20 Timeless Recipes Grandmothers Swear By

There's nothing quite like grandma's cooking to provide the comfort and warmth we all yearn for. Passed down through generations, these treasured recipes carry with them the flavors of tradition and culture, evoking memories in every bite. Here are 20 of the most beloved recipes shared by the Dinogo community, inspired by grandmothers, grannies, and nanas, ready to be enjoyed and handed down to the next generation of cooks.

Grandma's Buttermilk Cornbread

A close-up shot of a freshly cut wedge of cornbread resting on a cooling rack

DIZ♥

If you have a sweet tooth for cornbread, give this highly-rated recipe by BETHANYWEATHERSBY a try.

Grandma Johnson's Scones

Delicious wedge-shaped scones filled with currants

S.Becker

Rob describes this recipe as, "A classic scone recipe that has stood the test of time, perfected through three generations of kids. Simply unbeatable!"

Grandma VanDoren's Homemade White Bread

Photo: Eat.

"This is the bread Grandma always made!" says Marilyn VanDoren Sim, who shared the recipe. "It became a family favorite. She never wrote it down (at least not that I know of) until she passed it on to me in her 90s."

Gramma's Apple Bread Pudding

MESEL shares, "This bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food straight from Gramma's kitchen. It's perfect for using up leftover bread and apples. Enjoy!"

Nana's Apple Crisp

A warm apple crisp served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Dinogo Magazine

"Absolutely loved it," says reviewer Aubree Rose. "I used Granny Smith apples, sprinkled them with cinnamon, sugar, and a touch of vanilla. So delicious! Thank you!"

Grandmother's Classic Pound Cake II

Community member WHOLEGRAINWOMAN shared this timeless recipe, saying, "This pound cake recipe dates back over 100 years and sticks to the original formula: one pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. It contains no salt, baking powder, or flavoring, though you can add vanilla or almond extract if desired!"

Grandmother's Oatmeal Cookies

This highly-rated recipe was passed down from another grandmother. HAPPYGOLUCKY explains, "These are the best oatmeal cookies I’ve ever had, and they’re a family favorite. It’s a recipe I’ve cherished for years, given to me by a dear friend."

Nana's Southern Coleslaw

Deb C

Kristina shares, "This is just an old family recipe that I've been told tastes similar to KFC’s coleslaw. You’ll have to try it and see for yourself!"

Grandma Jeanette's Incredible German Red Cabbage

German-style red cabbage

Photo by lutzflcat

Clara Carson approves, saying, "My grandparents run a traditional German restaurant in Germany, and this is the closest red cabbage I’ve ever had to their restaurant’s ‘Rotkohl’ (Red Cabbage)."

Grandma's Green Bean Casserole

Cynthia Garcia

This homemade green bean casserole has earned over two thousand 5-star reviews.

Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie

A slice of pie topped with lightly browned meringue and garnished with a lemon slice, served on a white plate

Dianne

"This is such a fun recipe to make because Grandma keeps it sweet and simple," says Emilie S. "The pie is thickened with cornstarch, flour, and egg yolks, and it contains no milk."

Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup

ladywarrior0505

"This recipe was passed down to me by my grandmother," shares CORWYNN DARKHOLME. "It's a rich and flavorful soup that everyone will love. For an extra kick, try using smoked chicken. Best part? It's ready in just 45 minutes!"

Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies

A plate of gingersnaps with a crackling, sugar-topped surface

Kristina Florez

"This melt-in-your-mouth ginger cookie recipe, passed down from my grandmother, has been a family favorite since 1899," says recipe contributor Marie Ayers.

Grandma's Corn Pudding

A white ceramic casserole dish filled with golden-brown baked corn pudding, its edges crisped to perfection

Debi Clark Bickmore

"This is one of those clever recipes that will make people think you're a seasoned country cook who truly knows your way around the kitchen," says reviewer KYCATHY. "I’ll definitely be making this again and again."

Grandma's Iron Skillet Apple Pie

Dinogo

"This recipe is absolutely amazing, and I’m so grateful to the cook who shared it. After making hundreds of apple pies over the past 45 years, this one is truly a special treat! I followed the recipe exactly," says reviewer Grandma Lizzy.

Grandma's Polish Perogies

Perogies served with a dollop of sour cream

Ronjohn

"My grandfather is Polish, and his mother taught my grandmother how to make these incredible perogies. The recipe has been passed down through the family for generations, with a few tweaks along the way! You can serve them plain, or with butter, sour cream, bacon, and more. Perfecting the perogie technique takes time, but eventually, you’ll find your own rhythm," shares STEPH577.

Grandma's Baking Powder Biscuits

Kennya Briones

"This is my grandmother's biscuit recipe," says recipe contributor IMACOOKY1. "It's my absolute favorite, with a fantastic flavor. Just be careful not to roll the dough too thin—you want your biscuits to rise high! I typically pat the dough to about 1/2 inch thick."

Ruth's Grandma's Pie Crust

Meghan Managan

"This recipe is over 100 years old. My sister-in-law’s grandmother swore by it as a foolproof method. It’s hands down the best I’ve ever tasted," says recipe contributor Barbara Castodio.

Grandma Rita's Soft Butter Rolls

Mom2twin

Recipe contributor Lela says, "Looking for rolls that stay soft for days? These buttery, fluffy rolls are made with care and Grandma’s secret recipe. They rise quickly thanks to two packets of yeast. A big thank you to Baking Nana for the clear and easy-to-follow directions!"

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

Photo by Holiday Baker.

MOSHASMAMA shares, "This apple pie recipe is my grandmother's original. I've never found another quite like it. It will always be my favorite and has earned me several first-place ribbons in local competitions."