44 Treasured Recipes Found in Family Recipe Boxes

Homemade Polish Pierogi

My mother made many dozens of these and measured ingredients using the palm of her hand. We’ve passed the recipe down over the years as the family has grown. —Veronica Weinkauf, South Bend, Indiana

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Raspberry Custard Kuchen

Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It's no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, Washington

Nana's Italian Roulade

My great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon

Honey-Lime Almond Cookies

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

Carrot Bundt Cake

Baked in a pretty cake pan and swirled with tangy cream cheese frosting, this carrot Bundt cake recipe is one you'll make again and again.

Buttermilk Biscuits

You can make biscuits any day of the week with this simple 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits recipe.

Sausage Stuffing

The best sausage stuffing recipe evokes nostalgia for time spent with loved ones at the holiday table. Pair it with turkey for Thanksgiving, or eat it as an all-in-one meal any time of the year.

Grandma Brubaker’s Orange Cookies

At least two generations of my family have enjoyed the recipe for these light, delicate orange-flavored cookies. —Sheri DeBolt, Huntington, Indiana

Mini Strawberry Shortcake

Bright-red, fragrant, juicy strawberries make mini strawberry shortcake the quintessential springtime dessert.

Carrot Chowder

My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama

Green Bean Salad with Creamy Dressing

My grandmother passed on this refreshing side dish recipe. It’s always devoured at my house. —Jodi Galanis, Murray, Utah

Italian Rainbow Cookies

Colorful, gorgeously layered and filled with yummy almond, raspberry and chocolate flavors, our Italian rainbow cookies will be a recurring presence on your annual holiday cookie tray.

Holiday Lace Cookies

It's hard to stop eating these buttery cookies dotted with pecans and dried cranberries. I cherish this recipe from my mother. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Broccoli Quiche

This extra-creamy broccoli quiche recipe features a buttery pastry crust, delicious broccoli, a rich egg custard and plenty of cheddar cheese.

South Liberty Hall Relish

My grandparents originated this recipe that's been treasured in our family for four generations. It's named after a dance hall they ran in rural Iowa. Whenever I bite into a hot dog or hamburger dressed up with this taste bud-tingling relish, I think of them and their delicious country cooking. —Melinda Winchell, Las Vegas, Nevada

Grandma Pietz's Cranberry Cake Pudding

For generations, our family has handed down this cake recipe starring cranberries. Simple and unusual, it remains a treasured family heirloom. —Lisa Potter, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin

Belarus Pickled Carrots

My mom’s holiday buffet always included these pickled carrots. I kept the tradition going, then passed the recipe to my daughter. In our family, it isn't a party without this dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GA

White Lasagna

Who says lasagna has to be made with red sauce? This white lasagna recipe proves that rich and creamy is the way to go.

Spiced Molasses Doughnut Cookies

I don't know where this recipe came from, but my family has been making these cookies for four generations. I am from upstate New York, and I haven't met anyone who has heard of doughnut cookies outside of that area. But when folks try these, they love them! —Brenna Phillips, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Crunchy Ice Cream Delight

Four generations of home cooks have shared our crunchy ice cream bars. If you love almonds like my family does, double the butter and almonds and save half to sprinkle on top. —Angie Ricklefs, Sioux City, Iowa

Scottish Shortbread

This three-ingredient traditional Scottish shortbread recipe makes beautifully buttery, crumbly biscuits to elevate tea time.

Frikadeller

Meatballs just like grandma made and her mom before her! A classic Danish recipe, beef and pork frikadeller with creamy gravy is traditionally served at family dinners and even weddings.

Lemon Pound Cake

A tangy and sweet lemon treat, this lemon pound cake has three layers of lemon flavor, from extract, zest and juice.

Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Dessert

My mother passed this old-time recipe on to me because she knew I'd want to make it. I love desserts—especially this one! —Mary Wright, Morriston, Ontario

Maple Butter Twists

My stepmother gave me the recipe for a delicious yeast coffee cake shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana

Kid-Friendly Chili

This mild kid-friendly chili is a comforting and satisfying dish that even picky eaters will love, and you can make it in just 30 minutes thanks to a few shortcut ingredients from the pantry.

Sun-Dried Tomato Provolone Bread

This savory quick bread, which was passed down from my mother, is packed with great flavors. It not only goes well will soups and chowders, but makes a delicious accompaniment to beef and chicken entrees. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Turkey Sausage Bean Soup

This recipe is from my great-grandmother, though I've added a few ingredients to make it my own. Serve it with a side salad and some artisan bread for a wonderful, hearty family dinner. —Terrel Porter-Smith, Los Osos, California

Chocolate & Coconut Cream Torte

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

How to Make Our Quick and Easy Recipe for Cocoa Brownies

This brownie recipe with cocoa powder is heaven fresh out of the oven.

Kolaches

A kolache is a yeasty, soft Czech pastry that’s topped with a cheese, poppy seed or fruit filling. It's somewhere between a doughnut and a Danish.

Black Forest Cake

Make a homemade Black Forest cake with chocolate cake, cherry filling and whipped cream. Its impressive, colorful layers make it a great dessert for showing off to guests.

Martha Washington Candy

Martha Washington candy is a nostalgic confection that’s been passed down for generations. Don’t let the word “candy” intimidate you! This confection is very easy to make, with zero fancy tools required.

Supreme Green Vegetable Bake

My paternal grandmother passed this recipe down to me. She also offered comments on different ways to prepare this dish, "so as not to become bored with the same old dish over and over." She was a great inspiration for my love of baking and cooking.—Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Steamed Carrot Pudding

Carrot pudding gets its soft, airy texture as it's gently steamed until the batter is just cooked through. Adding a few warming spices and nourishing ingredients—such as carrots and potatoes—makes this a heartier dessert than most.

Sweet and Golden Easter Bread

It is an Italian tradition to make this sweet, golden braid at Easter. This family heirloom recipe came from my mother-in-law and was passed down to her from her mother. If you're not a fan of raisins, the bread is just as wonderful without them. —Kathi West, Canton, Michigan

Focaccia Barese

This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois

Frosted Spice Cookies

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

Meringue Snowballs In Custard

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

Italian Wedding Cookies

You don't need a party to enjoy these Italian wedding cookies. The soft, lemon-scented, cakelike cookies with a sweet glaze and pretty sprinkles make any day brighter.

Chewy Salted Peanut Bars

My rich bars are studded with the all-American peanut. I like to think famed peanut farmer Jimmy Carter would approve. —Ann Marie Heinz, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Spiced Christmas Cookies

This delicious cookie recipe has been passed down through six generations and was brought to America from Germany in 1846! It's a holiday tradition in our house and we're proud to share this wonderful recipe with you. —Tanya Juhasz, Newberry, Florida

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

This recipe is so special to me because it was passed down from my grandmother, to my mother, and now to me. This family classic is now often requested for any type of work function.—Leann Schmid, Covington, Kentucky

Grandma's Raspberry Rugelach

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