33+ Easy Dessert Ideas (with Pictures + Simple Recipes)

Emily Walker

5 from 4 votes
3 Comments

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Need dessert ideas? Look no further! Desserts are the best part of any meal! Whether you love decadent chocolate desserts, or bright fruity treats, we have something for everyone!

Collage of Desserts including Coconut Cake, Strawberry Pie, Donuts, and Homemade Oreo Cookies
Featured top to bottom: Fresh Strawberry Pie, Homemade Oreo Cookies, Coconut Cake, Air Fryer Donuts
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Dessert Ideas

There’s nothing better than finishing off a meal with something sweet. If you are looking to treat yourself, or wow your dinner guests, then try some of our favorite dessert recipes. We’ve taken our extensive dessert catalogue and broken it down into 10 categories so you can find exactly what you are craving! Be sure to check out our bonus recipe for fruit tarts below and our seasonal recipes.

Table of Contents
  1. Dessert Ideas
  2. Halloween Desserts
  3. Cake Recipes
  4. Pie Recipes
  5. Pastries
  6. Cookie Recipes
  7. Brownies and Bars Dessert Ideas
  8. Pudding Recipes
  9. Cobbler Recipes
  10. Ice Cream Recipes
  11. Candies and Chocolates
  12. Other Dessert Ideas
  13. How to Make Fruit Tarts
  14. Easy Dessert Ideas + Bonus Recipe – Fruit Tarts Recipe

Halloween Desserts

Cake Recipes

As the saying goes, a party without cake is just a meeting. With options for cake batter from scratch, and simple recipes that start with a box mix, you are sure to find something to make your next party a hit!

Chocolate Cakes

Fruit Flavored Cakes

Pumpkin Cakes

Other Cake Dessert Ideas

Cupcakes

Frosting and Fondant

Birthday Cakes

Cheesecakes

Pie Recipes

Some of our most delicious recipes are our pie recipes. We’ve perfected the pie crust, created crave-worthy chocolate pie fillings, and formulated fruit fillings worth fantasizing about. Don’t forget to top each slice with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!

Chocolate Pies

Fruit Flavored Pies

Other Pies

Pie Crusts

Pastries

What is better than layers of flaky, buttery pastry? Pastry making may seem intimidating, but we give you step by step instructions and pictures to help you succeed! 

When it comes to easy dessert recipes, cookies take the cake. Whip up a tray of delicious cookies in no time, with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Cookies with Chocolate

More Cookies

Brownies and Bars Dessert Ideas

If I get to heaven, there better be a platter of freshly baked brownies dusted with powdered sugar waiting for me when I arrive. These brownie and bar recipe are great for feeding a crowd!

Brownies

Bars

Rice Krispie Recipes

Pudding Recipes

Pudding is a nostalgic childhood dessert for me. You can enjoy it on its own or layer it with other delicious treats in a trifle.

Cobbler Recipes

Cobbler is a classic summer recipe that works great for feeding a crowd. It is easy to make and tastes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Ice Cream Recipes

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Candies and Chocolates

Candies and chocolates can be a little more work than a typical dessert, but the result is worth it! From decadent chocolate truffles to crunchy cinnamon almonds, you will love these fancy treats!

Candies

Chocolates

Other Dessert Ideas

We couldn’t fit these into a category, but they can’t be left out! Try these fun sweets next time you need a unique dessert.

Waffles with syrup, strawberries, berries, and whipped cream


Loving these dessert ideas?
We have solutions for making breakfast easier too. Don’t miss our 35+ Easy Breakfast Ideas!

How to Make Fruit Tarts

Collage of Desserts including Coconut Cake, Strawberry Pie, Donuts, and Oreo Cookies

Easy Dessert Ideas + Bonus Recipe – Fruit Tarts

5 from 4 votes
Fruit Tarts are the perfect treat for summer when a variety of fresh fruits are in season! They are an easy dessert to make and look like your own little personal pie.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Sauce Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 24

Video

Equipment

  • Muffin tin

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water

For the filling:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 4 peaches*
  • 1 carton strawberries*

Instructions

For the crust:

  • Mix flour, shortening, and salt with a pastry blender until thoroughly blended together.
  • Slowly add 1 cup of water while mixing with a fork.
  • Form the dough into a large ball, then divide into 24 small balls.
  • Roll out the balls into small flat circles and place dough into muffin tins. Pinch and shape the top edges like you would with a pie crust. Stab with a fork on the bottom and sides of the crust to prevent bubbling.
  • Sprinkle a little sugar over the top edges.
  • Bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes (or until the crusts look lightly golden).

For the filling:

  • Wash and slice the strawberries. Peel and slice the peaches. Mix together in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Mix sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Mix water and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When heated and melted together, slowly add in the sugar/cornstarch mixture while stirring constantly.
  • Continue to stir over heat until sauce becomes thick, then remove from heat and add the almond extract.
  • Immediately pour the heated sauce over the bowl with the peaches and strawberries. Gently stir until fruit is evenly coated. Allow to cool, and then refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Just before serving spoon mixture into individual pre-cooked crusts. Makes 24 tarts.
    3 fruit tarts with peaches and strawberries

Notes

*There are a variety of fruits that are delicious in mini tarts, including raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, kiwi, and nectarines.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 75mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

EDUCATION
Southern Utah University and Ricks College

COOKBOOKS
Co-Author of Favorite Family Recipes 3 Cookbooks:
Favorite Family Recipes
A Year of Favorites
and Most Requested Copycat Dishes

SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emskwalker
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emswalker08/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/emswalker/

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5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Simple yet delicious desserts for any occasion! That decadent chocolate cake looks like the perfect crowd-pleasing treat.

    Sweet E’s Bake Shop

    Reply