Take a trip down memory lane with these 18 timeless dessert recipes that have stood the test of time. From easy-to-make classics like Jell-O Poke Cake to rich and creamy delights like Grandma’s Old Fashioned Custard Pie, these recipes bring a touch of vintage charm to your kitchen.
Whether you’re looking to impress guests with a sophisticated Plum Upside Down Cake or enjoy the comforting taste of Old Fashioned Banana Pudding, these desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth and bring a sense of nostalgia to your table.
Easy Biscuit Base Lemon Meringue Pie
No more pastry tantrums. This no-bake crust will save you from the drama of mixing, chilling, and blind-baking a shortcrust pastry case. Instead, this is a quick and easy kickoff to a beautiful dessert.
You need: 1 biscuit crumb base, 400 ml condensed milk, 3 egg yolks, 100 ml lemon juice, 3 egg whites, 150 g sugar.
- Mix the lemon filling and pour into the base.
- Whisk whites and sugar into meringue and spread on top.
- Bake at 160°C for 15 min.
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Homemade vanilla pudding layered with vanilla cookies and fresh bananas make this the ultimate old fashioned banana pudding recipe.
You need: 1 pack vanilla wafers, 4 bananas, 500 ml custard, 250 ml whipped cream.
- Layer wafers, sliced bananas and custard.
- Repeat.
- Top with cream and chill 3 hours.
Custard Pie Recipe with Berries
Custard pies were once all the rage, and while many new and different pies have come and gone, you can recapture that old-world charm with this custard pie with berries recipe.
You need: 1 pastry case, 4 eggs, 500 ml milk, 80 g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 200 g berries.
- Bake pastry blind.
- Whisk eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla and pour in.
- Add berries and bake at 160°C for 35 min.
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake
Indulge in the delectable delight of an easy, no-bake dessert that the whole family will love – the Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake! This crowd-pleasing recipe features layers of honey graham crackers, creamy vanilla Instant pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and luscious canned chocolate frosting. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, gatherings, and any occasion worth savoring!
You need: 2 packs graham crackers, 2 packs vanilla pudding mix, 500 ml milk, 250 g whipped topping, 150 g chocolate frosting.
- Mix pudding with milk and topping.
- Layer crackers and filling in a dish.
- Top with frosting and chill 6 hours.
Flapper Pie
Flapper pie is a simple custard pie that became popular in the 1920s. It is intentionally kept uncomplicated, using ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens.
You need: 1 graham cracker crust, 400 ml custard, 3 egg whites, 100 g sugar.
- Pour custard in the crust.
- Whisk whites with sugar into meringue and swirl on top.
- Bake at 160°C for 15 min and chill.
Blackberry Cobbler From Scratch
Everyone knows that cobbler is the go-to pie recipe for those who struggle with traditional pie-making. This means more people can enjoy baking it, so there’s no excuse to skip this blackberry cobbler recipe.
You need: 500 g blackberries, 100 g sugar, 150 g flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 120 ml milk, 60 g butter.
- Cook berries with half the sugar.
- Mix a batter and pour into a dish.
- Top with berries and bake at 180°C for 35 min.
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Sweet Potato
Is there any dessert more vintage than sweet potato pie? Just the sound of it takes you back. And this recipe is second to none.
You need: 3 sweet potatoes, 100 g sugar, 50 g butter, 1 tsp cinnamon, 100 ml milk, 1 egg.
- Boil and mash potatoes.
- Mix with other ingredients.
- Bake at 180°C for 30 min.
Grandma’s Canned Apple Pie
The recipe for this delicious canned apple pie filling has been handed down for generations and comes with a recipe for homemade pie crust from scratch. It makes a perfect dessert for Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, or any occasion that needs an apple pie.
You need: 1 double pie crust, 800 g tinned apples, 100 g sugar, 2 tbsp cornflour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp butter.
- Mix apples with sugar, cornflour and cinnamon.
- Fill the pie and dot with butter.
- Cover and bake at 200°C for 45 min.
Watergate Salad
This Watergate Salad Recipe, also known as “Pistachio Delight,” is a delicious dessert salad recipe made from a mixture of pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, chopped pecans, and mini marshmallows. Sweet, creamy, and so easy to make, it takes just 5 minutes to make!
