National Dessert Day is the perfect reason to make something sweet for yourself or for friends and family. From easy cookies to rich cakes, there are desserts that anyone can make without much fuss. These 37 recipes are simple, fun, and perfect for sharing on a day all about sweet treats.
Banana Boats. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Rich chocolate brownies get a bold twist with cinnamon and a touch of chili, creating a sweet and slightly spicy treat. They’re easy to bake in a single pan, making them perfect for sharing with friends or family. Make a batch for National Dessert Day and enjoy a dessert that surprises everyone with flavor and warmth.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Cinnamon Apples
Sweet apples simmered with cinnamon become soft, tender, and full of natural sweetness that anyone can enjoy. They’re simple to make and taste great on their own or paired with cookies, ice cream, or toast. Try these cinnamon apples for National Dessert Day and make a quick dessert that feels special without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Molten Chocolate Cakes
Soft chocolate cakes hide a warm, gooey center that melts in your mouth and makes dessert feel special without extra effort. They’re easy to prepare at home and impressive enough to share at a small gathering. Bake these molten chocolate cakes for National Dessert Day and delight everyone with a rich chocolate treat.
Get the Recipe: Molten Chocolate Cakes
Espresso Brownie Skillet Cookie
Chocolate and espresso blend together in a warm, soft skillet cookie that is ready in one pan and full of flavor. It’s easy to make and perfect for sharing with a crowd or keeping all to yourself. Try this espresso brownie skillet cookie on National Dessert Day and have a dessert that’s quick, chocolatey, and fun to serve.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Brownie Skillet Cookie
Hot Chocolate Dip
Creamy chocolate dip is smooth, fluffy, and simple to prepare in just a few minutes. It pairs perfectly with cookies, fruit, or pretzels and is fun for sharing at a dessert table. Make this hot chocolate dip for National Dessert Day and give everyone a treat that is ready in no time and always loved.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Dip
Classic Butterscotch Pudding
Sweet, creamy butterscotch pudding is rich and comforting while staying simple enough to make in a few steps. Its smooth texture and buttery flavor make it a dessert that feels classic but special at the same time. Prepare this butterscotch pudding for National Dessert Day and serve a dessert that always earns compliments.
Get the Recipe: Classic Butterscotch Pudding
Dessert Nachos
Crispy cinnamon tortillas are layered with chocolate, berries, and whipped cream to create a fun, shareable dessert. Each bite combines crunch, sweetness, and a little surprise that makes dessert time exciting. Make these dessert nachos for National Dessert Day and impress everyone with a playful and easy treat.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Banana Boats
Bananas split down the middle become soft and sweet under a layer of chocolate and marshmallows that melt perfectly. They’re simple to assemble and a fun dessert to enjoy with friends or family. Try these banana boats for National Dessert Day and serve a dessert that’s quick, messy in the best way, and always fun.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Apple Pie Parfait
Layers of tender spiced apples, creamy filling, and buttery crust crumbles come together in a dessert that tastes like pie without the fuss. Every spoonful mixes sweetness, texture, and flavor in a way that feels complete and satisfying. Make this apple pie parfait for National Dessert Day and enjoy a dessert that’s simple, shareable, and unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Parfait
Chewy S’mores Cookies
Soft cookies are packed with melted chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces, creating a gooey treat that everyone loves. They bake golden on the outside while staying soft and sweet in the middle, making them perfect for sharing. Bake these chewy s’mores cookies for National Dessert Day and treat everyone to a dessert that feels like fun in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’mores Cookies
Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruit
Smooth dark chocolate is scattered with sweet dried fruit to create a dessert that is simple but impressive. It breaks into perfect bite-sized pieces for sharing or snacking on your own. Serve this dark chocolate bark for National Dessert Day and treat friends to something easy, pretty, and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruit
Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce
Thick chocolate sauce with a hint of espresso adds richness to anything you pour it over, making desserts taste more special. It’s fast to prepare and can be kept for later use. Drizzle this espresso hot fudge sauce on ice cream or cake for National Dessert Day and turn simple treats into something unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce
Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Soft, fudgy brownies get topped with a shiny frosting that makes them taste like a bakery treat. They bake in a single pan, which makes them perfect for sharing with friends or family. Cut into these Texas sheetcake brownies for National Dessert Day and enjoy a dessert everyone will reach for first.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Chocolate and Caramel Tart
Buttery tart crust holds gooey caramel topped with rich chocolate for a dessert that melts in your mouth. It looks fancy but is simple to put together in one go. Slice this chocolate and caramel tart for National Dessert Day and give everyone a sweet treat that feels special without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate and Caramel Tart
Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
A warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie comes together in minutes using the microwave, making it a fast and satisfying treat. Chocolate melts into every bite, giving the feeling of a freshly baked cookie without the wait. Whip up this microwave chocolate chip cookie for National Dessert Day and enjoy a sweet snack ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Bourbon Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate mousse gets a smooth, bold flavor from a splash of bourbon that blends perfectly without complicated steps. It’s creamy, rich, and simple enough for anyone to make at home. Spoon this bourbon chocolate mousse for National Dessert Day and impress guests with a dessert that feels decadent without effort.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Mousse
Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Smooth frozen custard is packed with chunks of cookie dough for a dessert that tastes like it came from a shop. No special tools are needed, and it’s quick to serve for friends or family. Dig into this cookie-dough frozen custard for National Dessert Day and enjoy a cool treat that hits all the sweet spots.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies
Graham crackers get filled with marshmallow and chocolate to recreate a classic cookie favorite at home. They’re soft, sweet, and easy to put together in one sitting. Share these copycat s’mores cookies for National Dessert Day and bring a nostalgic dessert everyone will remember and love.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
A small chocolate chip cookie bakes in a skillet to give warm, soft cookies in just minutes. It’s perfect for one or two people and doesn’t need a lot of ingredients. Pull this mini chocolate chip cookie skillet out on National Dessert Day and enjoy a cozy dessert that’s quick and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie
Soft chocolate cookies hide gooey marshmallows inside, giving a fun surprise with every bite. They bake golden on the outside while staying chewy and sweet in the center, perfect for sharing. Try these chewy chocolate marshmallow cookies for National Dessert Day and treat everyone to a dessert that brings extra delight with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie
Chewy Lemon Cookies
Soft, chewy cookies are packed with bright, zesty lemon flavor that wakes up every bite. The balance of sweet and tangy makes them simple but satisfying for any dessert table. Enjoy these chewy lemon cookies on National Dessert Day and add a dessert that’s fresh, flavorful, and easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Cookies
Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Sweet caramel and a hint of spicy gochujang come together in cookies that are full of flavor and fun to try. They’re easy to bake and give a unique twist on a classic treat. Serve these gochujang caramel cookies for National Dessert Day and surprise everyone with a cookie that’s different but irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Kit Kat Cake
Layers of cake and Kit Kat bars come together for a colorful, crunchy, and chocolate-filled dessert. It’s simple to assemble and always looks impressive on the table. Slice into this Kit Kat cake for National Dessert Day and share a dessert that’s playful, fun, and full of chocolate.
Get the Recipe: Kit Kat Cake
Ultra-Moist Chocolate Cake
This chocolate cake is soft, rich, and so moist it doesn’t even need frosting to feel complete. It slices easily and stays delicious for days without drying out. Cut into this ultra-moist chocolate cake for National Dessert Day and enjoy a chocolate dessert that’s effortless but unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Ultra-Moist Chocolate Cake
Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Frozen bananas blended into a creamy filling make a light dessert that tastes like ice cream but is naturally sweet. Pressed between graham crackers, it becomes easy to hold and enjoy without a mess. Serve these banana nice cream sandwiches for National Dessert Day and offer a dessert that’s simple, fun, and surprisingly satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate mousse gets a smooth, creamy boost from Bailey’s Irish Cream, making a rich dessert without a long process. The mousse is velvety and decadent, perfect for sharing with friends or family. Dish out this Bailey’s chocolate mousse for National Dessert Day and treat everyone to a dessert that’s creamy, indulgent, and impressive.
