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  6. 15 Old-Fashioned Desserts That Will Take You Back in Time
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15 Old-Fashioned Desserts That Will Take You Back in Time

Illustration of Hayley Sugg
By Hayley Sugg July 12, 2020
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Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
Credit: CookinCyn

There's nothing quite like an old-fashioned dessert, one that's been passed down from one cook to another, one that harkens back to a different era. Whether it's a cherished family recipe or a favorite you used to pick up at the local bakery, these sweets have a taste of nostalgia to them. With these 15 vintage dessert recipes, you can whip up a batch of rice pudding, bake a coconut cream pie, or scoop some drop cookies. As a bonus, you'll get a side of old-fashioned dessert joy.

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Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings with a buttery vanilla sauce
Credit: Karla413
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Spoon into one of these apple dumplings and be instantly transported to church potlucks or family reunions of decades ago where old-fashioned desserts were like treasure. "Oh my gosh these are just like grandma used to make," says Robin. "The sauce is awesome!"

  • 15 Potluck Recipes So Good They'll Make You Famous at Church

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Old Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding

Old Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding
Credit: Miriam
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Leftover rice deserves to be transformed into this decadent dessert. A little butter and a beaten egg add richness to an old-fashioned dessert that was born out of humble necessity and creativity.

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Favorite Old Fashioned Gingerbread

Favorite Old Fashioned Gingerbread
Credit: apurpleocean
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Quick to mix up, this tender vintage cake is perfect for the busy holiday season. Don't forget to serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. 

  • 12 Make-Ahead Christmas Desserts to Sweeten Your Holidays

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Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
Credit: fcbowden
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It's hard to beat the sweet and creamy taste of a coconut pie. You'll have to put less than an hour of effort to create this dreamy vintage dessert that harkens back to summer evenings spent chasing lightning bugs and sipping cool water on hot nights.

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Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler

Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler
Credit: Kim
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"I am not a baker and have never successfully made my own dough," says 1MOMMY. "This recipe was excellent. I served it to my husband and his eyes lit up!"

  • Our Best Cobbler Recipes

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Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding

Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding
Credit: MekyJ
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Persimmons are often overshadowed by pumpkins during the fall growing season, but this tasty recipe will change all that. Fresh persimmons combine with sugar and spice for a rich pudding that can't be beat. 

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Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
Credit: CookinCyn
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Reviewer pelicangal says, "This was delicious and very easy to make. People were licking their plates."

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Old Fashioned Coconut Drops

Old Fashioned Coconut Drops
Credit: Lori Beth Graham
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Drop cookies are a great dessert for families to make together due to their simplicity. If you're feeling creative, some reviewers recommend subbing dried cranberries or chocolate chips for the raisins. 

  • The Beginner's Guide to Baking With Kids

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Old Fashioned Cream Pie

Old Fashioned Cream Pie
Credit: mauigirl
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"I love how easy it is to make this. Put it all in a blender and pour into a crust!" says Maaret Hall Ingram of this vintage dessert that's reminiscent of classic diner dessert menus.

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Old Fashioned Molasses Taffy

Old Fashioned Molasses Taffy
Credit: Tabitha
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When resources were limited but the desire to give gifts was large, home cooks found creative ways with what they had on hand. Molasses taffy was one such creation. Homemade taffy is a great project to do with kids. Whip up the ingredients, and after a bit of cooling, get to pulling!

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Old-Fashioned Lemon Pudding

Old-Fashioned Lemon Pudding
Credit: Deb C
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You're likely to always have the ingredients for this simple pudding on hand, making it an easy last-minute vintage dessert for when cravings strike. 

  • Pucker Up for Our 21 Best Sweet/Tart Lemon Desserts

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Old-Fashioned Cushaw Pie

Old-Fashioned Cushaw Pie
Credit: Alison Coons
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A not-so-common winter squash, cushaw makes a delicious pie that's described by reviewer Liz as, "so much lighter in texture and not overly sweet."

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Old Fashioned Apple Cake

Old Fashioned Apple Cake
Credit: Ann Goy
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Filled with ingredients like apples, walnuts, and coconut to add both taste and texture, this moist vintage cake recipe will be the star of your next potluck. 

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Old Fashioned Lemon Pie

Old Fashioned Lemon Pie
Credit: Kathy
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"This is the BEST Lemon Pie recipe I have ever used," says Ginger118. "It is always a hit at Easter and family reunions."

  • 15 Meyer Lemon Recipes That Celebrate Citrus Season

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Old Fashioned Fudge Cake

Old Fashioned Fudge Cake
Credit: DHCarlin
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You'll never reach for a boxed mix again after making this fudgy chocolate cake. Sour cream is the secret ingredient to add richness and keep the cake moist. 

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    1 of 15 Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
    2 of 15 Old Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding
    3 of 15 Favorite Old Fashioned Gingerbread
    4 of 15 Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
    5 of 15 Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler
    6 of 15 Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding
    7 of 15 Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
    8 of 15 Old Fashioned Coconut Drops
    9 of 15 Old Fashioned Cream Pie
    10 of 15 Old Fashioned Molasses Taffy
    11 of 15 Old-Fashioned Lemon Pudding
    12 of 15 Old-Fashioned Cushaw Pie
    13 of 15 Old Fashioned Apple Cake
    14 of 15 Old Fashioned Lemon Pie
    15 of 15 Old Fashioned Fudge Cake

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