Old-School Sweets, Modern Cravings: 22 Retro Desserts to Serve Now

Retro desserts are making a serious comeback, and honestly, we’re not mad about it. Think gooey pineapple upside-down cake, jiggly Jell-O molds, and creamy banana pudding—classics that still hit the sweet spot. These nostalgic treats are getting a modern twist, and it’s kind of amazing how they’re just as crave-worthy now as they were back in the day.

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

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

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

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

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

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: Butter and Baggage.

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

Angel food cake on a cake stand cut into slices. — Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

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

Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie is a fun twist on a beloved classic, made with a flaky pie crust, a chocolate ganache base, and a toasty pecan filling.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Pecan Pie

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Rich and delicious, St. Louis Butter Cake is a classic dessert packed with buttery flavor and a gooey filling.
Get the Recipe: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

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

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

A slice of chocolate cream cheese cake. — Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This chocolate cream cheese cake is pure Southern comfort in dessert form. It’s like eating a moist chocolate cake and cheesecake at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist Apple Sheet Cake Recipe with Caramel Frosting

This Apple Sheet Cake with Caramel Frosting is a true Southern gem that combines comforting flavors and a touch of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Moist Apple Sheet Cake Recipe with Caramel Frosting

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 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

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 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

Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie (+ Bourbon Whipped Cream)

A fork cutting a bite of derby pie. — Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie (+ Bourbon Whipped Cream). 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 (+ Bourbon Whipped Cream)

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

Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

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

Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!)

The old-fashioned Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a simple and classic dessert that everyone loves. Made easy thanks to a cake mix.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!)