16 Vintage Holiday Treats You’ll Want to Make Year After Year

There’s something about vintage holiday treats that makes them irresistible year after year. As the oven fills your home with nostalgic aromas, you’ll find that these classic desserts not only taste amazing but also carry the warmth of the holidays in every bite. This year, why not recreate these timeless favorites and give your holiday celebrations that extra special touch of tradition?

Buche de Noel

This Yule log cake combines rich chocolate and coffee flavors. Start with 4 eggs, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to make the sponge cake. Roll it up and fill it with 1 cup whipped cream. For the frosting, use 1 cup butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons coffee. Decorate with candied cherries and a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch. Chill before serving​.

Gingerbread Men

Begin with 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 egg, 2 cups flour, and 1 tablespoon ginger. Mix until smooth, then chill the dough for 2 hours. Roll and cut into shapes, baking at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. After cooling, decorate with royal icing. This classic cookie always brings holiday cheer​.

Rum Cake

For this traditional treat, you’ll need 1 box yellow cake mix, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 cup dark rum. Combine the ingredients and bake for 45 minutes at 350°F. For the glaze, mix 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup rum, then pour over the warm cake​.

Fruitcake

Soak 2 cups dried fruits in 1/2 cup rum overnight. Combine with 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Fold in chopped nuts and bake at 300°F for 1.5 hours. Once cooled, brush with additional rum for a moist and flavorful cake​.

Pecan Pralines

Start with 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup buttermilk, and 1 tablespoon butter. Boil until thickened, then stir in 1 cup pecans. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool. These creamy, sweet candies are a Southern holiday staple​.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

For this cozy dessert, blend 1 cup dates with 1 cup boiling water, 1 cup sugar, and 2 eggs. Add 1.5 cups flour and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Serve warm with a butterscotch sauce made from 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup cream​.

Pfeffernuesse Cookies

In a bowl, mix 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Stir in 2 cups flour and roll into balls. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar. These spicy cookies are a German holiday tradition

Black Forest Cake

Start by making a chocolate sponge with 1 cup flour, 3 eggs, 1/4 cup cocoa, and 1/2 cup sugar. Layer with whipped cream and cherry filling, then cover with more cream. Decorate with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries for a showstopping holiday dessert​.

Meringue Kisses

Beat 2 egg whites with 1/2 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Pipe onto a baking sheet and bake at 250°F for 1 hour. Once cool, drizzle with melted chocolate or sprinkle with festive sprinkles for an extra touch​.

Lebkuchen

This ginger-free version starts with 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 cups flour. Add spices like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Form dough into a log and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Slice and glaze with powdered sugar icing for a soft and spicy treat​.

Hungarian Nut Rolls

Prepare a dough with 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup butter, and 1 egg. Roll out and fill with a mixture of 1 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup honey. Roll into a log, bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, and slice to serve​.

Plum Pudding

Mix 1 cup suet, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs with 1 cup raisins, 1/2 cup currants, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Steam for 2 hours, then serve with a hard sauce made from 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons rum​.

Cranberry Waldorf Salad

Combine 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup apples, and 1/2 cup walnuts with 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon sugar. Chill before serving this refreshing and tart side dish​.

Ambrosia

Combine 2 cups orange segments, 1 cup pineapple chunks, and 1 cup shredded coconut. Fold in 1/2 cup whipped cream and 1 tablespoon sugar. Chill and serve as a light and refreshing holiday dessert​.

Gingerbread Cake

Start with 1/2 cup molasses, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1 cup flour. Add 1 teaspoon each of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes and serve with whipped cream​.

Rum Balls

Mix 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, and 1/4 cup rum. Form into balls and roll in more powdered sugar. Let them sit overnight for the flavors to develop​.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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