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    Home » Trending

    21 Old Fashioned Desserts Everyone Forgets About

    Published: Oct 5, 2025 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Old fashioned desserts are back and the comeback is shocking. The unreal nostalgia is blowing up fast. This list is pure must-see gold!

    Banh Flan

    A plate with a serving of Vietnamese Egg Flan, topped with caramel sauce, with a fork holding a piece.
    Banh Flan. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

    Old fashioned desserts always carried simple charm, and Banh Flan was one that stood out in past decades. The silky texture made it a go-to for families looking for something light yet rich. Today it’s one of those forgotten classics waiting for a comeback.
    Get the Recipe: Banh Flan

    Polenta Cakes

    A round, golden-brown baked polenta cake garnished with herbs, served on a white plate with a side of sautéed mushrooms.
    Polenta Cakes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Generations back, families often ended meals with Polenta Cakes on the table. Their simple form made them flexible and easy to share. Among old fashioned desserts, they’ve nearly disappeared from view.
    Get the Recipe: Polenta Cakes

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    Apricot Cobbler

    Apricot cobbler in a white baking dish with wooden metal serving spoon on a wooden surface.
    Apricot Cobbler. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Summer nights were often wrapped up with Apricot Cobbler shared among family and friends. Its flavor set it apart from more common fruit desserts. Today it’s one of those old fashioned desserts many people forget existed.
    Get the Recipe: Apricot Cobbler

    Butterscotch Meringue

    Butterscotch Meringue. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

    Generations ago, pie lovers often raved about Butterscotch Meringue on holiday tables. The contrast of smooth filling and fluffy topping gave it a special reputation. Old fashioned desserts like this deserve more attention today.
    Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Meringue

    Strawberry Sheet Cake

    A slice of strawberry sheet cake with white frosting.
    Strawberry Sheet Cake. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

    School events and church suppers regularly featured Strawberry Sheet Cake cut into squares. Its bright color stood out in any dessert spread. Like many old fashioned desserts, it has faded into the background.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sheet Cake

    Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

    Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Holiday dinners often wrapped up with slices of Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie passed around the table. The added richness gave it a bold spot among seasonal desserts. It’s one of the old fashioned desserts worth remembering.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

    Cherry Turnovers

    An overhead image of four cherry turnovers on a wire rack.
    Cherry Turnovers. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Local bakeries used to fill shelves with Cherry Turnovers wrapped in flaky pastry. They were easy to grab and eat without fuss, making them a favorite for quick treats. Old fashioned desserts like this rarely get noticed today.
    Get the Recipe: Cherry Turnovers

    Holiday Butter Cookies

    A close-up view of holiday butter cookies on a white plate.
    Holiday Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Generations grew up passing around Holiday Butter Cookies during festive gatherings. The fun shapes and bright decorations made them part of the tradition. Old fashioned desserts like this remind us how simple treats once meant so much.
    Get the Recipe: Holiday Butter Cookies

    Stewed Plums

    Stewed Plums. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Generations relied on simple bowls of Stewed Plums for an easy dessert after dinner. The soft texture made them versatile for topping or serving alone. It remains one of the old fashioned desserts mostly forgotten now.
    Get the Recipe: Stewed Plums

    Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

    Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Cookie trays once felt incomplete without Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies in the lineup. Their small size and sweet center made them a hit at holiday swaps and family parties. Like many old fashioned desserts, they’ve slipped out of the spotlight.
    Get the Recipe: Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

    Chocolate Pecan Fudge

    Chocolate Pecan Fudge. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    Party tables in the past almost always featured Chocolate Pecan Fudge cut into neat squares. Its chewy bite made it easy to grab and share at any event. Among old fashioned desserts, this one always carried a sense of tradition.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Fudge

    Berry Pavlova with Lemon Curd

    Berry Pavlova with Lemon Curd. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Big celebrations often closed with Berry Pavlova with Lemon Curd as the dessert centerpiece. The airy crunch and fruity topping made it different from heavy cakes and pies. It’s another old fashioned dessert that has faded from everyday menus.
    Get the Recipe: Berry Pavlova with Lemon Curd

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    A jello dessert with berries and white layer on a crumb base.
    Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

    Potluck tables once weren’t complete without Strawberry Pretzel Salad taking center stage. The mix of textures made it stand out from other classic desserts. It remains one of the old fashioned desserts most people have forgotten about.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    Cherry Cobbler

    side view of slice of cherry cobbler with ice cream.
    Cherry Cobbler. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Family gatherings in the past often ended with bowls of Cherry Cobbler still warm from the oven. Its fruit base made it a reliable crowd favorite for generations. Old fashioned desserts like this rarely get mentioned anymore.
    Get the Recipe: Cherry Cobbler

    Danish Butter Cookies

    Four swirled butter cookies, each nestled in a white paper liner, arranged on a wooden tray.
    Danish Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Holiday tins often brought back memories of Danish Butter Cookies stacked neatly inside. The crisp bite made them a seasonal staple everyone recognized instantly. Now they’re one of the old fashioned desserts people rarely think about.
    Get the Recipe: Danish Butter Cookies

    White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

    White Chocolate Cranberry Scones. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Weekend mornings once highlighted White Chocolate Cranberry Scones as the star of the table. Their crumbly texture made them perfect to share across the breakfast spread. Few old fashioned desserts have been forgotten as quietly as this one.
    Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

    Banana Cake Roll

    Banana Cake Roll. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

    Dessert tables loved showing off Banana Cake Roll sliced into spiraled pieces. Its soft bite and creamy center made it a crowd-pleaser every time. Like many old fashioned desserts, it now lives more in memory than in kitchens.
    Get the Recipe: Banana Cake Roll

    Strawberry Lush

    Strawberry Lush. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Big pans of Strawberry Lush once showed up at every backyard picnic. The layered look made it stand out among simple cakes and pies. Old fashioned desserts like this are rarely seen anymore.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lush

    Marguerite Salad

    Bowl of marguerite salad topped with cherries on a black counter.
    Marguerite Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

    Community events in past decades often included Marguerite Salad chilled and layered for sharing. Its refreshing finish made it a go-to at large gatherings. Among old fashioned desserts, it’s one that quietly disappeared.
    Get the Recipe: Marguerite Salad

    Light Israeli Cheesecake With Crumb Topping

    Side view of cheesecake slice with raspberries.
    Light Israeli Cheesecake With Crumb Topping. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Family recipes often featured Light Israeli Cheesecake With Crumb Topping at spring or summer events. It had a lighter style that made it stand out from heavier desserts. Old fashioned desserts like this are rarely remembered anymore.
    Get the Recipe: Light Israeli Cheesecake With Crumb Topping

    Mixed Berry Galette

    A top view image of mixed berry galette in sheet pan with a scoop of icecream in the middle.
    Mixed Berry Galette. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Rustic tables in earlier years often displayed Mixed Berry Galette straight from the oven. The open crust and juicy filling made it look homemade and approachable. Few old fashioned desserts remind people of past kitchens as much as this one.
    Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Galette

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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