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

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!"

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.

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. 

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.

"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!"

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. 

Reviewer pelicangal says, "This was delicious and very easy to make. People were licking their plates."

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. 

"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.

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!

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. 

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."

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. 

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

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.