49 Classic Desserts from the ’50s Worthy of a Comeback
49 Classic Desserts from the ’50s Worthy of a Comeback
Read Time: 16 mins
49 Classic Desserts from the ’50s Worthy of a Comeback
I grind my own flour and love to use it in this recipe
and friends a dessert that really stands out from the rest, this is the cake to make. The beautiful high, rich sponge cake is drizzled with a succulent chocolate glaze. —Erma Fox, Memphis, Missouri 3/49 Irresistible Coconut Cream Pie 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I grow 500 acres of wheat on the farm his family homesteaded in 1889. I grind my own flour and love to use it in this recipe. The easy pat-in crust has a rich grain flavor.
It’s bound to garner oohs and aahs
It’s irresistible filled with old-fashioned coconut cream and topped with a fluffy meringue. —Roberta Foster, Kingfisher, Oklahoma 4/49 Spumoni Baked Alaska 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Spumoni Baked Alaska Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a dazzling yet refreshing end to a rich holiday meal, try this freezer finale. It’s bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Also, check what is baked Alaska. We fill you in on the history of this dessert plus tips for making it at home. 5/49
Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert
Stained Glass Gelatin 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 6/49 Chocolate Bavarian Torte 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
7/49 Maraschino Cherry Rice Pudding Test Kitchen Approved Maraschino Cherry Rice Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a grandmother, I’ve been cooking for many years and love to share my recipes. This pretty pastel dessert is a fun choice when you need something sweet for a special occasion. —Sharon Crider, Junction City, Kansas 8/49 Strawberries & Cream Torte 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberries & Cream Torte Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From
It wows guests every time yet is simple to make
the Recipe Creator: This festive strawberries and cream summer treat is one of my mom’s favorites. It wows guests every time yet is simple to make. —Cathy Branciaroli, Wilmington, Delaware 9/49 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 50 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A classic recipe like this never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas 10/49 Strawberry Shakes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry
Shakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Full of summer fruit, these thick berry blends are the perfect way to savor hot days. “I serve tall glasses with strawberry garnishes,” says Ruby Williams of Bogalusa, Louisiana. 11/49 Banana Cream Pie with Pudding 47 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This old-fashioned banana cream pie recipe is full of flavor. Because it
uses instant pudding, the no-bake dessert is ready in just minutes
uses instant pudding, the no-bake dessert is ready in just minutes. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington 12/49 Carrot Sheet Cake 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Carrot Sheet Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 30 servings Go to Recipe 13/49 Chocolate Chess Pie 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my mother’s go-to recipes. It’s a yummy spin on the classic chocolate chess pie. — Ann Dickens, Nixa, Missouri
Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake
14/49 Coconut Chiffon Cake Test Kitchen Approved Coconut Chiffon Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it’s a lovely end to meals throughout the year. 15/49 Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd.
It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy
It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 16/49 Icebox Cake 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Icebox Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You don’t have to bake to serve a wonderful dessert! This icebox cake is made from chocolate wafers and whipping cream. It is so delicious.—Cindy Hawkins, New York, New York 17/49 Orange Dream Angel Food Cake 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Orange Dream Angel Food Cake Recipe photo by
Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A basic angel food cake becomes a heavenly indulgence, thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania 18/49 Banana Cream Eclairs 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: To surprise my banana-loving family, I made this dessert for a reunion, where it stood out among the
usual fare
usual fare. These special treats are something to look at and mouthwateringly delicious. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana 19/49 Butterscotch Pie 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pie’s filling is like creamy pudding and is crowned with golden peaks of meringue. —Cary Letsche, Brandenton, Florida 20/49 Fancy Fuss-Free Torte 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fancy Fuss-Free Torte Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Thanks to frozen pound cake and a
can of pie filling, this torte is easy to make
can of pie filling, this torte is easy to make. If layers slide, keep them in place with toothpicks around the edges as you build. Just remove them before serving. —Joan Causey, Greenwood, Arkansas 21/49 Apple Brown Betty Recipe 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple Brown Betty Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it’s big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois 22/49 Lime Gelatin Salad 23
My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I’ve
Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Lime Gelatin Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa 23/49 Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I’ve
been cooking and baking with it ever since
been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee 24/49 Cherry Almond Mousse Pie 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cherry Almond Mousse Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Treat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It’s a sweet yet refreshing dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas 25/49 Creme de Menthe Cream Puff Tree
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois 22/49 Lime Gelatin Salad 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Lime Gelatin Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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