Top 20+ vintage dessert recipes from church cookbooks

These retro recipes are Grandma-approved.

The beauty of vintage, spiral-bound cookbooks is that no single one is the same. Full of quirky recipes that reflect the congregation or community, these compilations often include the very same popular recipes—especially when it comes to crowd-pleasing sweet treats. Here are some of the best vintage desserts that also appear over and over again in church cookbooks, from cookies and cakes to church potluck favorites like cobblers and trifles.

01 of 20

Boscobel Beach Ginger Cake

"This is a Jamaican ginger cake. It attracted rave reviews at my church's Valentine's Day tea party," says Margorita Whyte. "It has been a mainstay at prayer breakfasts, too."

02 of 20

Church Window Cookies

"These colorful church window cookies are super easy and fun to make with melted chocolate, colored mini marshmallows, and sweetened flaked coconut," says recipe creator Martha. "A classic Christmas no-bake cookie that looks beautiful and tastes delicious!"

03 of 20

Death By Chocolate Trifle

"This death by chocolate trifle is a true favorite. Every time we have a church supper, I have to make this!" —LaNita

04 of 20

Bible Study Apple Cobbler

"This recipe was shared with me by one of the ladies in my bible study. It is hands down the easiest and most-delicious apple cobbler I have ever made and eaten! Enjoy with vanilla ice cream!" —Jennifer

05 of 20

Mrs. Sigg's Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodle cookies are a mainstay across church cookbooks—often with more than one recipe submitted by different church members.

"With crispy edges, chewy centers, and a deliciously spiced sugar coating, these cookies are a crowd please for sure," says recipe creator Beth Sigworth. "These snickerdoodle cookies have become very popular with my friends at church—and my pastor loves them. You will too!"

06 of 20

Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Orange cinnamon rolls are popular in church cookbooks from Alabama to the Northeast and the upper Midwest. Our recipe features cinnamon for extra notes of warming spice.

"These orange cinnamon rolls are fluffy, soft, and sweet. Covered in a sticky orange cream cheese glaze, they are an amazing breakfast or brunch treat that make your entire house smell incredible!

07 of 20

Texas Sheet Cake

"This is the best Texas Sheet Cake I have ever made. I followed the recipe from start to finish and it was perfect. We had it on Thanksgiving Day and topped each piece with ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce. It was delicious!" —Susan Goderstad

08 of 20

Cherry Yum Yum

"This really brings back memories from the past, those desserts that our grandparents used to make that would fascinate the entire family. I followed the directions and the dessert came together quite quickly and the flavors brought back so many memories. A family favorite for sure." —LovesCooking

09 of 20

Best Brownies

Many brownie recipes in retro church cookbooks call for melting chocolate and butter over the stovetop before mixing the batter and baking in the oven. This method for from-scratch brownies means perfectly fudgy treats every time—and it cuts down on the cook time.

10 of 20

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

"Pineapple upside-down cake is a gorgeous retro dessert that delights all ages! This easy recipe uses a cast iron skillet to bake the tender sweet cake and perfectly caramelized pineapple and cherries." —Anne

11 of 20

Grandma's Fresh Apple Cake

"This is my grandma's wonderful recipe for fresh apple cake. It's moist, chock full of apples, and also contains cinnamon, raisins, and chopped walnuts." —Steve Dale

12 of 20

7 UP Cake

"This 7UP cake is my favorite recipe. My grandmother and mother used to make this when I was a child. It is absolutely wonderful! You can substitute 7UP for milk in the glaze." —JSWERVE07012

13 of 20

Moist Coconut Cake

"My family loved it and it was very simple to make. I made it exactly a it was written with my two 8 year old nieces and it came out perfect. It was the exact taste I was trying to d duplicate from someone I was buying this cake from." —ELLE

14 of 20

Scripture Cake

"I loved how the cake kept its shape in the bundt pan...cooked nicely with recommended times. It was a decent cake, but the little kids I made it for are too used to much sweeter cakes lol. Fun recipe, had all the kids looking up the ingredients as a scripture chase." —Diana71

15 of 20

Pig Pickin' Cake

"Been making this cake for years. Learned it from my Mother. She used this recipe. Best cake to make for BBQ during the summer. Goes really well with pulled pork, smoked Mac and cheese. This cake takes your party over the top and you will have people ask for the recipe. Very easy to make as well." —FunToast5454

16 of 20

Buttermilk Pound Cake

"I had some buttermilk that was about to expire, so I started looking up recipes for buttermilk cake. This one stuck out and I’m glad it did. It is delish!" —darlene dubberly

17 of 20

Heaven on Earth Cake

"This is delicious, everyone loves it. I have made four in the last week. I made two of them to share with all of my wonderful neighbors. It is a hit with everyone. I have passed the recipe on to family and friends. Thank you for sharing." —TrustyBrew9709

18 of 20

Vinegar Pie

"My grandpa always said 'I like everything except Vinegar Pie'. Well he now [officially] likes everything. I made this pie for him as a joke & he ate the entire pie by himself. No one else in my family was brave enough to try it; but that is just how grandpa likes it, the whole pie to himself." —DMFARNEY

19 of 20

Seven Layer Bars

"My grandma used to make these every year for Christmas and this recipe took me right back there! It’s easy and delicious, thank you so much!" —RowdyBeer7141

20 of 20

Banana Pudding

"I always make this one just as it is written. So simple and easy to make. My family LOVES it. I only make banana pudding this way." —Corinna Yerbich