Sweet and Simple Old-Fashioned Desserts

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These old-fashioned dessert recipes are full of cozy nostalgia, sweet simplicity, and the kind of flavor that never goes out of style. From buttery Peanut Brittle and jammy Cherry Pie to comforting bakes like Lemon Creme Crumb Bars and Brown Butter Blueberry Peach Crisp, each treat delivers a homemade feel with timeless charm. Whether you’re whipping up Oatmeal Cookies, Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake, or a slice of Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, these desserts bring back the good kind of memories—bite by bite.

Lemon Creme Crumb Bars

Lemon Creme Crumb Bars | Cooking Classy
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Imagine a thick crumb bar with two layers similar to the streusel on top of a muffin, then picture sandwiching those layers together with a lemon creme
Get the Recipe: Lemon Creme Crumb Bars

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake one a wooden pedestal with a vintage silver server.
Photo credit: Baking a Moment

This pineapple upside-down cake is a classic dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. Juicy pineapple rings and sweet maraschino cherries sit atop a moist butter cake with a rich brown sugar glaze. It’s perfect for any occasion, from holidays to simple weeknight desserts!
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Brown Butter Blueberry Peach Crisp

brown butter blueberry peach crisp in cast iron skillet.
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

Sweet and flavorful blueberry peach crisp is filled with summer’s ripe fruits and topped with a brown butter cinnamon streusel.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Blueberry Peach Crisp

Ambrosia Salad

Glass bowl of ambrosia salad topped with a maraschino cherry.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

Ambrosia salad is a classic, old-fashioned dessert. My version is made even better with homemade whipped cream and fruity marshmallows.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad

healthy raspberry bars on parchment paper
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These healthy gluten-free raspberry crumble bars are the perfect summer treat! Made with fresh raspberries and an oatmeal cookie crumble, these bars are easy to make and freezer-friendly. Enjoy a guilt-free dessert that’s both delicious and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Bars with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Slice And Bake Cookies

Overhead image of the slice and bake cookies
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These Slice and Bake Cookies are deliciously buttery and sweet. They’re dotted with fun, colorful sprinkles, and creamy white chocolate!
Get the Recipe: Slice And Bake Cookies

Brookies Cookies Recipe

brookie cookies topped with chocolate chips
Photo credit: Heather Mubarak creator of Browned Butter Blondie

The best of both worlds! These brookie cookies are a delicious mash up of an ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie and a rich, fudgy brownie all rolled into one. Made with simple ingredients and no chilling required!
Get the Recipe: Brookies Cookies Recipe

Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

overhead image of lemon poppy seed bundt cake cut into slices on a yellow plate
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

Sweet, simple, luscious, glazed lemon poppy seed Bundt cake to bring sunshine to even the coldest of your days.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Favorite Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

pumpkin oatmeal cookies on a white plate
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

An easy, quick recipe for Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies.
Get the Recipe: Favorite Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Ginger Peach Crisp

A bowl of peach crisp topped with golden baked oats, visible pieces of peaches and oat crumble, with a spoon.
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

This Ginger Peach Crisp by Gimme Some Oven features a warm ginger-vanilla peach filling that’s perfectly complemented by a crispy almond oat topping. It’s a delightful dessert that’s sure to impress, especially when peaches are in season!
Get the Recipe: Ginger Peach Crisp

Cherry Pie

Cherry pie with a few slices cut, on a wire cooling rack with fresh cherries in the background.
Photo credit: Baking a Moment

This classic cherry pie is bursting with juicy cherries in a jammy glaze, all nestled in a flaky, buttery crust. Whether you use fresh or frozen cherries, this pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for holidays, summer gatherings, or any time you crave a taste of old-fashioned goodness!
Get the Recipe: Cherry Pie

Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

zucchini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

These zucchini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are extra soft with chewy centers and crisp edges. And you can’t taste the zucchini!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Chocolate Fudge

Square of chocolate fudge with a bite out of it on marble board. Showing creamy interior.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

A classic, old-fashioned, chocolate fudge recipe made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand (no condensed milk here).  
Get the Recipe: Best Chocolate Fudge

Spicy Chai Molasses Cookies

Spicy Chai Molasses Cookies are soft and chewy on the inside and crispy on the edges. Seasoned with chai spices, these take old-fashioned Molasses Cookies to whole other level! #molassescookies #chiacookies #christmascookies
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Spicy Chai Molasses Cookies – soft & chewy on the inside, crispy on the edges! Infused w/ chai spices, old-fashioned Molasses Cookies never tasted better!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chai Molasses Cookies

Peanut Brittle Recipe

Overhead view of a bowl of peanut candy pieces.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

You can make snappy, old-fashioned peanut brittle right in your own kitchen! Recipe includes many tips for making flawless candy, every time.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Brittle Recipe

Oatmeal Cookies

Up-close overhead photo of an Oatmeal Cookie with a sprinkle of sea salt on top and additional cookies in the corners of the photo
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Soft, chewy, and flavorful Oatmeal Cookies — enjoy these cookies as is, or read on to add in raisins, nuts, and/or chocolate chips!
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Cookies

Rhubarb and Raspberry Pie With Oatmeal Crumble

Rhubarb and Raspberry Pie With Oatmeal Crumble from foodiecrush.com on foodiecrush.com
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

This rhubarb and raspberry pie is brimming with sweet-tart fruit and topped with an irresistible brown sugar oatmeal crumble.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb and Raspberry Pie With Oatmeal Crumble

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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