Russian Food

17 Desserts From the 1970s That Showed Up at Every Gathering

17 Desserts From the 1970s That Showed Up at Every Gathering

Dessert tables in the 1970s had a style all their own, full of simple recipes that were easy to make and even easier to love. These treats were the dependable favorites that appeared at potlucks, holidays, and neighborhood get-togethers. Each one brings back the flavors and textures that defined that era of home baking. With 17 classic desserts to revisit, you can recreate the sweet traditions that families never forgot.

17 Desserts From the 1970s That Showed Up at Every Gathering
Pumpkin Rice Krispies Donuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cherry Cobbler

side view of slice of cherry cobbler with ice cream.
Cherry Cobbler. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cherry Cobbler bakes in about 45 minutes using cherries, sugar, butter, and a simple biscuit-style topping. The ingredients come together quickly for a warm, bubbly dessert straight from the oven. It tastes sweet, fruity, and comforting with a soft golden crust. This recipe feels exactly like the cobblers Grandma carried to every gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cobbler

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 90 minutes with apples, cinnamon, sugar, and flaky pie crust. The ingredients bake into a classic dessert with tender fruit and buttery pastry. It tastes warm, sweet, and wonderfully nostalgic in every slice. This recipe brings back the kind of pies that sat proudly on every holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Passover Matzo Crack Aka Chocolate Matzo Toffee

Close up on matzo crack with marshmallow and pistachio.
Passover Matzo Crack Aka Chocolate Matzo Toffee. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Passover Matzo Crack Aka Chocolate Matzo Toffee is ready in about 20 minutes using matzo, chocolate, butter, and sugar. The ingredients melt together into a crunchy, sweet, and salty treat. It tastes rich and chocolatey with a satisfying crisp texture. This recipe captures the simple, fun desserts families loved to share.
Get the Recipe: Passover Matzo Crack Aka Chocolate Matzo Toffee

Christmas Date Cookies

Side view of three cookies on a dark plate.
Christmas Date Cookies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Christmas Date Cookies bake in about 25 minutes with dates, sugar, butter, and oats. The ingredients create soft, chewy cookies with a sweet, old-fashioned flavor. They taste warm, comforting, and perfect with a cup of coffee. This recipe feels like the kind of treat that always appeared on Grandma’s dessert tray.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Date Cookies

Soft And Chewy Coconut Macaroon Pyramids

4 Coconut macaroons on baking dish.
Soft And Chewy Coconut Macaroon Pyramids. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Soft And Chewy Coconut Macaroon Pyramids are ready in about 30 minutes using coconut, eggs, sugar, and chocolate. The ingredients bake into sweet little pyramids with crisp edges and soft centers. They taste rich, chewy, and lightly toasted in a classic homemade way. This recipe brings back the simple elegance of vintage baking.
Get the Recipe: Soft And Chewy Coconut Macaroon Pyramids

Traditional Russian Blintzes

A plate of crepes with jam and sauce on it.
Traditional Russian Blintzes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Traditional Russian Blintzes take about 40 minutes to prepare with crepes, cheese, eggs, and sugar. The ingredients fold together into tender filled pancakes perfect for dessert. They taste creamy, lightly sweet, and wonderfully comforting. This recipe feels like a beloved treat passed down through generations.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Russian Blintzes

Apple Oatmeal Bars

Three stacked apple crumble bars topped with a fresh apple slice, drizzled with caramel sauce.
Apple Oatmeal Bars. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Apple Oatmeal Bars bake in about 35 minutes with apples, oats, butter, and cinnamon. The ingredients create chewy bars with a warm spiced flavor. They taste sweet, hearty, and perfectly nostalgic for casual gatherings. This recipe is exactly the kind of dessert everyone reached for first.
Get the Recipe: Apple Oatmeal Bars

Pecan Pie Bark

Close-up of pecan pie bark with caramelized pecans on top of graham crackers, arranged on parchment paper.
Pecan Pie Bark. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pecan Pie Bark is ready in about 20 minutes using pecans, sugar, butter, and chocolate. The ingredients cook into a crisp, candy-style dessert with big flavor. It tastes rich, nutty, and wonderfully indulgent. This recipe captures the fun and easy sweets that defined 1970s potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Bark

