16 Retro Desserts That Made 70s Picnics Legendary

byRenee N Gardner posted
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Picnics in the 70s were all about good company, sunshine, and sweet treats that made every gathering feel special. These 16 retro desserts bring that same feeling back with recipes that feel like opening an old family recipe box. Each one captures a piece of that picnic magic with simple steps and plenty of comfort. Grab a seat and see which of these classics will make your next picnic feel just as legendary.

Two servings of strawberry shortcake on a blue background.
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe

Overhead shot of a plate with three cookies next to a wire rack filled with cooling cookies.
Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe brings the taste of sweet cinnamon cookies that turned many 70s picnics into memorable afternoons. These retro desserts are easy to bake, travel well, and taste just as good on a blanket under the sun. Their soft centers and sugary crust remind everyone why simple treats were picnic staples back then. Bring back that picnic magic with every sugary bite.
Get the Recipe: Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe

Bourbon Caramel Popcorn

A blue bowl filled with caramel-coated popcorn sits on a wooden surface, with a few pieces of popcorn beside it. This delicious treat is one of the best movie snacks, perfect for your next movie night.
Bourbon Caramel Popcorn. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Bourbon Caramel Popcorn brings that nostalgic crunch to retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary. Sweet caramel with a hint of bourbon turns basic popcorn into a picnic treat worth remembering. It’s easy to bag up, share, and munch under the sun or stars. Keep it handy for snacking between games of frisbee and lawn chairs chatter.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Caramel Popcorn

Blackberry Crumble Pie

Overhead shot of blackberry crumble pie with one slice on a serving plate.
Blackberry Crumble Pie. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Blackberry Crumble Pie is a perfect throwback for retro desserts that defined 70s picnics everywhere. Fresh blackberries and a buttery crust make this pie easy to slice and serve on a sunny day. It’s the kind of dessert families loved to pack in wicker baskets for outdoor fun. Let this pie be the highlight of your next backyard gathering.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Crumble Pie

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

A pan of freshly baked and frosted apple cinnamon rolls on a dark blue background.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls capture the cozy comfort that made retro desserts shine at 70s picnics. Packed with warm apples and cream cheese frosting, they’re easy to share outdoors with family and friends. These rolls prove that a touch of homemade goodness was the secret behind every legendary picnic spread. Warm them up and let the sweet scent bring back the picnic vibe.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter pecan cookies on a tray drizzled with white chocolate.
Butter Pecan Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butter Pecan Cookies taste just like the retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary. The nutty crunch and soft texture brought families together over checkered blankets. Quick to bake and easy to pack, they fit perfectly into any picnic basket. Watch them disappear as everyone reaches for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Blueberry Ice Cream

An overhead shot of homemade blueberry ice cream in a metal loaf pan next to waffle bowls, spoons, and a cream colored napkin.
Blueberry Ice Cream. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Blueberry Ice Cream is a classic frozen treat that echoes the sweet spirit of retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary. Light, creamy, and bursting with fresh berries, it was a must on hot summer afternoons. Simple to churn up at home and pack in a cooler, it turned every picnic into a special occasion. Serve it in cones and watch everyone smile like it’s 1975 again.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Ice Cream

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Two white ramekins filled with strawberry rhubarb crisp, featuring a golden-brown crumbly topping and vibrant red fruit filling, placed on a striped wooden surface. This fresh and fruity dessert is perfect for a summer vacation treat.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is a sweet-tart classic that anchored retro desserts on 70s picnic spreads. Fresh berries and rhubarb bake into a crumbly topping that’s easy to scoop outdoors. Ready in no time and simple to carry, it checks every box for laid-back park days. Taste it and remember why picnics were worth every ant and sunburn.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Ice Cream Sandwiches with Chocolate Drizzle

Ice cream sandwiches with chocolate drizzle.
Ice Cream Sandwiches with Chocolate Drizzle. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Ice Cream Sandwiches with Chocolate Drizzle were the retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary with every melting bite. Shortbread cookies and creamy ice cream held together the fun. Packed in foil and tucked into picnic baskets, they were a cool treat between games of catch. Pass them around and hear the kids laugh just like decades ago.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwiches with Chocolate Drizzle

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

A butterscotch apple crumble in a cast iron skillet on a wooden cutting board.
Butterscotch Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butterscotch Apple Crisp takes the classic apple dessert and makes it picnic-ready like the retro desserts from 70s summers. Sweet apples with a crumbly top are easy to scoop and share under the shade of a tree. Back then, crisps like these were a favorite for outdoor gatherings. Serve it warm or cold and enjoy every comforting bite.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

A stack of three lemon bars on a plate with more lemon bars in the background.
Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust bring bright citrus cheer that made retro desserts a highlight of 70s picnics. Their zippy filling and crumbly base pack well for outdoor fun. These bars always found a spot next to deviled eggs and potato salad on picnic tables. A square of lemon bar sunshine makes any afternoon feel timeless.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Overhead image of caramel chocolate thumbprint cookies.
Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are the kind of retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary for kids and grown-ups alike. Sweet shortbread and gooey caramel in every bite feel right at home next to sandwiches and lemonade. Easy to make ahead and pop in a tin, they’re picnic-ready in minutes. One bite takes you back to simple sunny days.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Key lime pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with coconut whipped cream and garnished with lime slices.
Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream delivers the bright, tangy flavor that gave retro desserts a place at every 70s picnic. Tart filling and a crumbly crust are simple to slice under blue skies. Families loved packing pies like this for a sweet finish after fried chicken and pasta salad. Cut a slice and feel the carefree vibe roll back in.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes

Pineapple Ice Cream Cake on a white plate next to a pool of sauce.
Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes taste just like the tropical twist that brightened retro desserts at 70s picnics. Cool, creamy layers and pineapple curd were picnic standouts on warm afternoons. Small and easy to serve, they fit perfectly into any cooler or dessert tray. Share one and drift back to vintage summer days.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Ice Cream Cakes

Peach Crumble Bars

A stack of three peach crumble bars on a black plate.
Peach Crumble Bars. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Peach Crumble Bars bring the fruity sweetness that made retro desserts famous at 70s picnics. Layers of juicy peaches and buttery crust are easy to cut, stack, and pass around. Quick to bake with pantry staples, they’re made for grab-and-go fun in the sunshine. A bite of peach bar brings that backyard picnic feeling back instantly.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

White Chocolate Fudge

Four pieces of almond-topped white fudge rest on a cooling rack, with almond pieces scattered around. This treat is sinfully good, perfect for those who love indulgent chocolate recipes.
White Chocolate Fudge. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

White Chocolate Fudge sweetens every blanket spread just like the retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary. Smooth, creamy squares packed in wax paper were passed around while kids chased fireflies. With just a few ingredients, this fudge is quick to whip up before heading out. Cut a square and taste a piece of the good old days.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Fudge

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Two servings of strawberry shortcake on a blue background.
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake is a sweet reminder of retro desserts that made 70s picnics legendary. Juicy strawberries layered over soft biscuits were a must for outdoor feasts. This version is easy to prepare ahead and share on a breezy blanket. Bite in and taste the nostalgia of summers gone by.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

The food-loving recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Renee Nicole's Kitchen. When I'm not working with food, you can find me in the garden, traveling, or enjoying the outdoors with my husband, son, and two dogs.

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