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15 Old School 1980s Treats That Still Stand Strong

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Get ready to take a delicious trip back to the 1980s—the era of big hair, neon everything, and desserts that truly hit the sweet spot! This collection of 15 retro desserts is all about rediscovering the iconic flavors that defined a decade. From the indulgent layers of tiramisu to the fruity delight of strawberry shortcake biscuits and the fizzy fun of a classic jello salad, these treats are full of charm and timeless appeal. Whether you’re sharing nostalgic bites with friends or simply craving a taste of simpler times, these recipes are the perfect way to bring a little of the 80s back into your kitchen.

Tiramisu

Image of Tiramisu on a plate
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Tiramisu is a coffee-lover’s dream come true! This iconic Italian dessert blends coffee-soaked ladyfingers with velvety layers of whipped mascarpone, creating a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience with every heavenly bite.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu

New York Cheesecake

A New York cheesecake topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries, and mint leaves. A slice has been cut from the cake, revealing a creamy interior. The cake is elegantly displayed on a white marble surface.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready to impress with this foolproof recipe for a creamy, beautiful, crack-free New York-style cheesecake! Even beginners can master this delightful dessert and wow their friends!

Get The Recipe: New York Cheesecake

Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream cake with chocolate cake, fudge sauce, cookies and cream ice cream and whipped cream topping.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Homemade Ice Cream Cake! Imagine layers of moist, made-from-scratch chocolate cake, drizzled with rich, gooey fudge sauce, and topped with your favorite creamy, luscious ice cream. It’s pure dessert bliss!
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cake

Swiss Roll Cake

Close-up of two slices of a Pumpkin Swiss Roll with a rich brown sponge and a white cream filling, dusted with powdered sugar. They are placed on a white plate, next to an ornate serving spatula. The background is white.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Pumpkin Swiss Roll is the ultimate treat with its cozy spices and fluffy, creamy filling. The cream cheese whipped cream adds a tangy sweetness that goes perfectly with the spiced cake—just right for fall!

Get The Recipe: Pumpkin Swiss Roll

Upside Down Cake

A golden brown upside-down cake with neatly arranged slices of caramelized apples on top. The glossy finish indicates a sugary glaze, making it an appealing and tempting dessert. Ideal for those exploring new dessert recipes, the cake appears moist and is likely freshly baked.
Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty Apple Upside Down Cake recipe makes a perfect holiday centerpiece. It’s a fruity cake with a hint of cinnamon—such an indulgent treat!

Get The Recipe: Apple Upside Down Cake

Boston Cream Pie

A close up of a vanilla cake filled with custard and covered in chocolate glaze.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Boston Cream Pie Cake is a delicious reminder of everything we love about American desserts. Moist cake layers are filled with a creamy vanilla center and finished with a decadent chocolate glaze. It’s a nostalgic treat that’s guaranteed to satisfy.

Get The Recipe: Boston Cream Pie Cake

Chocolate Chip Blondies

A close up image of a chocolate chip blondie with a gooey center exposed.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Move over, brownies! These golden beauties offer a wonderful adaptation of the classic fudgy treat. Packed with the same dense texture, they are a treat you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Chip Blondies

Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

A close up image of a biscuit filled with whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This easy recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits is made completely from scratch. Once you try it you’ll never have store bought again!

Get The Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate covered strawberries with their tops and stems exposed.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge these chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert or as part of a romantic evening. Drizzle with white chocolate an extra wow factor.

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Apple Crisp

Close-up of a serving of apple crisp, featuring baked apple slices topped with a golden, crispy oat and sugar mixture. The dessert is swimming in a caramel-like sauce, delivering those delicious fall flavors. A fork is placed to the right, partially visible on a white plate—a must-try for apple recipes lovers.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Oatmeal Apple Crisp is just the perfect autumn treat! Picture this: a classic apple filling topped with a crispy, buttery oatmeal layer that takes you right back to your childhood.

Get The Recipe: Oatmeal Apple Crisp

Jello Salad

whipped cream topped orange jello salad in a baking dish
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Orange Jello Salad is a nostalgic dessert that brings a burst of citrusy sweetness to the table! With a creamy pudding topping layered over refreshing orange gelatin, juicy mandarin oranges, and tangy orange juice concentrate, it’s a fun and flavorful treat that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Orange Jello Salad with Pudding Whipped Cream

Chocolate Lava Cakes

Dreamy Chocolate Lava Cakes
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

Indulge in the ultimate dessert with these Dreamy Chocolate Lava Cakes! Rich, decadent, and oozing with a gooey molten chocolate center, they’re pure magic—and the best part? You can whip them up in just 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lava Cakes

Angel Food Cake

An angel food cake with a slice taken out of it.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This easy Angel Food Cake recipe is a total game-changer! With its light, fluffy texture and effortless preparation, it’s guaranteed to impress—no hours of baking required.
Get the Recipe: Angel Food Cake

Pizza Recipe

showing how to serve fruit pizza by cutting into slices
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Fruit Pizza is a showstopper! Creamy, dreamy cream cheese frosting with a hint of lemon zest, topped with colorful, juicy fruit and finished with a glossy apricot glaze. It’s as delicious as it is stunning!
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza

Trifle

A strawberry trifle on the table with white napkin in the background and strawberries surrounding the base of the dish.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

What happens when you take strawberry cake and create a shortcake the size of a tiny trifle? Magic! These strawberry cake shortcake trifles are addictive.
Get the Recipe: Trifle

Black Forest Cake

A chocolate cake with white frosting layers is topped with glossy chocolate ganache and cherries, reminiscent of nostalgic snacks. It sits on a wooden platter, surrounded by decorative flowers and berries against a soft pink background.
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

Indulge in the ultimate Black Forest Cake—deliciously moist layers filled with fluffy homemade whipped cream, decadent chocolate ganache, and cherries soaked in a sweet, boozy twist. A dessert that’s guaranteed to impress!
Get the Recipe: Black Forest Cake

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