Take a sweet trip down memory lane with these 19 retro desserts that will transport you back to Grandma’s kitchen! These timeless treats are sure to bring feelings of nostalgia and comfort.
Watergate Salad
Watergate Salad, also known as Pistachio Fluff, is a creamy, dreamy dessert that grandma would whip up with minimal effort. This convenient and tasty addition to any summer menu requires only five ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad
Lemonade Pie
Lemonade Pie is a refreshingly simple, no-bake summer dessert that grandma would whip up in just five minutes. With its zesty and sweet flavors, it’s the perfect way to cool down and unwind during the summer’s heat.
Get the Recipe: Lemonade Pie
Haystack Cookies
Haystack Cookies are a delightful throwback to the simple summer treats grandma used to make. These no-bake cookies, requiring only four ingredients and a bit of your time, unite chocolate and peanut butter in a nostalgic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Haystack Cookies
Blueberry Upside Down Cake
Blueberry Upside Down Cake is a summery delight that grandma would love to serve. It pairs the natural tartness of blueberries with a moist, sweet cake, capturing the essence of summer fruit harvests in a simple yet rewarding dessert.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Upside Down Cake
Lazy Peach Cobbler
This Lazy Peach Cobbler is a testament to the ease of classic summer desserts that grandma used to make. It’s a laid-back treat that brings the sweetness of summer to your table with minimal effort, allowing peaches in any form to shine.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Peach Cobbler
Chocolate Lush
Chocolate Lush is a layered no-bake wonder that combines classic American flavors, reminiscent of the desserts grandma used to make in the summer. This four-layer dessert, with its Oreo cookie crust, peanut butter cheesecake, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream, is a tribute to nostalgic treats.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lush
Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Amish Apple Fritter Bread is a comforting summer treat that wraps you in the warmth of cinnamon and apples, just like grandma used to make. Each slice, topped with a luscious glaze, is a reminder of the simple pleasures that traditional recipes provide.
Get the Recipe: Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Blueberry Cobbler
This Southern Blueberry Cobbler is a summer dessert that captures the essence of grandma’s baking. The burst of berry juices and the flaky crust create a symphony of flavors that honors the simplicity and richness of the fruit.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Dive into the richness of Homemade Chocolate Pudding, a creamy summer dessert that brings you the authentic taste of chocolate, just like grandma used to make. Forget the instant mixes and treat yourself to the genuine article with this straightforward recipe.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Peach Crostata
This Peach Crostata, with its rustic charm and simple preparation, is a summer dessert that grandma would be proud to serve. The natural sweetness of peaches shines through in this effortless treat, reminiscent of carefree summer days.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crostata
Peanut Butter Pie
This no-bake Peanut Butter Pie is a creamy, decadent summer dessert that grandma would love for its combination of peanut butter and chocolate. With just six simple ingredients, it’s an easy way to whip up a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie
Lime Jello Salad
Lime Jello Salad is a whimsical, bright green addition to any summer meal, just like the ones grandma used to make. Its tangy and sweet flavor is a timeless classic that brings back fond memories of family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad
Magic Bars
Magic Bars are a coconut lover’s dream and a classic summer dessert that grandma would be proud to serve. This easy treat, with its buttery base, chewy texture, and a sprinkle of chocolate, is a delightful mix of sweet flavors.
Get the Recipe: Magic Bars
Icebox Cake
The old-fashioned Icebox Cake, a classic summer dessert that grandma would be proud to serve, offers layers of graham crackers, sweet berries, and whipped cream in a chilled, no-bake treat. It’s a nostalgic dessert that’s as enjoyable to assemble as it is to eat.
Get the Recipe: Icebox Cake
Cool Whip Cookies
Cool Whip Cookies are a simple summer treat that grandma would appreciate for their delightfully chewy and lemony flavor. Using just a handful of ingredients, these cookies are a quick and easy way to bring a touch of sweetness to any day.
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies
Apricot Upside Down Cake
Bask in sweet nostalgia with an Apricot Upside Down Cake, a summer dessert that grandma would be proud to serve. Featuring caramelized apricots atop a tender, buttery base, this cake brings back warm, comforting memories of baking in grandma’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Upside Down Cake
Church Window Cookies
Church Window Cookies are a quaint, no-bake summer treat that grandma would love for their combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. These colorful cookies are a homage to simpler times and nostalgic desserts.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies
Cherry Salad
Cherry Salad, also known as Pink Fluff, is a cool, creamy summer dessert that grandma would often serve at festive gatherings. With just six ingredients and five minutes of prep, it’s a breeze to whip up this nostalgic treat.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Salad
Ricotta Cookies
Ricotta Cookies, with their tender, cake-like texture, are a summer treat that grandma would appreciate for their nod to traditional Italian baking. These cookies, a staple during the holidays, are versatile enough to bring a touch of sweetness to any day.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Cookies