Remember when desserts were unapologetically decadent and gloriously over-the-top?
The 1970s were the golden age of showstopping sweets that combined convenience with flair.
Pull out your vintage cookbooks and dust off Grandma’s serving dishes because these blast-from-the-past treats aren’t just nostalgic – they’re downright delicious even by today’s standards!
1. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Caramelized pineapple rings and maraschino cherries crown this buttery classic! The magic happens when you flip the cake, revealing that glistening, amber-hued topping.
Originally popular in the 1920s, this dessert reached peak fame during the ’70s when canned pineapple and boxed cake mixes made it accessible to everyone. Serve warm with whipped cream!
2. Fondue Chocolate Fountain
Who could forget the allure of melted chocolate cascading down multiple tiers? Fondue parties defined ’70s entertaining, with guests eagerly dipping strawberries, marshmallows, and pound cake into liquid chocolate heaven.
Though the electric fountains came later, stovetop fondue pots were essential in any fashionable home. Grab some skewers and rediscover this communal sweet sensation!
3. Ambrosia Salad
Heavenly name for a good reason! This cloud-like concoction combines miniature marshmallows, canned mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and shredded coconut folded into whipped cream or Cool Whip.
Grandmothers nationwide claimed it contained all major food groups – fruit, dairy, and… marshmallows? Served in crystal bowls at potlucks everywhere, this sweet “salad” defied all modern nutritional logic yet remains irresistible.
4. Baked Alaska
Fire and ice unite in this theatrical masterpiece! Vanilla ice cream perches atop sponge cake, completely enrobed in toasted meringue – a dessert that seemingly defies physics. Imagine guests’ faces when you parade this flaming showstopper to the table!
Baked Alaska was popular in the 1970s despite being established in the 1800s because of its striking appearance and unexpected temperature disparity. Get your kitchen blowtorch ready for this queen of comebacks!
5. Black Forest Cake
Straight from Germany to American dinner parties! Layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries soaked in kirsch (cherry liqueur) created the ultimate sophisticated dessert.
Chocolate curls adorned the top with dramatic flair. Though intimidating to make, this European import symbolized continental sophistication during the ’70s when international cuisine became fashionable. Share your creation on social media for instant vintage cred!
6. Grasshopper Pie
Minty, boozy, and oh-so-green! This no-bake wonder combines crème de menthe liqueur with chocolate cookie crust for a refreshing yet decadent finale to any meal.
Named after the popular Grasshopper cocktail, this pie’s vibrant green hue perfectly captured the era’s bold color palette. Adults secretly loved that it contained alcohol while kids begged for the virgin version.
Would your dinner guests dare to try this verdant vintage treat?
7. Cherries Jubilee
Flambéed tableside with theatrical flair! Sweet cherries swimming in liqueur, set dramatically aflame, then spooned over vanilla ice cream – pure dinner party magic.
Created for Queen Victoria but perfected in the ’70s when setting food on fire became the height of culinary sophistication. The blue flames and caramelized cherry aroma guaranteed gasps from impressed guests. Bring matches to your next dinner gathering!
8. Jell-O Poke Cake
Technicolor magic in every slice! After baking a white cake, holes were poked all over and liquid Jell-O was poured in, creating vibrant stripes when cut.
Topped with Cool Whip, this dessert exemplified the era’s love affair with convenience foods and bright artificial colors.
Holiday versions featured patriotic red and blue or festive green and red. Have you experienced this psychedelic sweet that tastes like childhood memories?
9. Bananas Foster
New Orleans sophistication meets theatrical presentation! Bananas sautéed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then dramatically flambéed with rum right before serving over vanilla ice cream.
Created at Brennan’s Restaurant in the 1950s but reaching peak popularity during the ’70s when tableside cooking became entertainment. The caramelized banana aroma alone makes this worth reviving! Want to impress dinner guests? Master this fiery finale!
10. Watergate Cake
Scandalously named after the infamous political affair! This pistachio-flavored cake with fluffy “cover-up” frosting contained pudding mix in the batter for incredible moisture.
Legend claims it was called Watergate because it contained so many nuts and was full of lies (ahem, artificial ingredients). Green-tinted and topped with pistachios, this conversation-starting dessert still raises eyebrows and satisfies sweet tooths. Bake one for your next political watch party!
