14 Nostalgic Desserts That Will Take You Back

While growing up there were certain snacks and desserts that connect with different times of life. Peanut butter cookies, which were the best on school hot lunch days, rice crispy treats that you still loved even after you grew out of trick-or-treating, and vanilla-flavored anything. The '90s were filled with so many iconic treats, which makes these recipes for grown-up versions what you need to make when the craving hits.

01
Chocolate Nut Clusters
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Chocolate Nut Clusters

Our local candy shop was a must stop on the way home from school for a bag of nut clusters. Make your own chocolate candies thanks to your slow cooker.

02
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

The '90s were slightly obsessed with vanilla from flavored sodas to lip glosses. Bring the flavor to your freezer with homemade double vanilla ice cream. Using DairyPure whole milk makes the ice cream so rich.

03
Yellow Cake Mix Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Yellow Cake Mix Cookies

When you realized you could use cake mix for making cookies? Mind blown. They pair so perfectly with a cold glass of milk.

04
Homemade Fudge
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Homemade Fudge

My grandma used to make homemade fudge but she'd adjust it to fit whatever time of year it was by adding chopped candy canes or shredded orange peels. Master this simple recipe and you'll always have something delicious to share with friends.

05
Apple-Cranberry Hand Pies
POPSUGAR Studios

Apple-Cranberry Hand Pies

It wasn't often, but when we hit a fast-food restaurant, all I wanted were those salty-sweet mini pies for dessert. Make a grown-up version that you'll fall in love with.

06
Peanut Butter Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Peanut Butter Cookies

When the scent of peanut butter cookies wafted down the hallways, everyone lined up for hot lunch at our high school. We didn't even care if it wasn't the cool-kid thing to do.

07
Puppy Chow
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Puppy Chow

Though it may mainly be considered a holiday treat, don't you agree puppy chow should be an acceptable dessert snack all year round? I think yes.

08
Pecan Pie
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pecan Pie

Traditional pecan pie is in and of itself one of those classic desserts that had a dominant place at any Thanksgiving or Christmas spreads. Go ahead — bake up a pie.

09
Marshmallow Ice Cream Sandwiches
POPSUGAR Studios

Marshmallow Ice Cream Sandwiches

These goodies combine several of my childhood favorites. Marshmallow treats used for making ice cream sandwiches? So delicious.

10
Apple Pie
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Apple Pie

Because, apple pie.

11
Homemade Hostess Cupcakes
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Homemade Hostess Cupcakes

I used to ride my bike to the corner gas station with the loose change I could find around my house to pick up a packet of these chocolate goodies. Bake up a batch of the grown-up version for serious dessert nostalgia.

12
Smore's Brownies
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Smore's Brownies

S'mores are always popular but they seemed to be the thing during the '90s. Make your next batch of brownies even better with this indulgent mashup recipe.

13
Chocolate Frosty
POPSUGAR Studios

Chocolate Frosty

Everyone had their favorite ice cream shop that made the best shakes and malts while growing up. Re-create the flavor with this knock-off recipe.

14
Funfetti Blondies
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Funfetti Blondies

At any birthday party or potluck, the brownie table was usually filled with the same basic bar, but blondies were an unexpected addition. Add funfetti and you have a major throwback dessert.

More from DairyPure