Old School Dessert Recipes: 17 Sweet Treats from the Past

Some desserts never go out of style—they’re the kind that instantly bring back memories with one bite. These sweet treats are a little retro, a little nostalgic, and totally delicious. Think buttery crusts, whipped toppings, and flavors that have stood the test of time. It’s like a dessert time machine, and I’m not mad about it.

The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

A baking dish of banana pudding with a serving spoon. — The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Featuring layers of bananas, creamy vanilla pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafer cookies, this Banana Pudding is an instant classic.
Get the Recipe: The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding With White Chocolate Sauce

A close-up of a serving of bread pudding, one of the classic pudding desserts, topped with creamy vanilla sauce on a white plate. The dessert appears soft, with golden-brown edges and a rich, moist texture. — Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding With White Chocolate Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

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Baked to perfection, this Peach Bread Pudding combines soft, moist bread cubes with juicy peaches for a magical spin on a classic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding With White Chocolate Sauce

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal

A bite of pie on a fork. — Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This is the creamiest chocolate chess pie ever! This easy old-fashioned recipe guarantees a perfectly set custard center with the simplest ingredient list.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

A close-up image of a partially-eaten lemon cake in a rectangular baking dish, with a serving spatula. The cake has a golden-brown crust and is dusted with powdered sugar. You can see a piece has been removed, showing a moist and crumbly interior. — St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Rich and delicious, St. Louis Butter Cake is a classic dessert packed with buttery flavor and a gooey filling.
Get the Recipe: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

A Truly Classic Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

A serving of bread pudding with a spoon. — A Truly Classic Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Indulge in the classic comfort of bread pudding, a rich and creamy baked dessert made with chunks of stale bread soaked in a sweet custard.
Get the Recipe: A Truly Classic Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Pecan Pie

A close-up of a pecan pie with a golden crust, showing one slice being lifted out. The dense, caramelized filling packed with chopped pecans makes this classic an irresistible choice for easy desserts. — Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Chocolate Pecan Pie is a fun twist on a beloved classic, made with a flaky pie crust, a chocolate ganache base, and a toasty pecan filling.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Pecan Pie

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie

A slice of rhubarb pie with whipped cream on top. — Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Classic rhubarb pie meets its match with this creamy old fashioned rhubarb and custard pie recipe. Baked with a caramelized sugar topping.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie

Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk

A creamy pie with a golden brown graham cracker crust is partially cut, revealing its smooth texture. A slice of this delectable lemon dessert is placed on a white scalloped plate nearby, next to another plate holding lemon wedges and silver utensils. A grey napkin lies beneath the plates. — Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

With its classic graham cracker crust and creamy lemon filling, this Lemon Icebox Pie is the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk

Fresh Peach Pound Cake

A slice of peach pound cake with whipped cream. — Fresh Peach Pound Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This fresh peach Old Fashioned Pound Cake Recipe is deliciously moist! Topped with a simple peach glaze for the best summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Pound Cake

Moist Cake Brownies Recipe

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

Old School Morning Glory Muffins With Coconut

A muffin broken in half covered with cinnamon butter. — Old School Morning Glory Muffins With Coconut. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Filled with hearty ingredients like carrots, apple, and coconut, these insanely good muffins are a great start to your busy day.
Get the Recipe: Old School Morning Glory Muffins With Coconut

Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

A close-up of a sliced bundt cake with a light glaze. The southern dessert is golden brown with a moist, dense interior. One piece is cut and raised on a cake server, revealing the soft cake texture inside. The background includes a white surface and blurred utensils. — Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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

Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

A spoon full of homemade rice pudding. — 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

Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

A top-down view of a partially eaten blackberry pie with a lattice crust on a wire cooling rack. The pie has a crispy golden-brown crust with juicy, dark purple filling. A bowl of whipped cream is placed nearby. Crumbs and a piece of pie are visible on the table. — Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Enjoy a delicious Blackberry Pie with a buttery crust and a sweet-tart filling. Perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

A slice of chocolate cream cheese cake. — Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This chocolate cream cheese cake is pure Southern comfort in dessert form. It’s like eating a moist chocolate cake and cheesecake at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist Apple Sheet Cake Recipe with Caramel Frosting

This Apple Sheet Cake with Caramel Frosting is a true Southern gem that combines comforting flavors and a touch of sweetness. It takes about an hour from start to finish and is baked in a simple sheet pan for a low-fuss dessert.
Get the Recipe: Moist Apple Sheet Cake Recipe with Caramel Frosting

Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls

I just took my made from scratch, soft and chewy cinnamon roll recipe and made it even better, by adding blueberries!
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls

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