10+ Deserts Recipes to Sweeten Your Day with Easy and Delicious Treats

Dessert recipes add a sweet ending to any meal or just make a random day brighter. Sometimes you want something quick; other times, you might feel like spending a while in the kitchen making something special.

Dessert recipes let you play with different flavors and textures while satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you’re into cookies, cakes, or no-bake treats, there’s something for everyone, no matter your skill or mood.

Ingredients

• Varies by recipe (usually sugar, flour, eggs, butter, chocolate, fruit—nothing wild)

Cooking Instructions

• Follow each recipe’s steps
• Preheat your oven as needed (usually 325°F to 375°F / 165°C to 190°C)
• Mix, bake, chill, or set—just do what the recipe says

1) Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies are the kind of dessert that never disappoints. Soft in the middle, a little crispy on the outside—just how most people like them.

You can whip these up fast with ingredients you probably already have. No dough chilling required, so you get cookies quicker.

Chocolate chips are everywhere in these, giving you a rich, sweet bite each time. Honestly, they’re good for any occasion, or for no reason at all.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
3. Beat butter, both sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl until creamy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each.
5. Gradually stir in the flour mixture.
6. Add chocolate chips and mix.
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
8. Bake 9-11 minutes, until golden.
9. Let cookies cool on the sheet for a couple minutes.

2) Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

These Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars are creamy, tangy, and bursting with fresh blueberries. The crunchy graham cracker crust is a nice bonus.

The lemon cheesecake filling is smooth and bright, and the blueberries add a little pop of sweetness. A crumb topping gives them a bit of crunch.

They’re great as a snack or a simple dessert. Not fussy, but still impressive.

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (for topping)
• 1/4 cup flour (for topping)
• 2 tablespoons butter (for topping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter, then press into a baking pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.
4. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
5. Pour filling over crust, scatter blueberries on top.
6. Mix brown sugar, flour, and butter for crumble, then sprinkle over blueberries.
7. Bake 35-40 minutes, until set. Cool before cutting.

Check out Sally’s Baking Addiction for more details.

3) No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

This no-bake peanut butter pie is ridiculously easy. No oven, no stress—just creamy, peanut buttery goodness on a graham cracker crust.

Cream cheese and powdered sugar make the filling rich and smooth. Whipped topping keeps it light and fluffy.

Chill it for a few hours and it’s ready to slice. I mean, who doesn’t love a dessert that only needs a fridge?

You can find a similar recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 graham cracker crust
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tub non-dairy whipped topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth.
2. Mix in powdered sugar.
3. Gently fold in whipped topping.
4. Pour filling into crust.
5. Chill at least 3 hours (cold, 37°C).
6. Slice and enjoy!

4) Maple Cinnamon Rolls

Maple cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and just a little different from the usual. The dough gets filled with a maple-cinnamon swirl that melts as it bakes.

Topping them with maple cream cheese frosting makes them extra special. These are awesome for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

You can bake a batch ahead and reheat them whenever you want. The maple flavor gives them a cozy twist.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup softened butter
• ½ cup cream cheese
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (for frosting)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yeast with warm milk; let it sit 5 minutes.
2. Combine flour, salt, sugar, egg, melted butter, maple syrup, and milk mixture. Knead into dough.
3. Let dough rise for about an hour.
4. Roll dough into a rectangle, spread with softened butter.
5. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over dough.
6. Roll up, slice into 12 rolls.
7. Place in greased pan, cover, and let rise 30 minutes.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, until golden.
9. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and maple syrup; spread over warm rolls.

5) Strawberry Shortcake with Fresh Cream

Strawberry shortcake is fresh, simple, and always a hit. You get soft biscuits or cake, juicy strawberries, and a big dollop of whipped cream.

Start by macerating strawberries to bring out their sweetness. Then layer them with whipped cream and fluffy shortcakes or even vanilla cake.

Using fresh, ripe strawberries and homemade whipped cream makes a huge difference. For an easy recipe, check out this one.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh strawberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar (for biscuits)
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice strawberries, toss with 1 tablespoon sugar, and let sit 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
3. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
4. Cut in butter until crumbly.
5. Stir in milk just until combined.
6. Drop spoonfuls on baking sheet, bake 12-15 minutes.
7. Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
8. Split biscuits, layer with strawberries and cream.
9. Serve right away.

