14 Desserts That Boomers Remember Growing Up

My boomer mom shared with me the desserts she grew up eating. Since baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, the treats people enjoyed growing up can vary quite a bit depending on when they were born.

These are the ones my mom remembers most fondly, and she still enjoys many of them today. Keep in mind that some of these desserts had been around long before the baby boomer generation, so they aren’t exclusive to boomers. That is the beauty of recipes like these; they live on through multiple generations.

Most of these desserts are still popular today simply because they’re so good. Whatever generation you’re from, how many have you tried?

1. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

My mom’s favorite growing up, and one she still loves, was pineapple upside-down cake. There are plenty of recipes out there, but I found one of the best for you.

It’s been shared on Pinterest nearly half a million times and is made completely from scratch. This version is baked in a cast-iron skillet, creating a rich, caramelized crust that makes every bite irresistible.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

2. Jell-O 1-2-3 Layered Dessert

My mom remembered Jell-O 1-2-3, a boxed dessert mix that separated into three layers all on its own: a creamy top, a fluffy middle, and a fruity gelatin bottom.

It disappeared from grocery store shelves years ago, but I found a copycat recipe that’ll bring back the nostalgia. It may not look exactly like the original, but the flavor and texture are close enough to bring back some good memories.

Get the Recipe: Jell-O 1-2-3 Layered Dessert

3. German Chocolate Cake

The first German Chocolate Cake recipe appeared in a Dallas newspaper in 1956, and by the early 1960s, Baker’s Chocolate was promoting it nationwide.

I didn’t want to feature just any German Chocolate Cake recipe in this post, though. This vintage version, courtesy of Click Americana, includes an early newspaper clipping with the recipe, making it a true nostalgic find.

It’s easy to see why this cake became a boomer-era favorite and why it’s still popular today.

Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Cake

4. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This layered dessert starts with a salty-sweet pretzel crust that’s baked until golden, then topped with a tangy cream cheese layer and finished with strawberry Jell-O studded with fresh berries.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

5. Peanut Butter Blossoms

My mom remembers baking these with her mom around the holidays. They’re still quite popular today and are one of those peanut butter chocolate treats everyone still loves.

By the way, peanut butter blossoms first appeared in the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off and later made their way into Pillsbury cookbooks, which helped establish their fame. The recipe below is from Click Americana, which shared the original cookbook page from 1957.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossoms

6. Orange Fluff Salad

My mom remembers orange fluff salad (and other sweet salads like it) being served as a side or dessert at holidays and potlucks.

This recipe combines Cool Whip with orange Jell-O, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, cottage cheese, and shredded coconut.

Get the Recipe: Orange Fluff Salad

7. Angel Food Cake

This homemade version is light-years beyond anything store-bought and is made with simple ingredients. The secret lies in using the proper whipping technique for the egg whites, ensuring the cake comes out perfectly fluffy.

Get the Recipe: Angel Food Cake

8. Scotcheroos

My mom’s favorite treat as a kid was scotcheroos, and she used to make them for me growing up. These no-bake bars layer Rice Krispies with a sweet peanut butter base, then get topped with melted chocolate and butterscotch chips.

This recipe from The Cookin’ Chicks is my go-to, and it stays very close to the original version that Kellogg’s first printed on the Rice Krispies box in 1965. So if you’re a boomer who grew up with these bars, it probably tastes just like the ones you remember.

Get the Recipe: Scotcheroos

9. Banana Cream Pie

This old-fashioned recipe is made entirely from scratch, with a flaky pie crust, creamy vanilla custard filling, and fresh banana slices. It might take more time than other recipes since it’s made from scratch, but the results are so worth it!

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

10. Homemade Peach Cobbler

This yummy cobbler is made with fresh peach slices coated in brown sugar and spices, topped with drop biscuits. It’s baked until perfectly golden and tastes heavenly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Peach Cobbler

11. Boston Cream Pie

While this dessert dates back to the 1800s, it has remained a favorite among baby boomers and beyond. Every year on her birthday, my mom got to pick her birthday cake and would always choose Boston cream pie.

It’s a classic layer cake filled with creamy vanilla custard and topped with a rich chocolate glaze. With simple, step-by-step directions, this recipe from Food Folks and Fun makes it easy for anyone, even beginners, to bake this delicious cake.

Get the Recipe: Boston Cream Pie

12. 7UP Pound Cake

The fizzy soda creates an incredibly light, citrusy cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Fresh lemon and lime zest amplify the bright flavors, while the carbonation helps create that airy texture that makes this pound cake so special.

Get the Recipe: 7UP Pound Cake

13. Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake dates way back to the 1800’s but was always a popular summer dessert in my mom’s family.

From the whipped cream to the drop biscuits, this mouthwatering strawberry shortcake recipe is made completely from scratch. It’s from one of my favorite food blogs, Vintage Kitchen Notes.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

14. Homemade Banana Pudding

My mom’s grandma was from the South and would always make homemade banana pudding. This delicious recipe layers creamy vanilla custard with vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices, creating that perfect Southern comfort dessert.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Banana Pudding