Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Our 20 Most Popular Dessert Recipes Ever Rich chocolate, zingy citrus, creamy pudding ... our collection of best desserts has something for every taste. By Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani is a New York City-based writer with 24 years of experience working in professional publishing and communication roles in addition to being a food writer for six years with MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on October 19, 2024 Close Photo: Photographer Bryan Gardner Desserts hold a special place, serving as sweet symbols of celebration, comfort, and indulgence. Whether you're craving the rich decadence of chocolate, the refreshing zing of citrus, or the nostalgic warmth of baked fruit, this collection of our most popular dessert recipes has something for everyone. From creamy cheesecakes that melt in your mouth to delightful fruit crisps that highlight seasonal produce, you'll find the perfect recipe for any occasion. Sophisticated dinner party? Cozy night in? After-school bake sale? Check, check, check. It doesn't matter if you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro; you're sure to find plenty of sweet inspiration here. Our 16 Most Popular Apple Pie Recipes, Including Martha’s Favorite 01 of 20 Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Bryan Gardner Love a classic, melt-in-your-mouth treat with rich, gooey chocolate chips? You've come to the right place. Our most popular cookie recipe has easy-to-follow steps and results in a treat with perfect texture. View Recipe 02 of 20 No-Bake Cheesecake Andrea Araiza This no-oven-needed cheesecake is perfect for anyone looking for an easy, fuss-free dessert that still delivers creamy, indulgent flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and no baking required, it's no wonder it's our most popular dessert recipe. View Recipe 03 of 20 Chocolate Mousse Brie Goldman This one's a keeper, our chocolate mousse recipe delivers a perfect balance of richness and lightness with only five ingredients. It's ideal for entertaining because you can make it ahead, so you can serve a sophisticated dessert without any last-minute fuss. View Recipe 04 of 20 Classic Cream Puffs These classic cream puffs feature a light and airy pastry filled with smooth, rich pastry cream, perfect for a special occasion or indulgent treat. Our step-by-step instructions walk you through making pâte à choux dough, essential for the crisp golden puffs. Then you can fill them with ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce, or just about anything. View Recipe 05 of 20 Vanilla Pound Cake Brie Goldman Simple vanilla pound cake is a timeless treat perfect for any occasion. With just a few ingredients, it bakes up buttery, tender, and golden. View Recipe 06 of 20 Triple-Chocolate Brownie Cups Rachel Marek What are brownie cups, you ask? They're brownies, just baked in muffin cups! The shape may resemble muffins, but the texture and taste are all brownie—rich, fudgy, and loaded with chocolate. View Recipe 07 of 20 Lucinda's New York-Style Cheesecake Grant Webster Beloved for its rich, dense texture and creamy flavor, this rich dessert is hard to beat. With a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth filling featuring both cream cheese and sour cream, it's a total delight. View Recipe 08 of 20 Strawberry Cream Cake Jacob Fox Soft vanilla cake is paired with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for this simple yet elegant dessert. You can also make it with other types of berries, such as raspberries or blackberries, or even sliced fresh peaches or nectarines. View Recipe 09 of 20 Banana Cream Pudding Photographer Bryan Gardner; Food Stylist Laura Rege; Prop Stylist Paige Hicks With layers of homemade banana pudding, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and fresh bananas, this rich, creamy dessert delivers. The wafers soften as they chill, creating a marvelous blend of flavors and textures. View Recipe 10 of 20 Coconut Custard Pie Carson Downing Here's a standout dessert, which boasts a luscious, silky texture and deep coconut flavor, thanks to both coconut milk and toasted coconut. It includes a simple blind-baked crust and a custard that sets beautifully. View Recipe 11 of 20 Chewy Chocolate-Gingerbread Cookies Brie Goldman These chewy treats are perfect for gifting, with their festive spice, rich chocolate, and beautiful cracked appearance. They keep well and are sturdy, which makes them ideal for holiday cookie boxes. View Recipe 12 of 20 One-Bowl Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting Jacob Fox It's easy to see why this cake is so beloved: it's simple and versatile, making it a go-to for any occasion. With rich, moist layers and an optional decadent chocolate frosting, it delivers max flavor with minimal effort. View Recipe 13 of 20 No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Armando Rafael There's a burst of citrusy freshness in every creamy bite of this terrific cheesecake, nicely balanced with a buttery graham cracker crust. The easy, vibrant dessert is sure to brighten up any table. View Recipe 14 of 20 Creamy Lemon Squares Bring a bright burst of zesty goodness to any dessert table with these pick-me-up treats. They have a buttery shortbread crust and a tangy, velvety lemon filling that citrus lovers will adore. View Recipe 15 of 20 4-Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Cake Jason Donnelly Melt-in-your-mouth rich, yet light and airy, and just four ingredients? This elegant treat definitely deserves a spot in your repertoire. Don't forget to serve it with a dusting of confectioners' sugar and whipped cream. View Recipe 16 of 20 Easy Peanut Butter Cookies Grant Webster With its classic peanut butter flavor and familiar cross-hatch design, this old-fashioned cookie is a nostalgic favorite. It's an easy recipe, too, so in no time at all, you'll have warm, melt-in-your-mouth treats. View Recipe 17 of 20 Raspberry-Swirl Cheesecake Brie Goldman This stunning dessert combines creamy richness with a burst of fresh raspberry flavor. Baking it in a water bath is the secret to getting a smooth, silky finish. View Recipe 18 of 20 Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Lennart Weibull Ready in just 30 minutes, this skillet cookie stars a molten center and crispy edges thanks to being baked a cast-iron skillet. Bring it straight to the table for a charmingly rustic presentation. View Recipe 19 of 20 Blueberry Crisp Rachel Marek Featuring juicy blueberries under a buttery, oat-crisp topping, this super-easy dessert is the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and crunchy. View Recipe 20 of 20 Classic Cheesecake Brie Goldman Indulge in this timeless classic, with its silky smooth filling and graham cracker crust. Pro tip: Bring your cream cheese and eggs to room temp before mixing to ensure a creamy texture and avoid lumps. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit