No, those wouldn’t be saved in this fictional house fire.
It’d be the tattered, faded, stain-covered spiral notebook hidden away at the end of the stack.
It’d be thechurch cookbook.
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These are the vintageSouthern Livingdessert recipes we swear by.
Fromclassic cold saladsto warm, creamy casseroles, these recipes simply don’t go out of style.
We rounded up the most classic desserts that have been coming out of Southern kitchens for generations.
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We’re warning you, these’ll have you singing some praises.
And judging by its ooey, gooey, nutty, fudgy self, we understand why.
“Everything is bigger in Texas!”
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Luscious Lemon Bars
A plate of lemon squares disappears mighty quick at any Southern gathering.
You’ll see this classic recipe in many a church or community cookbook.
Vintage Fresh Apple Cake
How else would we use our fall harvest?
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Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad
Nostalgic churchgoers know this dish from a mile away.
It’s a salad…in a casserole dish…with strawberry gelatin.
This pie recipe is an ode to Mr. Elvis Presley, making it a Tennessee church cookbook favorite.
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
The ingredient list is incredibly simple, which is enough to convince us of its merit.
Hummingbird Cake
It’s the most popular recipe inSouthern Livinghistory.
It’s hard to pass up a legend.
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Coconut Cream Pie
Don’t even get the church ladies started on cream pie.
The 10 to 18 layers are a feat.
Cherry Pie Bars
We’re tapping into good ‘ole Americanain bar form.
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This grabbable, cherry-speckled bar is super portable and makes a huge batch.
Cassandra’s “Light” Fruitcake
Cassandra, we’d like to formally thank you.
This recipe has turned even the most fruitcake-hating people in the region.
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You still get all of amazing flavor of the crushed pineapple, bananas, cinnamon, and pecans.
And we don’t even care.
We’re too far gone.
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Credit: Southern Living
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Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
