37 Show-Stopping Desserts for Any Celebration

By Alexandra Caspero on November 20, 2023

A stunning dessert has the power to truly take a gathering from ordinary to extraordinary. When celebrating milestones, holidays, or special occasions, you want to pull out all the stops with a dessert that wows.

These eye-catching desserts are indulgent and special enough for any occasion. Set the tone for celebration with these 37 show-stopping dessert recipes!

WOW Chocolate Cake

The BEST chocolate cake! Incredibly moist, this chocolate cake recipe is the best chocolate cake that just happens to be vegan. With homemade chocolate frosting, a must make for birthdays and other celebrations. 

Make the Recipe: Chocolate Cake

Holiday Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping

vegan cranberry pie recipe

This tart cranberry pie with streusel topping is a must for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday season! Lightly sweetened, it’s a refreshing dessert option to enjoy at any special fall or winter gathering.

Make the Recipe: Holiday Cranberry Pie Recipe

Chocolate Pudding

close up of vegan pudding in a glass with berries

If you love chocolate, then you’ve gotta try this pudding recipe. It’s SO good– and packed with protein!

Make the Recipe: Chocolate Pudding

 Pumpkin Pie Bars with Pecan Crust

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Bars with Pecan Crust

One of my favorite desserts for Thanksgiving or the holidays. Vegan pecan pie crust topped with a creamy pumpkin filling.

Make the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bars with Pecan Crust

Apple Pie Bars

Vegan Apple Pie Bars

You have to try these healthier apple pie bars! These bars taste just like apple pie but with a fraction of the work! Oat based crust with seasoned apples.

Make the Recipe: Apple Pie Bars

Cranberry Bars

vegan cranberry oat bars

These vegan and gluten-free cranberry orange bars are the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

Make the Recipe: Cranberry Bars

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

vegan pecan pie cheesecake bars

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars, Vegan and Gluten-Free! You are going to love these clean eating bars! Pecan Pie crust with dairy-free, no bake cheesecake filling.

Make the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

vegan chocolate peanut butter pie

No Bake Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie! The BEST chocolate pie; tastes just like a peanut butter cup and you’ll never guess the secret ingredient!

Make the Recipe: No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Espresso Brownies

vegan espresso brownies

Vegan Espresso Brownies! These espresso brownies are so rich and chocolatey! Perfect for gift giving, dessert and snacks. 

Make the Recipe: Espresso Brownies

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

no-bake gluten-free pumpkin cheesecake bars

A must for fall, thanksgiving, Christmas and other gatherings. Lower sugar, high protein and easy to make!

Make the Recipe: No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal Bars

Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal Bars. You've gotta try these naturally sweetened oatmeal cookie bars, layered with dark chocolate almond butter. Vegan | #granolabars #oats #snack #vegan | www.delishknowledge.com

You’ve gotta try these healthy oatmeal bars, they’re naturally sweetened oatmeal cookie bars, layered with dark chocolate almond butter. A simple vegan cereal bar recipe!

Make the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal Bars

Espresso Cheesecake Bars

Espresso cheesecake bars! If you liked my pumpkin pecan pie bars or pecan cheesecake bars, you are going to love these.

Make the Recipe: Espresso Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Chocolate Dessert Cups

Pumpkin Chocolate Cups! You've gotta make these for Fall and Halloween. A chocolate cup base with creamy pumpkin filling, more chocolate and almonds. Vegan and Gluten-Free. | www.delishknowledge.com

Whatever you call them, they are good. A little messy to make (and sometimes to eat) but such a fun treat.

Make the Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Dessert Cups

Homemade Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Peanut butter and chocolate is one of the most popular combos, which is why this homemade peanut butter swirl brownie recipe is so amazing.

Make the Recipe: Homemade Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Pumpkin Blondies

Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Everyone loves sweet, gooey pumpkin blondies. These homemade pumpkin blondies are loaded with healthy pumpkin puree.

Make the Recipe: Pumpkin Blondies

Apple Pie Spring Rolls

Photo Credit: My Pure Plants.

These apple pie spring rolls are filled with grated apples and cinnamon, then wrapped in rice paper sheets and fried into a crispy finger food dessert.

Make the Recipe: Apple Pie Spring Rolls

Salted Caramel Banana Cake

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

Do you love bananas? Does Salted Caramel ring your bells? Do you have a sweet tooth? Our Low FODMAP Salted Caramel Banana Cake is for you!

Make the Recipe: Salted Caramel Banana Cake

Mocha Toffee Crunch Cake

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

This Mocha Toffee Crunch Cake is a big, important cake, perfect for significant milestone birthdays and other celebratory events.

Make the Recipe: Mocha Toffee Crunch Cake

Mocha Chocolate Chunk Bars with Whiskey Salted Caramel

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

I know the title is a mouthful, and actually, I was going to add “Browned-Butter” to the beginning of the title because that is the basis for these coffee/chocolate/toffee-like/caramel/whiskey-enhanced blondies. They are OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Make the Recipe: Mocha Chocolate Chunk Bars with Whiskey Salted Caramel

Black Bottom Pie

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

OK, the real name of this recipe is Black Bottom Pie with Espresso Whipped Cream in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust! WOW! And yes, it tastes even better than that description. 

Make the Recipe: Black Bottom Pie

Red Velvet Cake with Cooked Vanilla Icing

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

A lightly flavored chocolate cake tinted red with food coloring has long been a favorite in the Southeastern United States – but it seems like the entire world is now red velvet crazy!

Make the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake with Cooked Vanilla Icing

Mixed Berry Terrine

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

Our Mixed Berry Terrine is the perfect choice when you want a gorgeous dessert that is light, low calorie, low fat and absolutely packed with fresh fruit flavor.

Make the Recipe: Mixed Berry Terrine

Blackout Cake

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

If you are looking for a very chocolaty experience in cake form, that happens to be easy to make, this Blackout Cake is the perfect choice. Make this cake for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthdays – or anytime you want a knockout chocolate cake. 

Make the Recipe: Blackout Cake

Texas Sheet Cake

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

This Texas Sheet Cake is a classic: large, thin, moist chocolate cake with poured-on chocolate icing studded with nuts. Easy to make, serves a crowd – and you will get your chocolate fix!

Make the Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake

Lemon Meringue Cake

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

We love a lemon meringue pie; we love lemon curd in crisp, white meringue nests and nestled into buttery, cookie crusts as a tart– and we are crazy about this Lemon Meringue Cake.

Make the Recipe: Lemon Meringue Cake

Baked Alaska

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

It was time to make a Baked Alaska, as I love this dessert so very much. I have had a version in many of my cookbooks, even dating back to my very first book, The Wedding Cake Book.

Make the Recipe: Baked Alaska

Cranberry Raspberry Cheesecake Trifle

Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

We think our Raspberry Cheesecake Trifle just might become your go-to winter holiday dessert. Trifles are fantastic desserts for large parties – they feed a crowd and can be assembled ahead.

Make the Recipe: Cranberry Raspberry Cheesecake Trifle

Moist Chocolate Cake

Photo Credit: The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

I’m not joking when I say this is the best moist chocolate cake around. It’s a classic, and the coffee just intensifies the chocolate flavor.

Make the Recipe: Moist Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Fudge with Bourbon

Photo Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

This Chocolate Fudge Recipe is so easy! This particular fudge is chock full of pecans and has a lovely hint of Kentucky bourbon!

Make the Recipe: Chocolate Fudge with Bourbon

German Chocolate Brownies

Photo Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

These German chocolate brownies with coconut pecan frosting are fudgy, gooey, & absolutely dreamy! No one will believe they are gluten-free!

Make the Recipe: German Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate Chip Brownie Cheesecake

Photo Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

This gluten-free Chocolate Chip Brownie Cheesecake is a dessert lover’s DREAM! Boasts a rich layer of brownie topped with silky chocolate chip cheesecake.

Make the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Brownie Cheesecake

Oatmeal Cake

Photo Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

An absolutely divine double-layer cinnamon oatmeal cake topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. A popular cake often requested for birthday parties!

Make the Recipe: Oatmeal Cake

No-Churn Red Wine, Strawberry & Salted Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

Photo Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

A no-churn, light, summery, red-wine-infused ice cream with hints of strawberry and salted dark chocolate. Only 10 minutes to prep and 4 hours to freeze.

Make the Recipe: No-Churn Red Wine, Strawberry & Salted Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate Tart

Photo Credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Gluten-free and full of chocolate flavor this Chocolate Tart is perfect for holiday entertaining.  Serve it with whipped cream and lots of pomegranate arils.

Make the Recipe: Chocolate Tart

Smores Bars

Photo Credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Smores Bars are always a win and these sweet ones will not disappoint.  Made with chocolate graham crackers, chocolate chunks, and mini marshmallows.

Make the Recipe: Smores Bars

Caramel Apple Nachos

Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Caramel apple nachos are crisp apples loaded with salted caramel, rich white chocolate, and crunchy toppings. They’re so simple to make and perfect for parties!

Make the Recipe: Caramel Apple Nachos

Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles 

Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Dark chocolate pumpkin truffles are decadent spiced pumpkin balls dipped in rich, dark chocolate. They’re the perfect no-bake treats this fall!

Make the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles 

36 Family-Friendly Weeknight Dinners That Are Ready in 30 Minutes

Alfredo pasta dinner with creamy white sauce and herbs
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

These recipes are ideal for hectic weeknights. Whether you prefer pasta dishes or stir-fries, these flavorful and effortless-to-prepare meals will allow you to unwind and relish your evenings without sacrificing taste.

Read More: Family Friendly Dinners

Copycat Cravings: Recreate Your Favorite Restaurant Orders in Your Own Kitchen

asian chicken
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

With these clever copycat recipes, you can recreate beloved menu items from major restaurant chains in your own kitchen for a fraction of the price. From cult-favorite fast food to fancy sit-down restaurant entrees, these copycat recipes will help satisfy your food cravings and save you money at the same time.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with restaurant-quality meals that you can make at home. These are your favorite copycat recipes from Chipotle, Panda Express, Chili’s, Starbucks and more!

Get the Recipes: Favorite Copycat Recipes

Cozy Up with These 14 Soothing Comfort Food Recipes

Shepherd's,Pie,,Traditional,British,Dish,With,Minced,Meat,And,Mashed
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Food is more than just sustenance. Beyond providing the nutrients and energy we need to survive, food can also provide us comfort, joy, and feelings of nostalgia. With cooler weather around the corner, these comfort foods are perfect for chilly, cozy dinners.

From slow cooker soups to creamy pasta to hearty stews, these are our favorite comfort food classics.

Get the Recipes: Comfort Food Classics

45 Fall Baking Recipes So Good, People Won’t Believe You Made Them From Scratch

Pumpkin,Bars,With,Cinnamon,Sugar,Crust,,Freshly,Baked,Spiced,Pumpkin
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

The crisp air, changing leaves, and cozy sweaters mean one thing: fall is here. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than by firing up the oven and baking up some autumnal treats.

Fall baking evokes images of apple and pumpkin-flavored desserts, deliciously warm spices, and comfort foods that make you feel like you’re wrapped in your favorite blanket.

From apple crisps to pumpkin breads, coffee cake to pies, we cover all the fall flavors you know and love. You’ll find easy weeknight desserts, tasty treats for holiday parties, and plenty of family-friendly options to make with kids.

Get the recipes: Fall Baking Recipes to Make Now

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