Gingerbread Loaf

A festive loaf cake topped with icing, rosemary sprigs, and gingerbread men decorations.
Gingerbread Loaf. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Gingerbread Loaf bakes in about 60 minutes with molasses, flour, sugar, and warm spices. The ingredients turn into a moist cake full of classic ginger flavor. It tastes cozy, sweet, and deeply comforting on chilly evenings. This recipe feels like the kind of dessert Grandma kept on the counter.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf

Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches

A baked peach cobbler in a white oval dish, topped with sprigs of fresh herbs, is surrounded by whole and halved peaches and green basil leaves on a dark surface.
Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches is ready in about 50 minutes using peaches, sugar, butter, and a simple batter topping. The ingredients bake into a bubbly, golden dessert perfect for sharing. It tastes sweet, juicy, and wonderfully old-fashioned. This recipe brings back memories of summer gatherings and big family meals.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches

Red, White, and Blue Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Blueberries

A Bundt cake topped with powdered sugar, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries sits on a white plate.
Red, White, and Blue Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Blueberries. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Red, White, and Blue Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Blueberries takes about 25 minutes to assemble using cake, whipped topping, and fresh berries. The ingredients layer together into a light and festive dessert. It tastes airy, fruity, and perfectly sweet for a crowd. This recipe feels like the patriotic treats that appeared at every summer party.
Get the Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Blueberries

Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad

A slice of berry-topped dessert with a pretzel crust, whipped cream, and a strawberry half sits on a white plate. A glass dish with more dessert and a bowl of mixed berries are in the background.
Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad chills for about 3 hours with pretzels, cream cheese, gelatin, and berries. The ingredients create a sweet and salty layered dessert with bright color. It tastes creamy, crunchy, and wonderfully nostalgic. This recipe is a true retro favorite that never went out of style.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad

Peach Dump Cake Recipe (With Yellow Cake Mix!)

A serving of peach cobbler topped with whipped cream on a decorative plate with a spoon.
Peach Dump Cake Recipe (With Yellow Cake Mix!). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Peach Dump Cake Recipe (With Yellow Cake Mix!) bakes in about 45 minutes using canned peaches, cake mix, and butter. The ingredients dump together in one pan for an effortless dessert. It tastes warm, sweet, and perfectly comforting with crisp edges. This recipe shows how easy 1970s desserts were meant to be.
Get the Recipe: Peach Dump Cake Recipe (With Yellow Cake Mix!)

Pumpkin “Better Than Sex” Cake

A square slice of nut-topped cake with icing on a white plate, next to a wooden spoon and blue napkin.
Pumpkin “Better Than Sex” Cake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pumpkin “Better Than Sex” Cake is ready in about 60 minutes with pumpkin, cake mix, caramel, and whipped topping. The ingredients layer into a rich, gooey dessert full of fall flavor. It tastes sweet, creamy, and completely indulgent. This recipe captures the playful spirit of retro dessert tables.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin “Better Than Sex” Cake

Pecan Pie Casserole

A slice of pecan pie topped with whipped cream on a black plate, with a baking dish in the background.
Pecan Pie Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pecan Pie Casserole bakes in about 40 minutes using pecans, brown sugar, butter, and bread cubes. The ingredients create a scoopable dessert with classic pie flavor. It tastes nutty, sweet, and wonderfully comforting. This recipe feels like the simple crowd-pleasers Grandma loved to serve.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Casserole

Slow Cooker Candied Pecans

A glass jar filled with candied pecans, with more pecans on a tray and scattered on a white surface nearby.
Slow Cooker Candied Pecans. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Candied Pecans cook in about 3 hours with pecans, sugar, cinnamon, and butter. The ingredients slowly caramelize into crunchy, sweet bites. They taste rich, warm, and perfectly snackable. This recipe brings back the easy homemade treats of the 1970s.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Candied Pecans

Pumpkin Rice Krispies Donuts

17 Desserts From the 1970s That Showed Up at Every Gathering
Pumpkin Rice Krispies Donuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pumpkin Rice Krispies Donuts are ready in about 20 minutes using cereal, marshmallows, butter, and pumpkin spice. The ingredients press into fun donut shapes with minimal effort. They taste sweet, chewy, and lightly spiced in a playful way. This recipe feels exactly like the creative no-bake desserts everyone loved.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Rice Krispies Donuts

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