We Tested 30 Classic Desserts—These Prove Old-Fashioned Is Always In

Some things never go out of style—like a warm peach cobbler or the perfect slice of chocolate cake. After tasting our way through dozens of nostalgic sweets, we can confidently say these classic desserts prove old fashioned is always in. There’s just something about the familiar flavors and cozy textures that hit every time. Trust me, your grandma would 100% approve.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal

A chocolate chess pie topped with whip cream swirls. — 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

A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk

A classic thanksgiving pie with a golden crust, topped with eight dollops of whipped cream, sits on a black tray. Two slices have been cut and slightly separated from the rest, with two forks placed nearby. — A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

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Sweet Potato Pie with condensed milk, orange zest, and cinnamon makes for a creamy, flavorful dessert. Perfect for holidays or any time of year.
Get the Recipe: A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk

Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

A glass baking dish filled with chocolate sheet cake topped with rich chocolate frosting and chopped pecans, with a cake server nearby on a gray surface. — Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This chocolate Coca-Cola cake is made with the iconic soda, mini marshmallows, and unsweetened cocoa powder for extra rich chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

Light and fluffy Angel Food Cake made with egg whites, vanilla, and powdered sugar. A simple, airy dessert that’s like a slice of heaven.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese (With Mascarpone Option!)

A baking dish of banana pudding with a serving spoon. — Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese (With Mascarpone Option!). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This banana pudding recipe with cream cheese (or Marscapone!) is even better than the classic. The yummiest, easiest homemade pudding recipe!
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese (With Mascarpone Option!)

Black Forest Cake the Southern Way

A close-up of a slice of Black Forest cake with layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate shavings, topped with a cherry. The whole cake is visible in the background. — Black Forest Cake the Southern Way. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Once a showstopper at Southern gatherings, this rich chocolate-cherry cake is layered with old-school decadence you shouldn’t forget.
Get the Recipe: Black Forest Cake the Southern Way

Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie

A derby pie with whipped cream on top. — Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic Derby Pie is made with a butter crust and a chocolate and walnut filling. lt’s like a chocolate chip cookie in pie form.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie

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: Easy Southern Desserts.

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

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

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

From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting

A piece of cake with a bite taken out. — From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This rich, decadent cake recipe has a moist chocolate cake base topped with gooey marshmallows and a homemade butter frosting.
Get the Recipe: From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting

Old-Timey Lemon Chess Pie With a Buttery Bite

A slice of lemon pie with a golden crust and a thick layer of whipped cream on top, served on a white plate with two lemon wedges beside it—a classic among old fashioned pies. — Old-Timey Lemon Chess Pie With a Buttery Bite. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Just like Grandma’s, this custardy lemon chess pie brings that rich, citrus zing and a golden cornmeal crust you can’t help but crave again.
Get the Recipe: Old-Timey Lemon Chess Pie With a Buttery Bite

Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake That Tastes Like Sunday Supper

A bite of cake on a fork with whipped cream — Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake That Tastes Like Sunday Supper. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This sweet Southern layer cake is stacked with strawberries, lemon flavor, and honey whipped cream—perfect for potlucks or porches alike.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake That Tastes Like Sunday Supper

Apple Cinnamon Spice Cake That Smells Like the ’60s

Cinnamon apple cake on a platter with a slice being removed. — Apple Cinnamon Spice Cake That Smells Like the ’60s. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Every bite of this apple spice cake brings you back—soft apples, warm cinnamon, and that unmistakable made-from-scratch Southern aroma.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Spice Cake That Smells Like the ’60s

Peach Blackberry Buckle Just Like Granny Baked

A slice of cake topped with whipped cream, fresh peach slices, and a blackberry, served on a white plate with silver forks in the background. — Peach Blackberry Buckle Just Like Granny Baked. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This fruity buckle has the charm of an old church supper—peaches, blackberries, and a crumbly top that melts right into every bite.
Get the Recipe: Peach Blackberry Buckle Just Like Granny Baked

Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

A buttermilk pie that has been cut into slices. — Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Treat yourself to the creamy delight of Southern Buttermilk Pie. It’s a classic with a touch of cinnamon – pure yumminess!
Get the Recipe: Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

A sliced sweet potato pie topped with whipped cream. — Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern Sweet Potato Pie is a beloved dessert, similar to pumpkin pie but even better. Serve it all year long, not just during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie 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 Southern Pecan Praline Recipe

Pecan pralines on a cooling rack. — Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Praline Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Pralines are a Southern classic! Homemade caramel cross between a candy. and a cook. A heavenly treat that just takes 10 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Praline Recipe

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

A classic southern desserts favorite, creamy banana pudding topped with fluffy meringue is partially served with a spoon, resting beside several vintage metal spoons on a gray surface. — Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This warm banana pudding is a deliciously creamy dessert made with fresh bananas and a rich custard.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

A bundt cake topped with white and caramel glaze, drizzled with chocolate, and sprinkled with chopped pecans, sits on a white plate—the perfect treat for a bit of baking therapy. — Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

A moist banana split bundt cake with pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans, topped with pineapple cream cheese frosting. A classic vintage dessert.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

Old Fashioned Apple Custard Pie Recipe

Buttery crust, tart apples, and a creamy custard filling make this Apple Custard Pie the perfect not-too-sweet comfort dessert.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Custard Pie Recipe

Homemade Peach Cobbler With Pie Crust

This peach cobbler with pie crust is packed with sweet peaches, brown sugar, and warm spices and then baked until mouthwatering perfection.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Peach Cobbler With Pie Crust

Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

Close-up of sliced pecan pie with a golden brown crust, topped with whole and chopped pecans, displayed on a white plate—perfect inspiration for your Christmas pie recipes. — Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Learn how to make pecan pie without corn syrup. Simple, easy, and incredibly tasty! This recipe uses maple syrup instead of highly processed corn syrup.
Get the Recipe: Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic

A coconut cream pie with a flaky golden crust, partially sliced, sits on a black dish. Perfect for thanksgiving pie recipes, it’s served with a small bowl of whipped cream nearby on a dark countertop. — Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy coconut custard pie made with coconut milk, egg yolks, and a golden crust. Baked and topped with toasted coconut for a perfect finish.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic

Light And Fluffy Southern Caramel Cake Recipe

Soft butter cake with ground pecans, topped with creamy caramel cream cheese frosting. A Southern classic that’s rich, moist, and perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Light And Fluffy Southern Caramel Cake Recipe

An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

A white baking dish filled with freshly baked berry cobbler topped with six golden brown biscuits. The dish is placed on a cooling rack. Two spoons and stacked bowls, one pink and one green, sit in the background on a light-colored surface with a gray cloth—reminiscent of vintage recipes. — An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Blackberry cobbler has a syrupy blackberry filling topped with golden brown créme fraiche biscuits made from scratch.
Get the Recipe: An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

When talking about old fashioned southern desserts, we can’t miss out on the classic pound cake, made even better with cream cheese.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Retro Lemon Chiffon Pie With a Pretzel Twist

Part cheesecake, part pie, this no-bake lemon chiffon dessert has a pretzel crust and retro flair that’s making a serious comeback.
Get the Recipe: Retro Lemon Chiffon Pie With a Pretzel Twist

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

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