20 Best Old School Desserts in the UK
Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned dessert? Those sweet treats that have stood the test of time, from school days favorites to classic, timeless puddings that will never go out of fashion.
I’ve lived in the UK for decades and trust me, the British sure know how to cater to a sweet tooth! From cakes and pies to puddings and buns, these guys have a long tradition of baking and making fantastic desserts.
Here are 20 of my favorite all-time classic desserts that hit the sweet spot every time.
1. English Trifle
This layered dessert contains a thin layer of sponge cake, sometimes soaked in sherry or another type of tipple, fresh fruit, English custard, and a layer of luscious whipped cream. Delicious! The ideal after-dinner treat in traditional cities such as Bath.
2. Lardy Cake
A nostalgic baked English dessert, lardy cake is a mix of brown sugar, lard, butter, and fruit, an old-fashioned favorite that showcases traditional British sweet baking at its best.
Try this wonderful cake when visiting Wiltshire, the county where it originated and still tastes the best.
3. Sticky Toffee Pudding
A classic British dessert made up of a delicious date sponge cake covered in a rich toffee sauce, often served with custard or ice cream. It’s the perfect sweet when visiting a dessert-loving English city like Bristol.
4. Scones
Crisp and slightly caramel on the outside, with a tender, buttery-sweet inside, scones are the quintessentially English afternoon treat. Add jam and cream on top, and you’ll be in heaven!
5. Cornflake Tart
This nostalgic dessert was a favorite school-time treat in the 1970s and 1980s. Many of my friends still rave about it today and often make it for a nostalgic taste of childhood days.
6. Bread and Butter Pudding
One of my favorite traditional British recipes, this dessert consists of slices of buttered bread that are scattered with juicy raisins and sprinkled with spices, then covered in custard and baked until perfect.
7. Sally Lunn Bun
With just a hint of citrus zest, these tender buns have a slight sweetness and a unique taste that makes them an all-time classic. Trust me… there’s nothing else like it!
8. Eton Mess
For me, the one dessert that makes me think of English summer is an Eton mess. Chewy meringue, luscious whipped cream, and rich strawberry sauce make it a dreamy dessert that I can’t help but devour in one go!
9. Apple Crumble
Pure winter bliss, English style. Bake apples with a crumbly coating. This dessert has been beloved for over 100 years and is one of my wintertime favorites.
10. Arctic Roll
This famous ice cream cake is made from layers of sponge cake separated by vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce, then rolled up into a tube shape. At Christmas time, it’s always on the table in our house.
11. Bakewell Tart
A subtly sweet English classic, Bakewell tart is made from shortcrust pastry, a rich jam, and frangipane, with a scattering of flaked almonds to seal the deal.
12. Mince Pies
Christmas in the UK wouldn’t be the same without them. Small pastry pies filled with a lusciously sticky fruit and spice mixture (no meat!), baked to perfection, and scattered with a light sugar dusting.
A mince pie is a must if you’re in the UK during the holidays.
13. Chocolate Concrete
Another school canteen favorite in the UK, this classic has been a school staple for decades. It’s essentially a chocolate cake but with extra density. Chocoholics will love it!
14. Jammie Dodgers
One of the most popular British biscuits, Jammie Dodgers, is made from a shortcake with a filling of strawberry or raspberry. Dangerously moreish!
15. Railway Cake
Otherwise known as ‘spotted dog,’ this steamed pudding has been a favorite in England for centuries. My nan used to serve it with creamy custard, and I loved it! Especially with a lovely cup of tea.
16. Scottish Shortbread
It doesn’t get much more satisfying than traditional Scottish shortbread. Crumbly, buttery, and just sweet enough, every bite melts in your mouth.
17. Jam Roly Poly
Created in the 1800s, this traditional British pudding is like a Swiss roll. Steamed or baked and usually served with custard, it’s like pure joy and never fails to put smiles on faces.
18. Treacle Tart
Shortcrust pastry filled with golden syrup, this classic tart is served warm with cream or custard. It’s delightfully English and, when done right, is dessert heaven.
19. Lemon Drizzle Cake
A springtime favorite, this zesty cake is truly mouthwatering. You’ll find it in bakeries and cafes all over England, especially in the warmer months of the year.
20. Banoffee Pie
Invented in the 1960s in East Sussex, banoffee is a mashup of the words banana and toffee. Made from bananas, cream, and a thick toffee sauce, it’s a showcase for indulgent British sweets at their best.
