21 Easy Dessert Recipes to make at Home
Anna Alson
September 9, 2025 • 21 recipes
Dessert emergency? 🚨 These 21 recipes are SO easy, you'll have treats faster than you can decide what to watch.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles
These Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles deliver pure, unadulterated indulgence in a single, decadent bite. A velvety smooth center of tangy cream cheese is perfectly balanced by a rich, deep chocolate coating, creating an irresistible contrast in every mouthful. They require absolutely no baking, making them a fantastic make-ahead treat for parties or simply satisfying a sudden chocolate craving.
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Forget the deep fryer—these baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts deliver all the comforting nostalgia of your favorite donut shop, but with a lighter, fluffier texture. Each ring is tender and airy, perfectly coated in a generous, sparkling blanket of sweet spice that melts beautifully on the tongue. We rely on the combination of melted butter and canola oil to ensure these treats stay incredibly soft, making them the ultimate cozy indulgence for any crisp autumn morning.
Sweet Potato Toast with Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter
Elevate your breakfast or light dessert with this surprisingly sophisticated Sweet Potato Toast, featuring a delightful interplay of warm, earthy sweetness and creamy richness. While the sweet potato roasts to a tender base, slices of banana are expertly caramelized in coconut oil until golden brown, creating a soft, buttery counterpoint to the savory base. This layered creation is finished with a generous spread of your favorite peanut butter and a sprinkle of crunchy cacao nibs for a textural pop. This recipe offers a wonderfully balanced bite that satisfies both sweet and savory cravings.
Easy Strawberry Galette
Forget fiddly pie crusts; this Easy Strawberry Galette delivers rustic elegance with minimal effort. We are celebrating the vibrant sweetness of fresh, halved strawberries nestled on flaky, buttery puff pastry, elevated by a bright whisper of fresh orange zest. This free-form tart is wonderfully forgiving, allowing the naturally juicy filling to bubble up gorgeously as it bakes into a golden-brown, crisp-edged delight. It is the perfect versatile centerpiece for any casual gathering or weeknight indulgence.
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Elevate your breakfast or brunch game with these utterly decadent Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls, featuring layers of fluffy, golden dough swirled with warm spice. Each roll is generously smothered in a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting, then crowned with crunchy toasted pecans and a luxurious drizzle of rich caramel sauce. This recipe delivers that coveted balance of soft chewiness and satisfying texture that defines a truly exceptional cinnamon bun. Prepare these the night before, letting them proof in the pan for an easy, ready-to-bake morning treat.
No-Bake Blueberry Delight
The No-Bake Blueberry Delight is the quintessential warm-weather dessert, delivering a cool, creamy experience without ever needing to turn on the oven. This stunning pie features a buttery, crisp graham cracker crust that perfectly contrasts with a luscious, velvety filling bursting with the bright, juicy tang of fresh blueberries. Layered to perfection, this treat offers a delightful interplay of smooth textures and satisfying crunch, making every slice a refreshing indulgence. Since it requires no baking, assemble this beauty the day before to allow the flavors to fully meld and set beautifully in the refrigerator.
Fluffernutter Bars
Take a nostalgic trip back to childhood with these irresistible Fluffernutter Bars, perfectly balancing salty peanut butter with sweet, marshmallowy goodness. These bars feature a satisfyingly crisp shortbread base layered with a rich, creamy peanut butter filling, all crowned with a blanket of fluffy marshmallow cream that bakes up to a lightly golden, gooey top. The contrast between the firm, buttery crust and the airy, smooth topping makes every bite a textural delight. Since they set up beautifully, these are wonderful for packing up and taking to potlucks or picnics.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
These Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies deliver the quintessential holiday spirit in every single bite, pairing rich, buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture with bright, festive flavors. We fold finely chopped, tangy dried cranberries directly into the classic shortbread dough, then infuse the entire cookie with the fragrant zest of fresh oranges for a vibrant lift. The resulting cookie is crisp on the edges yet delightfully tender in the center, making it an elegant addition to any holiday platter. Prepare a double batch as these store beautifully in an airtight container for up to a week.
Maple Glazed Donuts
Sink your teeth into these irresistible Maple Glazed Donuts, delivering that quintessential cozy, comforting flavor that feels like a warm hug. The light, airy interior of these homemade donuts provides the perfect canvas for a sweet, deeply flavored glaze made with pure maple syrup for an authentic taste of autumn. While they require a bit more hands-on time than a no-bake option, the payoff is a truly superior texture that store-bought simply cannot replicate. For the best experience, try glazing these just before serving to ensure that signature sticky-sweet finish.
Soft Iced Gingerbread Cookies
These Soft Iced Gingerbread Cookies strike the perfect balance between warmly spiced and delightfully tender, capturing the essence of the holiday season in every bite. Featuring a potent duo of 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground ginger alongside a full teaspoon of ground cinnamon, these cookies offer a robust flavor profile that pairs beautifully with a smooth, sweet layer of icing. Their soft texture ensures they melt in your mouth rather than crumble, making them a deeply satisfying treat for festive gatherings or quiet afternoons.
