Our Most Popular Dessert Recipes Ever

no-bake key lime cheesecake
Armando Rafael

It's no secret that each of you, our readers, have a huge sweet tooth. Here, we're sharing our most popular dessert recipes, which are the ones that you bake over and over again. From classic chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake to fruit crisps and crumbles, these sweet treats never fail to please, and you've come back to them time and time again.

One recipe everyone really seems to love is the No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake that's pictured here. No-bake cheesecake recipes are generally popular because they're so easy to prepare and are truly the ultimate make-ahead dessert, but this one has some extra-special flavors that take it to the next level. In this recipe, cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk are mixed together until they're super fluffy. Then the juice and zest of key limes and vanilla extract are added to the creamy mixture and the whole thing chills over a graham cracker crust for at least 12 hours. When dessert time comes around, all you need to do is garnish with fresh lime zest, cut a slice, grab a fork, and dig in.

You'll also find lots of seasonal desserts here that are loved by our readers. Make use of summer fruits like berries, peaches, and nectarines with our crisp and cobbler recipes. Come fall, we're all about apple and pumpkin desserts that we know the entire family will love. We even have a recipe for a Bundt cake inspired by the classic orchard treat that is the apple cider doughnut! Plus, we're sharing our most popular pie recipes that you can bake and place on your Thanksgiving table.

01 of 31

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

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If you're in search of the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe, this is it. A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar makes for an incredible chewy, moist cookie, and two sticks of unsalted butter ensure that it tastes rich and crisps up beautifully in the oven.

02 of 31

No-Bake Cheesecake

no-bake cheesecake
Andrea Araiza

If you're new to baking cheesecake or just don't feel like turning on the oven, try this low-key, no-bake cheesecake recipe. Instead of the usual eggs, this filling gets its creaminess from a combination of cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk.

03 of 31

Apple Crisp

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José Manuel Picayo Rivera

Hiding beneath a buttery, crumbly oat topping are three pounds of apples, which cook down in this classic dessert recipe. They're mixed with just two simple ingredients—fresh lemon juice and ground cinnamon—which bring out their flavor.

04 of 31

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

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It doesn't get more classic or delicious than this all-American recipe. A trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves accent tart Granny Smith apples, which burst beneath the seams of our buttery, flaky pâte brisée crust.

05 of 31

Pumpkin Cupcakes

pumpkin cupcakes on cakestand and plate
Bryan Gardner

How adorable are these festive cupcakes for fall? They're one of our most popular dessert recipes of all time, thanks to their moist, spiced batter, rich cream cheese frosting, and cute marzipan pumpkins on top.

06 of 31

Apple-Cider Doughnut Cake

apple cider donut cake
Jonathan Lovekin

If you love snacking on the classic orchard treat, you'll love tasting it in the form of this super moist Bundt cake, which is covered in cinnamon-sugar, just like the real deal.

07 of 31

Red Velvet Cupcakes

red velvet cupcakes

Learn how to bake this classic dessert, which is one of our readers' all-time favorites. Just two tablespoons of cocoa powder and red gel food coloring give the batter the signature red velvet finish and buttermilk keeps each cupcake super moist.

08 of 31

Rainbow Cake

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Who wouldn't want a giant slice of this colorful cake that features six layers of vanilla batter that is dyed like a rainbow? We offset the sweetness with a bright lemon buttercream.

09 of 31

Chocolate Coconut Bars

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Inspired by a classic magic bar, this dessert starts with a graham cracker crust. Once baked, it's topped with chopped pecans, semisweet chocolate chips, a can of sweetened condensed milk, and sweetened shredded coconut.

10 of 31

Classic Cream Puffs

Classic Cream Puffs

Master the art of making pâte à choux and then fill each puff with pastry cream, scoops of ice cream or gelato, or anything else you fancy with this master recipe that is one of our readers' all-time favorites.

11 of 31

Lemon Cake

lemon cake
Julia Hartbeck

More than a quarter cup of lemon juice and zest brings big, bright flavor to this cake that looks and tastes like pure sunshine. We finish it off with a simple whipped meringue frosting and garnish with thin lemon slices for a peek at the fantastic flavor waiting for you on the inside.

12 of 31

Chocolate Mousse

chocolate mousse
Minh + Wass

This super special chocolate dessert never disappoints. Try the five-ingredient recipe to perfect the art of making an indulgent chocolate mousse.

