobbler topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Blueberry Cobbler. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Southern cobbler recipe dates back to when home cooks used whatever berries were in season. The biscuit topping method has been handed down through families for generations.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Ricotta Cookies decorated with Christmas sprinkles.
Italian Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These soft cookies come from old Italian family recipes brought to America. The cake-like texture from ricotta cheese makes them a traditional cookie that’s been shared for generations.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Peanut Butter Pie

Side view of a slice of peanut butter pie topped with whipped cream on a plate.
Peanut Butter Pie. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This no-bake recipe started showing up in community cookbooks in the 1970s. Six basic ingredients make a rich dessert that’s been copied and shared at family gatherings for decades.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie

Pistachio Fluff Salad

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Pistachio Fluff Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This vintage dessert salad became famous in the 1970s during the Watergate era. Five simple ingredients create a recipe that’s been at family gatherings for over 50 years.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff Salad

Apple Galette

A slice of apple galette with ice cream on a plate.
Apple Galette. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This rustic French apple tart shows how home bakers have been making simple fruit desserts for centuries. The free-form crust makes it a true farmhouse-style treat.
Get the Recipe: Apple Galette

Butterscotch Cookies

Butterscotch cookies on a red plate.
Butterscotch Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This recipe shows up in cookbooks from the 1940s when butterscotch became popular. The chewy texture and pecan crunch make them a classic that’s stood the test of time.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Cookies

Banoffee Pie

A slice of banoffee pie on a light blue plate, featuring layers of banana, caramel, and whipped cream, with a sprinkle of chocolate shavings on top.
Banoffee Pie. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This traditional British dessert has stood the test of time for good reason. Bananas and toffee come together in a rich pie that’s been making people happy since the 1970s.
Get the Recipe: Banoffee Pie

Cherry Salad

Cherry fluff salad in blue bowls with whipped cream.
Cherry Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This pink dessert salad started appearing at gatherings in the 1960s. The quick prep time and basic ingredients show why it’s stayed in recipe boxes for generations.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Salad

Pecan Tassies

A close-up of mini pecan tassies on a wire cooling rack.
Pecan Tassies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These mini pecan pies come from Southern baking traditions of the early 1900s. The bite-sized treats have been passed down through generations of home bakers.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Tassies

Chocolate Almond Fudge

Plate of chocolate almond fudge stacked with chocolate chips and almonds scattered around.
Chocolate Almond Fudge. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This fudge recipe comes from the back of condensed milk cans from the 1950s. Four basic ingredients are all you need for this Christmas candy that’s been made the same way for generations.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Almond Fudge

Lime Jello Salad

Piece of lime jello salad topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Lime Jello Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This bright green dessert became a hit at gatherings in the 1950s when gelatin molds were all the rage. The recipe has remained unchanged in family collections because it’s simple and works every time.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

Icebox Cake

Icebox cake with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries on a pink plate.
Icebox Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Before electric ovens were common, icebox cakes were the smart cook’s solution to dessert. This no-bake classic layers graham crackers with berries and cream.
Get the Recipe: Icebox Cake

Chocolate Covered Cherries

A plate of chocolate-covered cherries next to a bowl containing a cut open chocolate-covered cherry revealing the inside filling, placed on a wooden surface.
Chocolate Covered Cherries. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These chocolate-covered cherries bring back memories of old-time candy shops. Sweet cherries coated in rich chocolate make a classic Christmas candy that’s been passed down through generations.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Cherries

Church Window Cookies

Church window cookies with colored marshmallows and coconut.
Church Window Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These no-bake cookies got their name from church bake sales in the 1950s. The pattern of colorful marshmallows in chocolate has made them a traditional treat for decades.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

Peanut Brittle

Red plate with peanut brittle on a red and white checked table cloth.
Peanut Brittle. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This candy-making technique has been used in American kitchens for over a century. The basic recipe turns peanuts and sugar into a classic brittle that breaks with a snap.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Brittle

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