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8 Family Recipe Secrets Revealed

Now your family can enjoy time-tested Sicilian pasta, authentic gumbo, and all-American apple pie.

VIDEO: Behind the Recipe

See the stories behind family recipes in Allrecipes' video series "Behind the Recipe."

Recipe Collection

Family Favorites

1) "This was my aunt's recipe for fudge, passed down through the family."
-- Kelly Phillips

Aunt Teen's Creamy Chocolate Fudge

2) "My mother's family originally came from Sicily and every family member makes his or her own version--this version came most recently via Brooklyn." -- PETEIYC

Family Sicilian Sauce and Meatballs

3) "This is my Dad's recipe. Your family will love it, too!" -- Shawna

Best Spinach Dip Ever

4) "The original, purist, real-deal gumbo from a certified Cajun." -- Crawfish

Dupre Family Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

5) "This is a recipe that was given to me by my grandmother. It is a very savory and tasty soup and I believe that all will like it." -- CORWYNN DARKHOLME

Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup

6) "This pumpkin pie has a walnut streusel topping that is optional. Serve with whipped topping or ice cream." -- Cindy B.

Brown Family's Favorite Pumpkin Pie

7) "This is my mom's recipe for cinnamon rolls. As a kid there were many functions I was invited to with the clear understanding that I would have my mom send some of these along with me." -- FSLUKE

Johnson Family Cinnamon Rolls

8) "This was my grandmother's apple pie recipe. It has won me several first place prizes in local competitions." -- MOSHASMAMA

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

Does your family have a recipe tradition? Tell us about it by adding a comment.

Comments

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Linda Koyl

Apr. 11, 2012 12:16 pm

I really believe that I will try some of these that you have provided for us...sounds easy and great..

John T.

Apr. 19, 2012 10:54 pm

Great tasting chicken soup!!

Deborah Houston

Apr. 20, 2012 12:06 am

Grandma Ople's Apple Pie is the best pie I have evertasted or made and from now on the only one. Yum Yum......

Frenchy

Apr. 20, 2012 5:23 am

Sorry, not a secret among them. Nice simple good home cook recipes - but not a secret here.

ROSE-MARIE

Apr. 20, 2012 6:58 am

I REMEMBER THE SMELL OF MY MOM'S CLOVERLEAF ROLLS. NEVER KNEW HOW TO MAKE THEM MYSELF, SO WILL GIVE THESE A TRY. WILL DBLE RECIPIE THO, TOO MUCH WORK FOR 6 BISCUITS.

Donna

Apr. 20, 2012 8:13 am

Great Ideas...Thanks all

shelline

Apr. 20, 2012 8:20 am

I like this site and it is food we are sharing, why is it that people feel that they need to be negative, just don't use this site if u don't like it! thanks for sharing those recipe.

Vatzek

Apr. 20, 2012 8:59 am

Never heard of a chicken soup without carrots.

John

Apr. 20, 2012 9:08 am

I love this web site! I have learned so much, especially from those who like to 'play with their food' and share interesting modifications. I don't use every recipe, but it's been a rich resource for our dining table and family conversations. I can't wait to try the Sicilian sauce and meat balls...a taste I've missed for decades. I am tempted to offer up my Grandmother's recipe for warm German Potato salad-it has gotten me loads of invites to parties and potlucks and I always bring home an empty bowl-but a few of you ladies and gentlemen need to work on your manners! I haven't see "Iron Chef" behind anybody's name here. I guess putting others down makes the small feel large. And yes Frenchy, I have her 'secret'. You might know it, but others may not. So I'm not 'telling' till you all apologize and make up. Play nice! Love, Grampa

ritado

Apr. 20, 2012 10:00 am

I agree with Grampa - this is a food site - not a hate site. I have been helping my daughter plan menues for her family of 6 and we have used a lot of recipes from this site. I was a professional cook for 25 yrs. so yes some of the recipes are basic but a lot of them are indeed family special favorites and many of us appreciate all of you who share them with us.

Nancy

Apr. 20, 2012 10:50 am

Hey, John - I'd love to have the warm German Potato Salad from Grandma..... I have my mom's recipe in my head, but I'd love another! Can't seem to get my mom's right.

Dana

Apr. 20, 2012 10:54 am

Thank you so much ritado and john, as I was reading the comments, I was embarassed that some of the readers were being so rude. Thanks to all of you, who contributed, there were lots of good things to try. Peace. Dana

GaryJ

Apr. 20, 2012 10:58 am

Thank you all for sharing. Going to try that apple pie this weekend!

Adelaide03

Apr. 20, 2012 10:59 am

I couldn't agree more with everyone who expressed displeasure with the "nasty tone" of some of the negative comments,that's not constructive criticism, it's just plain rude! There's enough of that going around lately, we don't need to add more on a site we enjoy. Thanks to all who take the time to contribute, I enjoy your efforts!

Apr. 20, 2012 11:46 am

Thanks so much for a great collection of recipes. I will definitely try them. :-) This website is so helpful. I love the Kraft Magazine too. Have subscribed to it for years. Great recipes and presented so beautifully.

Robert

Apr. 20, 2012 12:19 pm

So true about the NEGATIVE comments !! If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing.. Oh, there can never be be TOO much dessert recipes..

mommalo

Apr. 20, 2012 12:41 pm

I am sooo tired of all the negative comments. This is a wonderful site that has fed my family, friends and co-workers, all with very positive comments. I never learned how to cook so I had to teach myself. This site helped me do that. I love this site! Thank You to all who have contributed to it. All the negative people need to find something positive in their lives and they will feel better. THANKS ALL.

Angela

Apr. 20, 2012 12:43 pm

I have a similar spinach dip recipe I find the water chestnuts are the best part and letting it sit over night really helps set in the flavour from the soup mix, we use veggie soup mix. I find helpful critism useful (ie. tried this but add more flour, etc.) but negative comments just to be negative are not helpful to anyone. Please don't stop sharing your family recipes, secret or not, most of us enjoy reading through them. I usually have a similar recipe but never thought of adding an ingredient others list and find I have improved on some old standbys. Thank you to all who submit recipes.

recipegirl

Apr. 20, 2012 12:45 pm

I totally agree that childish rudeness is so unnecessary. I, among loads of others, love this site. It has offered so many great ideas and alternatives. So, if you want to be nasty, please take your dolls and dishes and go home.

Lesley

Apr. 20, 2012 1:15 pm

I like soom of the suggestions, but some people just have to change things, or didn't have the ingred. I appreciate some of the views but give these people a break they may not be a CHEF like you.Some are just trying or learning, so try to be alittle kinder.

Rita

Apr. 20, 2012 1:30 pm

This is the best recipe site I've ever found. Many of the recipes shared I already knew, but now and then there's a real gem that should be followed to a tee. I think of it as a treasure hunt. Thanks to all of you who have shared!

lovethebeach

Apr. 20, 2012 2:02 pm

Yes. I do hope some of the rudeniks will find a way to diffuse that nastiness. I love the recipes you all share and you do it with a generous spirit. Thank you for sharing.

jacquie2022

Apr. 20, 2012 2:14 pm

I LOVE apple pie and am always ready to try a new one to see how it compares to our family one. turned out very good. I'll sure try it again. Also, the sauce and meatballs. Italian is my go to food and like the apple pie I'm always looking to improve or learn something new. Keep up the good work. Also I agree, lets all be friendly. We're all cooking together for fun and family.

Pattycake

Apr. 20, 2012 3:56 pm

I love this site too. I've been cooking and baking for 40 years, and I enjoy finding new recipes, or even a twist to an old favorite , plus there are so many wonderful ideas. Thanks to everyone who so generously shares their treasured recipes !!

Denessa

Apr. 20, 2012 4:32 pm

Does anybody have a recipe for Smauden? not sure I spelt it right it's german and my grandma used to make it when we were kids. You sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on it and pour coffee on it and eat. Us kids would put milk on it. I would appreciate it.

DingDong Bell

Apr. 20, 2012 4:55 pm

Lets all remember what Thumpers Mom told him "If you can't say sumpun nice, don't say nuttun at all".

puppyluv

Apr. 20, 2012 5:05 pm

I love this site, too! I get emails every day and look forward to reading all about them. I've gotten great ideas and recipes that I've tried have turned out so much better than I would have been able to come up with on my own. It's also given me the courage to "branch out" on my own and be a little adventursome with some of my own recipes. I love reading all the reviews, including the "constructive critiques" so I can avoid making the same mistakes - so helpful! Thank you to all who post here with their favorite recipes - it has added healthy, tasty, new experiences for me. Please keep 'em coming!!

cSue

Apr. 20, 2012 7:04 pm

Yeah, what puppyluv said!

Kass0911

Apr. 20, 2012 8:09 pm

I love this site! I live in a household with one night shift person, a 2 year old, a paramedic who works 24 HR shifts and I'm personally a full time student and a full time EMT so finding descent meals that are fairly quick and easy has been a struggle in this household for my entire life until I found this site. Love the food and love the helpful comments. Keep up the good work guys :)

KITZER

Apr. 20, 2012 11:09 pm

Denessa - Be a little more specific!Is it a cake, meat, potatoes, what??? I googled it, and nothing!!

