Fluffy meringue, gooey cheese fondue and lots of gelatin, these recipes were the center of family meals and fun get-togethers for years. Bring back a few of these delicious vintage recipes and you'll wonder why you haven't been making them this whole time!
65 Forgotten Recipes That Deserve a Comeback
Updated on Sep. 23, 2024
Grasshopper Baked Alaska
Can you believe it? This stunning dessert is completely make ahead, including the meringue. All you need to do is bake it for a few minutes in the oven before serving.—Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1/65
2/65
Vol-au-Vent
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends and I have been getting together for "ladies lunches" for years. These vol-au-vents are the perfect no-fuss fancy food; they look complicated, but are actually simple and fun to make. Whenever I think of good friends and good company, I think of these savory pastries. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
3/65
Three-Cheese Fondue
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this easy recipe from my daughter, who lives in France. It’s become my go-to fondue, and I make it often for our family.—Betty A. Mangas, Toledo, Ohio
4/65
Avocado Fruit Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm glad a friend gave me this delicious recipe, featuring four kinds of fruit as well as avocado. A light honey-lemon dressing enhances the already tasty flavor of the produce. My family loves it and so do I! —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
5/65
Meat and Potato Patties
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
During World War II, when meat was rationed and had to be purchased with tokens, this recipe went a long way in feeding a family. To this day, I still reach for it whenever I want something different from regular hamburgers. By the way, children really like these (just as I did when I was a child!).— Gladys Klein, Burlington Wisconsin
6/65
Grandma Davidson’s Baked Apple Pudding
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My savvy grandmother whipped up recipes like this homey cinnamon-scented apple pudding in the Depression years. Many of us still make them today. —Holly Sharp, Warren, Ontario
7/65
Double-Chocolate Toffee Icebox Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law taught me that anything tastes good if you use enough chocolate or cream. This no-bake dessert proves she was right. Sometimes I use chocolate graham crackers and stack up the layers in a 9-inch square pan. —Bee Engelhart, Bloomfield Township, Michigan
8/65
Hearty Beef & Cabbage Pockets
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I found a similar recipe many years ago and experimented with my own version until I had it just right. If you can't find the frozen rolls, you can use a homemade dough. —Elaine Clark, Wellington, Kansas
9/65
Swedish Rice Ring
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe, which originated in Sweden, is famous at church suppers with our Minnesota neighbors. It's a delicious addition at family gatherings and parties, too. I usually make a double batch because it's so good! —Lori Jeane Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
10/65
Veggie Chopped Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband's aunt gave me this recipe back in the '80s, and it's been a staple at our house ever since. I like to make it a day ahead because some time in the fridge makes it even better. Be sure to save yourself some leftovers, too. —Madeline Etzkorn, Burien, Washington
11/65
Chunky Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
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
12/65
Swedish Creme
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
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
13/65
English Muffin Bread
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Many years ago, a good friend gave me her mother's recipe for this delightful bread, and I've made it ever since. Toast it up for breakfast and don't forget to slather on your favorite jam. —Jane Zielinski, Rotterdam Junction, New York
14/65
Blue Cheese Onion Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
12 servings (1/4 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I decided to tweak the onion soup dip you see at every gathering, and everyone seems to be glad I did. Serve with crisp, raw vegetables or potato chips, and you’re set. —Vicki Desy, Tucson, Arizona
15/65
Stained Glass Gelatin
Total Time
25 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
16/65
Apricot Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Colorful gelatin salad adds a spot of brightness to any table. It blends well with this holiday feast. We children didn't know if it should be a salad or dessert, with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.—Fae Fisher, Callao, Virginia
17/65
Spiedis
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is our favorite cookout dish, and it's very good served with a salad. This recipe originated here in my hometown in the 1930s. Our meat preference for speidis is venison, but we use chicken and beef when it's not available. —Gertrude Skinner, Binghamton, New York
18/65
Seven-Layer Gelatin Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's an eye-catching salad that my mother makes for Christmas dinner each year. You can choose different flavors to make other color combinations for specific holidays or other gatherings. —Jan Hemness, Stockton, Missouri
19/65
Cherry Divinity
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It's just not a party without these light and airy confections on my dessert platter. The recipe is versatile because you can replace the cherry gelatin with any flavor that suits your taste. —Crystal Ralph-Haughn, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
20/65
Creme de Menthe Squares
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This layered bar hits all the sweet spots: It’s airy, creamy, crunchy and the perfect mix of cool mint and rich chocolate. It has a vintage dessert appeal that no one in our family can resist. —Marilyn Blankschien, Clintonville, Wisconsin
21/65
Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’d wanted to make boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy) ever since I got one of Julia Child’s cookbooks, but I wanted to find a way to fix it in a slow cooker. My slow-cooker boeuf bourguignon is still rich, hearty and delicious, but there's no need to watch it on the stovetop or in the oven. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
22/65
Meringue Snowballs In Custard
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has passed down this elegant dessert generation by generation. It started with my Russian great-grandmother, who traveled to America more than 100 years ago. I love continuing the tradition with her recipe. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida
23/65
Salmon Mousse Cups
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these tempting little tarts frequently for parties. They disappear at an astonishing speed, so I usually double or triple the recipe. The salmon-cream cheese filling and flaky crust will melt in your mouth. —Fran Rowland, Phoenix, Arizona
24/65
Pumpkin Charlotte
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit.
—Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois
25/65
Tomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We make the most of tomatoes when they are in season and plentiful, and I love an old-fashioned homemade dressing with summery taste. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia
26/65
Hazelnut Dream Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I sampled these goodies at a Bible study and knew from the first bite that I had to have the recipe. To my surprise, the rich cookies require just four ingredients. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
27/65
Cranberry Eggnog Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a bright salad with a vintage holiday feel, we stack a layer of raspberry gelatin and cranberry sauce over a yummy pineapple-eggnog base. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
28/65
Rumaki Appetizers
Total Time
40 min
Servings
14 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
These are a holiday-season "must" in our family. The bacon-wrapped bites are served with a sweet barbecue sauce which is also good with little smoked sausages. —Janice Thomas, Milford, Nebraska
29/65
Browned Butter Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
How do you make good old-fashioned apple pie even better? Enhance the crust with shredded cheddar cheese and stir browned butter into the filling. Wonderful! —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
30/65
Slow-Cooker Spiced Fruit
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My late aunt who lived in Hawaii gave me this cherished recipe. She would prepare a traditional tropical meal for us whenever we visited and always included this fruity delight. I always think of her when I make it, whether it is for the holidays or an everyday meal. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
31/65
Grandma's Raspberry Rugelach
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember sitting on my great-grandmother's couch with a pad and pen in hand as she told me each ingredient and measurement for her special rugelach. Her recipe stands apart because it's a fun twist from typical versions. —Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida
32/65
Fireside Cheese Spread
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
When our family and friends get together for holidays or other occasions, I serve this appetizer. It’s always a success. If you prefer, try a Swiss cheese spread instead of the cheddar. And, if you enjoy garlic, substitute a small clove of minced garlic for the garlic powder. —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
33/65
Cherry Gelatin Supreme
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was growing up, this yummy, easy dessert was always on the menu at holiday get-togethers. Years ago, my aunt gave me the recipe, and now when I make it for my family, I think of her. —Janice Rathgeb, Brighton, Illinois
34/65
Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles
Total Time
55 min
Servings
11 pints
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois
35/65
Marshmallow Grasshopper Pie
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a hearty meal, this refreshing pie hits the spot. I always make this festive treat whenever my son comes to visit; he loves to add sweet cherries on top. Cherries or not, the chocolate and mint are definitely meant for each other. —Sally Vandermus, Rochester, Minnesota
36/65
Mocha Baked Alaskas
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
37/65
Hawaiian Meatballs
Total Time
6 hours 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Talk about one easy dish that creates an amazing sweet and sour sauce! You can serve over rice for more of a dinner-like option, but I also like to offer them as an appetizer simply served with toothpicks. —Julie Schiefer, Nappanee, Indiana
38/65
Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida
39/65
Aunt Marion’s Fruit Salad Dessert
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Aunt Marion, my namesake, is like a grandma to me. She gave me this luscious salad recipe, which goes to all our family reunions, hunt club suppers and snowmobile club picnics...and I go home with no leftovers! —Marion LaTourette, Honesdale, Pennsylvania
40/65
Salmon Mousse
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s so easy to top crunchy cucumber slices with a smooth and creamy salmon filling. Guests rave about the fun presentation, contrasting textures and refreshing flavor. —Barb Templin, Norwood, Minnesota
41/65
Butterscotch Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments and recipe requests whenever I make this eye-catching cake. The filling is similar to German chocolate cake. —Judy Lamon, Louisville, Tennessee
42/65
Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom's ambrosia salad, with its tasty combination of fresh fruits and creamy yogurt, is a family favorite, and a great addition to a backyard barbecue. —Colleen Belbey, Warwick, Rhode Island
43/65
Berries in Champagne Jelly
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister gave me this recipe a few years back when I was looking for an elegant fruit dish to serve guests. I sometimes serve this party-pretty fruit treat at brunch—just before the main dish. It’s also sparkly and special enough to double as a light dessert. —Andrea Barnhoom, Scottsville, New York
44/65
Charlotte’s Green Tomato Pie
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Green tomato pie makes an awesome conversation piece. I took it to a potluck and it was a delight to share. —Charlotte McDaniel, Jacksonville, Alabama
45/65
Pina Colada Grilled Pineapple
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
During a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
46/65
Minister's Delight
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
47/65
Sour Cream Bavarian
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings (1-1/4 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
Are you ‘sweet on’ someone who’s counting calories? Show them you care with this light and refreshing dessert. It’s sinfully creamy and so pretty with the tart raspberry sauce. No one would ever guess that it’s fat-free! —Judi Janczewski, Berwyn, Illinois
48/65
Sausage Cornbread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornbread is a staple here in the South. I added sausage and cheese to a cornbread recipe and came up with this satisfying dish. It goes especially well with soup.
49/65
Folded Hazelnut Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We first made these cookies when my boys were small, and they would always end up covered in flour and with Nutella on their faces. Such good memories! —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
50/65
Date Nut Balls
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe more than 30 years ago. It is my husband's favorite treat. I like these with pecans or walnuts. If you do not like nuts, omit the nuts and use 3 cups Rice Krispies. —Melinda Lord, Washington, Iowa
51/65
Sauteed Green Beans
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These sauteed green beans with garlic and a variety of herbs and spices come together in no time at all for a well-seasoned side dish you'll make on repeat. —Heidi Wilcox, Lapeer, Michigan
52/65
Cinnamon Roll Cherry Cobbler
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Red Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
53/65
Martha Washington Candy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Passed down by my grandmother and mother, this Martha Washington candy recipe is a cherished family tradition. We've even had each grandchild and great-grandchild take a turn stirring the candy mixture! —Cindi Boger, Ardmore, Alabama
54/65
Bacon Roll-Ups
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 roll-ups
From the Recipe Creator:
This family recipe dates back to the 1930s, when my grandmother started making these hearty breakfast rolls. —Janet Abate, North Brunswick, New Jersey
55/65
Cream Cheese-Pineapple Pie
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made this pie many times for friends, relatives, guests, church suppers and bazaars, and I'm always getting requests for the recipe. I've lived on farms all my life—we used to have a potato farm on Long Island, and now my son farms his own land and manages mine here in Delaware, growing soybeans and wheat. —Elizabeth Brown, Clayton, Delaware
56/65
Viennese Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A Swedish friend shared this recipe with me many years ago. A chocolate glaze tops tender cookies filled with apricot jam. —Beverly Stirrat, Mission, British Columbia
57/65
Beef Fondue with Sauces
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings (1/2 cup of each sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband was stationed in England in the mid-1960s, I traveled to Switzerland and purchased two copper fondue pots. I've used them countless times to make this meat fondue since then. —Margaret Inman, Fort Pierce, Florida
58/65
Steamed Carrot Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe, passed down from my Canadian grandmother, has been in my family for at least three generations. It's been a favorite wintertime dessert for us and is always served for Easter and other holiday meals. —Ann Searcey, Kettering, Ohio
59/65
Shoofly Cupcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These were my grandmother's specialty. To keep them from disappearing too quickly, she used to store them out of sight. —Beth Adams, Jacksonville, Florida
60/65
Lemon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
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
61/65
Baked Cranberry Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
62/65
Elegant White Chocolate Mousse
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Simply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy white chocolate mousse recipe extra special. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts
63/65
Sour Cream Chip Muffins
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Take one bite and you'll see why I think these rich, tender muffins are the best I've ever tasted. Mint chocolate chips make them a big hit with my family and friends. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho
64/65
Banana-Pineapple Cream Pies
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 pies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother gave me this simple and delicious recipe years ago. The recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a potluck. I've never met anyone who didn't like it! —Robyn Appenzeller, Portsmouth, Virginia
65/65
Slow Cooker Fruit Compote
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use canned goods and my slow cooker to whip up an old-fashioned treat that’s loaded with sweet fruits. It makes a cozy dessert or even a change-of-pace side dish for large parties. —Mary Ann Jonns, Midlothian, Illinois
