Grandma's dish was always the first to go at any get-together, and these tender cakes, chewy cookies, bubbling soups and creamy salads prove why. They've been passed down through the generations, ready for you to teach your family, too.
27 Heirloom Potluck Recipes Passed Down from Grandma
Updated on Apr. 28, 2024
Gran’s Apple Cake
My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I’ve lightened it up, it’s still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
1/27
2/27
Soft Buttermilk Sugar Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Gatherings are very important to my family, so we have lots of recipes that are favorites. My grandma introduced these cookies into the family a long time ago. The memory of her and these cookies go together!
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 90 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
3/27
Banana Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe comes from my Grandma Schlientz. Any time there are ripe bananas around our house, it’s banana brownie time! People are always surprised to learn bananas are the secret ingredient. —Christine Mol, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 163 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
4/27
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 841 calories, 48g fat (30g saturated fat), 219mg cholesterol, 656mg sodium, 96g carbohydrate (72g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
5/27
Grandma’s Rosemary Dinner Rolls
Total Time
55 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. My mom and aunts would deliver the formed rolls at lunchtime. —Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 194 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 163mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
6/27
Sea Salt Mint White Mocha Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
26 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe came from my mom’s Grandma Alice, who taught her how to bake. Grandma Alice always had a fresh plate of warm cookies on her counter. I learned some of her recipes by heart as a child, and I’ve been making these since high school. They taste like Christmas.—Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 229 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
7/27
Breakfast Buns
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother taught me to bake these breakfast buns 70 years ago. Now my granddaughter makes them! This batter is like a biscuit dough and can be made up in a short time. There's no nicer way to wake up in the morning than to the aromas of biscuits baking and coffee perking! — Dorothy McGinnis, West Haven, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 154 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
8/27
Carrot Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderful recipe dates back to my great-grandmother. You will love the texture the cake gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! For lighter appetites or to serve more people, cut it into smaller pieces and place them in pretty cupcake liners. —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 819 calories, 49g fat (12g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 91g carbohydrate (72g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.
9/27
Grandma’s Potato Salad
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This salad is a must for the Fourth of July feast. The red potatoes hold their shape and texture even after they are boiled. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 197 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
10/27
Frosted Spice Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe has been handed down through many generations of my husband's family. The cookies were always in his grandmother's cookie jar when he'd visit. Today, he enjoys them more than ever—and so do I. —Debbie Hurlbert, Howard, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 149 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
11/27
Zucchini Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They're such a scrumptious dessert, you actually forget you're eating your vegetables, too! —Virginia Lapierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 327 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
12/27
Sliced Tomato Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my grandmother. It's a perfect platter to serve with burgers or hot sandwiches. —Kendal Tangedal, Plentywood, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 94 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 fat.
13/27
7UP Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother gave me my first cake recipe—a pound cake using 7UP—which her grandmother had given to her. On top of being delicious, this cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 457 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
14/27
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 124 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
15/27
Honey-Lime Almond Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Decades ago my grandmother passed this buttery lime cookie recipe to me. Through years of baking, our cookie memories keep the family connected, although we’re miles apart. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 106 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
16/27
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 196 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
17/27
Grandma's Star Cookies
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
about 7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband's grandma would make these butter cutouts only with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 111 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 77mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
18/27
Sunday Pot Roast
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With the help of a slow cooker, you can prepare a down-home dinner any day of the week, not just on Sundays. The roast turns out tender and savory every time. —Brandy Schaefer, Glen Carbon, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 217 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
19/27
Chocolate & Coconut Cream Torte
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother passed this recipe down to me years ago and now I make it for my own grandchildren. When preparing, make sure the chocolate layer is properly chilled before adding the next layer, or the coconut will sink into it. —Jason Purkey, Ocean City, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 691 calories, 49g fat (32g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 265mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
20/27
Easy German Potato Salad
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tangy potato salad stirs memories of my grandma, who made it for us. Now my mom makes it with brats and sauerkraut—truly the best meal! —Devin Mulertt, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 147 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
21/27
Pinwheel Mints
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Both my grandmother and my mom used to make these eye-catching confections as a replacement for ordinary mints. When I offer them at parties, guests tell me the candies are wonderful, and then ask how I created the pretty swirl pattern. —Marilou Roth, Milford, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 90 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 15mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
22/27
Bacon Cheese Wreath
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother makes this smoky bacon and Parmesan spread for parties and holiday get-togethers. For a pretty yuletide presentation, decorate the cream cheese wreath with green parsley and red pimientos. —Lisa Carter, Warren, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 87 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
23/27
Sausage Stuffing
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Every family seems to have their own favorite dressing recipe that becomes a tradition, and this is ours. It came from Grandma, who passed it down to my mother. Now our children have carried it into their kitchens. This is truly a good old-fashioned recipe. —Norma Howland, Joliet, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 352 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 826mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
My mother insisted that my grandmother write down one recipe for her when Mom got married in 1942: the how to make peanut butter cookies from scratch recipe. That was a real effort because Grandma was a traditional pioneer-type cook who used a little of this or that until it felt right. This treasured recipe is the only one she ever wrote down! —Janet Hall, Clinton, Wisconsin
24/27
25/27
Grossmutter's Peppernuts
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 30 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Before Christmas, my grandmother would bake peppernuts and store them until the big day. When we came home from school, the whole house would smell like anise and we knew the holiday season was about to begin. —Marilyn Kutzli, Clinton, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
6 pieces: 51 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
26/27
27/27
Tangy Bacon Green Beans
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother’s Pennsylvania Dutch-style recipe turns plain old green beans into a tangy cross between three-bean and German potato salads. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 173 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