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
Deep, dark chocolate makes a smooth pudding that is easy to prepare and always satisfying. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for sharing at a gathering or keeping all to yourself. Spoon this old-fashioned chocolate pudding for National Dessert Day and enjoy a dessert that’s classic, simple, and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
Twix Copycat Bar
Buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate layer together in a homemade version of a favorite candy bar. Each bite has crunch, chew, and plenty of chocolatey flavor. Slice these Twix copycat bars for National Dessert Day and treat everyone to a dessert that tastes better than store-bought.
Get the Recipe: Twix Copycat Bar
Classic Brownies
Fudgy, chocolatey brownies are soft in the center with just enough crisp on the edges to make every bite satisfying. They’re easy to bake and perfect for sharing with friends, family, or coworkers. Break these classic brownies into pieces for National Dessert Day and enjoy a dessert that’s simple, rich, and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Classic Brownies
Toasted S’mores Cookies
Chocolate, graham cracker, and toasted marshmallows come together in cookies that taste like a campfire treat without leaving the kitchen. They bake golden on the outside and stay soft and gooey inside. Serve these toasted s’mores cookies for National Dessert Day and give everyone a dessert that’s playful, sweet, and fun to eat.
Get the Recipe: Toasted S’mores Cookies
Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake
Moist cake gets a boost of sweetness and softness from applesauce with chocolate chips scattered in every bite. It’s easy to slice, carry, and share without any crumbling. Slice into this chocolate chip applesauce cake for National Dessert Day and wow everyone with a dessert that’s soft, chocolatey, and impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake
Grilled S’mores Pizza
Crispy pizza crust meets melting chocolate and gooey marshmallows in a dessert that’s fun to eat and easy to make. The slices are warm, sweet, and playful, perfect for sharing with friends. Pull this grilled s’mores pizza off the grill for National Dessert Day and serve a dessert that’s silly, sweet, and instantly crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Candy Cookie Brownies
Fudgy brownies get studded with chunks of candy and cookie dough, creating a dessert that’s over-the-top in the best way. Every bite is a mix of soft, chewy, and crunchy textures that keep you coming back. Cut into these candy cookie brownies for National Dessert Day and give everyone a dessert that’s packed with sweet chaos and fun.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cookie Brownies
Frosted Banana Bars
Moist banana bars topped with a thick layer of frosting turn simple fruit into a dessert that feels like a treat. They’re soft, sweet, and perfect for sharing with anyone who loves banana and chocolatey flavors. Slice these frosted banana bars for National Dessert Day and enjoy a dessert that’s simple, rich, and impossible to ignore.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Fudgy chocolate brownies get streaked with spiced pumpkin swirls for a dessert that’s both rich and playful. The chocolate and pumpkin mix together for a bold, flavorful bite that’s easy to love. Break these pumpkin swirl brownies into squares for National Dessert Day and surprise everyone with a dessert that’s creative and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
7 Layer Bars
Layers of chocolate, coconut, nuts, and more come together in a dessert that’s stacked, sweet, and irresistible. Each bite is a mix of textures and flavors that keep everyone reaching for more. Cut into these 7-layer bars for National Dessert Day and serve a dessert that’s bold, fun, and full of surprises.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Thick chocolate and gooey caramel top a crisp crust in bars that look as good as they taste. They’re easy to cut, easy to share, and perfect for a dessert table. Slice these decadent chocolate caramel bars for National Dessert Day and give everyone a dessert that feels fancy but is super easy to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars