21 Retro Desserts That Still Own Every Holiday Table
Holiday meals feel complete when the dessert table includes the treats everyone grew up loving. These retro picks carry stories, family moments, and a kind of sweetness that feels familiar.
Each dessert brings simple ingredients together in a way that reminds people of earlier celebrations. They hold their place with ease and keep guests smiling long after the plates are cleared.
Gugelhupf
This Gugelhupf, or Kugelhopf, is a traditional German sweet yeast bread that is often served for breakfast or afternoon tea with coffee for dunking. It is served around the holidays, for occasions when the company comes.
Get the Recipe: Gugelhupf.
Vanillekipferl – Crescent Cookies
Vanillekipferl, the delicate, crescent-shaped cookies dusted with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar, are a classic European baking tradition
Get the Recipe: Vanillekipferl – Crescent Cookies.
Lace Cookies
Delight in the exquisite charm of lace cookies, a tantalizing treat that perfectly balances delicate crispness with rich, golden sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Lace Cookies.
Rhubarb Pie
When rhubarb is at its peak of freshness, seize the opportunity to make this old-fashioned rhubarb pie. It offers a flavorful burst of summer that can be enjoyed any time of the year. This classic pie captures the essence of rhubarb’s tangy taste, wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie.
Rainbow Cake
Rainbow Cake is a cherished vintage recipe that has been a family favorite for generations. Known for its bright, cheerful layers of Jello, this cake is light and refreshing—a perfect choice for hot summer parties. It’s not heavy, making it an ideal dessert that everyone can enjoy even on the warmest days.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Cake, Light And Fruity Jello Cake.Pumpkin Roll
Libby’s Pumpkin Roll is a classic fall dessert that will please any pumpkin spice lover. This fall favorite is filled with a cream cheese filling and rolled into a delicious spiral. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion, from welcoming pumpkin spice season to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Roll.
Molasses Cookies
Indulge in the irresistible charm of our soft and chewy molasses cookies, where each bite offers a delightful blend of rich, deep molasses flavor and a perfectly tender texture. These homemade treats are a cozy embrace for your taste buds, perfect for those who cherish the warmth of classic, comforting flavors.
Get the Recipe: Molasses Cookies.
Sunshine Cake
Sunshine cake, sometimes called Pig Pickin Cake, is a moist yellow cake flavored with vibrant oranges and topped with a creamy pineapple-infused topping. It’s an absolutely amazing dessert that is always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Sunshine Cake.
Old-fashioned Coffee Cake
Old-Fashioned Coffee Cake, topped with brown sugar and cinnamon, is a wonderful treat to enjoy for breakfast or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Old-fashioned Coffee Cake.
Old-fashioned Chocolate Pudding Cake
This is a rich chocolate pudding cake my grandmother makes. You can eat this while it is still warm or let it cool and serve it with a little whipped cream.
Get the Recipe: Old-fashioned Chocolate Pudding Cake.
Oatmeal Cake
This perfectly divine and flavorful gluten-free, double-layer cinnamon oatmeal cake is topped with an easy, lightly-spiced cinnamon cream cheese frosting. It’s a popular cake frequently requested at family birthday parties!
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Cake.
Sponge Cake
This easy sponge cake uses plain flour and oil. It’s a fluffy, decadent sponge cake that you can quickly whip and mix, and be ready for you to enjoy with your cup of coffee or tea in no time.
Get the Recipe: Sponge Cake.
Sticky Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe
One of our family’s favorite loaf cakes to bake is a sticky gingerbread cake. It reminds me of Christmas, regardless of the time of year we celebrate it, and this recipe is incredibly simple. It makes two 2-pound gingerbread loaves, one of which we freeze for later use. As it’s so moist, it also lasts really well and is a perfect treat to have with coffee and a book in the afternoon or evening. So here we go, we’re sharing with you our traditional sticky gingerbread loaf cake recipe.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe.
Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
This is the best lemon sour cream pound cake for any occasion. This old-fashioned cake is moist, soft, and topped with a perfect buttery lemon icing.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake.
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding recipe is the original, homemade banana pudding recipe. Easy to make – no mixes needed for this recipe that shows how to make banana pudding from scratch.
Get The Recipe: Old Fashioned Banana Pudding.
Vintage Buttermilk Cake
Vintage Buttermilk Cake is just like grandma used to make. Every time I went to visit my grandmother, she would always have some kind of dessert baked and ready to serve to us. It
Get The Recipe: Vintage Buttermilk Cake.
Chocolate Eclair Cake
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake is a no-bake, scrumptious dessert that is packed with flavor and quite refreshing!
Get The Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake\
Vintage Angel Cookies
Bake a batch of nostalgia with our Vintage Angel Crisps! A timeless treat perfect for holidays or sweet cravings.
Get The Recipe: Vintage Angel Cookies.
Classic Apple Cake
This simple and delicious apple cake recipe is perfect for beginners and will be a hit on any occasion. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up this tasty treat in no time! Get ready to indulge in a slice of sweet and tender goodness.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake.
Old-fashioned Apple Cake
The BEST old-fashioned fresh apple cake recipe and a firm family favorite. This moist and flavorful cake is bursting with as much fresh apple as I could cram into it. Nutty browned butter, walnuts, and cinnamon with a dulce de leche topping take it to the next level. Get the Recipe: Old-fashioned Apple Cake.
Old-Fashioned Ginger Cake
This is the best old-fashioned gingerbread cake recipe if you want to wow everyone. It’s an easy fall or holiday dessert with warm spices and dark molasses, and it’s both festive and nostalgic.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Ginger Cake.