6) Greek Yogurt Carrot Cake

This Greek yogurt carrot cake is moist, tender, and a little tangy thanks to the yogurt. It’s a fun twist on the usual carrot cake, and the spices bring everything together.

The cream cheese frosting with toasted pecans gives it a rich, nutty finish. The combo of spice, carrot, and creamy topping is just right—not too heavy, but definitely satisfying.

You can find a reliable recipe for this cake at Greek Yogurt Carrot Cake Sheet Cake.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup toasted pecans

For the frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Toasted pecans for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Beat Greek yogurt, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl until smooth.
4. Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold in carrots and pecans.
5. Pour into pan, bake 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool cake completely before frosting.
7. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla.
8. Frost the cake and sprinkle with pecans.

7) Candied Bacon Maple Cupcakes

If you like sweet and salty, these cupcakes are for you. The cake is soft, maple-flavored, and just feels cozy.

Top them with maple buttercream and bits of candied bacon for a wild twist. The bacon adds crunch and smoky flavor that really balances the sweetness.

Making candied bacon is easier than you might think. These cupcakes work for breakfast, dessert, or whenever you want something different.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 slices bacon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (for frosting)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for frosting)
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Sprinkle brown sugar on top and let it cook a little longer to candy the bacon.

3. Let the bacon cool, then chop it up.

4. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.

5. Mix in maple syrup. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the wet mixture.

6. Pour batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes. Let them cool completely.

7. Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and maple syrup gradually.

8. Frost cupcakes and top each with candied bacon pieces.

8) Orange Ricotta Pound Cake

You’ll fall for the soft, moist texture of this orange ricotta pound cake. It’s got fresh orange zest and creamy ricotta, so every bite has a gentle citrus vibe.

The cake feels rich but never heavy. Honestly, you could eat it for breakfast or dessert—no judgment here.

You can make this cake in just one bowl. If you want a bit more excitement, splash in some orange liqueur.

It goes great with strawberries or just a dusting of powdered sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.

4. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in ricotta, orange zest, juice, and liqueur if you’re using it.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

6. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50–60 minutes.

7. Check with a toothpick—when it comes out clean, you’re good.

8. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and let it cool completely.

9) Red, White & Berry Sheet Pan Shortcake

This dessert’s a breeze to make and works perfectly when you’ve got a crowd. You bake a fluffy vanilla biscuit base right on a sheet pan—no fancy cake pans needed.

Top it with strawberries, blueberries, and whatever other berries you’ve got.

Next comes a layer of creamy mascarpone whipped cream. The colors really pop, so it’s ideal for summer parties or holidays.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup chopped strawberries
• 2/3 cup blueberries
• 3 to 4 cups mixed berries for topping
• Mascarpone whipped cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.

3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks crumbly.

4. Add vanilla and stir until dough forms.

5. Press dough evenly into a sheet pan.

6. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden.

7. Let it cool, then spread mascarpone whipped cream on top.

8. Scatter mixed berries over the cream.

9. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

10) Whiskey Vanilla Pudding

Here’s a creamy, smooth pudding with a little whiskey kick. It’s got that familiar vanilla taste, but the whiskey adds a cozy warmth.

As it sets, the pudding turns rich and thick. You don’t need to fuss much—it feels fancy but comes together quickly.

Try bourbon or your favorite whiskey for a twist. Just don’t let the whiskey take over; you want to taste the vanilla too.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons whiskey

Cooking Instructions

1. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).

2. Grab a bowl and toss in the milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, sugar, and whiskey.

3. Mix everything together until it looks smooth.

4. Pour that mixture into your baking dishes.

5. Set the dishes inside a bigger pan, then add hot water so it comes halfway up the sides.

6. Bake for about 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the pudding looks set.

7. Let it cool for a bit. Pop it in the fridge to chill before you serve.

Enjoy your whiskey vanilla pudding—seriously, it’s worth the wait.

Find similar recipes at the Kentucky Bourbon Vanilla Bean Pudding recipe.