21 Back in the Day Desserts That Still Rock Today

Some back in the day desserts just hit different—the kind that bring back memories of potlucks, Sunday dinners, and sneaking seconds when no one was looking. We’re talking about the classics here: rich, gooey, homemade treats that have been around for generations but still totally hold up. Whether it’s a mile-high banana pudding or a perfectly spiced gingerbread, these old-school sweets have serious staying power. Ready for a delicious stroll down memory lane?

Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic

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

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

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

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

The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

A bowl of banana pudding with a spoon in it next to two servings. — 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

Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Buttery cream cheese pound cake with vanilla and lemon zest. Soft, dense, and delicious—ideal for sharing or freezing for later.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

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

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 Iced Oatmeal Cookies (Soft And Chewy)

Whip up these Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with oats, brown sugar, and a sweet glaze—just like the ones you loved as a kid.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies (Soft And Chewy)

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

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 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 Fashioned Southern Pecan Praline Recipe

A rack of cooled praline pecans. — 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 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

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 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 Butterball Cookie Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Butterball Cookie Recipe only needs 6 simple ingredients. Buttery cookies with chopped walnuts coated in a blanket of confectioner sugar.
Get the Recipe: Classic Butterball Cookie Recipe

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

These Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cream Pies are soft baked Oatmeal Cookies sandwiched with a simple marshmallow buttercream filling.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies with White Chocolate

Old-fashioned haystack cookies never go out of style. With just four ingredients these easy no-bake cookies are creamy, crispy, and sweet with just a hint of saltiness.
Get the Recipe: Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies with White Chocolate

Old Fashioned Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

Delight yourself with this Old Fashioned Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler made with fresh cherries. The perfect summer dessert that’s easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

A chewy old fashioned peanut butter cookie recipe made in less than 30 minutes with a no chill cookie dough.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies