Childhood Desserts You Forgot Existed

If there's one great thing about being an adult, it's that (theoretically) you can eat dessert whenever you want. If you want to skip a healthy dinner and eat nothing but cake and brownies, no one is around to tell you no. The bad thing about being an adult is that it's easy to forget just how satisfying certain desserts can be, like these ones from your childhood that you totally forgot existed.

Snickerdoodles are a nostalgic classic, reminding us of school lunchboxes and the holidays. For a little twist, add a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg; it's one of those unexpected ingredients that make cookies better.

For the Best Snickerdoodles recipe, click here.

Ants on a log fall somewhere between snack and dessert, but this healthy, delicious treat is among those vintage dishes that needs to come back.

For the Ants on a Log recipe, click here.

Nothing is more fun than Funfetti cake. You know the one: classic white vanilla cake with sprinkles mixed in throughout the batter. This is just one of those better-than-box cake recipes.

For the Funfetti Mug Cake recipe, click here.

Typically a recipe for Christmastime, gingersnaps are full of nostalgic. This great recipe is easy to make any time of year.

For the Easy Gingersnaps recipe, click here.

Peanut butter is a versatile ingredient that never goes out of style, and this recipe has a double dose.

For the Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies, click here.

One of those dishes you'll only find in the South, this sheet cake recipe just might be the perfect cake.

For the Texas Sheet Cake recipe, click here.

Dirt cake is a child's dream come true. It mixes together pudding, store-bought cookies and gummy worms for the ultimate sweet dessert. Even as an adult, you'll appreciate the particular charms of this cake.

For the Dirt Cake recipe, click here.

One of those cooking hacks grandma knew was to never let good ingredients go to waste. Those overripe bananas could turn into a phenomenal desserts.

For the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe, click here.

Nothing says convenience like a Pop-Tart. Whether you ate them as a quick breakfast on your way to school or as an after-school snack, these toaster pastries made up a significant portion of many childhood diets, and you can make your own version. 

For the Homemade Pop Tarts recipe, click here.

Sure, you can just head to the grocery store and buy some gummies, but if you're looking for a fun, family-friendly activity, making gummy bears (or worms or cherries or rings), is time well spent.

For the Homemade Gummy Bears recipe, click here.

You don't have to go all the way to the best ice cream shop in your state for a treat. Luckily, a banana split is super easy to make at home.

For the Banana Split recipe, click here.

Caramel, chocolate and pecans brinc inspiration from some of your favorite candy bars to these easy homemade treats. If you want an easy baking hack, use store-bought vanilla cookies as your base.

For the Candy Bar Cookies recipe, click here.

One of the most iconic breakfast foods in America, cinnamon rolls are best when eaten right out of the oven and make a great snack when that midday slump hits.

For the Cinnamon Rolls Stuffed with Cookie Dough recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a reason to eat chocolate every day, well, here's one. This deliciously old-fashioned chocolate peanut butter ice box cake will fulfill any sweet craving, and it's particularly useful for those dog days of summer.

For the Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake recipe, click here.

If you miss when trail mix was a sugary treat instead of a healthy snack, this peanut butter lovers trail mix recipe is for you. Portion it out into little plastic baggies for an easy meal prep hack.

For the Peanut Butter Lovers Trail Mix recipe, click here.

French toast sticks were the highlight of any meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Relive those school days with this easy recipe you can make ahead and freeze.

For the French Toast Sticks recipe, click here.

Using pantry staples and refrigerated pie crust, this easy dish is ready for eating in just half an hour.

For the Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters recipe, click here.

Jell-O Molds are one of those vintage snacks primed for a comeback. Even if you haven't had it in years, this dessert is still a crowd pleaser.

For the Orange Creamsicle Jell-O Mold recipe, click here.

There are some nostalgic cereals we miss, but luckily, we can still make this nostalgic cereal dessert. All you need is crisp rice cereal, butter and marshmallows for a lunchbox treat that holds up after all these years. 

For the Rice Krispie Treats recipe, click here.

A classic of mothers' kitchens and the best diners everywhere, rice pudding is a dessert that's almost a meal in and of itself. Spices like cinnamon help to make this the ultimate comfort food.

For the Horchata Rice Pudding recipe, click here.

Typically found on Midwestern Christmas menus, spritz cookies are pint-sized and the perfect little sweet bite after a hearty meal.]

For the Spritz Cookies recipe, click here.

A past winner of the Pillsburgy Bake-Off, this is an easy make-ahead recipe perfect for a day in the kitchen with kids.

For the Ice Cream Cookie Cups recipe, click here.

Known as the cake that saved the Bundt pan, the Tunnel of Fudge cake is rich, fudgey and perfect for any chocolate fan.

For the Tunnel of Fudge Cake recipe, click here.

Also known as Muddy Buddies, Puppy Chow may be one of those childhood foods you can only find in the Midwest. Regardless, this mixture of Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar is endlessly snackable.

For the Puppy Chow recipe, click here.

A pull-apart bread that's great for breakfast or dessert, monkey bread is perfect for sharing and pairs wonderfully with these other retro recipes no one makes anymore (but should).

For the Instant Pot Monkey Bread recipe, click here.

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