Relive Sweet Memories: 20 Retro Desserts That Defined Your Childhood—Try Them Now!
Indulge in a taste of the past with these classic retro desserts that will instantly transport you back to your childhood. Whether it’s the comforting smell of brownies baking in the oven or the vibrant look of classic cupcakes, these recipes are a delicious way to reconnect with simpler times and joyful memories.
Chocolate Depression Cake
Chocolate Depression Cake, or Wacky Cake is a unique retro cake recipe that uses basic pantry ingredients, but no eggs! This chocolate cake recipe was made to use what you had on hand. It is a simply delicious chocolate cake!
Get the recipe: Chocolate Depression Cake
Drumstick Pie
A sugar cone crust piled high with layers of chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream and caramel, topped with peanuts and tastes just like the iconic originial.
Get the recipe: Drumstick Pie
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Homemade vanilla pudding layered with vanilla cookies and fresh bananas make this the ultimate old fashioned banana pudding recipe.
Get the recipe: Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Red Velvet Cake with Ermine Frosting
Red velvet cake with ermine frosting is the red velvet cake of the good old days. It’s not weighed down with heavy cream cheese but paired with the most delicate whipped ermine frosting. The combination is delicious!
Get the recipe: Red Velvet Cake with Ermine Frosting
Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Sweet and with a hint of citrus, this creamy rice pudding recipe (arroz con leche) has been in my family for ages. It is easy to make and keeps refrigerated for several days. We like it cold dusted with ground cinnamon, but you can eat it at room temperature or even warm.
Get the recipe: Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Old-Fashioned Date Bar
They’re a special, old-fashioned cookie for the holidays – but honestly, we love them so much that we make them all year ’round. They’re super-easy and freezable, too, so you can always keep a stash on hand!
Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Date Bar
Cosmic Brownies
These classic Cosmic Brownies are nostalgic, fun, rich, and decadent! This copycat recipe will remind you of your childhood. These brownies are quick and easy to make at home. You will love the dense, fudgy brownies, smooth chocolate frosting, and fun rainbow sprinkles!
Get the recipe: Cosmic Brownies
Homemade Nutter Butters
Remember the iconic Nutter Butters? Crispy, crunchy cookies sandwiched with creamy peanut butter goodness – a classic childhood treat. We created these homemade Nutter Butters so you can enjoy them with real food ingredients!
Get the recipe: Homemade Nutter Butters
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
This chocolate mayonnaise cake is a not-too-sweet, moist chocolate cake that’s made from scratch! This dense chocolate cake is perfect with a sweet chocolate or vanilla frosting.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
These classic iced oatmeal cookies are the best dessert! They are chewy, soft, and sweet. This easy cookie dough will become a go-to for holidays, birthdays, celebrations, and more. Only 20 minutes in total. They are cozy, warmly spiced, and so flavorful.
Get the recipe: Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Peach Dump Cake
This is one of the easiest desserts with two shortcuts: canned peaches and cake mix. A layer of juicy fruit with a cobbler-like topping that bakes to a golden brown and is fantastic! It’s effortless to put together and is out of the oven in under an hour. If you never made a dump cake before, you’re in for a sweet surprise.
Get the recipe: Peach Dump Cake
Millionaire Bars
These Millionaire Bars have three delicious layers: buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate! Sprinkle some sea salt on top for an extra tasty touch. It is a super rich treat that lives up to its fancy name. These millionaire bars are made with wholesome ingredients, but they are rich, gourmet, and indulgent!
Get the recipe: Millionaire Bars
Vintage Strawberry Cake
Vintage Strawberry Cake is rich, dense, and packed full of fresh strawberries from top to bottom. However, the strawberry cream cheese icing steals the show!
Get the recipe: Vintage Strawberry Cake
Old School Cornflake Tray Bake With Jam And Golden Syrup
Just like the classic Cornflake tart with jam but in traybake form! This is so easy to make and perfect for beginner bakers.
Get the recipe: Old School Cornflake Tray Bake With Jam And Golden Syrup
Pumpkin Custard Pie
Pumpkin custard pie is a scrumptious treat with warm pumpkin flavors in an egg custard pie. This recipe makes a great Thanksgiving dessert!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Custard Pie
Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound Cake
Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound Cake is easy to make and about as rich and decadent a chocolate cake that you’ll find anywhere. It’s impressive and is delicious to serve plain or with fresh fruit and or ice cream.
Get the recipe: Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound Cake
Citrus Jam Roly Poly Spotted Dick Pudding
This recipe is a new take on the traditional English puddings of jam roly poly and spotted dick. It brings both toagether in one delicious pudding, and enhances them with a citrus zesty twist throughout and a spicy citrus preserve filling
Get the recipe: Citrus Jam Roly Poly Spotted Dick Pudding
Impossible Pie
Impossible Pie is the easiest pie you will ever bake! It magically forms its own crust plus two delicious layers while baking.
Get the recipe: Impossible Pie
Classic Gooey Butter Cake
This classic gooey butter cake recipe is a dessert that has ingredients of a cake but is served up like a brownie. With it’s buttery crust and flaky, gooey, cream cheese-based top, it’s one of the best dessert recipes out there!
Get the recipe: Classic Gooey Butter Cake
Red, White & Blue Shortcakes
Served with generous, fluffy clouds of vanilla whipped cream, these Strawberry & Blueberry Shortcakes are the perfect dessert for your next BBQ!
Get the recipe: Red, White & Blue Shortcakes
