Beloved Then, Beloved Now: 29 Desserts From the Church Cookbook

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There’s just something extra special about desserts from the church cookbook—they’re the ones everyone asks for after potlucks and family gatherings. These recipes have stood the test of time, passed from one stained page to the next, with a whole lot of love (and butter) baked in. Let’s dive into the sweet classics that never went out of style.

Just Sweet Enough Almond Sugar Cookies

Almond sugar cookies on a cooling rack.
Just Sweet Enough Almond Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

With their signature nutty flavor and extra sweetness from toffee bits, these Almond Cookies are a crispy delight.
Get the Recipe: Just Sweet Enough Almond Sugar Cookies

Cinnamon Roll Bread With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cinnamon Roll Bread With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Soft and tender, this quick cinnamon bread is a decadent treat that falls somewhere between a cinnamon roll and coffee cake.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Bread With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Decadent Mississippi Mud Pie Brownies With Marshmallows

Two brownies with a bite taken out of one.
Decadent Mississippi Mud Pie Brownies With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

These Mississippi Mud Brownies have three distinct layers: a rich brownie bottom topped with marshmallows and a decadent chocolate frosting.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Mississippi Mud Pie Brownies With Marshmallows

Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

A frosted butter cake on a plate.
Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Kentucky Butter Cake is a Southern staple thanks to its tender crumb that’s soaked in a sweet butter sauce while still warm.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

Angel food cake on a cake stand cut into slices.
Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Light and fluffy Angel Food Cake made with egg whites, vanilla, and powdered sugar. A simple, airy dessert that’s like a slice of heaven.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

Chewy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies

A batch of Rice Krispie oatmeal cookies on a rack.
Chewy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

These chewy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies have a crispy twist that are just what you need to shake up your baking routine.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies

Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust

A half empty dish of peach cobbler.
Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

With a thick, buttery pie crust topping golden peaches bubbling underneath, this cobbler is a nostalgic Southern treat. It’s comfort food at its finest, perfect for enjoying warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust

Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

A hummingbird sheet cake cut into squares.
Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Hummingbird Sheet Cake combines ripe bananas, pineapple, and cinnamon with a rich cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Pecans

A rack of chocolate chunk cookies.
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Pecans. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

With their gooey texture and subtle touch of espresso, these chocolate cookies are nothing short of heavenly.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Pecans

Bakery-Style Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

A sliced loaf of lemon poppy seed cake next to a cup.
Bakery-Style Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This super moist and tender lemon poppy seed cake has a buttery, pound cake-like texture with a sweet lemon glaze popping with citrus flavor.
Get the Recipe: Bakery-Style Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

A banana split bundt cake tihw toppings.
Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

A moist banana split bundt cake with pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans, topped with pineapple cream cheese frosting.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

A slice of cream cheeses pound cake with a bite taken out.
Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery cream cheese pound cake with vanilla and lemon zest. Soft, dense, and delicious—ideal for sharing or freezing for later.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Homemade Banana Carrot Cake Cupcakes With Cinnamon Frosting

Two cupcakes topped with brown sugar cream cheese frosting.
​Homemade Banana Carrot Cake Cupcakes With Cinnamon Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Fluffy cream cheese frosting tops these moist carrot cake cupcakes for a decadent treat that’s not too sweet.
Get the Recipe: ​Homemade Banana Carrot Cake Cupcakes With Cinnamon Frosting

Classic Southern Peach Buckle

A peach and blackberry cake topped with whipped cream.
Classic Southern Peach Buckle. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This peach buckle is loaded with fresh fruit and crowned with a sweet, crunchy topping that lives up to its name. A simple, homey dessert that’s bursting with old-fashioned Southern flavor.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Peach Buckle

A stack of cookie dough brownies.
Brownies With Edible Cookie Dough Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Brownies with cookie dough frosting are like getting two desserts in one. Enjoy a rich fudgy brownie topped with a cookie dough frosting!
Get the Recipe: Brownies With Edible Cookie Dough Frosting

Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

A slice of praline cheesecake with a bite taken out.
Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Praline Cheesecake with caramel sauce has everything you crave—a crunchy pecan crust, creamy cheesecake, and rich, homemade caramel.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

Banana pudding topped with meringue in a baking dish with a serving spoon.
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This warm banana pudding is a deliciously creamy dessert made with fresh bananas and a rich custard.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic

A slice of coconut custard pie being removed form a pie plate.
Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy coconut custard pie made with coconut milk, egg yolks, and a golden crust. Baked and topped with toasted coconut for a perfect finish.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic

Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

Two glass bowls of custard rice pudding topped with raisins.
Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This comforting and creamy rice pudding is more like a rich vanilla custard that’s topped with next level bourbon-soaked raisins.
Get the Recipe: Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

Incredibly Moist Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

A slice of sweet potato cake being removed.
Incredibly Moist Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

One of the South’s most beloved cakes is this Fluffy Sweet Potato Cake with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a silky cream cheese frosting. A soft, bakery-style treat perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Incredibly Moist Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce

A slice of chocolate bread pudding on a serving spatula.
Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Decadent chocolate bread pudding topped with toasted pecans, coconut, and a bourbon-infused sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce

Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake With Pecans

A caramel cake with a slice being removed.
Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake With Pecans. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Soft butter cake with ground pecans, topped with creamy caramel cream cheese frosting. A Southern classic that’s rich, moist, and perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake With Pecans

Peach and Blueberry Skillet Cobbler

peach cobbler cake in a bowl.
Peach and Blueberry Skillet Cobbler. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Sweet peaches and tart blueberries bake into a bubbling filling beneath a golden, crisp topping. This easy cobbler combines classic flavors in one irresistible summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Peach and Blueberry Skillet Cobbler

Easy Monkey Bread With Canned Biscuits

Easy Monkey Bread With Canned Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy monkey bread recipe is a citrusy version of monkey bread with a Prosecco and orange juice glaze. Enjoy the leftover wine!
Get the Recipe: Easy Monkey Bread With Canned Biscuits

German Chocolate Brownies With Coconut

German Chocolate Brownies With Coconut. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

German Chocolate Brownies with coconut is a 3 layer treat. The pecan coconut filling is sandwiched between a rich brownie.
Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Brownie

Cream Cheese-Frosted Hummingbird Cake

hummingbird bundt cake.
Cream Cheese-Frosted Hummingbird Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cream cheese-frosted hummingbird cake is a simple and incredibly moist cake that uses pineapple and bananas for a tropical twist.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese-Frosted Hummingbird Cake

Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread

slice of cream cheese banana bread.
Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread is a step up from the traditional version. With a cheesecake like filling it will become a new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread

Black Forest Cake Recipe

Black Forest Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This Black Forest Cake Recipe is made from scratch with my classic chocolate cake recipe, homemade cherry filling, and vanilla whipped cream!
Get the Recipe: Black Forest Cake Recipe

Moist Cake Brownies Recipe

Moist Cake Brownies Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Chocolate lovers’ homemade Moist Cake Brownies are perfectly moist cake-like brownies loaded with dark chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Moist Cake Brownies Recipe

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