90 Easy Desserts That Only Look Impossible

These recipes are game-changers.

chocolate fluffernutter pie
Suzanne Clements

There’s nothing like the joy that comes from homemade baked goods. It can make any occasion feel extra special, from birthdays to anniversaries to potlucks and everyday dinners. But what if you’re, ahem, not super confident in the kitchen? Fear not, these desserts look like a professional made them, but are actually so easy to put together! From cakes to bars to pies and even dessert dips, you’ll be able to master these easy recipes in no time!

If you’re really not a baker, here’s an introduction:
There are a number of poke cakes on this list, and if you’re unfamiliar, it’s all in the name— they’re baked, then poked, then filled with a sweet syrup or milk to add extra flavor. Basically, these are foolproof delicious, and a super way to impress without all the fuss of a layer cake. Another way to get frosting and cake without the effort is, of course, cupcakes! Hot tip: measure your batter into the cupcake liners to have them all bake up evenly. We're obsessed with the brownies and bars on this list, and for good reason. They're a guaranteed way to bring all the flavor of pie, without ever having to roll out tricky pie crust— phew! And they're great for holiday get togethers! Speaking of parties, everyone loves a dip. Why not bring a sweet one to your next gathering and really wow the crowd? If you’re feeling unsteady about measurements, check out slide 39 for our handy baking cheat sheet.

Want more easy dessert recipes? Check out our list of no-bake desserts for when you’re completely over the oven. Need more chocolate in your life? Peruse our list of chocolate desserts too.

Slutty Cheesecake Bars - Delish.com
Parker Feierbach
1 of 90
Oreo Cheesecake Bars

These are ALWAYS a hit, and way easier than making a whole cheesecake.

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giant fruit danish
Suzanne Clements
2 of 90
Giant Fruit Danish

Use your favorite jam!

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fried ice cream   delishcom
Lucy Schaeffer
3 of 90
"Fried" Ice Cream

This beauty couldn't be any easier.

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Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Dessert, Baked goods, Snack cake, Cake, Caramel, Produce,
Emily Hlavac Green
4 of 90
Samoa Dessert Lasagna

Yes — you read that correctly!

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Food, Cuisine, Confectionery, Chocolate, Toffee, Rocky road, American food, Dessert, Dish, Fudge,
Parker Feierbach
5 of 90
Confetti Squares

The rainbow marshmallows are a fun pop of color!

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fluffernutter pie in a metal pie tin with a slice taken out
Suzanne Clements
6 of 90
Chocolate Fluffernutter Pie

Marshmallow fluff updates no-bake peanut butter pie.

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closeup of pieces of fantasy fudge topped with pecans and crushed oreos
Joel Goldberg
7 of 90
Fantasy Fudge

Marshmallow fluff makes this shortcut fudge just as good as the real thing.

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funfetti birthday cake
Parker Feierbach
8 of 90
Birthday Cake

Funfetti brings the party.

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12 magic cookie bars
Joel Goldberg
9 of 90
Magic Cookie Bars

We encourage you to find your ideal combinations to discover the true magic of these bars.

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closeup of vanilla milkshake topped with rainbow sprinkles and a maraschino cherry
PARKER FEIERBACH
10 of 90
Milkshake

The mix-in options are endless!

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oreo truffles
Parker Feierbach
11 of 90
Oreo Truffles

Oreos, cream cheese, and white chocolate chips are a match made in dessert heaven.

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12 of 90
75+ Amazing Low-Carb Cakes, Cookies & More!

Whether you’re full-on keto or just keto-curious, this fully photographed, 160-page spiral-bound cookbook targets everyone’s favorite part of the meal: dessert!



peach galette with one slice separated from the rest on a white marble background
Joel Goldberg
13 of 90
Peach Galette

Don't be intimidated, this rustic pie is much easier to make than its crust-topped cousin.

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three cups of chocolate pudding on a blue background
Emily Hlavac Green
14 of 90
Chocolate Pudding

Can't go wrong with a classic.

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Vanilla Pudding - Delish.com
Emily Hlavac Green
15 of 90
Vanilla Pudding

And if you prefer vanilla, we got you.

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crepes
Parker Feierbach
16 of 90
Easy Crepes

Infinite filling options means these aren't just for brunch! Fresh strawberries and whipped cream or bananas and chocolate are a few of our favorite combos.

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milano cookies
Joel Goldberg
17 of 90
Homemade Milano Cookies

Turns out they are surprisingly easy to make and customize— we're adding mint to ours!

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food, chocolate, cuisine, dessert, dish, chocolate truffle, baked goods, ganache, ingredient, snack,
Parker Feierbach
18 of 90
Chocolate Covered Oreos

Is there anything better?

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two glasses of dole whip garnished with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries on a green tray
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SUZANNE CLEMENTS
19 of 90
Dole Pineapple Whip

Like a trip to Disney, from the comfort of your own home.

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churros
Parker Feierbach
20 of 90
Homemade Churros

They only take a few minutes to fry and still taste good at room temp, making them a great party dessert!

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cookie dough ice cream sandwiches
Ethan Calabrese
21 of 90
Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches

This will RUIN you for all other ice cream sandwiches.

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slice of shoofly pie on a white plate
Parker Feierbach
22 of 90
Shoofly Pie

Somewhere between cake, pie, crumble, and gingerbread, this pie's got a little something to please everyone.

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scoop of vanilla ice cream above a ziplock bag on a blue background with rainbow sprinkles
PARKER FEIERBACH
23 of 90
Ice Cream in a Bag

All you need is a plastic baggie and 15 minutes!

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Neapolitan Bundt Cake - Delish.com
Carrie Stalk
24 of 90
Neapolitan Bundt Cake

3 flavors in 1.

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Swiss Roll Cake — Delish.com
Ethan Calabrese
25 of 90
Swiss Roll Cake

This thing is a STUNNER.

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cake balls with rainbow sprinkles
Parker Feierbach
26 of 90
Chocolate-Covered Cake Balls

Use your favorite kind of cake!

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rainbow cheesecake bars on a marble background
Bryce Johnson
27 of 90
Rainbow Vanilla Cheesecake Bars

Almost too pretty to eat!

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chess pie
Parker Feierbach
28 of 90
Chess Pie

The cook time may be long, but it only takes 10 minutes of prep!

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vanilla cake shaped like the number one with chocolate frosting and decorated with candy
Bryce Johnson
29 of 90
Easiest Number Cake

Who doesn't love a personalized cake? This one is surprisingly easy to pull off.

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Food, Cake, Dessert, Chocolate cake, Dish, Cuisine, Buttercream, Chocolate brownie, Snack cake, Chocolate,
Charlie Gillette
30 of 90
Brownie Lasagna

The sweetest lasagna you'll ever eat.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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