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You could spend hours watching Netflix or reading that self-help book (again…). But why resign yourself to the couch when the oven is calling your name? Instead, be productive—and reward yourself with dessert—with one of these 78 easy, fun things to bake.
Whether you're just bored or need to whip up something sweet on the fly, your taste buds will thank you for these delights, ranging from chocolate skillet cake to ruby red grapefruit panna cotta to cookies-and-cream shortbread. I've also included a few treats that require no baking at all, in case you're feeling extra lazy. Read on for all the Insta-worthy inspo you crave.
68 Spring Desserts Starring *All* the Seasonal Produce
Fruity Fun Things to Bake
1. Raspberry Tiramisu
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 8 to 10
You actually won't need to bake at all to prepare this vibrant spin on tiramisu, made with raspberries instead of coffee. Instead, you'll only need to whip up a three-ingredient sauce and assemble. "The striking pink topping is just a dusting freeze-dried raspberries that have been powdered in a food processor," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen writes. "A smattering of fresh berries or a touch of lemon zest would be equally delicious and elegant."
2. Mini Key Lime Pies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 16
What's sweet, sour, silky and crunchy in every bite? These lime-kissed cuties, which come together in mess-free muffin tins. "You'll notice the recipe calls for regular lime juice and not key lime juice," Gillen writes. "While you can use the two types interchangeably, I always prefer the taste of freshly squeezed citrus juice to the bottled kind, and squeezing key limes…well, they're tiny. I don't want you to work too hard for your dessert."
3. Blackberry Jam Pie-Crust Straws
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 20
Store-bought puff pastry to the rescue! This simple recipe is just right for days when you’re craving pie but have no time to bake one. Use any store-bought jam you'd like; I'm partial to blackberry, but raspberry, apricot, strawberry and blueberry are all fair game.
4. Gluten-Free Apple Rose Tart
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 25 minutes
Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
Serves: 10
Well, well, well. Aren’t you ambitious? Just kidding; the apple roses are easier to assemble than you’d think (the key is using a mandoline or vegetable peeler to get super-thin slices). As for the press-in crust, it's a buttery, sugary pecan base that's a cinch to assemble. Need I say more?
5. Blackberry-Raspberry Skillet Cobbler
Robert S. Cooper/A Real Southern Cook
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 8
Way less work than crimping and blind-baking a homemade pie crust, but every bit as satisfying. It's a great way to use your farmers market berry haul come summer (or any fruit you have on hand, really).
6. Cranberry Apple Danish
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 12
Warning: Your brunch guests will think you scored these at a posh local café. Wait 'til you tell them you made them yourself, and with only seven ingredients to boot. Bookmark the recipe now to serve after Thanksgiving or Christmas, since you'll likely have cranberry sauce on hand for the filling.
7. Apple Tart with Soft-Pretzel Crust
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: one 12-inch tart
If you're a sucker for all things sweet and salty, add this stunner to your to-bake list, stat. The pretzel crust requires some patience to rise to perfection, but you'll be glad you waited once you taste it. Plus, it's very easy on the eyes.
8. Grapefruit Meringue Stacks
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 4
Sweet, airy meringues layered with tart, five-ingredient grapefruit curd and whipped cream? Don't mind if I do. This stacked dessert is also naturally gluten free. "It's the best of both worlds," recipe creator Erin McDowell explains. "A meringue cookie—crispy outside, marshmallowy inside—and a creamy, custardy curd." The sweetness of the cookie offsets the tartness of the filling.
9. Skillet Peach Cobbler
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, one pan
Serves: one 12-inch skillet
Make this for every summer barbecue you ever throw and boom: You’re the hostess with the mostest. The biscuit topping is just as easy to pull off as the buttery peach filling. Substitute canned peach pie filling if you're not up to the task.
10. Strawberry Pie with Strawberry Crust
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Serves: 8
Food coloring? You can do better than that. Pulse freeze-dried strawberries and sugar in the food processor instead to turn the crust pink and infuse it with sweet-tart splendor. If the lattice intimidates you, make a simple double-crust pie instead. Just make sure to cut a few slits in the top to vent the filling.
11. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Serves: 6
Not only are mini desserts more fun to eat, but they’re also more fun to prepare. Your guests will gush over these treats, baked in mini mason jars for a rustic presentation. Use crisp-tart apples that hold their shape and aren’t cloyingly sweet, like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Granny Smith.
12. Berry Galette
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Serves: 6
Do fresh summer berries some justice by showing them off atop store-bought pie crust. Just pile the fruit in the center, fold the edge over and bake—sound easy enough? Bonus points for topping it with vanilla ice cream (but you already figured that).
13. Lemon Pie with Blueberry Meringue
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: one 9-inch pie
Ready thy camera: It'd be a crime not to share that lilac-hued meringue topper on social media, right? It's just the ticket for a spring dinner party, especially if you're dining alfresco. The light-as-air topping gets its lilac hue from—wait for it—freeze-dried blueberries.
14. Plum Clafoutis
Susan Spungen/Veg Forward
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Serves: 6
As chic as it is delicious, clafoutis is a stellar way to end a summer dinner party. Cherries are the traditional inclusion, but plums are easier to pit and offer a similar punch of sweet-tart juiciness. Top it with plenty of fresh whipped cream and torn mint.
Chocolatey Fun Things to Bake
15. Dulce de Leche Skillet Brownie
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
Serves: 14
Fudgy brownie people to the front. "Here, the caramelly dulce de leche swirl is homemade," Gillen notes. "It's simple to make and only requires a can of sweetened condensed milk, but if you want to save about an hour of time, go ahead and use a jar of store-bought dulce de leche." Your shortcut can stay our little secret, friend.
16. Cookies-and-Cream Shortbread Cookies
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 24
Do you always wish Oreos had more filling? This snappy, chocolatey twist on the classic delivers the ratio you crave. "You make the dough in the food processor in moments, and the baked shortbread cookies are finished with a really creamy glaze that brings the whole cookies-and-cream flavor home," McDowell asserts. Pile on the glaze and have a glass of milk at the ready.
17. Chocolate Skillet Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Serves: 6
The secret ingredient in this ooey-gooey masterpiece? Freshly brewed coffee, which imparts a bold kick to every bite and enhances the rich cocoa flavor. (Even Ina Garten swears by this hack, and I tested the hack, too.) Wash it down with some joe to drive the flavor home.
18. Easy Chocolate Marshmallow Cups
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, kid-friendly
Serves: 20
These have Valentine’s Day goody bags written all over them, but they'd also make a great hostess gift for any occasion. They only require six ingredients, after all, and they can be made in advance for minimal stress before the event.
19. Frozen Chocolate Soufflé
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes (includes freezing time)
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, no-bake, gluten free
Serves: 6
If you’ve been devastated by deflated soufflé before, fret not. This one comes together in the freezer instead of the oven, so it's essentially foolproof. It's finished with a decadent, two-ingredient chocolate sauce for good measure.
20. Homemade Milano Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 20
An endless supply of homemade copycat cookies > one bag of 16 store-bought Milanos, don't @ me. They're filled with two-ingredient chocolate ganache, in case you need more convincing, and they look pretty damn close to the real thing.
21. The World’s Biggest Peanut Butter Cup
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why I Love It: kid-friendly, gluten free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 10
You can thank your nine-inch tart pan for this ingenious invention. It may be tough, but let this fun thing to bake come to room temperature for about ten minutes, then run your knife under hot water before slicing—this will keep the top from cracking.
22. Brownie Cupcakes
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 12
Picky kids, follow me—this one's for you. Top the brownies off with marshmallows right before they finish baking, then watch them melt to perfection in the oven. I won't tell if you start with store-bought brownie mix either.
23. Microwave Double Chocolate Cake Bowl
Kelsey Preciado/Unbelievabowl Paleo
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, gluten free
Serves: 4
Cassava flour, maple syrup and coconut whipped cream keep this ten-minute wonder Paleo-friendly. It's also gluten free and comes together in the microwave, so you won't need to preheat your oven and consequently turn your kitchen into a sauna.
