15 forgotten pies from the ’60s ready for a revival

Photo of author

| Published:

The pies that once filled every mid-century table are ready to make their return. These 15 forgotten desserts from the 1960s bring back the rich flavors, creamy fillings, and comforting nostalgia that defined the decade. Each one reminds us how simple ingredients once created desserts people couldn’t stop talking about. Get ready to revisit the era when pie wasn’t just dessert—it was a tradition worth keeping alive.

A butterscotch pie with meringue on a wire cooling rack.
Butterscotch Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Overhead view of pumpin pecan pie.
Pumpkin Pecan Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie captures everything nostalgic about fall baking in the 1960s, where pumpkin desserts were staples at holiday tables. This pie bakes in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, combining pumpkin puree with pecans for a creamy yet crunchy balance that reminds readers why these desserts deserve a revival. It’s baked until the filling sets and finished with a drizzle of caramel that speaks to the sweet Southern flair of mid-century kitchens. One slice feels like rediscovering how comforting vintage pies once made family gatherings feel.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream

Close up of pecan pie with dulce de leche cream.
Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream revives one of the most iconic Southern desserts that ruled the ’60s. This version bakes in just over an hour, using pecans, maple syrup, and a buttery crust that fills the house with a nostalgic aroma. It reminds readers why pecan pies were prized during the decade for their simplicity and rich, nutty flavor. Bringing it back shows why this old-fashioned dessert never should’ve faded from the table.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Overhead view of apple pie with apples.
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie takes about an hour to bake and feels straight out of a 1960s kitchen window. Layers of cinnamon-spiced apples and flaky crust recreate the comforting aroma that once marked special dinners in every household. Though apple pie never vanished, its hand-woven lattice and slow-baked charm echo the era this roundup celebrates. Each forkful reminds you why the classics became timeless in the first place.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Black Bottom Pie

A slice of chocolate cream pie on a plate.
Black Bottom Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Black Bottom Pie was a showstopper dessert of the 1960s, remembered for its smooth custard and hidden chocolate layer. This pie takes around an hour to chill and set, revealing a velvety texture accented by a hint of rum and whipped cream. It embodies the playful indulgence of mid-century desserts that merged sophistication with comfort. Slicing into its glossy top feels like turning back the clock to a glamorous dinner party.
Get the Recipe: Black Bottom Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry cream pie in clear pie dish with bowl of strawberries in background.
Strawberry Cream Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Strawberry Cream Pie sets in the fridge after a short prep, creating a silky filling and crisp crust reminiscent of pies that once brightened ’60s spring tables. With layers of cream and fresh fruit, it mirrors the era’s love for light yet flavorful desserts that looked effortless but tasted nostalgic. The no-bake method captures the innovation of home cooks during that time who mastered quick, crowd-pleasing sweets. Each chilled bite feels like uncovering a recipe that time forgot.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cream Pie

Mock Apple Pie

Slice of pie with crumb topping on a stack of plates, surrounded by crackers and cinnamon sticks.
Mock Apple Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Mock Apple Pie reclaims its quirky spot in history as a Depression-era recipe still enjoyed in the ’60s. Made with pantry staples and ready in under an hour, it creates the illusion of baked apples using Ritz crackers, sugar, and spice. Its cleverness reflects the resourcefulness that defined American kitchens of that decade. It’s the kind of vintage pie that sparks both curiosity and comfort in a single slice.
Get the Recipe: Mock Apple Pie

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie

A bite of pecan pie on a fork.
Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie bakes in less than an hour, producing the gooey, nut-filled center that defined Southern gatherings throughout the 1960s. Every element—from its simple ingredient list to its crisp crust—echoes the tradition of homemade desserts that felt rich but approachable. Bringing this recipe back reminds readers of the dependable flavors families once counted on during the holidays. It’s a pie that still proves the classics never lose their charm.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie

Sugar Cream Pie

A slice of sugar cream pie on a white and floral plate.
Sugar Cream Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Sugar Cream Pie or “Hoosier Pie” is a midwestern treasure that earned its place on 1960s dinner tables for its simplicity and comforting sweetness. It takes about 45 minutes to bake, with a creamy filling made from sugar, cream, and vanilla that forms a smooth custard as it cools. This vintage dessert reflects the everyday magic of home baking that deserves a second look today. Its humble ingredients make it feel like the kind of pie everyone once grew up on.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cream Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

A slice of peanut butter pie topped with whipped cream and peanuts, on a white plate with the whole pie in the background.
Peanut Butter Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Peanut Butter Pie brings back one of the most underrated desserts of mid-century America, rich in flavor and nostalgia. Ready in just over an hour, this pie’s creamy peanut filling and graham crust capture the playful spirit of 1960s sweets. It’s a pie that shows how creative home bakers got with simple pantry ingredients when dessert hour came around. Serving it now feels like restoring a piece of forgotten family tradition.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie

Grape Pie

Grape pie on a plate in front of the pie plate with a bunch of grapes.
Grape Pie. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Grape Pie is a traditional upstate New York dessert that captured attention in mid-century homes for its unique fruity flavor. Made with Concord grapes and baked in a flaky crust for about an hour, it represents the regional specialties that deserve a comeback. The bold color and tangy-sweet filling recall the experimental spirit of 1960s home baking. Every slice brings back the charm of recipes passed through small-town kitchens.
Get the Recipe: Grape Pie

Cinnamon Pie

A slice of cinnamon pie on a cake slice over the remaining pie.
Cinnamon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cinnamon Pie bakes in under an hour, filling the kitchen with the nostalgic scent of spice that once defined mid-century desserts. The smooth custard filling makes this pie a forgotten gem that’s ready to return to the table. It reflects a simpler time when comforting flavors were at the heart of every family gathering. Baking it today feels like giving new life to a recipe that always deserved to be remembered.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Pie

Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Slice of coconut cream pie on white plate with pink tablecloth in background.
Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie captures the spirit of the 1960s when creamy, whipped desserts were a household favorite. Ready in about an hour, its silky custard and fluffy topping remind readers of pie cases that once showcased the pride of home bakers. The toasted coconut adds the nostalgic sweetness that makes every bite unmistakably vintage. Bringing it back feels like honoring the desserts that once defined comfort and celebration.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Chocolate Macaroon Pie

A slice of chocolate coconut pie on a plate.
Chocolate Macaroon Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Chocolate Macaroon Pie revives the mid-century fascination with coconut and chocolate desserts baked in cozy family kitchens. Ready in around an hour, it combines a crisp cocoa crust with a chewy coconut center that mirrors the rich pies once shared after Sunday dinners. This dessert shows the creativity and decadence that made 1960s pies unforgettable. Each slice delivers the kind of flavor that deserves to reclaim its place in modern baking.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Macaroon Pie

Grasshopper Pie

A mint pie inside an oreo crust topped with oreo crumbs.
Grasshopper Pie. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Grasshopper Pie takes about 30 minutes to chill and became a symbol of 1960s dessert flair with its minty green hue and chocolate crust. The no-bake method made it a go-to for home cooks seeking something quick yet impressive for guests. Its cool, creamy texture and retro look make it one of the most recognizable forgotten pies from that era. Bringing it back is like reopening the recipe box from a generation that knew how to make dessert memorable.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Pie

Butterscotch Pie

A butterscotch pie with meringue on a wire cooling rack.
Butterscotch Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Butterscotch Pie takes about an hour to bake and returns one of the most beloved flavors of the 1960s to the spotlight. The smooth butterscotch custard topped with toasted meringue recalls the pies that once lined diner counters and family buffets. Its golden finish and caramelized sweetness make it a perfect candidate for revival in any modern kitchen. This is the kind of vintage pie that reminds you why old recipes earned their legendary status.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Pie

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.