20 Of Grandma's Famous Fruit Desserts

Join us as we revisit some of the family matriarch's greatest hits.

By

Mary Alice Russell

Published on August 19, 2024

a square pan of banana pudding on a yellow linen — Photo: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

From dump cakes and cobblers to pies and cakes, Grandma certainly loved her fruit-studded treats, and so do we. All of these recipes are delicious served à la mode or with a generous helping of homemade whipped cream, only if you can manage to get them on to a plate before stealing a bite! These Southern classics are so irresistible, we plan on taking some forkfuls out of the pan, just like Grandma did.

01 of 20

Strawberry Dump Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Dump Cake in a dish to serve. One serving spooned out topped with ice cream — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We have to say, Grandma was onto something with her strawberry pie filling obsession. We love this cake for many reasons, but its simplicity cannot be beat. It comes together with a few of the store-bought favorites that the family matriarch seemed to always have on hand.

Strawberry Dump Cake

02 of 20

Cherry Delight

Cherry Delight — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

For summer parties and potlucks, particularly during the 4th of July season, Cherry Delight is just what your celebration needs. It's sure to have friends and family requesting the recipe, just like Grandma's been asked a dozen times.

03 of 20

Banana Snack Cake

Southern Living Banana Snack Cake sliced to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Grandma always approved of eating cake for breakfast, and Banana Snack Cake is the perfect one to enjoy early in the morning. This simple cake will have everyone at the table requesting seconds.

04 of 20

Easy Peach Pie

peach pie on a table with a bowl of peach pie with an ice cream sccop — Ann Taylor Pittman/Southern Living

Grandma had a knack for always finding the sweetest peaches at the farmer's market, and this simple pie puts them on full display. Truly, the hardest part of this recipe will be tracking down fruit worthy of your grandmother's kitchen.

05 of 20

Stone Fruit Lattice Slab Pie

stone fruit lattice slab pie — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

To feed a hungry crowd during the summer, a slab pie is the perfect way to show off stone fruit at its finest. The best part is that the recipe comes together in just four steps.

06 of 20

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Enjoy making this fluffy, delicious cake year-round by keeping some blueberries in your freezer. For the freshest fruit, pick some up from your favorite farmers' market, sort through your berries and freeze them on a cookie sheet before transferring them to an airtight container.

07 of 20

Lemon Lush

Two slices of Lemon Lush dessert on plates with forks with a glass of lemonade and a napkin. — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Grandma loved to make impressive desserts, but only she knew the smart shortcuts she took to dazzle the crowd and pull off a complete luncheon spread. In this retro favorite, the cookie crust and cheesecake-like filling come together in a snap.

08 of 20

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

strawberry cream cheese cobbler in a pan — Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Pantry staples and fresh strawberries combine to make this sweet, spring cake. The cheesecake like consistency makes this a conversation starter at any picnic or luncheon.

09 of 20

Triple Berry Sonker With Dip

Berry Sonker with Dip — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

In a baking rut? This Triple Berry Sonker is sure to pull you out of it! The homemade dip and trio of fresh berries are hard to pass up.

10 of 20

Peach Custard Pie

Peach Custard Pie — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Grandma taught us how to make many classic pies, but in the summer months, it's hard to beat a Peach Custard Pie. This recipe's most important ingredient? Patience. Let the dessert cool at least two hours before serving so that it has time to completely firm up.

11 of 20

Strawberry Trifle

Southern Living Strawberry Trifle in the dish ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fresh summer strawberries are truly celebrated to their full potential in this pretty trifle recipe. We love that it comes together in just 30 minutes.

12 of 20

Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie

Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We don't use the title Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie lightly. Follow Grandma's lead and delight your crowd with a slice of cool, creamy citrus-flavored pie.

13 of 20

Classic Strawberry Shortcake

Southern Living Classic Strawberry Shortcake on plates to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We add sugar to the top of buttermilk biscuits to make the most lovely homemade shortcakes. Top with macerated strawberries and whipped cream right before serving.

14 of 20

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

a square pan of banana pudding on a yellow linen — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you're looking to replicate Grandma's famous banana pudding for your next potluck, this recipe is your ticket. If the sky-high meringue doesn't assure you, one bite of the creamy pudding will.

15 of 20

No-Bake Strawberry Pie

No-Bake Strawberry Pie — Joy Howard

This is the most searched no-bake recipe in the South, and for very good reason. The combination of graham crackers, cream cheese and fruit is like nostalgia in a pie.

16 of 20

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake — Micah A. Leal

Pineapple cakes are a favorite of grandmas everywhere, but one bite and this easy dump-and-bake dessert may just push the classic upside-down version out of the top spot.

17 of 20

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake — Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

When the dog days of summer have arrived and you can't bear to turn on the oven, take a tip from Grandma and make an icebox cake. Made with fresh strawberries and sweet banana slices, this pretty dessert doesn't even require a preheat.

18 of 20

Coconut Cream Pie

Southern Living Coconut Cream Pie in the dish to serve with a slice cut out — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

It doesn't get much more retro or classic Grandma than Coconut Cream Pie. Make sure to put on the whipped cream right before serving to make for a pretty presentation any time.

19 of 20

Strawberry Dream Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake — Strawberry Ice-Cream Sandwiches

As the name implies, we'll be dreaming about this cake for months or years after you've taken a bite. What makes it so divine is the Dreamy Whipped Frosting with mascarpone.

20 of 20

Muscadine Dumplings

Southern Living Muscadine Dumplings in a bowl to serve with ice cream — Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Grandma loves her muscadines. She also loves sharing them in creative ways with family and friends. This recipe has a teder, lemony flavor and a cakey bottom making this a treat that everyone will love.

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