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60 Throwback Recipes That’ll Make You Nostalgic

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Chapel Hill chapter.

Remember the days of school field trips and lunchables, when Miley Cyrus was still Hannah Montana and tamagotchis were the coolest toy ever (tbh, they still are)? Since time travel hasn’t been invented yet, we’re doing the next best thing: recreating our favorite childhood foods. Feel free to pair these with an epic marathon of Kim Possible.

1. Dunkaroo Dip

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Photo by Aarthi Chezian

Why would they discontinue the greatest thing ever: cookies and icing? It’s okay, though, because you can just recreate the recipe here.

2. Grilled Cheese

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Photo by Kylie Kinder

Cheese on cheese on cheese. Proof that dreams do come true. Do it here.

3. Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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Photo by Morgan Goldberg

Make these chocolate covered strawberries using this recipe. It’s the best way to get fruit in your diet.

4. Pizzadilla

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Photo by Trissa Gurney

Pizzadilla: a pizza-quesadilla hybrid and the answer to all of your problems. Make it here.

5. Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

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Photo by Daniel Schuleman

This is exactly what your inner child would order at a 5-start restaurant. Make your dreams come true here.

6. Girl Scout Cookie Truffles

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Photo by Morgan Weinstein

Girl Scout cookies just got better. Make it here.

7. Candy Jar Brownies

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Photo by Lara Schwieger

Candy and brownies? Why didn’t I think of this earlier? Make it here.

8. Twinkies

Memorize this recipe — you know, just in case twinkies get discontinued again.

9. Ham and Cheese Lunchable

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Photo by Lily Lou

This recipe is so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you ever spent two bucks for crackers, ham, and cheese. Make it here.

10. Macaroni and Cheese

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Photo by Daniel Schuleman

Use shell pasta to capture the extra cheesy goodness. Make it here.

11. Ants on a Log

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Photo by Haley Durham

This is the snack that all the cool, but slightly health-conscious, kids ate. Make it here.

12. Cinnamon Sugar Pop-Tarts

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Photo by Kendra Valkema

Soooo much better than the real thing. So much. Try it here.

13. Epic Chocolate Pancakes

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Photo by Lucy Rubin

New tradition: dessert for breakfast. Start making it here.

14. Banana Pancakes

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Photo by Zoe Zaiss

Don’t let the paleo diet stop you from eating pancakes. Make it here.

15. Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispy Treats

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Photo by Phoebe Melnick

Hey, this can be breakfast, right? Recipe here.

16. Lunchables Pizza

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Photo by Katherine Baker

Lunchables without the weird ingredient label. Make it here.

17. Samoas

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Photo by Daniel Schuleman

No need to wait until Girl Scout season anymore. Just make it yourself here.

18. Yogurt Dipping Dots

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Photo by Daniel Schuleman

Because sometimes eating yogurt out of its container gets boring. Recipe here.

19. Cinnamon Sugar-Coated Grilled Cheese

We would gladly have this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make it here.

20. PB&J Stuffed French Toast

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Photo by Alex Vu

Three throwback foods in one recipe. You deserve this. Make it here.

21. Funfetti Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Photo by Izzi Clark

Funfetti always makes everything more fun. Make them here.

22. Chicken Nuggets

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Photo by Daniel Schuleman

Stop going to Chick-fil-a and make healthier and cheaper chicken nuggets at home. Make your dreams come true here.

23. Nachos

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Photo by Katherine Baker

Nachos don’t only have to be eaten during field trips to bowling alleys. Do it here.

24. Chocolate Milk

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Photo by Hannah Lin

Say no to chocolate syrup and DIY a healthier version of your childhood favorite using less processed ingredients. Recipe here.

25. Chex Mix

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Photo by Susanna Tuan

Take control of how many pretzels there are in your Chex Mix by making it yourself. Recipe here.

26. Brookie

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Photo taken by Sarah Teitelman

For those days when you can’t decide between eating a cookie or a brownie. Recipe here.

27. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

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Photo by Vinita Saggurti

Pumpkin puree takes cinnamon and brown sugar to the next level. Recipe here.

28. Vegetable Lasagna

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Photo by Lauren Reilly

Perfect way to get more veggies into your diet, picky eater approved. Bonus points if you watch Garfield while eating this. Recipe here.

