Grandma's 20 Nostalgic Desserts That Deserve a Comeback
Not to brag, but my grandma had excellent taste. And by that I mean she had excellent taste in desserts, of course. Whether it was a big giant fruit danish for weekend breakfasts or huge tins of cookies, her house was always stocked with all the best, most nostalgic treats. So I thought, why not recreate all of those retro, fun desserts to keep the tradition alive? No matter which kind of grandma you have, I have solid hunch one of these grandma-approved nostalgic desserts will transport you right back to her house.
For many, being able to help grandma with mixing and baking cookies is a highlight of any visit. In which case, I think it's high time to bring back some of the more kitschy, less-appreciated flavors out there — like mint chocolate chip cookies, black and white cookies, and gingersnaps. Put all of those cookies in a tin for your grandma and you'll be well on your way to being #1 grandkid, guaranteed.
What if your grandma is more of a maximalist? Try your hand at recipes on the flashier side, like a baked Alaska, pineapple upside-down cake, or our layered banana pudding. Speaking of pudding, if your grandma always has packets of Jell-O hanging around, she'll flip over this adorably delicious Jell-O cake. Grandmas really do come in all kinds of varieties, so maybe yours wasn't super into baking? In which case she probably stocked plenty of Zebra cakes (our copycat recipe is spot-on, TBH) or something more of an activity (like ice cream in a bag) for visits, and we can't blame her for that. Not one bit!
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
It may be retro, but this classic cake is a staple summer dessert for a reason. If you're looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, you can't go wrong with this pineapple upside-down cake—it never goes out of style.
Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Ice Cream In A Bag
Pssst: You don't need a fancy ice cream maker to make ice cream at home, all you need is a plastic baggie and 15 minutes! Add a different extract, throw in a little chocolate syrup, or top with candy for the sundae of your dreams.
Get the Ice Cream In A Bag recipe.
Giant Fruit Danish
Sweet fruit danishes are delicious anytime of day, but especially when they're topped with sweet icing glaze. We used raspberry jam as the filling in this recipe, but feel free to experiment with your favorite fruits and jams!
Get the Giant Fruit Danish recipe.
Baked Alaska
Here at Delish, baked Alaska has never gone out of style, and we’re committed to bringing this classic nostalgic dessert back. Basically a glorified ice cream cake, this towering dessert will be the talk of any dinner party you serve it at (especially when you cut into it for the very first time—be prepared for ooh’s and aah’s).
Get the Baked Alaska recipe.
Black & White Cookies
More cake than cookie, this classic dessert is a long-standing staple for a reason. Light and moist, the vanilla, almond and lemon flavored cookie is the closest you might get to biting into a cloud. Topped with a thinner, glaze-like icing of half vanilla and half chocolate, these treats are truly a best-of-both worlds scenario.
Get the Black & White Cookies recipe.
Jell-O Cake
This Jell-O cake is a delicious and easy dessert that was all the rage at potlucks and parties in the '70s and '80s, and we want to bring it back. It's giving nostalgia, kitsch, and strawberry shortcake vibes, and we are here for it.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Bizcochitos
Though these cookies vary a bit in style depending where you are in New Mexico (they're the state cookie!), typically they are made with lard or butter, and cut into flower, star, or moon shapes. The anise seeds are crucial for that delicate floral licorice-y flavor, as is a dusting of cinnamon-sugar for added sweetness.
Get the Bizcochitos recipe.
Little Debbie Zebra Cakes
Maybe your grandma was not into baking, in which case she probably stocked plenty of Zebra cakes for visits, and we do not blame her. Vanilla cakes are sandwiched together with a marshmallow buttercream in the middle and dipped in white chocolate, but we can’t forget the iconic zebra stripes on top. These are surprisingly easier to make than they seem, and as far as copycat recipes go, this one is pretty close to the original.
Get the Little Debbie Zebra Cakes recipe.
Crescent Apple Dumplings
Using refrigerated crescent dough makes these apple dumplings a cinch to make and adds an extra buttery, flaky texture that truly takes them over the top. Trust us on the secret ingredient too—lemon-lime soda turns into a sweet sauce that you can drizzle over your gooey apple dumplings.
Get the Crescent Apple Dumplings recipe.
Air Fryer Coconut Macaroons
These are the perfect bite-size treat for any time of day—feel free to skip the chocolate if you want to keep them less sweet. For a pink, raspberry version, smash 1/4 cup fresh raspberries into the foamy egg white mixture with a fork and then toss in the coconut.
Get the Air Fryer Coconut Macaroons recipe.
Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is one of our all-time favorite desserts. It's a classic Southern recipe, and for good reason; luscious layers of pudding, whipped cream, ripe bananas, and wafer cookies are completely impossible to resist.
Get the Banana Pudding recipe.
Rugelach
Cut down the middle of one of these flaky filled pastries, and you’ll reveal stunning swirls of jam or a homemade sweet walnut filling. While these soft and pillowy pastries (that resemble little baby croissants) may look difficult, the dough really is quite simple to make. Once made, all you need to do is refrigerate, fill, and roll—that’s it!
Get the Rugelach recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
We love bringing this kitschy, retro fruit salad to all our summer BBQs. This is not your grandma's ambrosia!
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Texas Sheet Cake
This chocolate cake is rich, extra-fudgy, and topped with plenty of toasty pecans. It's a classic dessert for very good reason: it was made for chocolate lovers, and ready in under an hour.
Get the Texas Sheet Cake recipe.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mint chocolate chip fans, it's time to skip the pint of ice cream—these cookies are the easy dessert you should be making. You could make a regular chocolate chip cookie, but why would you keep it basic when you can add a minty twist? We added chopped Andes Mints to our cookies along with chocolate chips to really amp up the mint and chocolate vibes. Dyed green, these cookies are not only the perfect St. Patrick's Day treat, but are an ideal snack to reach for all year long.
Get the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcakes are such a simple yet perfect summer dessert. When fresh strawberries are at their peak, they're full of sweet juices that beg to be soaked up by a homemade biscuit. The fresh whipped cream brings it all together for a not-too-sweet treat that is light enough for a hot summer’s day.
Get the Strawberry Shortcake recipe.
Pound Cake
Pound cake is one of the most classic, simple cakes there is, and everyone needs a recipe for one in their baking repertoire. This pound cake is buttery and unfussy, but never boring, perfect for serving as an impressive dessert or decadent brunch. Enjoy it as is or dress it up for special occasions and holidays all year long.
Get the Pound Cake recipe.
Strawberry-Pretzel Tart
Also known as strawberry pretzel salad, this nostalgic dessert strikes the perfect balance between whimsical and classic, sweet and salty. It might sound a little strange, but trust us—it just works. The pretzel crust is a surprisingly ideal complement to the rich cream cheese layer and the sweet strawberries and Jell-O.
Get the Strawberry-Pretzel Tart recipe.
Gingersnap Cookies
These pretty gingersnaps are BIG, gingery, and extra extra chewy, like a warm warm winter hug in a cookie.
Get the Gingersnap Cookies recipe.
Apple Pie
A homemade apple pie that will even impress your grandma. We like to fill our homemade flaky, buttery, lattice crust with a combination of apples for an irresistibly sweet-tart filling. You’ll know the pie is ready to come out of the oven when the filling bubbles and the crust is golden.
Get the Classic Apple Pie recipe.
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