Fruity, gooey, layered or glazed, these beautiful desserts are simply stunning!
63 Desserts That Are ALMOST too Pretty to Eat
Updated on Sep. 23, 2024
1/63
Springtime Beignets & Berries
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
2/63
Double Nut Baklava
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It may take some time to make this rich, buttery treat, but it's well worth the effort! The blend of coconut, pecans and macadamia nuts is irresistible. —Kari Kelley, Plains, Montana
3/63
Blueberry Lemon Trifle
Total Time
15 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
4/63
Chocolate-Topped Strawberry Cheesecake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
5/63
Blueberry Lattice Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for amazing new recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine
6/63
Marble Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pound cake and chocolate make the best marble cake. — Ellen Riley, Birmingham, Alabama
7/63
Apple Strudel
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
2 strudels (8 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This gorgeous strudel has just what you crave this time of year: thin layers of flaky crust and lots of juicy apples. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
9/63
Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter and salty pretzels create a to-die-for truffle. It’s a little bite of decadence and a special indulgence for the holiday season.—Ashley Wisniewski, Champaign, Illinois
10/63
Banana Cream Pie with Pudding
Total Time
10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This old-fashioned banana cream pie recipe is full of flavor. Because it uses instant pudding, the no-bake dessert is ready in just minutes. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
11/63
Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I place a pan of these bars in the teachers' lounge and come back after the last bell, the pan is always empty. I'd say that's a good thing. White chocolate chips and cranberries make them extra special. —Mirella Hackett, Chandler, Arizona
12/63
Sweet & Salty Truffle Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings (24 truffles)
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade truffles—a little bit sweet and a little bit salty—will keep you coming back for more. Store extra truffles in the fridge.—Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
13/63
Lemon Whirligigs with Raspberries
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Golden whirligigs with a tart lemon flavor float on a ruby raspberry sauce in this delectable dessert. I love serving it to guests. My children also like it made with blackberries. —Vicki Ayres, Wappingers Falls, New York
14/63
Cherry Bombs
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll win praise for these clever cherry bombs. Serve them for a special occasion with a knife and dessert spoon. —Linda Triplett, Renton, Washington
15/63
Amaretto Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sometimes the best-loved recipes are the most basic. Just ask my family who raves over this classic amaretto cheesecake. It's rich, creamy and versatile to boot! —Barbara Caine, Sussex, New Jersey
16/63
Key Lime Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these light, tangy cupcakes on a chilly day to remind me of our vacation in southern Florida, where Key lime pies are star attractions. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
17/63
Chocolate Ganache Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri
18/63
Palmier Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It takes just two ingredients to make these impressive but easy-to-do French pastries, which are often called palm leaves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
19/63
Brown Sugar Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
20/63
Rustic Fruit Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love pie, but we can't eat a whole 9-inch pie by ourselves. So I make these easy tarts using rhubarb and raspberries picked at home. Sometimes I substitute apples, peaches or our garden blueberries for the rhubarb. —Naomi Olson Hamilton, Michigan
21/63
Caramel Pretzel Bites
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe wanting to make my own version of a popular candy store pretzel log dipped in caramel, chocolate and nuts. These bites are smothered with homemade caramel. —Michilene Klaver, Grand Rapids, Michigan
22/63
Peach Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I acquired this delicious peach pie filling recipe some 40 years ago, when my husband and I first moved to southern Iowa and had peach trees growing in our backyard. It's been a family favorite since then and always brings back memories of both summer and those happy early years. — June Mueller, Sioux City, Iowa
23/63
Pistachio Cranberry Bark
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 1 pound
From the Recipe Creator:
I picked up this bark recipe at a Christmas sweets swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I think it's just divine. Even my dad, who's not big on candy, loves it. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California
24/63
Strawberry Chocolate Trifle
Total Time
40 min
Servings
28 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I threw this dessert together when I needed something quick to take to my in-laws’. Because it’s beautiful, everyone thinks it requires a lot of effort. It’s easy. And the recipe makes a lot, making this perfect for potlucks and large gatherings. —Kristi Judkins, Morrison, Tennessee
25/63
Grilled Fruit Phyllo Tart
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loved the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina
26/63
Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Searching for a dessert superstar? This chocolate swirl cheesecake is the one that people ask for again and again. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
27/63
Lemon Meringue Angel Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it's the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I'm not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
28/63
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Eat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California
29/63
Layered Mocha Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In my search for the perfect mocha cheesecake, I ended up combining a few of my favorite recipes to create this delicious version. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
30/63
Raspberry Cocoa Trifle
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This lovely layered dessert is my husband's favorite. I always make it for our Christmas dinner, but it's excellent after any special meal. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
31/63
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a chocolate lover, and this treat has satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can't be beat. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming
32/63
Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Summer is peak season for Key limes—a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top. This makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
33/63
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! Use your own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York
34/63
Black Forest Chocolate Torte
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
35/63
Easy Truffles
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our smooth, creamy bonbons are so divine you may be tempted to save this recipe for a special occasion. But with just a few ingredients, they're easy to make anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
36/63
Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
37/63
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
38/63
Chocolate Bavarian Torte
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
39/63
Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Crumbled macaroons are a surprising addition to this cobbler’s topping. We love that you can make the sweet treat in a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet.
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
40/63
Hidden Mint Morsels
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 10 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Is it a cookie or a candy? No matter which answer folks choose, they find these minty morsels yummy. The recipe makes so much that you can whip up tons of gifts at once. —Adina Skilbred, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
41/63
Refrigerator Lime Cheesecake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this for a Father’s Day party, and it was a hit! I guarantee compliments when you serve this fantastic dessert. —Cher Anjema, Kleinburg, Ontario. Don’t forget to check out our collection of Father’s Day desserts.
42/63
Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina
43/63
Limoncello Cream Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a big Christmas dinner, we love the cool refreshment of a frozen lemon pie. Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
44/63
Chocolate Lover's Strawberry Shortcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 shortcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
As a mom of four, I appreciate shortcut recipes. This one uses refrigerated biscuits, giving me time for special touches, like adding homemade whipped cream and hot fudge. —Melissa Haines, Valparaiso, Indiana
45/63
Baklava Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for office parties and other special events. —Aryanna Gamble, New Orleans, Louisiana
46/63
Cherry Cola Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
47/63
Honey Cinnamon Roll-Ups
Total Time
50 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cinnamon treat reminds me of baklava, but with only a few easy ingredients, it's a fraction of the work. It's my aunt's recipe, and I think of her when I make it. —Sue Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan
48/63
Frozen Mocha Marbled Loaf
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This showstopping marbled dessert seems fancy, but it's really simple to prepare ahead of time and pop in the freezer. Frosty slices have a creamy blend of chocolate and coffee that's delightful anytime of year. —Cheryl Martinetto, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
49/63
Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings (2/3 cup coconut cream)
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
50/63
Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s amazing coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
51/63
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves these vanilla bean cupcakes! Flecks of vanilla bean in the moist, tender cupcakes give them special-occasion status. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
52/63
Ginger Plum Tart
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet cravings, begone: This free-form plum tart is done in only 35 minutes. It's extra awesome when served warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
53/63
Butter Pecan Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the ever-popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida
54/63
Strawberry Cream Cake Roll
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There are plenty of strawberry patches near my hometown, and soon they’ll be brimming with red berries. I discovered this recipe a few summers ago and have made it often. Believe me, it tastes as good as it looks!
55/63
Black Forest Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As far as I know, this cake recipe can be traced back to my German great-grandma. When I got married, my mother gave me a copy and I hope to someday pass it down to my children. —Stephanie Travis, Fallon, Nevada
56/63
Berries & Cream Trifles
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Layers of cubed cake, berries and creamy ricotta mixture make pretty trifles that taste as rich as cheesecake. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
57/63
Lime Basil Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet lime and basil dessert has a unique taste, plus less calories and fat than the traditional Key lime pie. —Samara Donald, Redmond, Washington.
58/63
Pumpkin Charlotte
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit.
—Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois
59/63
Classic Creme Brulee
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My favorite dessert is this creme brulee recipe. Recently I was at a party where the guests finished preparing their own desserts by "broiling" the sugar on their portions with a small torch. What a great idea! —Joylyn Trickel, Helendale, California
60/63
Cream Pie
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh berries and cream pie—it’s a simple, classic combination just like Grandma used to make. My version gets you out of the kitchen and into your lounge chair quickly. Enjoy! —Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor
61/63
Chai Truffle Tart
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My chai-flavored tart boasts chocolate and caramel layers tucked inside a salty pretzel crust. Truffles on top make it extra indulgent. —Chantal Bourbon, Montreal, Quebec
62/63
Creme de Menthe Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We use creme de menthe liqueur (the term means "mint cream" in French) to add a cool touch to these impressive mascarpone-frosted cupcakes. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
63/63
Ricotta Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I reconstructed this dessert based on an old recipe that had been in the family for years but was never written down. The subtle cinnamon flavor of the zwieback crust and the dense texture of the ricotta cheese are reminiscent of the cheesecake I enjoyed as a child. —Mary Beth Jung, Hendersonville, North Carolina
