If you’re sitting at your desk dreading the inevitable task of cooking dinner, take solace in knowing that a homemade dessert can be the perfect capstone to your day. This collection of 17 old-fashioned desserts brings back the classic, no-fuss sweetness that our parents and grandparents enjoyed. They’re easy to whip up, full of comforting flavors, and just the thing to look forward to after tackling the daily grind.
![A cake with apples on top of a white plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Almond-apple-cake-1600x900-1.jpg)
No-bake chocolate pistachio cake
![Slices of chocolate pistachio cake.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chocolate-pistachio-cake.jpg)
This no-bake chocolate pistachio cake is a modern take on old-fashioned fridge cakes, ready in less than 30 minutes. This dessert combines the timeless flavors of chocolate and pistachios, using biscuits for a classic crunchy base. Its creamy texture and rich taste pay homage to the simplicity of past confections.
Get the Recipe: No-bake chocolate pistachio cake
Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
![close up on chocolate hazelnut bars](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chocolate-Hazelnut-Bars-1024x576.jpeg)
Chocolate Hazelnut Bars are reminiscent of traditional teatime treats, prepared in about 20 minutes. With a base of crushed matzo and a blend of chocolate and hazelnuts, they offer a nod to old-fashioned baking. These bars boast a chewy texture and a timeless taste that evokes nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
Pistachio Cranberry Cookies
![Side view of a stack of cookies.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pistachio-Cranberry-Cookies.jpg)
Pistachio Cranberry Cookies, with a prep time of about 25 minutes, bring a festive twist to classic cookie recipes. Dried cranberries and pistachios provide a tart and nutty flavor, while the cookies’ texture stays true to the beloved chewy and crisp edges of yesteryear’s treats.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Cranberry Cookies
White Chocolate Chip Cookies
![Overhead view of cookies.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/White-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies.jpg)
White Chocolate Chip Cookies, ready in about 20 minutes, are a variation of a long-standing favorite. The addition of white chocolate chips to a traditional cookie dough results in a soft, chewy treat. This dessert carries the comfort of classic cookies with a sweet, buttery flavor.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pouding chomeur with homemade date syrup
![A bowl of ice cream and oranges on a blue tablecloth.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Gluten-free-pouding-chomeur-1600x900-1.jpg)
Pouding chomeur with homemade date syrup, taking about 45 minutes to make, revives an old Canadian dessert for modern dietary needs. Its gluten-free flour and date syrup maintain the moist, tender texture and caramelized taste of the original pudding.
Get the Recipe: Pouding chomeur with homemade date syrup
Apple cake
![A plate of apple pie with a slice taken out of it.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Gluten-free-apple-cake-1600x900-1.jpg)
This apple cake, requiring about 1 hour, is a timeless dessert made suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals. It stays true to the classic flavors of apple and cinnamon, with a soft, spiced taste and tender crumb that recall the comforts of traditional apple cakes.
Get the Recipe: Apple cake
Cherry cobbler
![side view of slice of cherry cobbler with ice cream.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cherry-cobbler-1.jpeg)
Cherry cobbler, prepared in about 1 hour, offers a twist on a time-honored dessert. Despite its gluten-free adaptation, it retains the hallmark tart and sweet cherry filling with a golden, crisp biscuit topping characteristic of the original cobbler.
Get the Recipe: Cherry cobbler
Sticky Date Pudding with Pinot Noir
![A piece of cake with ice cream on top.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Gluten-free-sticky-date-pudding-38-1024x683.jpeg)
Sticky Date Pudding with Pinot Noir, a luxurious dessert ready in about 1 hour and 20 minutes, builds upon a classic sticky pudding. The inclusion of Pinot Noir adds depth to the date base, while the warm, moist texture remains a nod to its traditional roots.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Date Pudding with Pinot Noir
Raspberry mini pavlovas
![A few raspberry pavlovas on a baking sheet.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mini-raspberry-pavlovas.jpg)
Raspberry mini pavlovas, taking about 2 hours to create, are individual versions of the classic pavlova. These meringue nests with crisp shells and soft centers, topped with fresh raspberries, embody the essence of the old-fashioned dessert with a delicate balance of sweet and tart.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry mini pavlovas
Almond apple cake with apple roses
![A cake with apples on top of a white plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Almond-apple-cake-1600x900-1.jpg)
Almond apple cake with apple roses, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare, is a sophisticated version of traditional apple cakes. Ground almonds and apple slices create a moist, nutty, and fruity flavor, while the decorative apple roses on top add a touch of classic charm.
Get the Recipe: Almond apple cake with apple roses
Raw Sweet Lime Bars
![Side view of lime bars on a grey plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/sweet-lime-bars.jpg)
Raw Sweet Lime Bars, ready in about 20 minutes plus chilling, are a contemporary raw dessert inspired by classic lime treats. Their zesty flavor and chewy texture, made from nuts, dates, and lime juice, provide a modern twist on the conventional tangy bars.
Get the Recipe: Raw Sweet Lime Bars
Honey apple cake with salted caramel sauce
![A slice of apple cake on a plate with apples next to it.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Gluten-Free-Honey-Apple-Cake-with-Salted-Caramel-Sauce.jpg)
Honey apple cake with salted caramel sauce, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to make, updates an old-fashioned favorite with the addition of salted caramel. The moist cake layered with apples and honey offers a balance of sweet flavors that hark back to simpler times.
Get the Recipe: Honey apple cake with salted caramel sauce
Basil Peach Cobbler
![Overhead of peach cobbler on baking sheet.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/peach-cobbler.jpeg)
Basil Peach Cobbler, ready in about 45 minutes, infuses an old-school cobbler with the fresh twist of basil. The sweet peaches and aromatic basil elevate the traditional juicy filling and biscuit topping of this historic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Basil Peach Cobbler
Vanilla cake with yogurt crema, roasted figs and hazelnuts
![A pavlova topped with whipped cream, fig slices, and chopped nuts.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Vanilla-cake-with-yogurt-crema.jpeg)
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Get the Recipe: Vanilla cake with yogurt crema, roasted figs and hazelnuts
Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
![Overhead view of pumpkin pecan pie with a slice missing.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pumpkin-pie.jpeg)
Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie, with a baking time of about 1 hour and 10 minutes, brings a classic fall dessert up to date for dietary inclusivity. Its gluten-free crust and creamy pumpkin filling, spiced and sweetened with maple syrup, retain the rich, spiced flavor beloved in traditional pies.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
Pear Chocolate Granola Bars
![Overhead view of bars wrapped in string.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pear-chocolate-granola-bars.jpg)
Pear Chocolate Granola Bars, taking about 35 minutes to prepare, are a nod to the old granola bars with a combination of oats, dried pears, and chocolate. These chewy bars merge the sweet and rich flavors that have been enjoyed in various forms through generations.
Get the Recipe: Pear Chocolate Granola Bars
Paleo strawberry scones
![Side view of two scones on top of each other.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/paleo-strawberry-scones.jpg)
Paleo strawberry scones, ready in about 30 minutes, offer a grain-free take on a classic British bake. The almond flour and fresh strawberries keep the tender, slightly sweet essence of traditional scones while catering to contemporary dietary preferences.
Get the Recipe: Paleo strawberry scones