I remember coming home sullen one day because we’d lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested, “Maybe a slice of my homemade apple pie will make you feel better.” One bite…and Grandma was right. If you want to learn how to make homemade apple pie filling, this is really the only recipe you need. ?Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington

I live in Missouri, but many family recipes come from New Zealand where I was born. My parents moved there when I was a year old, so I have a “Down Under” heritage. These special-occasion cookies bring back warm memories of my childhood, and I’m going to make sure they’re passed on to the next generation in my family…no matter where they live! ?Allen Swenson, Camdenton, Missouri

I can still taste the sweet juicy berries piled over warm biscuits and topped with a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream. My father added even more indulgence to this strawberry dessert by first buttering his biscuits. ?Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan

My 3-year-old granddaughter nicknamed my mother Cookie Grandma because she made wonderful cookies. Mom made these crisp and chewy cookies every Christmas. ?Donna Grace, Clancy, Montana

Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. ?Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas

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 dessert a treasured recipe. Even though I’ve lightened it up, it’s still a family favorite. ?Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California

My mother insisted that my grandmother write down one recipe for her when she got married in 1942. That was a real effort because Grandma was a traditional pioneer-type cook who used “a little of this or that ’til it feels right.” This treasured recipe is the only one she ever wrote down! ?Janet Hall, Clinton, Wisconsin

I can remember my Grandma Wheeler making these delicious muffins?we’d eat them nice and warm, fresh from the oven! She was a “pinch of this” and “handful of that” kind of cook, so getting the ingredient amounts correct for the recipe was a challenge. Now it’s a family treasure! ?Darlis A. Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

My husband loved his Mamaw’s strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. ?Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky

When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. ?Debra Dorn, Homosassa, Florida

My grandmother made this for all our family gatherings. Everyone loves it now I make it for every party we attend or host. ?John Morgan III, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

My husband’s grandma would only make these butter cutouts with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. ?Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana

When I was a little girl, my grandmother taught me how to make these rolls. I remember feeling so special when “we” served them. If you have never worked with yeast, this is the recipe for you. ?Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio

This basic recipe was one my grandmother used for making crumble pies from fresh fruit. She simply substituted oats, gingersnaps or vanilla wafers depending on the fruit. Pear was always my favorite. I added the ginger and caramel to give it a new twist. ?Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

My Grandma Nardi’s bread with dyed Easter eggs represents family and tradition. I fondly remember how she taught me the recipe when I was a little girl. ?Pat Merkovich, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One of the jars, which I now have, always had these crisp and chewy gingersnaps in it. They’re still my favorite cookie recipe. My daughter, Becky, used this recipe for a 4-H fair and won a blue ribbon. ?Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas

As far as I know, this cake recipe can be traced back to my German great-grandma. When I got married, my mother gave me a copy and I hope to someday pass it down to my children. ?Stephanie Travis, Fallon, Nevada

This was my grandmother’s favorite recipe to make when they had bushels of peaches. Now I love to bake it whenever I can for my family and friends. ?Mary Ann Dell of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

I usually make these bite-size cookies at Christmastime, when oranges in Florida are plentiful. Every time I sniff their wonderful aroma, I remember my grandmother, who shared the recipe. ?Lori DiPietro, New Port Richey, Florida

It isn’t officially the holidays until I’ve made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband’s grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. ?Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan

My husband’s grandmother made a variety of cookies every year for her grandkids at Christmastime. She would box them up and give each child his or her own box. This crisp, orange flavored cookie is one of my favorites from her collection.?Heather McKillip, Aurora, Illinois

Baking a fun treat is a must when my four grandchildren come for “Grandma Camp.” This year I’ll recruit the oldest, Henry, to help pipe the cake batter. ?Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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

My grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to share with friends. ?Evelyn Poteet, Hancock, Maryland

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

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

My Grandma Wruble always had a batch of these cookies in the cookie jar and another roll in the refrigerator ready to slice and bake. Their honey and lemon flavor is delicious! ?Kristi Gleason, Flower Mound, Texas

In our family no one thinks it’s Christmas without this Red Velvet Cake recipe. I baked the first one for Christmas in 1963 when I found the recipe in the newspaper and my Mother kept the tradition going into the ’80s. It’s different than other Red Velvet Cakes I’ve tasted over the years, since this one tastes only mildly chocolate and the icing is as light as snow. ?Kathryn H. Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina

There’s no brownie recipe or mix I’ve ever tried that’s better than this! And it’s so easy?you can mix it in one bowl in just a few minutes. My husband’s grandmother passed the recipe on; now our son makes these brownies for after-school snacks. ?Becky Albright, Norwalk, Ohio

I’m the fourth generation of cooks in my family to bake these cookies. When my grandmother sent me a batch for my birthday one year, I asked her for the recipe. That’s when I learned it was originally my great-grandmother’s recipe. It’s one that I will definitely make sure gets passed on! ?Loretta Pakulski, Indian River, Michigan