24. No-Bake, Gluten-Free Rose Petal Brownies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: no-bake, gluten free, vegan, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 8
Just because they're vegan doesn't mean they aren't rich and decadent. A sprinkling of rose tea is a great substitute if you don’t have dried rose petals or edible flowers in the spice cabinet (or don’t feel like searching for them at the store).
25. Vegan and Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Ginger Tart
Nisha Vora
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free, vegan, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 12
Isn't she lovely? I fell hard for both the gingersnap crust and the candied ginger-pistachio topping, but they merely gild the plant-based chocolate lily. The fudgy consistency of the center will have you swooning at first bite.
Kid-Friendly Fun Things to Bake
26. Classic Banana Bread
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, kid-friendly
Serves: one 9-inch loaf
Just in case quarantine didn't turn you into a total pro, this banana bread is impeccably moist and pretty darn foolproof. "If you don't have sour cream, it can be swapped in equal amounts for plain yogurt, mascarpone cheese or even buttermilk," Gillen advises. "Want to add nuts or chocolate chips? I fully support you (especially if it's chocolate chips)."
27. Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Serves: 1
In case you simply can’t be trusted around a fresh batch of chocolate chippers, this quick confection will hit the spot without tempting you for days. Picky kids will adore it, too—the texture is a basically a fluffy cookie cake. Bonus? This fun treat is easy enough for them to assemble and prepare on their own (or with your help).
28. Homemade Toaster Pastries
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why I Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Serves: 12
Pillsbury has nothing on these beauties, which only call for six simple ingredients (and no homemade dough). They'll become your kids' new favorite breakfast in no time. Substitute any flavor jam you'd like for the filling, but I'm a fan of classic strawberry.
29. Giant Cinnamon Roll
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: one 9-inch cinnamon roll
Less is more—unless I'm talking about breakfast pastries. No one will complain about the size of this warm-spiced behemoth (or the generous amount of two-ingredient vanilla icing on top). The secret lies in a few tubes of store-bought Crescent Roll dough, which bake up flaky and buttery without a ton of effort on your part.
30. Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cider Frosting
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 18
The key to this fall-inspired cake's frosting is boiling apple cider until it reduces into a highly concentrated, flavorful syrup. One bite, and it'll become your go-to baking project for lazy autumn Sundays. It's also wonderful for feeding a crowd.
31. Glazed Doughnut Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 24
C’mon, how ridiculously adorable are these Homer Simpson doughnut doppelgangers? They’re basically edible emojis. Substitute whatever food dye you'd like if you aren't feeling the pink glaze—they'll be devourable no matter what.
32. Triple Cookie Skillet Pie
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why I Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
Serves: one 9-inch pie
Something tells me your kids won’t want birthday cake for their next party once they catch wind of this triple-threat. It's divided into three tasty varieties—chocolate chip, chocolate s'mores and snickerdoodle—so there's something for everyone at the table.
33. 5-Minute S’mores Mug Cake for One
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Serves: 1
Since graham crackers, chocolate and toasted marshmallows are a divine combination year-round, why wait for summer to indulge in a real-deal s'more? With this iteration of the seasonal delicacy, you won't have to brave the great outdoors when it's below freezing to dig in. In fact, you won't even need to turn on the oven.
34. No-Bake Sugar Cookie Truffles
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no bake
Serves: 20
Otherwise known as the tastiest way to repurpose leftover sugar cookies. The secret to binding these festive, tangy bites is cream cheese. But the real key to their charming appearance is sprinkles, of course. Use any color or shape that suits your fancy.
35. Oreo-Stuffed Brownies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 9
Because no baker (or eater) should ever have to choose between cookies and brownies, this fun thing to bake delivers the best of both worlds. Top them with ice cream, dunk them in milk or demolish them straight from the pan.
36. Broiler S’mores
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Serves: 4 to 6
Craving this summer staple in the off-season? Trade the bonfire for your oven’s broiler and skewers for a a cast iron skillet, and you're in business. Make sandwiches with the toasty graham crackers or dig in with spoons—the dessert is your oyster.
37. Edible Cookie Dough
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why I Love It: gluten free, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Serves: 12
There’s no salve for a bad day quite like raw cookie dough. That said, do yourself a favor and indulge in it safely with this egg- and wheat-free take (which uses almond flour in place of all-purpose) instead of the store-bought kind.
38. Cake Batter Dip
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no bake
Serves: 6 to 8
This no-bake, five-minute crowd-pleaser can make any day feel like your birthday. To make the cake mix safe to eat, microwave it in a bowl on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F throughout.
Ridiculously Easy Fun Things to Bake
39. Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Serves: 24
Believe it or not, the marbled design is a breeze to master, even for the culinarily challenged. "It's best to stick to two colors (three, max) to avoid a muddy result," Gillen writes. "More mixing will have a softer, more marbled effect; less mixing will yield bright streaks of color." Start with store-bought sugar cookie dough to save time.
40. 3-Ingredient Brigadeiro
Taryn Pire
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes chilling)
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients
Serves: 15
These Brazilian sweets, starring sweetened condensed milk, are dangerously poppable, not to mention a breeze to make. My spin on it comes in classic chocolate and unexpected strawberry milk varieties. Keep it traditional by hand-rolling the mixture into tiny balls and coating them in sprinkles, or save time by eating the mixture straight from the pan once it’s chilled (that’s called brigadeiro de colher, or spoon brigadeiro).
41. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Yumna Jawad/Feel Good Foodie
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Serves: 18
These sweet-and-salty handhelds, made with sugar-free peanut butter, keep in the freezer for up to three months. (That means you can prep the dough ahead and bake some whenever you get a craving.) Bonus: You probably have everything you need already on hand.
42. Chrissy Teigen’s 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
Aubrie Pick/Cravings: Hungry for More
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Serves: 4
How chic is this? The mousse is crowned with salted crisped rice-hazelnut crackle for good measure (and fresh whipped cream, of course). "Bonus points if you load it into pretty glasses, though it tastes just as good in a Dixie cup," Tieghan writes. Say less, Chrissy.
43. Easy Cherry Skillet Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 10
Your cast iron skillet basically guarantees crispy edges and a fluffy center, aka the perfect cake. Feel free to use frozen cherries in the off season; the rest is pantry staples. P.S.: I wouldn't blame you for serving this beaut at brunch.
44. Dessert Nachos
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Serves: 6
Trade baking for frying to make these cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips, topped with a slew of sweet fixings. I'm talking chocolate sauce, caramel, whipped cream and raspberries. It's giving churros for a fraction of the work, no?
45. Chocolate-Chip Mug Brownie for One
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one bowl, <30 minutes
Serves: 1
Face it, there’s no better way to get your chocolate fix than with this lightning-fast treat. It bakes to gooey perfection in the microwave for minimal fuss and cleanup. Let your kids add the chocolate chips (and miniature PB cups) to theirs.
46. Cheater’s Mini Rhubarb Galettes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 9
Who knew a five-ingredient dessert could look this gorgeous? It's all thanks to vibrant rhubarb (oh, and handy store-bought pie dough). Simply roll it out, pile rhubarb slices in the middle and fold up the edges to hold it all together.
47. Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Spend with Pennies
Time Commitment: 10 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, no-bake, gluten free
Serves: 15
The best impromptu baking recipes are those that require no baking at all. I'm looking at you, cheater's fudge. It'll keep in the fridge for up to two weeks, but I doubt you'll be able to resist its charms for that long. Best of luck.
48. 10-Minute Strawberry Cobbler for One
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Serves: 1
For when you're craving freshly baked cobbler but don't want to turn on the oven, there's this edible shortcut. Feel free to toss in whatever berries you have on hand; the whipped cream, however, is nonnegotiable.
49. Coconut Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, <10 ingredients
Serves: 24
They taste like a blissful combo of sugar cookies and coconut macaroons, and I'm here for it. The topping is nothing but shredded coconut, confectioners' sugar and egg white, so even total newbies can conquer this fun thing to bake on their first go.
50. 30-Minute Angel Food Cupcakes
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 12
Light as air and heavenly in flavor, these cupcakes are so much easier to pull off than traditional angel food cake, which is surprisingly finicky and takes longer to bake. The whipped cream frosting stays firm and pink, thanks to freeze-dried strawberries.
51. Caramel Almond Cake
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 10
Slivered almonds + sugar = a sweet, crunchy caramel topping that will impress every guest imaginable. Right before the cake is done baking, it's crowned with the sugary nuts that transform into a drool-worthy crust in mere minutes. You won't miss the frosting, promise.
52. Biscuit Dough Pumpkin Hand Pies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 16
Thanksgiving breakfast, anyone? I'll be washing mine down with a pumpkin spice latte, obvi. Shoutout to refrigerated canned biscuit dough for the beyond-easy crust and store-bought pumpkin purée for the filling.
53. Giant Brown Sugar Snickerdoodles
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 10
I'll never turn one of these cinnamony handhelds down. These are soft and chewy like the O.G., but also rolled in sugar before baking for crunchy, caramelized bottoms. This calls for a tall, ice-cold glass of milk (or a warm mug of apple cider).
54. Caramel Coconut Macaroons
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 24
A simple caramel sauce sweetens the cookies and gives them a killer burnt sugar flavor. Feel free to dip the bottoms in dark chocolate or top them with flaky salt for a wow-worthy finishing touch.
55. Puff Pastry Plum and Thyme Galette
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 8
Think of the galette as pie's laid-back, super cool cousin. This one is as easy as crinkling store-bought dough into a skillet, plopping in fresh plums and letting your oven do the rest. All that's missing is a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream, or even just a few glugs of cold heavy cream.
56. Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 24
Fact: You can get your cheesecake fix *without* a fussy water bath. You’ll have two dozen of these cookies ready to serve in less time than it takes to watch an episode of Love Is Blind. How's that for simple?
57. Botanical Shortbread Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 18
Dessert or work of art? I say both. Violets, pansies, lavender, roses—the garden's limit does not exist when it comes to garnishing these simple shortbread cookies. There's no need to dry and press the blossoms before baking, either. Just use egg wash to glue them down.
58. No-Knead Cinnamon-Swirl Bread
Eva Kolenko
Time Commitment: 3 hours and 5 minutes
Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Serves: 2 loaves
And just like that, I'm craving buttered toast. This peasant bread recipe is mind-blowingly painless to pull off (and it's hiding a generous layer of cinnamon sugar). Best of all, it calls for a quick, yeast-based dough that requires almost no handling.
59. Malted Sugar Cookies
Yossy Arefi/Snacking Bakes
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, one bowl
Serves: 20
If the goal is to satisfy your sweet tooth without filling the sink with dirty dishes, turn to these ridiculously simple sugar cookies. Malted milk powder infuses them with nutty, toasty flavor, but you can up the ante with crushed, freeze-dried berries too, if you'd like.
Special Occasion-Worthy Fun Things to Bake
60. Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: one 9-inch cake
Let the oohs and ahhs roll in. This dessert is inspired by light-as-clouds semlor, a yeasted Swedish cake. "Traditionally, the cake is scored to show people where to cut it," McDowell explains. "My version is much easier to shape because it's simply baked in a Bundt pan."
61. Birthday Cupcakes with White Wine Buttercream
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 55 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 12
Vino, dessert and sprinkles—the gang's all here, and their presence calls for a party. Why not wash 'em down with Champagne? I won't tell if you start with store-bought confetti cake mix, either; they'll turn out festive no matter what.
62. Lemon Meringue Cookies
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 20
Lemon meringue pie, meet sugar cookie. These gems are equal parts tart, sweet and gorgeous. Hot tip: Rubbing lemon zest into the sugar before beginning helps release more of its natural citrus flavor into the treats.
63. Fig Tarte Tatin
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Serves: 8
Store-bought puff pastry meets sticky-sweet, caramelized produce to create an unforgettably elegant dessert. Bookmark this beauty now to wow your relatives with after Christmas dinner (or any old weeknight).
64. Brown Sugar-Pear Puff Pastries
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 10
This fun thing to bake is destined to be the finale of your Thanksgiving feast. Can you believe it starts with store-bought dough? (Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.) Your guests will want to snap a photo before digging in, trust.
65. Ruby Red Grapefruit Panna Cotta
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, no-bake, gluten free
Serves: 6
Mangia on this: You only need six ingredients and a couple of hours to pull off this sophisticated Italian treat. It's just right for after a big meal, when you're craving something sweet-ish yet light that won't bog you down. I feel a dinner party coming on, amica.
