16 Easy Homemade Dessert Recipes
Image by Rens D
Whether it’s a late night or an afternoon delight, we all crave something a little sweet now and again.
Next time you find yourself scouring the cupboards for a sweet and tasty treat, take it easy with one of our 16 easy dessert recipes to make at home!
At Table & Thyme, we are so passionate about making memories through the food we share that we have wholeheartedly dedicated ourselves to finding delectable recipes guaranteed to make every occasion special. So, when it came time to test out some delicious dessert recipes, we couldn’t have been more excited! Here are our top 16 picks for easy desserts that anyone can make from home!
1. Grape Salad
Fluffy and creamy, this fruit salad is a light, stress-free snack to satisfy any sweet craving!
Ingredients
- 4 pounds red and green grapes, seedless
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For topping:
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons pecans, chopped
Directions
- Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream in a large bowl until smooth. Then, slowly add sugar and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Fold in the grapes until they are evenly dispersed and place the mixture into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until you are ready to serve.
- Remove from the refrigerator and sprinkle brown sugar and chopped pecans on top. Enjoy!
2. Dutch Baby
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined pancakes and crepes? Well, you would end up with a deliciously soft and sweet dutch baby! Dusted with powdered sugar and topped with fresh, juicy berries, this dutch baby recipe is an easy, buttery snack for breakfast, dessert, or whenever the time calls!
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons butter
Directions
- After preheating the oven to 400° F, prepare a medium or large skillet by placing it in the oven to warm up.
- Combine the eggs, flour, milk, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract in a blender until smooth. Then, set the mixture aside to rest for 10 minutes.
- Once the oven is preheated, remove the skillet from the oven and melt the butter in the warmed skillet.
- Transfer the batter into the skillet and place it back into the oven to bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges have raised and become golden.
- Take the skillet out of the oven and dust with powdered sugar, fresh berries, and any other topping you’d like such as chocolate chips. Drizzle with maple syrup, serve, and enjoy!
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Cake
This effortless snack is both simple and divine with a flavorful balance of sweet nuttiness, rich chocolate, and a touch of salt.
Ingredients
- Rice cakes
- Nut butter
- Chocolate chips
- Flaky salt
Directions
- Spread the nut butter in an even layer on top of each rice cake.
- Put the chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl, and microwave in 30-second increments until melted and smooth.
- Spoon the chocolate over the peanut butter, spreading it to the edges of the rice cake. Sprinkle with flaky salt, then put them in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. Enjoy!
4. Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
Easy and delicious cinnamon sugar donuts at home? Yes, please!
Ingredients
- 1 can of Pillsbury Grands
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- Open the can of biscuits and lay them out on a sheet of parchment paper. Use a biscuit or cookie cutter to cut out the middle of each of the rounds.
- Place a few of the rounds in the air fryer, keeping space between the biscuits, and cook at 360º F for around 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and melt the butter.
- Once the biscuits are done, brush them with the melted butter and immediately sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
- Enjoy!
5. Brownie Batter Dip
We’re all guilty of indulging in some leftover batter after making a batch of brownies. And, we’ve all heard that it’s not "technically" a great idea... but how could anyone resist a taste of such chocolatey gooey goodness? Well, now you can indulge guilt-free with this brownie batter dip recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons nut butter
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons oat flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Tbsp chocolate chips
- A pinch of salt
Directions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl, except the chocolate chips. Stir until combined and there are no pockets of cocoa powder. If the batter is thick, add a couple of tablespoons of milk. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Serve with fruit, graham crackers, or on its own!
6. Peach Crumble
The perfect way to send off the summer season, this peach crumble is irresistible enough to make anyone crumble!
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized peaches, halved and pitted
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 8 Tablespoons butter
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the peaches by rinsing, cutting them in half, and removing the pits. Set aside.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Then, add the flour, oats, and brown sugar to the melted butter and mix until it forms a sticky crumble.
- Place the peaches (cut side up) on the lined baking sheet and stuff each peach with the crumble mixture.
- Bake the peaches for 25-30 minutes or until they begin to golden.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a dash of cinnamon, and enjoy!
7. Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie
When you’re craving something sweet but don’t have the energy or the time to make a whole batch, we’ve got you covered!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 Tablespoon flour
- 1-2 Tablespoons chocolate chips
- A pinch of salt
Directions
- In a microwave-safe mug, melt the butter in 10-second increments (about 30 seconds total).
- Then, add both of the sugars, vanilla extract, and salt to the mug and stir with a spoon to mix.
- Mix in the egg yolk before adding the flour. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Microwave the mug for 40-50 seconds to ensure thorough cooking.
- Enjoy!
8. Zucchini Bread
Craving something simple and sweet with a hint of spice? This recipe for classic homemade zucchini bread has everything you need!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup zucchini, shredded
- 1 cup of mix-ins such as chocolate chips or nuts (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F and prepare a loaf pan with grease.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and any mix-ins, and stir until well combined.
- In a large bowl mix both sugars, zucchini, coconut oil, vanilla, and the egg. Stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed before folding the dry ingredients into the wet. Mix until a thick batter is created.
- Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, checking with a toothpick to ensure it’s cooked through.
- Remove and let cool or serve warm with butter.
9. Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Name a better way to start your day than with a hearty helping of protein and a touch of sweetness. If you’re interested in learning more about this quick and easy power-snack recipe or hoping to find more like it, be sure to take a look at our 5 Deliciously Energizing Breakfast Ideas to Try blog!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup creamy nut butter
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- 2 Tablespoons liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup
Directions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined.
- Refrigerate the mixture for around 15-20 minutes, then use a spoon to scoop and portion the protein balls.
10. Brown Butter Rice Krispies
Beloved rice crispy treats just got better with the help of some rich and flavorful brown butter! You can find more detailed instructions for this recipe in our blog, The Ultimate Weeknight Treat: Brown Butter Rice Krispies. But in the meantime, here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 10 oz bag marshmallows
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
Directions
- Put a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom of a 9x12 baking dish.
- Melt the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it browns. Remove from heat, and add the marshmallows. Stir until melted.
- Add the salt and rice krispies, then mix until well combined. Scoop the mixture into the baking dish, and press the top flat into the pan.
- Let cool, then slice and serve!
11. Carrot Cake Cookies
Everything wonderful about carrot cake, baked into shareable, lovable cookies and topped with a sweet cream cheese glaze. Who could resist?
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup carrots, shredded and packed
- ¾ cup unsweetened dried coconut, shredded
- ½ cup raisins
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 package cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 teaspoons milk
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, as well as 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and stir until well-combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet by folding. Then, fold in the shredded carrots, coconut, raisins, and oats.
- Use a spoon to portion out 1-inch balls of dough onto the lined baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they start to darken.
- Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and the remaining vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze onto the cookies and enjoy!
12. Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Hand Pies
Tasty, convenient, and stress-free, these tiny pies are perfect for a sugary snack on the go!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 ½ Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- Pre-made or homemade pie dough
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl and melt the butter. Stir the melted butter into the dry ingredients to create the filling.
- Using a biscuit or cookie cutter, cut circles into the pie dough, portioning two circles of dough per pie. Place one layer of dough circles onto the lined baking sheet and spoon the filling into the center of each circle. Place the second dough circle on top and use a fork to crimp and seal the edges together. Then, use a knife to create several small slits on the top of each pie.
- Bake the pies for 15-20 minutes or until they begin to golden.
- Enjoy!
13. Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Enliven your kitchen with the magic of homemade treats! With a rich, nutty flavor and the sweet smell of caramel, a batch of delicious brown butter chocolate chip cookies is just what you need for a cozy evening in!
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk until well-combined and set aside.
- Melt ½ cup of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Use a spatula to continuously stir and move the butter as it cooks, allowing it to foam and brown. If it sizzles or begins to evaporate, remove it from heat, reduce heat, and try again.
- Once browned, remove the butter from the heat and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Then, transfer the butter to a large mixing bowl. Slowly add small servings of the remaining, uncooked butter, allowing each addition to melt before adding the next.
- Add the white and brown sugar to the butter and whisk to combine. Then, add the egg, yolks, and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and sugar dissolves.
- Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture until a dough is formed. Then, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Using a spoon to portion the dough into 1-1 ½ inch balls and place them onto the lined baking sheet with at least 2 inches of space on all sides.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges begin to darken.
- Remove and let cool before serving.
14. Yogurt Cake
When you need to add some peacefulness to your life, settle down with a light and airy yogurt cake and watch as your stress flutters away with each bite.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup plain yogurt, regular or Greek
- ½ olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups flour
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F, line a loaf pan with parchment paper, and combine the sugar, baking powder, salt, and flour in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the eggs, yogurt, olive oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry, folding to combine and form a thick batter. (If the batter is too thick, add spoonfuls of milk to thin).
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and place it in the oven to bake for approximately 45 minutes. To check if the cake is done, pierce it with a toothpick or a fork. If it comes out clean, it’s ready.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let cool before serving.
- Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or any other topping of your choice, and enjoy!
15. Stuffed Dates
Simple yet ethereal, these stuffed dates are a heavenly snack to enjoy when you’re feeling particularly elegant.
Ingredients
- 1 package of pitted dates
- 1 container of cream cheese (plain or fruit-flavored)
- Walnuts, chopped
- Honey
Directions
- Carefully slice open the dates without cutting through completely.
- Use a spoon to fill the dates with cream cheese.
- Sprinkle crushed walnuts over the cream cheese and gently press them into the cheese.
- Lightly drizzle with honey and serve immediately.
16. Strawberry Pie
Celebrate the little things with a warm and inviting slice of this sweet strawberry pie!
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made or homemade pie crust
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and prepare the strawberries by rinsing and slicing. Add the sliced strawberries to a large bowl as well as the sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla, and stir to combine. Beat an egg and set it aside.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper before rolling out the pie crust. Use a spoon to place the strawberry mixture into the center of the dough with at least 2 inches of uncovered dough on all sides.
- Fold and crimp the edges of the dough around the filling.
- Use a brush to coat the folded and crimped edges in egg wash. Then, lightly sprinkle sugar over the crust.
- Place the pie into the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust begins to brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before topping with whipped cream or ice cream to serve. Enjoy!
Thanks for exploring some homemade desserts with us! If you enjoyed our list of easy-to-make desserts, be sure to connect with us on Instagram where we share tons of recipes and tasty content every day! Don’t forget to tune into our weekly blog for all things Table & Thyme, including other exclusive recipes, event highlights and hosting tips, and more!
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