Mother Trucker

Apr. 21, 2012 3:57 am

Hello all you wonderful cooks.I think you are all just great. I've been a laddy truck-driver for almost 50 yrs. And I am an avil wild food forager. I collect juniper berry's from Cal. to New York. Wild asparague all across I 80,I 40.thru Tenn, Indiana,all over the country. I am also a book-a-holic for anciant recipe books. I love to see how you all really do fantastic jobs with just plain food and make it so tempting to make and eat.When I get to go home {80 acre farm in the Ozarks of Ark.} I get to try out a lot of your recipes and add them to my own collection. Please know that there are a lot of us who appreciate the wonderful job you are doing. Mothertrucker

MMA

Apr. 21, 2012 5:25 am

This is for Denessa...the food you described sounds similar to a Norwegian food many locals (where I live) make for special events called flode grod. Made with butter, flour,sugar, milk and a little salt. It is creamy and it is served cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. Until you find your German recipe, this might be something you will want to try! Btw, I love this site!

Barbara Jeanne

Apr. 21, 2012 11:43 am

Have made the Grandma Opie apple pie many times. It is always a huge success !!

Tara

Apr. 21, 2012 1:12 pm

I love love love this site. I was a new wife just 5 years ago and had very little cooking experience. Allrecipes.com hads probably saved my marriage a time or two! Lol. Thanks to everyone for sharing your versions of recipes and your great comments. I can't wait to try a few of these. And down with the negatives comments!!! If you don't like someone's recipe, please just go look for another.

All Bets Are Off !

Apr. 21, 2012 1:16 pm

I'm upset over the people that are upset at other people for being upset. Now I'M upset!

DanielleD

Apr. 21, 2012 2:46 pm

my father in-law is from sicily and thats not how they make sauce and they don't eat alot of meat there it's more fish and there food is very simple and FRESH!!!!!!!!!!!

DanielleD

Apr. 21, 2012 2:52 pm

P.S I'm not hating on anyone I think it's a great site too i'm just stating a fact hey cooking is about trying new things it's like an adventure have fun with it.........CIAO

runnergirl

Apr. 21, 2012 3:50 pm

Thank you for all you who add to this site by posting, reviewing or sharing your modifications of, recipes. You save me so much wasted time (and food)! Everyone has opinions and tastes. All are valid. Thanks again. Love this site.

TJohnson

Apr. 21, 2012 8:28 pm

I love this site. I've found so many wonderful new dishes and rediscovered old favorites. It's like having the world's biggest church cookbook. All you haters and food snobs out there---stay off the site and spew your venom elsewhere---or maybe some of Gramma Ople's pie would help you be a little nicer...

rhart1957

Apr. 22, 2012 8:00 pm

What a wonderful site! I get it sent to my email and I too subscribe to kraft family cookbook. WONDERFUL. Let's all be more positive. Why would anyone complain about something tha. t is free and soooooo helpful. Keep it coming!!!!

St.PaulMom

Apr. 23, 2012 4:47 pm

I always enjoy looking at the recipies and am a cookbook collector. This is a fun site and I have found many great new dishes to try, including some shared in this collection. I am always amazed from time-to-time at the people who find it necessary to leave snarky comments about fat content, calorie count, whether or not something is "authentic" or not, etc. It is just plain rude and if something doesn't appeal to you, MOVE ON to the next recipie. Don't go out of your way to hate on someone's recipie. Keep your crappy comments to yourself and let's keep this site fun & positive for all. It's relaxing & enjoyable to grab a glass of wine and scroll thru recipies & read reviews, and a favorite way to spend some "me" time each day as a busy Mom. Thanks to all of you who have shared your recipies and HELPFUL reviews. It has been a great resource for me and a welcome break from life's stress! :-)

COOKSALITTLE

Apr. 24, 2012 9:06 am

Have been cooking for years and am a big fan of this site. Have tried a number of recipes ( making them without changes) Any changes I make later are for my own tastes...it's all subjective, right? hope all you cooks will keep sharing. Thank you all

GrammaSue

Apr. 25, 2012 11:05 am

Thank you all for sharing your recipes, your creativity and your insights! I love receiving my daily emails and have really improved and expanded on what was becoming a same ole same ole dinner routine after so many years! Now I actually am feeling quite accomplished in the kitchen...and my husband is a very happy camper!!

TRISH

Apr. 26, 2012 2:37 pm

I am an avid cookbook collector. When I travel and want to bring something home with me, it's almost always a cookbook that reflects the famous foods of that location. This website, along with many others, are an extension of cookbooks. I really enjoy trying others favorite recipes. So, please PLAY NICE IN THE SANDBOX or take your toys and go home. Don't spoil things for others!

DENISE99

May 3, 2012 10:32 am

Amen to all the good cooks that love this site! I have used it soo many times and always happy with the results! And, I must say that its all in the joy of cooking and trying new things that makes it all fun!As far as too many dessert recipes, theres never too many of that! Thankss, D

Linda

Aug. 27, 2012 7:31 pm

Thanks!

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