You need: 1 pack pistachio pudding mix, 400 g crushed pineapple, 250 g whipped topping, 100 g marshmallows, 50 g pecans.
- Mix pudding powder with pineapple.
- Fold in topping, marshmallows and nuts.
- Chill 2 hours.
Victoria Sponge Cake
This Victoria Sponge Cake recipe sandwiches wonderful Chantilly cream and homemade balsamic strawberries between two airy layers of cake, and tops it off with delicious fresh strawberries. Heavenly!
You need: 200 g butter, 200 g sugar, 4 eggs, 200 g self-raising flour, jam, whipped cream, icing sugar.
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and flour.
- Bake in two tins at 175°C for 22 min.
- Sandwich with jam and cream and dust.
Plum Upside Down Cake
This delectable plum upside-down cake, a delightful twist on the classic pineapple version. It’s a deceptively simple dessert is perfect for showcasing ripe summer plums and is sure to impress guests. Celebrate the season with this irresistible sweet treat!
You need: 6 plums, 100 g brown sugar, 100 g butter, 100 g sugar, 2 eggs, 150 g flour, 1 tsp baking powder.
- Arrange plums with brown sugar in the tin.
- Pour over a sponge batter.
- Bake at 175°C for 40 min and invert.
Jell-O Poke Cake
Jell-O poke cakes were a big part of life just a few decades ago. Reintroduce a new generation to this affordable, easy-to-make treat.
You need: 1 box white cake mix + eggs, oil, water, 1 pack jelly, 250 ml boiling water, whipped topping.
- Bake the cake and poke holes.
- Pour over dissolved jelly.
- Chill 3 hours and top with whipped topping.
Fresh Cherry Pie
There’s something truly special about a freshly baked pie that’s hard to beat. This recipe enhances its vintage charm by making everything from scratch, including the filling.
You need: 1 double pie crust, 600 g cherries, 100 g sugar, 3 tbsp cornflour, 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Pit the cherries and mix with sugar, cornflour and lemon.
- Fill the pie and cover.
- Bake at 200°C for 45 min.
Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie
This Old Fashioned Sugar Cream Pie is creamy and sweet, with a texture similar to crème brûlée. It uses simple ingredients and takes just a few minutes to prepare, but it tastes impressive, and that’s why you’ll love it!
You need: 1 pastry case, 300 ml cream, 150 g sugar, 3 tbsp cornflour, 1 tsp vanilla, nutmeg.
- Whisk the filling.
- Pour into the pastry case.
- Bake at 175°C for 40 min.
Nougat Candy
Nougat candy is a festive and colorful treat, especially popular around Christmas time. Gumdrop nougat is sweet, creamy, and incredibly addictive. You won’t be able to eat just one slice of this delightful no-bake candy.
You need: 200 g honey, 150 g sugar, 1 egg white, 200 g nuts, 1 tsp vanilla.
- Cook honey and sugar to 140°C.
- Whisk into the white.
- Add nuts, press into a tin and cool.
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
This Old Fashioned Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect festive dessert for the holiday season. Fill your home with the old-fashioned fragrance of Christmas- ginger, cinnamon and cloves. The beautiful addition of frosted cranberries on top makes this cake an elegant addition to your holiday table.
You need: 300 g flour, 150 g brown sugar, 2 eggs, 120 ml molasses, 120 g butter, 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp baking soda.
- Mix wet then dry ingredients.
- Pour into a greased bundt tin.
- Bake at 175°C for 45 min.
Vintage Strawberry Cake Recipe
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!
You need: 250 g flour, 200 g sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 3 eggs, 120 g butter, 100 g mashed strawberries, strawberry frosting.
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and strawberries.
- Fold in dry ingredients.
- Bake at 175°C for 30 min and frost.
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Custard Pie
A rich, creamy, nutmeg-scented custard nestled inside a flaky buttermilk pie crust, this Grandma’s Old Fashioned Custard Pie is a simple, easy recipe passed down from generations.
You need: 1 pastry case, 4 eggs, 500 ml milk, 100 g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, nutmeg.
- Whisk eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla.
- Pour into the pastry case.
- Bake at 175°C for 40 min with nutmeg.
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