29. Puppy Chow

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Photo by Devon Carlson

It’s the perfect snack-dessert hybrid for when you’re looking to treat yourself. Recipe here.

30. Candy Pancakes

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Photo by Alex Furuya

Halloween candy for breakfast? Sign us up. Do it here.

31. Marshmallow Cream Fondue

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Photo by Hannah Giardina

Fun (and definitely true) fact: Justin Bieber was inspired by this recipe when he wrote Boyfriend. Recipe here.

32. Chicken Pot Pie

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Photo Courtesy of Peter Cheng

Please, who needs Marie Callender’s chicken pot pie when you can DIY it for more homemade goodness. Recipe here.

33. Hot Chocolate

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Photo by Alex Tom

Forget about all your worries by watching a Christmas movie and sipping on hot chocolate. Bonus points if you make your hot chocolate better using these variations.

34. Yogurt Popsicles

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Photo by Lily Allen

Minimal prep required, and you can make it in your dorm room. Make it here.

35. Santa Claus Waffles

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Photo by Serena Ajbani

Decorating these waffles is almost as fun as eating them. Recipe here.

36. Slutty Rice Krispy Treats

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Photo by Amanda Shulman

These were the bake sale item that always sold out first. Make them here.

37. Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Photo by Livia Greene

The trick to getting a thin, crispy chocolate chip cookie is freezing them. Bonus: they last forever (okay, not forever, but for a really long time). Recipe here.

38. Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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Photo by Parisa Soraya

Serve it in a bread bowl and savor the warmth of reliving your childhood. Recipe here.

39. Elf Spaghetti

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Photo by Caitlin Wolper

Try it. Your inner child would. Make it here.

40. Sour Patch Kids

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Photo by Morgan Nagy

This recipe is healthier than the store-bought kind, plus it’s chewier and you can customize your own flavors. Get the recipe here.

41. Gingerbread Waffles

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Photo by Serena Ajbani

I CAN SMELL THE CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR. Make these here.

42. Root Beer Float

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Photo by Amanda Gajdosik

Like a root beer float, only with real beer instead. Recipe here.

43. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

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Photo by Megan Prendergast

We stole Krispy Kreme’s secret recipe. Find it here.

44. Chocolate Covered Pretzels

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Photo By Hannah Skiest

Perfect couples don’t exist – Make these here.

45. Sugar Cookies

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Photo by Amanda Shulman

Sugar cookies are the best cookie to decorate and customize. They’re also great for giving as gifts. Recipe here.

46. Popsicles

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Photo by Megan Prendergast

These tasty popsicles are too cool for school. Make them here.

47. Slushie

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Photo by Courtney Lailey

You won’t find this deliciousness at 7-Eleven. Recipe here.

48. Oreos

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Photo by Sophie Maschinot

Pair with a side of warm milk and dunk ’em any way you want to. Recipe here.

49. Cheez-It Crackers

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Photo by Alyssa Rosello

All you need are four ingredients. Recipe here.

50. Cool Ranch Doritos

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Photo by Jenny Georgieva

Don’t skimp on the seasoning. Recipe here.

51. Thin Mints

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Photo by Meghan Morris

Watch out Girl Scouts, you’ve just been one-upped. Recipe here.

52. Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Photo by Sarah Joh

Super filling and delicious – like you needed more proof that cinnamon and sugar were great together. Recipe here.

53. Pineapple S’mores

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

Grab a campfire for this grown up version of s’mores. Recipe here.

54. Frosted Animal Crackers

We give you permission to play with your food. Recipe here.

55. Tagalongs

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Photo by Rae Steinbach

Dark chocolate and sea salt make your childhood tagalongs so much more sophisticated. Make them here.

56. Fruit By The Foot

Just like the ones from your childhood, only with actual fruit. Recipe here.

57. Chocolate Pudding

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Photo by Katherine Baker

Put this in a mason jar and pack it for lunch. You’ll never eat Snack Pack again. Make it here.

58. Cookie Crisp Cereal

It’s so small and cute. And toaster-oven friendly. Recipe here.

59. Cake Batter Milkshake

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Photo by Andrea Kang

If you weren’t sure whether or order a cake or a milkshake, it never hurts to get both. Recipe here.

60. Cup O’ Dirt

Bonus points if you put it into a cute lil’ pot. Make it here.

Lily Lou

Chapel Hill '18