The Most Popular Dessert The Year You Were Born

1978-1982: Hummingbird Cake

If you’re from the South, there’s a good chance you’ve already had the pleasure of eating this deliciously sweet banana-pineapple-pecan cake known for its very delicate name, hummingbird cake. It’s thought to have originated in Jamaica and came over to the US in the 70s. It took off in popularity after a recipe was posted in Southern Living magazine. Get our recipe right here!

1983-1987:Jell-O Pudding Pops

By far, the most popular dessert in the 80s was Jell-O pudding pops. After decades of decadent cakes and innovative dishes like bananas foster and baked Alaska, people were ready for something a little more low-key. Apparently. This dessert could be found in the frozen foods section of every grocery store. However, Jell-O pudding pops were discontinued after being licensed out to Popsicle brand.

1988-1992: Tiramisu

This Italian dessert made waves in the late 80s as it became popular in red family-style Italian restaurants around the US. Tiramisu consists of layers of sponge cake soaked in coffee (and sometimes brandy) with mascarpone cheese, topped with powdered chocolate. It’s no wonder this dessert is still popular today! Get our no-bake tiramisu recipe right here!

1993-1997: Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

This indulgent dessert could be found in all of the upscale, chic restaurants in the 90s. The popular dessert was actually made on accident in 1987. The inventor undercooked a batch of chocolate cupcakes and when they broke open, the warm batter spilled out. It was the best mistake he ever made. Molten lava cake took off once it was put on the menu of an upscale restaurant in New York. Try out chocolate lava cake recipe here!

1998-2002: Cupcakes

While cupcakes were not invented in the 90s, by any means, they skyrocketed in popularity thanks to the enormously popular show, “Sex and the City.” The Magnolia Bakery (featured in the show multiple times) had more business than it knew what to do with. The cupcake craze hit hard with entire stores dedicated to making just the one dessert, and even shows like “Cupcake Wars” helped the trend stay strong well into the 2000s. Get our salted caramel cupcake recipe here!

2003-2007: Frappucinos

This blended beverage is basically a coffee milkshake, and we love it because it’s a socially acceptable way to have ice cream on our way to work in the morning. The frappucino was actually invented by Starbucks in 1995, but it wasn’t until 2002 that the coffee titan introduced non-coffee versions like the vanilla bean frappucino or the strawberries and cream frappucino. The rest is history.