The Ultimate Holiday Dessert Roundup: 4 Southern Classics You’ll Make Every Year

If you ever sat at Joel’s Nana’s table, you already know: dessert wasn’t just served — it showed up. Not one. Not two. But a whole spread of everyone’s favorites, each baked with the kind of love only a grandmother can give. You never knew exactly what she’d make, but you always knew you’d leave full and smiling. These recipes are the ones that made her dessert table unforgettable — simple, southern, and meant to be shared. And the story behind why she always made so many? Well… you’ll understand as soon as you take that first bite.

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Classic Pecan Pie

This Classic Pecan Pie is everything you love about a true Southern holiday dessert — gooey, buttery, perfectly sweet, and loaded with toasted pecans. It’s the kind of pie that feels nostalgic with every bite, just like something you’d find on Nana’s Thanksgiving table. With a flaky crust and that caramel-like filling, this recipe is simple, foolproof, and always a crowd favorite. A must-make for any holiday, gathering, or cozy weekend treat.

2 pies

15 min prep

50-55 min baking

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Karo syrup

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 Tbsp melted butter

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cups chopped pecans

• 1/2 cup whole pecans

• 2 Pilsbury Pie Crusts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out pie crusts into pie pans.

2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine all ingredients, except pecans and mix well.

3. Add chopped pecans and mix thoroughly.

4. Pour mixture into pie crusts.

5. Top with whole pecans.

6. Bake 50-55 minutes on center rack. Center should be slightly under-baked, as it will finish cooking once removed from oven.

   
   

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No-Bake Layered Chocolate Éclair Cake

This No-Bake Layered Chocolate Éclair Cake is the ultimate make-ahead dessert — creamy, chocolatey, and unbelievably easy. Layers of graham crackers, silky vanilla pudding, and rich chocolate topping come together to create a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat. It’s perfect for busy holiday weeks when you want something impressive without the fuss. Just chill, slice, and watch it disappear.

16 servings

20 min prep

6 hours refrigeration

Cake Ingredients:

• 2 (3.4 oz) packages French Vanilla Instant Pudding mix, dry

• 3 cups milk

• 12 oz. cool whip or homemade whipped cream

• 1 box of original graham crackers

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:

• 6 Tbsp butter

• 6 Tbsp milk

• 6 Tbsp cocoa and 1 Tbsp oil OR 6 oz melted unsweetened chocolate

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 6 Tbsp White Karo Syrup

• 2 cup powdered sugar

  
  

Instructions:

1. Mix milk and pudding packets for about 2 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes.

2. Fold in Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream to pudding mixture.

3. In a 9x13 pan, layer graham crackers to cover bottom of pan.

4. Pour half of pudding mixture on top and level.

5. Put another layer of graham crackers to cover entire surface.

6. Put the second half of pudding mixture on top and level.

7. Put the final layer of graham crackers on top with bumpy side down. This will help the top look more smooth when you go to put the ganache on top. Once again, cut and shape crackers accordingly to avoid pits and cracks.

8. Microwave butter and milk just enough so that they are melted together.

9. Add cocoa (OR 6 oz melted unsweetened chocolate), powdered sugar, and Karo syrup and blend together.

10. Melt unsweetened chocolate use a double broiler or the microwave in 30 second increments stirring between. Do not overheat.

11. Pour ganache over top of graham crackers and smooth out nicely with a rubber spatula.

12. Refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight.

13. Enjoy!

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Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies

These Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies are soft, chewy, warmly spiced, and straight out of the kind of kitchen where comfort lives. With rich molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, each bite tastes like Christmas nostalgia and cozy winter evenings. They bake up with crackly tops and tender centers — the perfect classic holiday cookie. Keep these on hand for gifting, gatherings, or enjoying warm with a cup of coffee.

2 dozen

*4-6 hours refrigeration

15 min prep

7 min cook

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil

• 1/4 cup Molasses

• 1 cup Sugar

• 1 Egg

• 2 cups All Purpose Flour

• 2 tsp Baking Soda

• 1/2 tsp Ginger

• 1/2 tsp Clove

• 1 tsp Cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• 1/2 cup Sugar to coat before baking

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. Mix all wet ingredients.

3. Sift all dry ingredients.

4. Refrigerate overnight.

5. Roll in 1/2 Tbsp sized ball. Coat in sugar.

6. Bake on silicone mat for 7 minutes at 325°F. (Nana bakes hers at 350°F for 10 minutes- so just know your oven.)

7. Cool on baking rack. Store in an air-tight container. Enjoy for the holidays or all year-round.

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Best Ever Banana Walnut Cake

This Best Ever Banana Walnut Cake is moist, tender, and packed with sweet banana flavor and crunchy toasted walnuts. It’s one of those recipes that tastes like home — the kind Nana would bring out fresh from the oven with a warm welcome. Simple ingredients come together to make a cake that’s perfect for holidays, brunch, or anytime you need something comforting and cozy. A timeless dessert your whole family will ask for again and again.

8-12 slices

20 min prep

18 min baking

10 minutes assembly and frosting

Cake Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups white sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (reserve 1/8 cup finally crushed for crumble topping)

Frosting Ingredients

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 1/8 cup butter, softened

• 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

• 1 TBSP heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9” round pans.