11. Harvey Wallbanger Cake
Boozy baking at its finest! Named after the popular ’70s cocktail, this cake infused orange-vanilla flavor with a hint of Galliano liqueur for sophisticated kick. Made with cake mix, vanilla pudding, and vegetable oil, it exemplified the era’s semi-homemade approach. Dense, moist, and topped with glaze, this grown-up treat turned ordinary dessert into happy hour. Could your book club resist this retro cocktail-inspired confection?
12. Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Vegetables for dessert? Absolutely when they’re grated carrots mixed with warm spices, crushed pineapple, and chopped walnuts! The ’70s health food movement made this cake acceptable for breakfast (it contains vegetables, after all).
Crowned with tangy cream cheese frosting, this dessert convinced a generation they were making nutritious choices while indulging. Sprinkle with carrot decorations for authentic vintage appeal!
13. Tunnel Of Fudge Cake
Chocolate lovers, rejoice!
This Pillsbury Bake-Off winner features a miraculous self-forming fudge center that oozes when sliced – no fancy technique required! Originally made with now-discontinued frosting mix, modern versions use cocoa powder to create that magical molten middle.
The collective gasp when cutting reveals the gooey chocolate center makes this worth the calories! Ready your bundt pan for chocolate glory!
14. Lemon Chiffon Pie
Light as air yet zesty with citrus!
A great summer dessert that doesn’t weigh you down, this cloud-like confection strikes a balance between sweet meringue and tart lemon. Made famous by Betty Crocker’s cookbooks, this pie combined gelatin with beaten egg whites for its signature texture. The pale yellow color and graham cracker crust epitomized sunny ’70s optimism. Garnish with candied lemon peel for extra vintage flair!
15. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Sweet meets salty in this layered delight! Crushed pretzels form a crunchy base, topped with sweetened cream cheese and crowned with strawberry Jell-O studded with fresh berries. Despite the “salad” name, this was definitely dessert.
The contrasting textures and temperatures made it a potluck sensation across America. Modern versions add extra berries for a fresher spin on this conversation-starting classic. Have you tried this quirky combination?
16. Pineapple Carrot Cake
Moist doesn’t begin to describe this fruity twist on carrot cake!
Crushed pineapple adds tropical sweetness and incredible texture to the already-perfect spice cake. Born during the ’70s health food craze, this dessert convinced everyone they were being virtuous while indulging.
Topped with cream cheese frosting and pineapple flowers, it combines two favorite retro cakes into one showstopping dessert. Dust off your tube pan for this comeback classic!
17. Icebox Cake
No baking required for this layered miracle! Chocolate wafer cookies alternated with whipped cream, then refrigerated until the cookies soften into cake-like texture.
Perfect for summer when turning on the oven seemed criminal. The dramatic striped effect when sliced made it appear far more complicated than it was.
Modern versions swap in different cookies and flavored creams, but the vintage chocolate-vanilla combination remains unbeatable!
18. Coconut Cream Pie
Tropical indulgence in every bite! Silky vanilla custard loaded with shredded coconut fills a flaky pie crust, topped with mountains of whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes.
While not invented in the ’70s, this pie reached its zenith during the decade when coconut symbolized exotic luxury. Made from boxed pudding mix or from scratch, this creamy delight transported suburban diners to imaginary tropical shores. Garnish with chocolate curls for extra retro flair!
19. Hummingbird Cake
Southern charm meets tropical flavor! This banana-pineapple spice cake studded with pecans became an overnight sensation when Southern Living published the recipe in 1978. Named for its incredible sweetness (sweet enough to attract hummingbirds!), this dense, moist cake paired perfectly with cream cheese frosting.
Though technically late ’70s, this cake’s legacy continued well into the ’80s. Decorate with edible flowers for authentic vintage presentation!
20. Quiche Lorraine
Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? This savory custard tart with bacon and Swiss cheese defied categorization but perfectly captured ’70s sophistication! Though technically not dessert, no ’70s retrospective would be complete without mentioning this ubiquitous dish.
Served at brunches and dinner parties alike, quiche represented continental flair before “real men don’t eat quiche” temporarily dampened its popularity. The buttery crust and creamy filling deserve their comeback!