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If You’re Under 60, There’s No Way You’ll Ace This Retro Dessert Quiz

Are you too young to pass this quiz?

28 comments

Retro Desserts Quiz

Desserts have always been the grand finale of a meal—the sweet reward after a long day. But have you ever noticed how some classic desserts have all but disappeared from menus? Once upon a time, Jell-O salads were a dinner party staple, trifle was a Christmas must-have, and icebox cakes were the no-bake miracle of the summer. If you're the kind of person who gets nostalgic over a well-made figgy pudding or a perfectly layered Charlotte Russe, you're in for a treat with this quiz.

But wait—before you start, let's take a stroll down memory lane and explore some of these legendary desserts.

Why Did Some Desserts Go Extinct?

Every generation has its own dessert trends. While today's world is obsessed with molten lava cakes, cronuts, and matcha-flavored everything, previous decades had their own obsessions. Some of these sweets disappeared because they fell out of fashion, while others simply required too much effort to make in a fast-paced world.

Here are a few reasons why some desserts vanished:

  • Convenience took over: Many retro desserts require homemade custards, gelatin molds, or overnight chilling. Today, people often opt for instant treats over labor-intensive sweets.
  • Changing tastes: Some flavors that were once popular, like fruitcakes soaked in brandy or heavy puddings with suet, aren't as appealing today.
  • Health consciousness: Let's face it—desserts like grasshopper pie (packed with crème de menthe and whipped cream) aren't exactly "healthy." Modern diets often prioritize lighter sweets.
  • They were just... odd: Sorry, but some old-school desserts—like Jell-O salads with shredded carrots—are just bizarre by today's standards.

FAQs About Retro Desserts

Q: What defines a "retro" dessert?
A: Retro desserts are typically those that were popular from the early 1900s to the 1980s but are now rarely seen in mainstream bakeries or restaurants.

Q: Are these desserts still being made today?
A: Some, like trifle and icebox cake, have remained popular. Others, like figgy pudding and Charlotte Russe, are mostly made for nostalgia or holiday traditions.

Q: What's the weirdest retro dessert on this quiz?
A: That depends on your taste! Some would say Jell-O salads, while others might find grasshopper pie's green color suspicious.

Q: Can I make these desserts at home?
A: Absolutely! Most of these desserts have simple recipes available online. If you want to try something fun, start with an icebox cake—it's easy and delicious.

How to Take the Retro Desserts Quiz

Ready to test your knowledge? Here's how it works:

  1. You'll see an image and a description of a dessert.
  2. Pick the correct name from four choices.
  3. If you're right, congrats! If not, don't worry—you'll get an explanation so you can learn something new.
  4. At the end, you'll get a score and a fun result based on how well you did.
  5. Share your score and challenge your friends to see if they can beat you!

Think you've got what it takes to recognize these legendary desserts? Let's find out!

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28 Comments

⚠️ May contain spoilers
  1. 🎖️ 96𝑀𝒶𝒾 𝐿𝓎 unlocked 96 badges
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    𝑀𝒶𝒾 𝐿𝓎 has completed over 200 quizzes in total

    I got 9 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

  2. 🎖️ 24⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Lulu ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ unlocked 24 badges
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    ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Lulu ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ has completed over 50 quizzes in total
    ⋆˖⁺‧...'s Black Cat
    · 3mo ago

    I got 13 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

  3. 🎖️ 74𝕃𝕦𝕟𝕒 𝕄𝕠𝕠𝕟 unlocked 74 badges
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    𝕃𝕦𝕟𝕒 𝕄𝕠𝕠𝕟 has completed over 200 quizzes in total
    Luna's Fawn Cat
    · 3mo ago

    I got 12 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

  4. 2🥉
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    The Hydroxymitragynine Kid
    · 3mo ago

    7 out of 18, oh boy. It’s nice, they show the right answer.

  5. Emily
    · 6mo ago

    I got 12 out of 18!

    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

  6. 🎖️ 188desert andy unlocked 188 badges
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    Money Jr
    · 7mo ago

    I got 12 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

    I’m glad these desserts aren’t around any more — yuck!

  7. 🎖️ 65Dreamcatcher2302 unlocked 65 badges
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    Dreamcatcher2302 has completed over 200 quizzes in total
    Victoria's Black Cat
    · 8mo ago

    I got 5 out of 18!
    You might not be a dessert connoisseur yet, but your curiosity is a great first step! Keep discovering these classic sweets, and soon enough, you’ll be a master of nostalgic treats.

    I mean…i am 12 so i simply guessed on everything

  8. Jeannie Boothman unlocked Premium 🎖️ 63Jeannie Boothman unlocked 63 badges
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    first_name's German Shepherd
    · 10mo ago

    I got 14 out of 18!
    You’re a true dessert historian! Your knowledge of retro treats is top-tier, and you could easily impress guests with your baking and trivia skills. Keep indulging in these classic confections, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something sweet!

