Get ready for desserts that are simple, fun, and hard to resist! These 39 must-make ideas are perfect for National Dessert Day and any day you want something sweet. From gooey chocolate treats to fruity favorites, there is something here for everyone. These recipes are easy to make, easy to share, and guaranteed to satisfy a sweet craving without a lot of fuss.
Homemade Ice Cream Cake. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chewy Lemon Cookies
Bake soft, chewy cookies packed with bright lemon flavor that pops in every bite, giving a fresh and lively dessert for any table. The sweet and tangy balance makes these cookies satisfying to share or enjoy alone without feeling heavy. They’re perfect for a day dedicated to treats that bring a little brightness to everyone.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Cookies
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
A warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie baked in a skillet offers a personal and comforting dessert with minimal effort. It comes together quickly with just a few ingredients, making it ideal for sharing or enjoying on your own. This mini skillet cookie works well for a day focused on simple, sweet indulgences that everyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Chocolate and Caramel Tart
A buttery crust topped with smooth chocolate and gooey caramel makes a tart that feels special without taking hours to prepare. Its rich flavor and elegant appearance make it a dessert that impresses without stress. This chocolate and caramel tart is perfect for a day meant to celebrate delicious, fuss-free sweets.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate and Caramel Tart
Chocolate Fondue
Melted chocolate transforms into a creamy dip that pairs perfectly with fruit, cookies, or pretzels for a fun dessert. It’s quick to prepare and lets everyone pick what they want to dip, making it interactive and shareable. Chocolate fondue is ideal for a day that’s all about sweet treats and playful desserts.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Fondue
Banana Boats
Split bananas stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows melt into a gooey, sticky-sweet dessert that everyone enjoys. They’re easy to assemble, simple to share, and bring out a playful side in any gathering. These banana boats are perfect for a day dedicated to treats that are fun, messy, and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Frosted Banana Bars
Soft banana bars topped with sweet frosting create a dessert that is rich, tender, and easy to serve. They cut cleanly into squares, making them simple to share with friends, family, or coworkers. These frosted banana bars fit perfectly into a day meant for dessert lovers who appreciate easy, sweet treats.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Apple Pie Parfait
Layers of tender spiced apples, creamy filling, and buttery crust crumbs come together for a dessert that tastes like pie without the work. The mix of sweetness and texture creates a satisfying and approachable treat for any dessert table. This apple pie parfait is perfect for a day focused on enjoying fun and simple desserts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Parfait
Toasted S’mores Cookies
Cookies loaded with chocolate, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows create a treat that is soft inside and crisp outside. They bring a playful twist to a classic campfire flavor without needing a fire. Toasted s’mores cookies are ideal for a day that celebrates desserts that are fun, sweet, and shareable.
Get the Recipe: Toasted S’mores Cookies
Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Layer ice cream and toppings to make a frozen cake that looks impressive but is easy to prepare. It slices cleanly and stays firm, keeping dessert stress-free and fun for everyone. Grab a fork and watch this ice cream cake disappear faster than anyone can say “sweet treat.”
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Chewy S’mores Cookies
Soft cookies filled with chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces create a gooey and sweet treat that everyone enjoys. They bake golden on the outside while staying tender in the middle, giving a perfect texture. Grab a few of these chewy s’mores cookies and make a day meant for celebrating desserts even more fun as they disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’mores Cookies
Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Soft cookies filled with jam and topped with a drizzle of glaze create a pretty and sweet bite that everyone will love. The dough is easy to make, making it perfect when dessert is needed quickly. Thumbprint cookies are ideal for a day that’s all about sharing fun, colorful, and simple desserts.
Get the Recipe: Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies
Graham crackers filled with marshmallow and chocolate recreate a classic cookie that’s soft, sweet, and easy to make. The treat comes together quickly and works well for sharing with friends or family. Pull out these copycat s’mores cookies and make a day that’s all about desserts feel playful and unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies
Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate blended with Bailey’s Irish Cream becomes a smooth, creamy mousse that feels rich without requiring complicated steps. It’s perfect to share at a gathering or enjoy quietly at home. Bailey’s chocolate mousse is ideal for a day that celebrates indulgent desserts made easy.
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
Ultra-Moist Chocolate Cake
A soft, rich chocolate cake that stays moist for days is easy to slice and serves beautifully without frosting. The flavor is deep and satisfying on its own, making it a hit with chocolate lovers. This ultra-moist chocolate cake is perfect for a day meant to celebrate simple, chocolatey desserts.
Get the Recipe: Ultra-Moist Chocolate Cake
Grilled S’mores Pizza
A pizza crust topped with melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows creates a warm, sweet dessert that’s playful and easy to share. The slices are fun to serve and enjoy with friends or family. Pull out this grilled s’mores pizza for a day made for celebrating desserts, and watch everyone dig in without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
7 Layer Bars
Chocolate, coconut, nuts, and more stack into a dessert that is sweet, bold, and full of texture. The combination keeps everyone coming back for another piece without any effort. These 7 layer bars are perfect for a day meant to highlight fun, attention-grabbing desserts.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
Smooth, dark chocolate pudding comes together easily for a dessert that is rich, creamy, and comforting. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying alone when a sweet treat is needed. Scoop a bowl of this old-fashioned chocolate pudding and celebrate a day made for enjoying simple, satisfying desserts.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
Espresso Brownie Skillet Cookie
A warm skillet cookie flavored with espresso becomes gooey, bold, and packed with chocolate. It’s easy to bake in one pan and fun to dig into straight from the skillet. This brownie skillet cookie is perfect for a day that celebrates quick and impressive desserts.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Brownie Skillet Cookie
Hot Chocolate Dip
Creamy chocolate dip comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with fruit, cookies, or pretzels. It’s fast to make, shareable, and brings something different to the dessert table. Hot chocolate dip is a simple and fun dessert for a day that’s all about treats.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Dip
Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie
Soft chocolate cookies hide gooey marshmallows inside for a sweet surprise in every bite. They bake golden outside while staying soft and tender inside, making them perfect for sharing. These chewy chocolate marshmallow cookies are ideal for a day focused on fun and delicious desserts.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie
Classic Butterscotch Pudding
Stir smooth butterscotch pudding for a dessert that’s creamy, buttery, and satisfying. It’s simple to make and brings a comforting sweetness that everyone will enjoy. Classic butterscotch pudding works well for a day that’s dedicated to easy and tasty desserts.
Get the Recipe: Classic Butterscotch Pudding
Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Blend frozen bananas into a creamy filling and press between graham crackers for an easy frozen dessert. They’re light, naturally sweet, and simple to enjoy at home or with friends. These banana nice cream sandwiches are the kind of dessert that will disappear fast when it’s a day made for celebrating sweets.
Get the Recipe: Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Candy Cookie Brownies
Fudgy brownies loaded with candy and cookie dough create a dessert that is colorful, chewy, and fun to eat. The mix of textures keeps everyone reaching for more without much effort. Serve a piece of these candy cookie brownies and make a sweet moment that feels made for celebrating National Dessert Day.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cookie Brownies
Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Sweet caramel combined with a hint of spicy gochujang makes cookies that are full of flavor and easy to make. They’re soft, chewy, and bring a unique twist to the dessert table. These cookies are perfect for a day where desserts should be fun, memorable, and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Kit Kat Cake
A layered cake with crunchy Kit Kat bars makes a dessert that is playful, sweet, and easy to assemble. The chocolate and crisp texture always catches attention on a dessert table. Kit Kat cake works well for a day meant for fun, chocolate-filled desserts.
Get the Recipe: Kit Kat Cake
Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce
Thick chocolate sauce with a hint of espresso adds richness to anything it’s poured over and is quick to make. It can be stored for later and turns simple desserts into something impressive. Espresso hot fudge sauce is perfect for a day where chocolate desserts are the highlight.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce
Cinnamon Apples
Cook apples with cinnamon until tender and naturally sweet for a dessert that feels simple and satisfying. They work well on their own or as a topping for cookies, ice cream, or bars. These cinnamon apples make a sweet moment that feels just right for celebrating a day devoted to desserts.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Twix Copycat Bar
Buttery shortbread layered with caramel and smooth chocolate creates a homemade version of a favorite candy. Crunch, chew, and chocolate come together in every bite, making it fun to share. Twix copycat bars are ideal for a day that celebrates familiar desserts made at home.
Get the Recipe: Twix Copycat Bar
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Thick chocolate and gooey caramel cover a crisp crust, creating bars that are simple to cut and share. They taste as good as they look and are easy to make. Chocolate caramel bars are a delicious dessert that fits perfectly with a day all about sweet treats.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Celebrate National Dessert Day with these fudgy brownies topped with glossy chocolate frosting that look like they belong in a bakery. They cut cleanly and are perfect for sharing with friends or family without any hassle. These brownies are the ultimate way to enjoy a classic chocolate treat on a day made for dessert lovers.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
National Dessert Day calls for creamy frozen custard mixed with chunks of cookie dough for a fun and indulgent treat. Each scoop is rich and playful, making it easy to serve friends and family without any fuss. This cookie dough frozen custard is the perfect way to enjoy a day dedicated to sweet, delicious desserts.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Make a warm chocolate chip cookie in the microwave for a fast, gooey, and satisfying dessert. Chocolate melts in every bite to give the feel of freshly baked cookies without waiting. This microwave cookie is perfect for a day dedicated to quick, sweet indulgences.
Get the Recipe: Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Dessert Nachos
Cinnamon tortillas get a sweet twist with chocolate, berries, and whipped cream for a dessert that’s fun to serve. Every bite offers crunch, sweetness, and a playful surprise. Turn National Dessert Day into a treat-filled celebration with these easy dessert nachos.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Classic Brownies
Bake rich, fudgy brownies with a soft center and crisp edges for a timeless chocolate treat. They’re simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Classic brownies are ideal for a day focused on chocolatey desserts that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Classic Brownies
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Classic brownies get a twist with cinnamon and chili for a dessert that’s rich, bold, and exciting. One pan makes them easy to bake and share with friends or family. Celebrate National Dessert Day with these fun and flavorful Mexican sheetcake brownies.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Bourbon Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate mousse gets a smooth flavor boost from a splash of bourbon that blends easily. It’s creamy, rich, and simple to make without complicated steps. Treat yourself to bourbon chocolate mousse for a sweet moment on National Dessert Day.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake
A soft, moist cake sweetened with applesauce and dotted with chocolate chips makes a dessert that slices clean and travels well. It’s easy to serve and share without falling apart. Chocolate chip applesauce cake is perfect for a day where simple, chocolatey desserts are celebrated.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake
Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruit
Melt dark chocolate and scatter dried fruit on top for a simple dessert that is pretty and easy to break into pieces. It comes together quickly and is fun to share with friends or family. This dark chocolate bark is a perfect treat to enjoy on National Dessert Day.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruit
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Fudgy chocolate brownies get streaked with pumpkin swirls for a dessert that combines rich chocolate with a flavorful twist. The texture is soft and chewy, while the flavor is bold enough to make everyone take notice. Pumpkin swirl brownies are perfect for a day that highlights creative and delicious desserts.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Swirl Brownies