66. Spiced Palmiers
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 24
On the hunt for a weekend baking project? Look no further than this impressive pick, starring homemade puff pastry. They require a bit more patience and skill than most of these recipes, but I promise they're well worth the effort.
67. 10-Minute Caramel Apple Baked Brie
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, gluten free
Serves: 8 to 10
Keep this fun Brie recipe in your back pocket for the next time your in-laws make an unexpected visit. It's just fancy-looking enough to impress them, but simple enough that you won't be stressed when preparing it (and you can easily pull it off at a moment's notice).
68. Neapolitan Pie
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Serves: 8
This tri-flavored (and tri-colored) custard pie, layered with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry fillings, is the definition of nostalgia. The whipped topping is just a tasty bonus. Slice it in front of your guests for maximum drama.
69. Cardamom Crème Brûlée
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, gluen free
Serves: 6
Even the fussiest guests will be wowed by this chic number. "Steeping cardamom in the cream before you begin the process adds beautiful, warm flavor to the custard," McDowell explains. "Don't skip the whole cardamom pods—they're a lot spicier than the ground version."
70. Rosé Poached Pears with Ginger and Vanilla
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, no-bake, special occasion-worthy
Serves: 6
Table this pear-y (sorry) elegant idea for your next fancy dinner soirée. All it takes is simmering the fruit in spiced wine until warmed through and tender. Wash it down with...well, you know.
71. Mini Caramel Pecan Pies with Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 24
There’s truly nothing your muffin tin can’t do. Oh, and FYI, there’s no way you’ll be able to stop noshing on these nutty, caramelly delights after just one. The cinnamon roll crust is half-homemade, since it starts with store-bought dough but gets zhuzhed with warm spices and butter.
72. Sticky Toffee Honeycomb Cake
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: one 9-inch cake
Sticky toffee pudding, a holiday date spongecake from Britain, was long overdue for an upgrade. This version boasts a thick honey-butter caramel that you'll want to savor every drop of, and it looks gorgeous to boot. Ten bucks at least one guest asks you for the recipe.
73. Roasted Apple Pavlova with Honey Whipped Cream
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 6
This fall gem is so light, yet supremely decadent. Think meringue topped with roasted, spiced apples and honey-vanilla whipped cream. Are you drooling yet? (No? Just me?)
74. Blueberry, Blackberry and Raspberry Soufflés
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 6
Since the recipe calls for frozen berries instead of fresh, you can whip up this impressive, fun thing to bake any time of year. Just be sure to not over-mix the batter and to handle them as gently as possible when taking them out of the oven. No one wants deflated soufflé.
75. Ginger Cherry Pie
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Serves: one 9-inch pie
I hope you like your dessert a lil' spicy, because this beauty calls for fresh, ground *and* crystallized ginger. Sour cherries work best in this pie since it balances the filling (and it's OK to use frozen or canned), but sweet ones will work in a pinch, too.
76. Babka-ish Monkey Bread
Alana Kysar/Dinner Party Project
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
Serves: 6 to 8
If the recipe calls for refrigerated biscuit dough, you know it's a cakewalk, even for newbies. Every buttery bite is laced with cinnamon, sugar and semisweet chocolate, in case you need more convincing. (I didn't think so.)
77. Brown Butter Marble Cake
Yossy Arefi/Snacking Bakes
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Serves: 8
Leave it to liquid gold (aka brown butter) to upgrade this deliciously simple snacking cake. Asymmetrical dollops of chocolate and vanilla batter are the trick to its cow spot-like look. Serve it with confectioners’ sugar, berry jam, mocha glaze or nothing at all.
78. Coffee-Glazed Molasses Bars
Yossy Arefi/Snacking Bakes
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Serves: 16
Loaded with warm spices and a brown sugar-molasses base, these cookie bars will make any coffee lover swoon. Might I suggest making a double batch of the four-ingredient espresso glaze to drizzle over vanilla ice cream, banana bread and brownies alike?
The Best 10-Minute Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, Like, Now
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