2. In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana and nuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pans.

3. Bake for 18-25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Meanwhile, mix all ingredients in a stand mixer on high for frosting until whipped to desired texture.

5. Allow layers to cool completely before frosting with the buttercream cheese frosting. Top with remaining walnut crumble.

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These recipes are everything I love about cooking at home — simple, nourishing, and made to gather around. Whether you’re chasing toddlers, juggling dinner time, or just craving something warm and homemade, these are for you.

💛 If you loved these recipes, be sure to check out more cozy favorites in my Living Cookbook — filled with family-approved meals for every season!

📦 Shop my favorite kitchen tools and pantry staples on my Amazon page — where you’ll find everything I use to make these quick weeknight dinners happen.

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And... in case you missed it... I launched my first ever virtual cookbook.

The Living Cookbook

A Virtual Recipe Collection

From my table to yours — recipes for gathering, comfort, and joy.

What if mealtime wasn’t just another box to check?

What if it became the anchor of your day — a moment to slow down, gather close, and savor something that warms your heart as much as your home?

That’s exactly why I created The Living Cookbook — a growing digital collection of tried-and-true, family-loved recipes for every season of life.

🥄 What Makes It “Living”?

Unlike a printed cookbook that sits on a shelf gathering dust, this one grows with you.

👩‍🍳 New recipes added seasonally — so you’re never stuck in a dinner rut

📝 Virtual format — view it anywhere, anytime

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family-tested favorites — approved by real moms and hungry kid

s📅 Seasonal dishes — perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, and every night in between

Whether you’re meal planning for a busy week, prepping for a family get-together, or just trying to get dinner on the table without a meltdown — this cookbook has you covered.

💡 Perfect For:

Moms who want less stress and more joy in the kitchen

Families who value gathering around the table

Anyone craving comfort food with purpose

People who love simple, southern-inspired meals made from pantry staples

📚 What’s Inside:

✔️ Instant Pot Staples

✔️ Holiday Traditions

✔️ Crowd-Pleasing Dishes

✔️ Homemade Breads + Treats

✔️ Family Favorites

✔️ And so much more...

And since this is a living collection, you’ll always have something fresh and seasonal to look forward to.

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I created this to inspire you, equip you, and empower you to create moments of connection and comfort — no matter the season.

Peek Inside:

Here are some of the recipes you'll find inside-

Berry Compote

Rum Peach French Toast

Sausage Breakfast Gravy

Cinnamon Sugar Bread

Berry French Toast Bake

Apple Walnut Bread

Apple Fritter Donuts

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Creamy Tuna Casserole

Crack Chicken Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi

Chicken Parm

Homemade Marinara

Nashville Hot Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Simply Seasoned Roasted Chicken

Roasted Chicken Ciabatta Melt

Thyme Lemon Roasted Chicken

Mexican Salsa

Pineapple Mango Salsa

Cranberry Cream Cheese Ball

Sloppy Joes

Fall off the Bone Pork Ribs

Perfect Tempura

Panko Crusted Chicken Bites

Chicken Tostadas

Bang Bang Chicken

Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie

Cajun Shrimp Carbonara

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Greek Pasta SaladBaked Beans

Chili Dogs

Whipped Cream

Lemon Blueberry Bars

No Bake Eclair

Chocolate Ganache

Pecan Pie

Peach Cobbler

Banana Walnut Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Oatmeal Crème Pies

Love Bugs

Please note: Due to the digital nature of this product, all sales are final. This is a pre-launch offer, and the price reflects the ongoing additions and updates.

Ready to Make Meal Planning Easier?

Grab your copy here of my virtual cookbook today and start enjoying simple, southern recipes that your whole family will love.

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Thank you for spending a few moments of your day here in my kitchen.

I hope you leave inspired to try something new — a recipe that brings your family together, fills your home with comfort, and reminds you that joy is found in the little things (and sometimes, in the perfect bite).

If today’s recipe made your table a little sweeter, here are a few ways we can keep cooking together:

📬 Subscribe for Recipe Updates — never miss a new meal idea, holiday bake, or cozy kitchen favorite.

🥣 Grab my Living Cookbook — filled with family-approved, tried-and-true recipes that grow with you through every season.

🛒 Shop my Amazon Pantry & Kitchen Gadgets — from my go-to spices to the cookware I use daily, you’ll find everything I love in one place.

🌿 Join the Joyful Life Community — a free space for connection, encouragement, and practical tips for every season.

📸 Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for behind-the-scenes life, daily inspiration, and my latest projects.

📌 Find me on Pinterest for endless homemaking, seasonal, and family activity ideas.

🎙 Listen to the Podcast or

🎥 watch on YouTube for deeper conversations and stories we can share together.

💛 Shop my favorite finds & discounts — from home essentials to seasonal must-haves, I’ve gathered them in one place for you (some are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my family and this space!).

Your support means the world — it allows me to create, share, and raise my little ones from home, which is truly our family’s dream. Thank you for being here and for making this space such a joy to pour into.

With Joy and gratitude,