Take Us Back to Mom’s Kitchen
What comes to mind when you think of retro desserts? Is it rum-soaked chocolate balls? Sticky date pudding? It’s okay if you can’t land on a favorite—we barely did! Nothing was more comforting than our home kitchen, where parents worked tirelessly to create monkey bread and Coca-Cola cakes; their desserts defined the generation, and it’s about time we revisited some classics that take us right back to childhood.
1. Baked Alaska
Baked Alaska was the dessert to end all desserts. Why did we ever stop making it? Sure, it looked a little messy on the outside, but that fluffy meringue was just the tip of the iceberg—hidden beneath were layers of cake and ice cream that offered the most delectable trifecta. Aside from its taste, the best thing about it was that you could use any flavors you wanted!
2. Swiss Roll Cakes
The ‘80s didn’t have all those flashy desserts you see in today’s bakeries. No, there was subtlety to the simplest sweets, namely, Swiss roll cakes. You might be able to find that stuff in stores, but nothing beat a homemade concoction of cocoa, marshmallow fluff, and whipped cream. Of course, you could also have vanilla cake and jam!
3. Tiramisu
Tiramisu is still in every Italian restaurant, but we’d like to think the ‘80s brought it to life. How could we say no to coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa powder layers mixed with ladyfinger biscuits? Though it looks complex, it’s actually one of the easiest desserts to make at home, too.
4. Rum Balls
Rum balls aren’t just for the holidays—at least, they weren’t when we were kids! With a little sugar, chocolate, and white rum (among other things), you had the perfect pop of spicy cocoa. Just don’t get too close to the fireplace with them.
5. Jell-O Cake
Compared to the treats of today, Jell-O cake might look a little lackluster. But remember what we said about the simple things in life? This was no different! Boxed cake mix, strawberry Jell-O, and a pinch of whipped cream brought this to life in just a few hours, and it was basically homemade shortcake.
6. Rice Krispies Treats
You know it’s good when Rice Krispies prints recipes on the box. They were ooey, gooey, and made with just three ingredients: marshmallows, cereal, and butter. You could always jazz them up with some candy bits or unsweetened cocoa, but nothing topped the original. It was so easy, even the kids could make it—and we often did!
7. Profiteroles
Pastries filled with ice cream and drizzled with warm chocolate? Yes, please! This traditional French dessert was all the rage in the ‘80s, not only for the taste, but also for its surprisingly easy recipe. A few classic ingredients (sugar, butter, eggs) and about an hour of your time had these crispy bites ready in no time.
8. Boston Cream Pie
Don’t let the name fool you—this is actually a beloved American cake, not a pie. Either way, you won’t let anyone down with layers of sponge cake, vanilla cream filling, and chocolate ganache on top! It’s sort of like a spongy version of your favorite donut.
Francisco Seoane Perez on Wikimedia
9. Angel Food Cake
Speaking of favorites, we all remember the airy consistency of angel food cake. Egg whites, flour, and sugar get the job done, whipping up a light treat that pairs beautifully with berries or a simple chocolate sauce.
Kimberly Vardeman on Wikimedia
10. Mixed Berry Trifle
Well…we did just say that angel food cake goes well with berries! If you really want to kick things into high gear, might we revisit the mixed berry trifle? It’s layers of fresh berries, angel food cake, and heavy whipping cream, which is exactly as good as it sounds.
11. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Not everyone trusts a cake with glossy pineapple slices. However, this classic dessert is one of the best of the decade. It blends everything you could possibly want: pineapple rings, vanilla cake, cherries, and caramelized brown sugar. Don’t knock it before you try it!
Oscar Ivan Esquivel Arteaga on Unsplash
12. Viennetta Cake
Okay, you can technically make this at home, but we need to take a moment and pay homage to this mouth-watering cake. It didn’t migrate to the States until the ‘80s, but everyone loved the chocolate and vanilla layers, especially with the resemblance to tiramisu. They were expensive, but they were also worth every penny.
13. Chocolate Lava Cake
Who knew that chocolate, unsweetened cocoa, and a little sugar could make such an unforgettable dessert? There’s really nothing better than sinking your teeth into a molten chocolate center—except that it’s ready in under an hour.
14. Black Forest Cake
Who said rum balls were the only boozy treat you could enjoy? If you’re looking for something on the spongy side, say hello to black forest cake, a dessert with homemade whipped cream, chocolate layers, and spiked cherries! It might sound strange to top a cake with whipped cream over frosting, but trust us, it works.
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15. Sticky Date Pudding
Do you have dates burning a hole in your pantry? Looks like sticky pudding is in order! The name’s a bit misleading since it’s really cake drenched in homemade toffee sauce, but that’s neither here nor there. In about 45 minutes, you’ll have a forkful of vanilla, molasses, and gooey sauce.
16. Coca-Cola Cake
You know the only thing that makes Coca-Cola better? Chocolate! No, seriously. This classic ‘80s dessert brought cocoa and cola together for a fudgy cake first introduced in the south. It doesn’t take more than 50 minutes to make, and the flavors work surprisingly well together.
Cristina Matos-Albers on Unsplash
17. Strawberry Mousse Cake
We’re a big fan of nostalgic no-bake desserts, so it’s no surprise that this mousse cake takes us back in time. It was a strawberry overload: vanilla cake layered with strawberry ganache, strawberry mousse, and topped with frozen strawberries. It sounds a bit much, but let’s be honest—strawberries need something sweet to balance out the tart.
18. Icebox Cake
‘80s parents really did find the best ways to use rogue ingredients! We never would’ve thought that soft graham crackers and whipped cream would pair so well together, but we were proven wrong. Toss in a few strawberries, and you had one of the easiest desserts out there.
19. Monkey Bread
Try not to let the name scare you away. Monkey bread is a pull-apart dessert made with biscuits, cinnamon, and brown sugar (among other things). It was a little sticky, but that was all part of its charm, and we’ll always have a soft spot for this one.
Andrew Currie from Toronto, Canada on Wikimedia
20. Lemon Cheesecake
Cheesecake comes in many yummy flavors, but our favorite will always be this ‘80s dish. Fresh lemon juice, cream cheese, and lemon curd made for a tart—but refreshingly sweet—dessert that the whole table loved. You bet we went back for seconds!