This is from a collection of family recipes. My granddaughter, Riley, likes that it tastes like lemons, but is sweet. It’s always moist and wonderful. ?Phyllis Harmon, Nelson, Wisconsin

This cookie recipe from my 91-year-old grandmother was my grandfather’s favorite. She still makes them and sends us home with the dough so that we can make more whenever we want, I love to make a fresh batch when company drops in. ?Chris Paulsen, Glendale, Arizona

My family has made these classic Italian cookies for generations, and this homemade version is so much better than the bakery version. They are always a special treat during the holidays or any time of year!?Cindy Casazza, Hopewell, New Jersey

This wonderful recipe for carrot cake dates back to my great-grandmother! My family and I make sure to bake up a few of these carrot cakes for special occasions to make sure there’s enough to go around. You’ll love the texture this pretty, moist treat gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! ?Debbie Jones, California, Maryland

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. At lunchtime, my mom and aunts delivered the formed rolls. ?Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania

This is a very old recipe that’s been in the family for generations. Sometimes I’ll omit the toffee bits and add miniature chocolate chips or coconut instead. ?Beverly Duncan, Lakeville, Ohio

My grandmother gave me this 7UP pound cake recipe. On top of being delicious, this 7UP cake represents family tradition, connection and love. ?Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California

My dad loved ginger cookies. I’ve tinkered with the recipe my grandma handed down by using fresh, ground and crystallized ginger for more pizzazz. ?Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Homemade biscuits add a warm and comforting touch to any meal. My grandmother makes these tender biscuits to go with her seafood chowder. ?Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York

Baked in a bundt pan and drizzled with icing, this breakfast cake will be a highlight of your holiday menu. I adapted the recipe from one of my grandmother’s. ?Shaunda Wenger, Nibley, Utah

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

I remember as a child always smelling fresh homemade bread and rolls whenever I walked into Grandma’s house. The warm slices were delicious and melted in my mouth! ?Janet Polito, Nampa, Idaho

At least four generations of women in my family have been baking this Cherry Spice Cake. It’s always my mom’s pick for her birthday. I like to use cream cheese frosting, but when my mother was growing up, my grandma frosted the cake with butter cream.?Laurie Sanders, Manchester, Michigan

My grandmother always made these cookies for the holidays. The recipe has been passed down through generations to me, and now from me to you. ? Robert Logan, Clayton, California

It was a tradition to make these cookies with my grandmother every Christmas. Now our two daughters help me make them for the holidays. ?Sharon Claussen, Wheat Ridge, Colorado

My husband’s Grandma used to make these every year for Good Friday, and I carry on the tradition with my own version of her recipe. I make 6 dozen every year, and they all disappear. ?Jill Evely, Wilmore, Kentucky

As a teenage foreign exchange student in the south of France, I was horribly homesick. Then my host family’s grandmother Miette arrived and asked if I’d like to help her bake this nutty tart from scratch. It turned my trip around and inspired my lifelong passion for baking. Weighing ingredients, roasting nuts, kneading dough…the art of baking transcends language. ?Lexi McKeown, Los Angeles, California

It’s a family tradition for my grandmother and me to make these colorful cookies every year for the holidays. ?Cheyenne Fink, Pleasantville, Pennsylvania

My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. ?Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio ?Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio

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 I do. ?Debbie Hurlbert, Howard, Ohio

I watched my grandma prepare her red velvet showstopper many times for family get-togethers. The fluffy butter frosting perfectly complements the flavor of this gorgeous cake.?Jodi Anderson, Overbrook, Kansas

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without my grandmother’s cookies. A plate full of these light and zesty cookies is divine!?Elisabeth Miller, Broadview Heights, Ohio

When my sister and I were little, we used to beg my mother and grandmother to make these buttery chocolate cookies during the holidays. Now, as moms ourselves, we get together every year to make Christmas cookies and the chocolate logs are always on the top of our list.?Deanna Markkos, Western Springs, Illinois

I can still remember my grandma serving this delicious cake on the big wooden table in her farm kitchen. Every time I bake this unusual cake, it takes me back to those special days at Grandma’s. ?Diane Ganssle, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I learned to bake with my grandmother and mother. I knew I was giving them a sweet new family tradition when I shared this recipe with them. ?Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New York

I remember my Grandmother Voltie and Great-Aunt Ophelia making this southern-style pie for Thanksgiving. It was always one of the many cakes and pies lined up for dessert. ?Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee

My great-great grandmother handed down her shortcake recipe. I’m sharing it because it’s way too fabulous to keep it a secret! ?Sara Kingsmore, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota

My grandma loved these so much, she would hide them from my grandpa! I think of her every time I make a batch. Like Mexican spice? Try stirring in a little chili powder. ?Michele Lovio, Thousand Oaks, California

My Nana used to make these cupcakes at Christmas every year. Even though she is no longer with us, the cakes have special meaning and it brings me joy to bake them. For a more indulgent version, double the frosting and pile it high on top of each cupcake. ?Chekota Hunter, Cassville, Missouri

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