Indulge your sweet tooth with this collection of 15 classic American dessert recipes! From rich and gooey brownies to creamy cheesecakes and ice cream, these recipes showcase the best of American baking. Perfect for any occasion, these desserts are simple to make and guaranteed to satisfy your cravings.

4th of July Cupcakes

4th of July Cupcakes. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Bursting with red, white, and blue, these festive cupcakes are a true celebration in every bite. Topped with colorful swirls of frosting, they’re a playful treat for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: 4th of July Cupcakes

Apple Crisp Without Oats

Apple Crisp Without Oats. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This oat-free twist on the classic apple crisp is crumbly, buttery, and loaded with cinnamon-kissed apples. It’s as comforting as a warm hug from your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp Without Oats

Three cinnamon sugar blondies stacked on a white plate, placed on a woven tray, with a cinnamon stick beside them.
Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Imagine the warm, cinnamon-sugar flavor of a classic snickerdoodle cookie, but in soft, chewy bar form! These bars are easy to make and full of cozy spice that feels like a hug in dessert form.
Get the Recipe: Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Avocado mousse in glass on burlap.
Avocado Chocolate Mousse. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This creamy, decadent dessert has the richness of chocolate with a surprising touch of smooth avocado. Who knew healthy and indulgent could coexist so deliciously?
Get the Recipe: Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Best Black Bean Brownies

Best Black Bean Brownies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

These fudgy brownies are rich, chocolaty, and sneakily packed with black beans for a delightful twist. Perfect for those who love a treat with a little surprise!
Get the Recipe: Best Black Bean Brownies

Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream in a glass jar with a spoon.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sweet cherries and melty chocolate chips come together in a creamy base for a refreshing treat. It’s like happiness in a bowl, perfect for warm days!
Get the Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Chewy Lemon Cookies

Image shows a fingers holding a Chewy Lemon Cookie with more in the background.
Chewy Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Zesty and bright, these lemon cookies balance sweetness and tanginess with a satisfying chewy texture. A little sunshine in edible form!
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Cookies

Chewy S’more Cookies

Image shows a closeup of a chewy s'mores cookie held over a wooden table.
Chewy S’more Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

All the gooey goodness of campfire s’mores packed into a chewy cookie. Marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker perfection!
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’more Cookies

Chocolate Cake With Strawberry Filling

A slice of chocolate cake with a strawberry filling and dark chocolate glaze on a plate. Whole cake in the background, garnished with a halved strawberry. Fork on the side.
Chocolate Cake With Strawberry Filling. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Layered with rich chocolate cake and luscious strawberry filling, this dessert strikes just the right balance of indulgence and sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cake With Strawberry Filling

Chocolate Cherry Cobbler Cake

A dish with chocolate chips and cherries in it.
Chocolate Cherry Cobbler Cake. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This delightful treat combines the fruity sweetness of cherries with the fudgy goodness of chocolate cake, all baked to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Cobbler Cake

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Double the chocolate, double the fun! Creamy, rich, and packed with chocolate chips, this ice cream is a chocoholic’s dream come true.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate fudge on a white plate.
Chocolate Fudge. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Classic, rich chocolate fudge that melts in your mouth with every bite. It’s sweet simplicity at its very best.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Fudge

Graham Cracker Cookie Bars topped with m&m's.
Graham Cracker Cookie Bars. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Perfectly balanced with a graham cracker crust, gooey middle, and melting chocolate layers, these bars are everything you want in a dessert.
Get the Recipe: Graham Cracker Cookie Bars

Pumpkin Bars

A slice of pumpkin bars on a plate.
Pumpkin Bars. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Soft, spiced pumpkin bars with a silky cream cheese frosting are fall flavors baked into every bite. Warm spices and creamy frosting? Divine.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bars

Toasted S’mores Cookies

Image shows Toasted smores cookies on a white tray.
Toasted S’mores Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

A toasted marshmallow, chocolatey delight baked into a cookie you can enjoy anywhere. No campfire needed for these beauties.
Get the Recipe: Toasted S’mores Cookies

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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