FOOD NEWS
Popular Desserts That Flourished During The 1970s
BY Rob Baird
Robert Redford Cake
Also called "Sex in a Pan" and "Better Than Sex cake," this dessert features layers of chocolate crust, cream cheese and whipped topping, pudding, and pecans.
As for its name, actor Robert Redford had massive appeal in the '70s, and this iconic cake became known as "the next best thing" to him at the time, so the name just stuck.
Baked Alaska
A true 1970s showstopper, the Baked Alaska doesn't really come from Alaska. French chef Charles Ranhofer created it in NYC long before it gained traction in the '70s.
Baked Alaska is made up of layers of sponge cake topped with ice cream, encased in a fluffy meringue that is briefly flambéed to create a toasty coating.
Watergate Salad
A 1970s hit, the creamy, pastel-green Watergate salad is a mix of pistachio pudding, mini marshmallows, canned pineapple, and chopped nuts topped with Cool Whip.
Its name's origin is debatable. Some have linked it to the Watergate Hotel (but it was never sold there), while some point to this no-bake treat's connection to the Watergate cake.
Chocolate Fondue
Fondue (a name derived from the French word "fondre") became popular in the 1970s as a fun, communal meal, but the type that shone brightest was chocolate fondue.
It was a symbol of pure decadence at the time. Inspired by Swiss cuisine, this dessert became incredibly trendy for closing out dinner parties throughout the U.S. during the '70s.
Instant Pudding
Only requiring milk and a whisk, instant pudding was first made by a company called My-T-Fine in 1918. In 1936, Jell-O introduced its own version in various flavors.
Another version of the treat, sold by the brand Bird's under the name Angel Delight, was launched in 1967. However, this creamy, airy dessert really got traction in the '70s.