20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (2024)

If you have a serious sweet tooth, you know there's nothing more disappointing than a dessert fail. That's why we put together this collection of dessert ideas that always work — so you'll never waste time or ingredients on a so-so recipe again. From foolproof cakes and cookies to infallible pies and cobblers, you'll find a new go-to in this collection of top-rated treats that always turn out exactly as planned.

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Mrs. Sigg's Snickerdoodles

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (1)

You can't go wrong with these famous cinnamon-sugar cookies. With more than 7,000 reviews, this crowd-pleasing snickerdoodle recipe has a perfect 5-star rating.

  • Our 21 Best Cookie Recipes of All Time

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Best Brownies

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (2)

"These brownies always turn out," according to recipe creator Angie. A 5-ingredient chocolate frosting takes this foolproof dessert over the top.

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One Bowl Chocolate Cake III

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (3)

The batter for this basic chocolate cake recipe comes together in just one bowl, so cleanup couldn't be easier. "One of the best cake recipes you're ever going to find," raves reviewer NJONG.

  • 15 One-Bowl Cake Recipes to Make Quickly and Easily

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Aunt Teen's Creamy Chocolate Fudge

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (4)

Everyone needs a tried-and-true chocolate fudge recipe in their arsenal. This irresistible fudge, which has more than 2,000 rave reviews, is easy to whip up in about half an hour.

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Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (5)

This fresh peach cobbler, with a cinnamon-sugar topping, is a sweet Southern favorite. "This is the best cobbler I have tasted," according to 5-star reviewer Mike Schoenbacher.

  • 30 Fresh Fruit Dessert Recipes You'll Want to Make All Summer Long

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Five Minute Ice Cream

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (6)

You can use any frozen fruit you have on hand to make this 5-minute, 3-ingredient ice cream. To prepare it, just blend your chosen fruit with heavy cream and sugar.

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Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (7)

This old-fashioned apple pie has almost 15,000 rave reviews from happy home cooks. "It will always be my favorite and has won me several first place prizes in local competitions," says recipe creator MOSHASMAMA.

  • 15 Classic Grandma Desserts You'll Love to Make and Share

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Too Much Chocolate Cake

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This decadent chocolate cake starts with two convenient ingredients: a box of devil's food cake mix and a package of instant chocolate pudding mix.

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Chantal's New York Cheesecake

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (9)

This simple cheesecake tastes just like the ones you'll find in New York City delis. "I don't want to be rude, but this is the deal: This is a perfect recipe, and if it fails for you, it's your fault, not the recipe's," says reviewer Morena.

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The Best Lemon Bars

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (10)

Citrus lovers won't be able to get enough of these fresh and fruity lemon bars. "Excellent, everything a true lemon bar should be," according to reviewer MommyFromSeattle. "Buttery, tender and tart."

  • Pucker Up for Our 21 Best Lemon Desserts

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Almost 18,000 reviewers agree: These chocolate chip cookies are absolutely delicious. Reviewer ANGELFROMHEAVEN says they're "crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside."

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The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

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"Whenever you make these cookies for someone, be sure to bring along several copies of the recipe," warns recipe creator J. Saunders. You will be asked for it, I promise."

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Coconut Macaroons III

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You need just five ingredients (coconut flakes, all-purpose flour, salt, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract) to make these top-rated cookies.

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Chocolate Trifle

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Brownies are layered with chocolate pudding and homemade whipped cream. Even the pickiest dinner guests will be impressed by this show-stopping dessert.

  • 50 Fancy Desserts That You Can Make at Home

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Creamy Rice Pudding

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This classic rice pudding recipe, which has almost 5,000 perfect reviews from the Allrecipes community, is ready to serve in just 45 minutes.

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Banana Pudding IV

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (16)

Who doesn't love classic banana pudding? This quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing recipe is a breeze to make in your trusty 9x13 pan.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake III

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (17)

Make this dense pound cake with just six ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen: a block of cream cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract.

  • 15 Luscious Cream Cheese Desserts That Aren't Straight Up Cheesecake

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Big Soft Ginger Cookies

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These top-rated ginger cookies are perfect for the holiday season, but you'll want to serve them all year long. "If I could have rated these 10 stars, I would have," says reviewer StephanieM.

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Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

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These gorgeous Italian cookies are easier to make than you think. Serve them with coffee for a sweet mid-morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

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Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

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20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (20)

There are few desserts more comforting than basic peanut butter cookies. With more than 4,000 glowing reviews, this recipe is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

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More Inspiration

20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (21)

Try one of Our Favorite Dinner Recipes That Always Work. Plus, explore our entire collections of Hall of Fame Recipes and Dessert Recipes.

  • Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Easy Tuna Casserole
20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work (2024)

FAQs

What is one of the most difficult desserts to make? ›

How to Make the World's Most Difficult Cakes
  1. Macarons. These coloured mites are the treat célèbre of the moment. ...
  2. Baked Alaska. A sponge cake base, topped with ice-cream and then coated with meringue, all of which is baked? ...
  3. Chocolate éclairs. ...
  4. Soufflé ...
  5. Croquembouche. ...
  6. Baumkuchen. ...
  7. Baklava.
Apr 18, 2024

What are the 12 types of desserts? ›

This desserts word list is perfect for any sweet tooth to get recipe ideas!
  • almond cookie. ambrosia. angel food cake. ...
  • baked Alaska. baked apple. baklava. ...
  • cake. cannoli. caramel apple. ...
  • Danish pastry. dessert. devil's food cake. ...
  • eclair.
  • flan. fortune cookie. French toast. ...
  • gelatin. gelato. gingerbread. ...
  • honey. hot-fudge sundae.

What is America's most popular dessert? ›

Ice cream is America's favorite dessert and is a key driver of the frozen food category.

What is the number 1 sweet in the world? ›

1) Cream Brulee (FRANCE) -

What is the world's oldest dessert? ›

Ashure (Noah's Pudding) is thought to be the oldest dessert in the world, first made by Noah after his fabled landfall at Mt Ararat. It is a delightful mix of dried fruit, nuts, grains and beans (yes, beans!) made in Turkey and all over the Middle East. Give it a try - you'll be glad you did!

What is the number 1 dessert in France? ›

1. Crème brûlée. This custard based dessert is topped with a layer of crunchy caramel. The dessert is popular all over the world, but it originated in France, making it a must-try for anyone who's traveling through.

What is the unhealthiest dessert? ›

Today, the average restaurant serves desserts that are heavily laden with saturated fat and sugar and that range between 800 to 1500 calories
  • Cheesecake.
  • Carrot cake.
  • Banana split.
  • Molten lava cakes.
Feb 17, 2016

What desserts are trending in 2024? ›

Most Popular Desserts
  • Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars (with Pecans) - Miss in the Kitchen. Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars (with Pecans) - Miss in the Kitchen. ...
  • Berry Icebox Cake. Berry Icebox Cake. ...
  • Streusel Topped Raspberry Squares - SO Easy! - That Skinny Chick Can Bake. ...
  • No Bake Oreo Cheesecake. No Bake Oreo Cheesecake.

What is America's dessert? ›

Homemade apple pie

There might be some European variations, but we all know that saying, "as American as apple pie". Try our classic Bramley apple pie with homemade shortcrust pastry.

What is the simplest dessert? ›

The simplest dessert and one of the best are fruits because they are nutritious, appetizing, and easy to prepare and serve. Baked and soft custards vary in so many ways. Creamy, delicate, baked custards may be served in their baking cups or may be unmolded and served with fruit garnishes or with dessert sauces.

What is the easiest thing to bake? ›

All Easy Baking Ideas
  • Banana Bread. Recipe | Courtesy of Mary Sue Milliken|Susan Feniger. ...
  • Sugar Cookies. Recipe | Courtesy of Alton Brown. ...
  • Crispy-Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies. Recipe | Courtesy of Food Network Kitchen. ...
  • Twice-Baked Potatoes. ...
  • Banana Walnut Bread. ...
  • Shortbread Cookies. ...
  • Banana Bread. ...
  • Classic Deviled Eggs.

What are the three most popular desserts? ›

According to Grubhub's "2022 Delivered" report, the top 10 dessert orders in the United States were, in order of popularity: tiramisu, baklava, cookies, cheesecake, brownie, churros, cannoli, carrot cake, chocolate cake and flan.

What are the five most popular desserts? ›

The Number 1 Most Popular Desserts in America are Chocolate Chip Cookies!
  • Carrot Cake.
  • Milkshakes.
  • S'mores.
  • Cheesecake.
  • Ice Cream.
  • Apple Pie.
  • Fudge.
  • Brownies.
Jun 7, 2022

What are the 3 major types of desserts? ›

Dessert Categories
  • Cakes are sweet and tender bread made from flour and sugar. ...
  • Small cakes and pastries have become popular, especially cupcakes, cookies, and biscuits. ...
  • Confection, more commonly known as candy or sweets, is made from sugar heated into crystals.

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