Warm Carrot, Ginger & Honey Pudding with Nut Crunch
This comforting pudding elevates humble root vegetables into a sophisticated, warmly spiced treat perfect for a cozy evening. Shredded carrots are tenderly steamed with the bright, zesty kick of fresh ginger, all sweetened naturally with golden honey that permeates every bite. We finish this luscious base with a satisfying textural contrast: a crunchy topping of toasted nuts providing the perfect counterpoint to the soft pudding beneath. For the best flavor infusion, allow this pudding to rest for about 15 minutes after baking before serving warm.
Pumpkin Date Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
This richly spiced Pumpkin Date Cake delivers all the cozy, comforting flavors of autumn in one decadent slice. Sweet, plump dates are folded into a moist, tender crumb infused with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a naturally sweet base that requires minimal added sugar. The crowning glory is a luscious, tangy cream cheese icing that perfectly balances the earthy sweetness of the cake. While it requires a bit more attention than a simple drop cookie, the impressive results are well worth the effort for a stunning centerpiece dessert.
Orange, Date and Pistachio Cake
Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this vibrant Orange, Date and Pistachio Cake, a beautifully textured centerpiece that balances bright citrus with deep, satisfying sweetness. This moist cake features the rich chewiness of finely chopped dates folded into a tender crumb, beautifully complemented by the earthy crunch of toasted pistachios and the fragrant zest of fresh orange. While it lands at a medium difficulty, the combination of flavors is truly elevated, offering a sophisticated yet comforting bite perfect for afternoon tea or dessert. For the best flavor infusion, allow this cake to cool completely before slicing; it tastes even better the next day.
Sticky Blueberry and Almond Cake with Vanilla Glaze
This Sticky Blueberry and Almond Cake delivers a wonderfully moist crumb studded with burstingly tender blueberries and the subtle, nutty warmth of toasted almonds. A rich, buttery batter ensures every slice is deeply flavorful, while a sweet vanilla glaze cascades over the top, adding a perfect layer of sugary sheen and a hint of aromatic vanilla bean. While listed as medium difficulty, the straightforward mixing process makes this cake an impressive yet achievable showstopper for any afternoon gathering.
Gingerbread Pudding Cake
Embrace the cozy warmth of the holidays any time of year with this exceptional Gingerbread Pudding Cake, a dessert that delivers two delightful textures in every bite. This cake features a deeply spiced, molasses-rich batter that bakes up to create a tender cake layer cradling a molten, creamy pudding sauce underneath. The magic happens as the pudding separates during baking, leaving you with a beautifully textured, comforting slice perfect for serving warm with a dollop of whipped cream.
S'mores Bars
Capture the magic of a campfire treat without ever leaving your kitchen with these incredible S'mores Bars. This recipe masterfully layers a buttery, oat-spiked cookie base studded with rich chocolate chips, then tops it with a blanket of gooey, golden marshmallows. The technique involves dolloping the remaining cookie dough over the marshmallow layer, ensuring every bite delivers that perfect balance of chewy, crisp, and melted sweetness. These travel beautifully, making them an excellent choice for potlucks or afternoon snacking.
Maple Date Cake with Cinnamon Cream
Warm, comforting flavors take center stage in this Maple Date Cake, a wonderfully moist and naturally sweet centerpiece for any occasion. Tender cake studded with chewy, caramelized dates is beautifully complemented by a billowy, spiced cream, whipped with just the right amount of cinnamon to balance the richness of the maple syrup. While it requires a touch more finesse than some no-bake options, the depth of flavor achieved with simple ingredients makes this baking project truly rewarding.
Sticky Apple & Date Pudding with Cinnamon Cream
Embrace cozy, comforting flavors with this Sticky Apple & Date Pudding, a deeply satisfying bake perfect for a chilly evening. This pudding is loaded with tender, sweet apples and rich, chewy dates, all bound together in a moist cake that soaks up a luscious, buttery caramel sauce. Finish it off with a generous dollop of homemade cinnamon cream for a warm, aromatic contrast to the deep sweetness below. While it requires a bit more attention than some other recipes on this list, the incredible depth of flavor is well worth the effort.
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare to elevate your weekend brunch with these unbelievably decadent Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, the ultimate mashup of two beloved comfort foods. These rolls feature a tender, no-knead dough enriched with the sweet, natural moisture of two perfectly ripe mashed bananas, swirled generously with a warm, gooey cinnamon-sugar filling. The texture is pure magic: soft, pull-apart bread yielding to that sticky, spiced center that makes every bite deeply satisfying. If you have leftover ripe bananas on hand, this recipe transforms them into an unforgettable, centerpiece-worthy breakfast treat.
Strawberry Yogurt Dessert
This Strawberry Yogurt Dessert offers a bright, refreshing escape with its simple layering of tart fruit and creamy dairy. Ripe, sweet strawberries are nestled against a backdrop of smooth, tangy Greek yogurt, which can be enhanced with a subtle sweetness from honey or textural interest from a sprinkle of crunchy granola. It is a gorgeously simple assembly that requires absolutely no oven time, delivering a satisfying, wholesome bite perfect for a last-minute treat. Assemble this dessert in individual glasses for an elegant presentation suitable for any summer gathering.
Mini Lemon Cheesecakes
These Mini Lemon Cheesecakes deliver a bright, tangy punch that perfectly balances the rich, creamy texture of classic cheesecake. A crisp graham cracker crust provides the ideal foundation for a velvety smooth filling infused with fresh lemon zest and juice. Baking these individually in muffin tins makes for beautiful, perfectly portioned treats that are easy to serve without any cutting required.