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Grandparents Day is Best Spent in the Kitchen

National Grandparents Day is the perfect time to celebrate the love, wisdom, and recipes that grandparents bring into our lives. Some of the best family traditions happen in the kitchen, where generations gather to bake, laugh, and share stories. When Grandma is leading the way, the kitchen becomes more than a place to cook, it’s where family bonds are strengthened through food.

The sweet aroma of pumpkin spice cake pops, warm fritters, or slow-cooked apple cake can instantly bring everyone to the table. With the right kitchen tools, you can create recipes that honor the past while inspiring the next generation of family bakers. National Grandparents Day is all about creating these cherished connections, one recipe at a time.

From Grandma’s Recipe Box to Today’s Kitchen

Passing down recipes has always been more than just cooking. It’s about sharing traditions, telling stories, and savoring flavors that connect generations. Baking with Grandma gives kids the chance to learn tried-and-true family favorites while adding a modern twist with Select Brands appliances. The Babycakes Cake Pop Maker, TRU 6-Quart Slow Cooker, Toastmaster Air Fryer, and Toastmaster Deep Fryer bring versatility to the kitchen so everyone can take part.

Now let’s explore a few delicious recipes that combine Grandma’s classics with today’s favorite kitchen appliances.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Pops

Servings: 18 cake pops
 Appliance:  Babycakes Cake Pop Maker 

Ingredients

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup white chocolate melts
  • Crushed graham crackers for decoration

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, prepare cake batter with spice cake mix, eggs, oil, and water.
  2. Stir in pumpkin pie spice for that autumn flavor Grandma loves.
  3. Preheat Babycakes Cake Pop Maker and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  4. Pour batter into each reservoir until ž full.
  5. Bake for 4–5 minutes until golden.
  6. Let cool on a wire rack before dipping into melted white chocolate.
  7. Sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top for a cozy finish.

Pumpkin spice brings a seasonal twist that both kids and grandparents can enjoy, making this recipe a favorite for family baking days.

Peanut Butter Banana Cake Pops

Servings: 20 cake pops
 Appliance: Babycakes Cake Pop Maker

Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 mashed ripe banana
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 eggs
  • ž cup milk
  • 1 cup milk chocolate melts

Instructions

  1. Combine cake mix, banana, peanut butter, eggs, and milk in a large bowl. Mix until smooth.
  2. Preheat Babycakes Cake Pop Maker and spray lightly with oil.
  3. Fill reservoirs and bake for 4 minutes.
  4. Remove and cool before dipping into melted milk chocolate.
  5. Allow to set and enjoy a nostalgic flavor combo loved by all ages.

This recipe turns Grandma’s banana bread tradition into bite-sized pops perfect for little hands to decorate.

Cinnamon Apple Slow Cooker Cake

Servings: 8 slices
 Appliance: TRU 6-Quart Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, prepare cake mix with eggs and applesauce.
  2. Fold in diced apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
  3. Grease the slow cooker insert and pour batter inside.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 2.5–3 hours until fully set.
  5. Cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.

A slow cooker cake is a comforting recipe that allows Grandma to share flavors she grew up with while keeping the process simple.

Air Fryer Churro Bites

Servings: 24 bites
 Appliance: Toastmaster Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

  1. Cut biscuit dough into small bite-sized pieces.
  2. Place in Toastmaster Air Fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 6–8 minutes until golden.
  3. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  4. Brush warm bites with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
  5. Serve warm for a fun, shareable snack.

Quick, crispy, and sweet, these bites keep the whole family reaching for more.

Grandma’s Deep-Fried Apple Fritters

Servings: 12 fritters
Appliance: Toastmaster Deep Fryer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • Oil for frying
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. Add milk and eggs, mixing until a thick batter forms.
  3. Fold in diced apples.
  4. Heat oil in Toastmaster Deep Fryer to 350°F.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil, frying 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
  6. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  7. Mix powdered sugar and milk to create glaze, then drizzle over warm fritters.

Tips from Grandma

Grandma always said apple fritters taste best when served warm, just dusted with powdered sugar or dipped into a little caramel sauce. To keep them crisp, let them cool on a wire rack instead of stacking them on a plate. If you want to make them ahead of time, a quick reheat in the air fryer brings back that fresh-from-the-oil texture. She loved pairing them with a cup of coffee after dinner, making the recipe a family favorite for decades.

Bringing Generations Together on Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day reminds us to pause and appreciate the moments we share with older generations. Baking together is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate because every recipe carries a memory, a lesson, or a story that connects the family. With Select Brands products, the kitchen becomes a place where tradition meets convenience, making multi-gen baking both fun and stress-free.

From pumpkin spice cake pops to deep-fried apple fritters, every dish becomes more than just food. It’s a tribute to the love and traditions passed down by grandparents. This year, spend National Grandparents Day in the kitchen, creating recipes that will be remembered for years to come.

Try These Recipes Today

Ready to create lasting memories with Grandma in the kitchen? Visit SelectBrands.com to shop the Babycakes Cake Pop Maker, TRU 6-Quart Slow Cooker, Toastmaster Air Fryer, and Toastmaster Deep Fryer. With these appliances, you’ll have everything you need for family baking days that will be remembered for years to come.

FAQs

What age is best for kids to start helping in the kitchen?

Kids as young as three can help with simple tasks like stirring or sprinkling decorations. With supervision, baking becomes a safe and fun learning experience.

Can I use homemade cake batter instead of boxed mix in the cake pop maker?

Yes, homemade batter works great. Just make sure it isn’t too thin, as a thicker batter helps the cake pops hold their shape.

How do I store leftover cake pops or fritters?

Cake pops can be stored at room temperature for three days or in the fridge for a week. Fritters are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in an air fryer for crispness.

Why use different appliances for baking?

Each appliance offers unique benefits. Cake pop makers are perfect for small hands-on projects, slow cookers make moist cakes with little effort, air fryers keep things light and crispy, and deep fryers bring out rich flavors in classic recipes.

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