  9. Notquitekira unlocked Premium
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    Notquitekira has completed over 1000 quizzes in total
    · 11mo ago

    I got 16 out of 18!

    You’re a true dessert historian! Your knowledge of retro treats is top-tier, and you could easily impress guests with your baking and trivia skills. Keep indulging in these classic confections, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something sweet!

  10. PoetPicasso
    · 11mo ago

    It’s actually kind of hilarious that i got such a good score on this quiz, I’ve just turned 23 and the only reason i know so many of these desserts is because i watch The Great British Bake Off at home

  11. 🎖️ 28bunnimeio unlocked 28 badges
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    Ali's Black Cat
    · 1y ago

    I got 9 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

    some of these are sooo weird lmaoo

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    · 1y ago

    I got 13 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

    Actually I guessed on most of them. Some of these actually sound disgusting!

  13. 🎖️ 279Bill unlocked 279 badges
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    Bill has completed over 1000 quizzes in total
    · 1y ago

    8/18

  14. 🎖️ 968spiritguides unlocked 96 badges
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    · 1y ago

    I got 12 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

  15. 🎖️ 174Nick Hirst unlocked 174 badges
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    · 1y ago

    I got 14 out of 18!
    Not bad for someone who never eats desserts and who has not heard of most of these. Also, I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone in their right mind would wnat to put any of these into their mouth!

  16. bewitchingomen unlocked Premium 🎖️ 314bewitchingomen unlocked 314 badges
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    Blossom
    · 1y ago

    I got 14 out of 18!
    You’re a true dessert historian! Your knowledge of retro treats is top-tier, and you could easily impress guests with your baking and trivia skills. Keep indulging in these classic confections, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something sweet!

  17. RMT
    · 1y ago

    12/18 Some of these dishes I have never seen. but have heard of. There are some I wouldn’t eat for any reason. There are a couple I would like to try now. Just have to find the recipe.

  18. Leo Proctor
    · 1y ago

    I got 12 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

    Mostly guesses

    (Edited)

  19. 🎖️ 400MARK MORRALL unlocked 400 badges
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    FELICIA
    · 1y ago

    I got 16 out of 18 – 88%
    You’re a true dessert historian! Your knowledge of retro treats is top-tier, and you could easily impress guests with your baking and trivia skills. Keep indulging in these classic confections, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something sweet!

    12 / 6 / 25

  20. 🎖️ 91Melinda unlocked 91 badges
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    · 1y ago

    14/18

  21. 🎖️ 20COWEEEEN unlocked 20 badges
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    Corrine's Poodle
    · 1y ago

    You got 10 out of 18!
    55%!
    Not bad for someone who’s 12

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    yvonnelawre...'s Labrador
    · 1y ago

    11/18 Mostly American puddings yet again nothing like what we ate in U.K. Figgy pudding ver old not in my era, we have Xmas pudding which is much darker richer with more fruit. And banana upside down cake nothing like what I used to make, ours is sponge cake with pineapple and cherries on, some similarities but thats where it ends.

    • 🎖️ 143Yvonne unlocked 143 badges
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      Suki
      · 1y ago

      15/18. Australian but more familiar with UK puddings than US. Able to name some by eliminating what I knew they weren’t. And we don’t consider figgy pudding Xmas pudding either. I never made blancmange with condensed milk either, pineapple upside down cake had cherries, and figgy pudding doesn’t always have figs. My mum made great trifles, she always had sherry for them (her 5 o’clock tipple). The US fruit salady with cream or jello (we call it jelly) don’t appeal at all.

  23. 🎖️ 168vienna unlocked 168 badges
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    vienna has completed over 500 quizzes in total
    vienna's Cat with Socks
    · 1y ago

    I got 8 out of 18!
    You might not be a dessert connoisseur yet, but your curiosity is a great first step! Keep discovering these classic sweets, and soon enough, you’ll be a master of nostalgic treats.

  24. Lisa
    · 1y ago

    You got 12 out of 18!
    Great work! You have a solid grasp of vintage desserts, and your appreciation for sweet traditions shines through. A little more exploration, and you’ll be a retro dessert expert in no time!

  25. 🎖️ 173WILD BILL unlocked 173 badges
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    · 1y ago

    7/18 👍🏻

  26. 🎖️ 85Agnetha unlocked 85 badges
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    Agnetha's White Cat
    · 1y ago

    15/18.

  27. Kira Callaghan
    · 1y ago

    18/18
    You’re a true dessert historian! Your knowledge of retro treats is top-tier, and you could easily impress guests with your baking and trivia skills. Keep indulging in these classic confections, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something sweet!


Retro Desserts Quiz Questions

What is this fruity dessert?

Retro Desserts Quiz Pineapple upside down cake
  • Pineapple shortcake

  • Pineapple upside-down cake

  • Piña colada cake

  • Burnt rum cake

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