25 Mom-Approved Dessert Recipes Perfect for Any Occasion

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Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

There’s nothing quite like a family recipe. The meals we grow up on shape our tastebuds for the rest of our lives, so it helps to have a good cook at home. And for many, there’s nothing quite like mom’s cooking. Perhaps it’s the experience, perhaps the love, but there’s something special there—and the right thing to do is cherish it. If your sweet tooth is acting up, try one of our 25 best dessert recipes that come from a mom. There’s a lot to try in this collection, including Banana Pudding, crisps, cakes, and some of the best cookies you can make.

01
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Mom's Peach Crisp

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

"Super delicious. I could eat this all day, every day, for the rest of my life," says reviewer Dog Spiritus. "I follow the recipe exactly because it is "perfection" as is."

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Our 18 Favorite Peach Dessert Recipes

02
of 25

Mom's Sponge Cake

fabeveryday

“This was the perfect choice for strawberry shortcake,” says Allrecipes Allstar lutzflcat. “The texture is light, almost fluffy, it had just the right amount of sweetness, and it soaked up the juice beautifully. As soon as peaches come into season (very soon), this will be made again.”

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03
of 25

Mom's Ginger Snaps

Dotdash-Meredith Food Studios

"Oh WOW! These cookies are beyond wonderful! They smell incredible," says one Allrecipes community member. "And they are so easy to make! I had set aside 3 hours to bake this afternoon…I baked the entire batch in under 45 minutes! Another bonus: they make your house smell delicious!"

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12 Grandma-Approved Cookie Recipes That'll Remind You of Home

04
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Momma's Wine Cake

TheBritishBaker

"This simple cake works perfectly during the holidays, on a buffet table or in a picnic basket," says Allrecipes community member Esther Nelson. "And you won't believe the aroma that comes from your oven during baking! The alcohol bakes off and leaves just the flavor. It's very moist and has been a favorite birthday request in our house for over 20 years!"

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05
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Mom's Rhubarb Crisp

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"This rhubarb crisp is a delicious springtime treat with a crunchy oat topping and a sweet and tangy filling," says Allrecipes community member Nikki. "Rhubarb crisp was a dessert staple in my family growing up. It's an easy, delicious way to use up a surplus of rhubarb!"

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Aunt Kaye’s 5-Ingredient Rhubarb Dump Cake Tastes ‘Just Like Grandma Used To Make’

06
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Mom's Cheesecake Cookie Bars

“This is one of my all time favorites,” says reviewer terrytl. “I use various toppings—try lemon curd or custard for a Spring treat! Cherry or strawberry filling on top for holiday festive look and taste. And, if you feel naughty and daring, caramel, toasted pecans and chocolate drizzle.”

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07
of 25

Mom's Nut Horns

"This is an old family recipe," says Allrecipes community member Stephanie Murtaugh-Flinn. "We make them every Christmas and there are never enough. The dough is easy to work with and they are easy to make!"

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08
of 25

Mom's Texas Delight

France C

"You've never had a pudding dessert this good! It is elegant and delicious," says Allrecipes community member NIXIECHICK. "Everyone will want the recipe. This is NOT your ordinary pudding dessert! It is well worth your efforts."

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09
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Mom's Ranger Cookies

Deanna McCoy

"Mom makes these and I love them so I thought I'd share them with you," says Allrecipes community member Tammy Woodard. "They don't stay around long! They are soft and yummy and kids love them."

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Laura Bush’s Famous Cowboy Cookies Won the ‘00 Election

10
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Mom's Rum Cake

cookin'mama

"I have to say I have been using this recipe for two years and have gained some notoriety for it," says reviewer SUNDEVILS1. "Whenever there is a bake sale or picnic, I am asked to bring the rum cake. In fact, it fetched $130 at a cake auction!"

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11
of 25

Mom's Pineapple Bread Pudding

"Mom's pineapple bread pudding recipe was handed down from my mother," says Allrecipes community member Denise Delong Beecher. "Our family would have this wonderful side dish every Christmas and Easter. It is so easy to make."

