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16 Retro Dessert Recipes To Make You Miss the 80s

Erren Hart

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Dust off your Walkman and press play on your favorite 80s tunes because we’re heading straight into a dessert-filled time warp! This list of 16 iconic 1980s sweets is perfect for anyone who loves a bite of nostalgia. From layered carrot cake with creamy frosting to zesty lemon bars and rich homemade Oreo cookies, these retro showstoppers are sure to bring back memories of bake sales, family get-togethers, and indulgent midnight snacks. Sweet, timeless, and oh-so-delicious, these desserts are ready to shine in your kitchen. Let’s bake up some memories!

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Layered carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans on top, displayed on a white cake stand against a light background.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Treat yourself to the ultimate carrot cake experience! This moist, perfectly spiced cake is topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Simple to make, irresistibly sweet, and guaranteed to wow any crowd!

Get The Recipe: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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

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

Lemon Bars

Close-up of lemon bars stacked on a plate, topped with powdered sugar. One bar has a bite taken out, revealing the creamy yellow lemon filling and buttery crust—a classic nod to beloved 1980s desserts.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

A buttery, crumbly shortbread crust that melts in your mouth, topped with a perfectly tart and creamy lemon filling. It’s a sweet and tangy celebration of citrus in every bite!

Get The Recipe: Lemon Squares

Red Velvet Bundt Cake

A slice of Red Velvet Bundt Cake being removed with a cake server.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Craving a stunning cake that’s surprisingly simple? This recipe delivers a vibrant red velvet cake with a moist crumb, all crowned with a luscious cream cheese icing. Perfect for birthdays, dinner parties, or just a delightful weekend treat!

Get The Recipe: Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Chocolate Mousse

Incredible close-up of a spoonful of chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A blurred background reveals a glass filled with more mousse, garnished with a strawberry and cream—perfect for sharing with family.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Treat yourself to the ultimate chocolate delight with this luscious and creamy mousse! Velvety bittersweet chocolate blends seamlessly with light, fluffy whipped cream, creating a perfectly balanced, melt-in-your-mouth indulgence you won’t be able to resist.

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Mousse

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Two stacks of Homemade Oreos with one on it's side up against them.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the store-bought stuff! This homemade Oreo recipe creates deep, rich chocolate cookies and a creamy filling that will leave you wondering why you ever settled for packaged Oreos.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Oreo Cookies

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

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Close-up of a gooey chocolate chip cookie with melted chocolate oozing from the center. The easy chocolate chip oatmeal cookie appears freshly baked, with a golden-brown, slightly crispy exterior.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Everyone deserves a little treat now and then, and this Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies recipe, packed with delicious chocolate and wholesome oats, is an absolute delight!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

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

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

A moist chocolate bundt cake with chocolate frosting on a plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Don’t let the name fool you – this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is full of rich chocolate flavor! It’s also the most moist cake we’ve ever made, which is why it remains a fan favorite!

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Apple Fritters

Close-up of glazed apple fritters from My Favorite Recipes, showcasing a glossy, caramelized surface with visible apple chunks and a golden-brown crust.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in fluffy, crispy Apple Fritters bursting with fresh apples, aromatic spices, and a mouthwatering apple glaze! With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up this perfect homemade treat that will delight your taste buds and warm your heart. Don’t miss out on this deliciousness!

Get The Recipe: Apple Fritters

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

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