13 of 31

Chocolate Soufflé

chocolate souffle in white ramekin
Romulo Yanes

Four whipped egg whites and three egg yolks create an absolutely magical chocolate soufflé that is cloud-like in texture, but still plenty fudgy thanks to eight ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate.

14 of 31

Key Lime Pie

key lime pie
LIsa Hubbard

You don't need to take a trip to the southernmost point of Florida to enjoy a slice of this pie. Use one-half cup of freshly squeezed key lime juice to give this old-fashioned dessert authentic flavor.

15 of 31

Blueberry Crisp

blueberry crisp
Johnny Miller

Three whole pints of blueberries become jammy and juicy when mixed with cornstarch and lemon juice and baked in the oven. They're topped with a crispy, crumbly mixture of unsalted butter, flour, rolled oats, and sugar.

16 of 31

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

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John Kernick

Enjoy this better-for-you spin on a timeless oatmeal cookie, which uses a combination of whole-wheat and all-purpose flour, plus dried currants or raisins (because of course!).

17 of 31

Crème Brûlée

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Tap a spoon against the caramelized topping and watch as the hardened sugar cracks into mesmerizing shards. Underneath is the creamiest and most luxurious custard made from seven egg yolks, heavy cream, and sugar.

18 of 31

Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding

Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding
John Kernick

You don't have to pick sides for this dessert. Our recipe will walk you through the process of making a classic vanilla or chocolate pudding—and we guarantee that you'll love them both.

19 of 31

Triple-Chocolate Mousse Cakes

Triple-Chocolate Mousse Cakes

Take a gander at this irresistible chocolate dessert, which is one of our most popular recipes of all time. A duo of bittersweet and milk chocolate mousse are piped over a base layer of dark chocolate cake.

20 of 31

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake

Lemon Glaze
Lisa Cohen

Finish this fragrant lemon pound cake with a lemon glaze for a double dose of citrus that instantly perks up the dessert course.

21 of 31

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

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Lennart Weibull

This family-friendly format is just as delicious as a traditional batch of chocolate chip cookies, but it's so much easier to make. All you need to do is press the buttery dough into the cast iron skillet and bake.

22 of 31

Yellow Butter Cake

vanilla pecan sand castle

You don't need to rely on a boxed mix to make a classic yellow cake. All you need is this recipe, which uses a combination of all-purpose and cake flour, and is one of our readers' all-time favorites.

23 of 31

Red Velvet Chocolate Cake

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The secret to our perfect red velvet cake is using cake flour, which keeps the cake light and gives it a very fine crumb, and canola oil (rather than the usual butter) for an extra-moist slice.

24 of 31

Peach Crumble

Peach Crumble
Con Poulos

Peaches peak in summer and we can't wait to get our hands on an abundance of this stone fruit. Bring them home from the market and then turn them into this easy fruit crumble. The topping is made with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and flour.

25 of 31

Coconut Cloud Cake

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You'll instantly be transported to cloud nine when you taste this coconut cake. It's made with cake flour (it has a lower protein count than all-purpose) and 14 (yes, 14!) egg whites. The result is light-as-air and sweet as can be.

26 of 31

Strawberry Cake

Strawberry Cake

An entire pound of strawberries is studded in this simple cake that we bake in a deeper pie dish. Keep it low-key and serve this dessert straight from the dish for a treat that's simple and delicious.

27 of 31

Versatile Vanilla Cake

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From birthdays to graduations to just an average Tuesday afternoon, this vanilla cake recipe can do it all, which is why it's one of our readers' favorite dessert recipes of all time.

28 of 31

No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies

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Kids and kids at heart will love this twist on rice krispy treats. Instead of the usual marshmallow cream, rice cereal is bound with a shiny caramel sauce and smooth peanut butter for a rich bite.

29 of 31

New York-Style Cheesecake

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If you can't take a trip to the Big Apple you can still enjoy this classic cheesecake by making it at home using this all-time favorite recipe. A graham cracker crust is topped with a luscious filling made from cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and eggs.

30 of 31

Raspberry-Swirl Cheesecake

raspberry swirl cheesecake
Sang An

This recipe dresses up a decadent cheesecake with fresh raspberry purée. It's swirled through the filling for a pretty-in-pink look.

31 of 31

Cream-Cheese Pound Cakes

cream cheese pound cake
Minh + Wass

Take a classic pound cake recipe to the next level with this ultra-rich recipe that makes two loaves. One bar of cream cheese is combined with softened butter, sugar, and eggs to form the base of this timeless treat.

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