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Our 20 Best Bread Puddings Deliver Old-Fashioned Comfort

12
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Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

dslade

This chocolate chip cookie has a very special secret ingredient: vanilla pudding mix. "I don't know what that instant vanilla pudding does to these exactly, but whatever it is, it's wonderful," says reviewer MACKALLEN. "These turn out soft, yet aren't cakey."

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The Secret To Soft Baked-Style Cookies at Home Is Already in Your Pantry

13
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Mother's Applesauce Cake

"This is a good old-fashioned applesauce cake," says Allrecipes community member Cathy. "It will fill your house with the spicy fragrance of fall."

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14
of 25

Mom's Pumpkin Pie

"This is the pumpkin pie that my mother has made for years," says Allrecipes community member Jim Wright. "It is a rich pie with just the right amount of spices."

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15
of 25

Mom's Island Treasures

"Absolutely the best cookies ever," says reviewer Criley. "Don't worry about getting everything just right. I've made them dozens of times, varying the ingredients slightly and they always turn out great."

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16
of 25

Mom's Cheesecake

“This is an excellent basic cheesecake. Ultra creamy,” says reviewer fidgetblogs. “The first time I made this I topped it with a homemade blueberry syrup. Folks were fighting over the last slices.”

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17
of 25

Mom's Apple Pie

"My Mom makes the best Apple Pie I have ever tasted," says Allrecipes community member Rita Wittwer. "Now I would like to share her secret with you. Serve with vanilla ice cream if you wish."

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Our 15 Best Apple Pie Recipes of All Time are Perfect for Any Season

18
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Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Melissa Goff

"We found my mom's best bread pudding recipe tucked inside her Bible when going through her things," says Allrecipes member Gail Cobile. "It has become a family tradition on the first snow day of the year, and if that doesn't happen, which can be the case here in central Virginia, we know it'll be the featured dessert at Easter and anytime a comfort food is in order."

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19
of 25

Mom's Apple Fritters

Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Gabriel Greco

"These homemade apple fritters are warm, crispy, and sweet," says Allrecipes community member ABBY9. "An old-fashioned treat that's perfect for fall! My mom always made these fritters for us with the apples we'd pick at a fruit farm."

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20
of 25

Mom's Apple Cranberry Pie

"This apple cranberry pie is a modified apple pie recipe my mother has had for years," says Allrecipes community member SaraSunshine. "I prefer a combination of Braeburn, Fuji, and McIntosh apples."

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21
of 25

Mama's Banana Pudding

Photography: Carson Downing / Food: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Laura Ellefson/Lexi Juhl

This banana pudding comes from the mom of Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George, who grew up eating this classic southern dessert. “This is an old timey recipe,” says reviewer ToastyDonut5793. “My mothers oldest sister had nine children, and this recipe was perfect for her family and me and my brothers.”

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Cookin' 9 to 5 With the Parton Sisters

22
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Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry Cake

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"A nice tender blueberry cake—one of my mom's specialties from years ago," says Allrecipes community member irenedee. "It is a great cake to take along to a picnic."

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13 Top-Rated Blueberry Recipes

23
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Mom's Best Peanut Brittle

Allrecipes Video

"This homemade peanut brittle is sweet and salty with the perfect candy crunch," says Allrecipes community member Amanda. "This recipe is easy to make for holiday gifts—it wows everyone, every time!"

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24
of 25

Mom's Favorite Jewish Apple Cake

"I've been making Mom's favorite Jewish apple cake recipe for over 30 years and always get great compliments," says Allrecipes community member Judy in Delaware. "Even my sweets-hating husband likes this one. I've been making it for my mother's birthday for years—it's her favorite. It's a dense cake with great flavor, so if you're looking for a light, fluffy cake, this is not for you!"

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This French Apple Cake Is the “Perfect Fall Dessert”—And It Has a Secret Ingredient

25
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Mom's Chocolate Meringue Pie

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

“My family (mom and aunties) could not quit telling me how proud my grandmother would have been that someone knows how to make HER chocolate pie,” says reviewer LuvBNaMom. “It was scrumptious.”

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