19 Desserts So Good You’ll Wish You Could Hug Granny Again
There are good desserts… and then there are the ones that hit you right in the childhood. The ones you remember from potlucks, church cookouts, or grandma’s kitchen counter. This list is full of throwback sweets, regional favorites, and a few wildcards that might just make you emotional. From creamy pies to gooey bars and frosted cookies, these 19 desserts pack comfort in every bite.
1. Possum Pie
This Arkansas classic stacks chocolate pudding, sweetened cream cheese, and whipped topping over a buttery pecan crust. It’s light, rich, and everything in between.
Make Possum Pie with this recipe
2. Texas Sheet Cake
This fudgy, thin cake with warm chocolate icing is the answer when you need dessert for a crowd or just yourself.
Try the Texas Sheet Cake recipe here
3. Whoopie Pie
These soft chocolate cakes sandwich marshmallow filling and are just the right mix of chewy and creamy.
Make Whoopie Pies at home with this recipe
4. Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cookies
Soft, chewy, and packed with pumpkin and spice, these cookies bring fall vibes all year long.
Bake Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cookies using this recipe
5. Shoofly Pie
Molasses lovers, this one’s for you. Shoofly pie has a dense bottom layer and a sweet crumb topping that’s unmistakably old school.
Make Shoofly Pie from scratch with this recipe
6. Broken Glass Cake
Bright cubes of Jell-O set in a creamy base make this chilled dessert as fun to eat as it is to look at.
Try this Broken Glass Cake recipe now
7. Kentucky Derby Pie
Think pecan pie, but with chocolate chips and a splash of bourbon; it’s a Southern staple for a reason.
Bake Kentucky Derby Pie with this recipe
8. Gooey Butter Cake
Soft in the middle with a slightly crisp edge, this St. Louis original lives up to its indulgent name.
Make your own Ooey Gooey Butter Cake with this recipe
9. Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
This theme park favorite is buttery, pull-apart perfection loaded with cinnamon sugar.
Bake Dollywood Cinnamon Bread at home
10. Rabanada
The Brazilian version of French toast, crisp on the outside, custardy inside, and dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Make Rabanada with this easy recipe
11. Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sometimes you just want a classic. These cookies bring that golden-brown edge and chewy center every time.
Bake Betty Crocker-style cookies with this recipe
12. Sundrop Cake
A citrusy pound cake made with Sundrop soda that brings a fizzy kick to every moist bite.
Try the Sundrop Cake recipe today
13. Mango Lassi Yogurt Clusters
Frozen yogurt clusters swirled with mango puree for a creamy, tangy, bite-sized dessert. Make these Mango Lassi Yogurt Clusters now
14. Pavlova
Crispy outside, marshmallow-soft inside, this meringue base is topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Here’s how to make Pavlova at home
15. Brookies
Can’t decide between brownies or cookies? These layered bars give you both.
Bake Brookies with this simple recipe
16. Scotcheroos
Peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch all meet in one easy, no-bake bar.
Make Scotcheroos with this classic recipe
17. Apple Snickers Salad
More dessert than salad, this mix of apples, whipped topping, pudding, and Snickers bars is as Midwest as it gets.
Try Apple Snickers Salad with this recipe
18. Cherry Toaster Strudel
Skip the freezer aisle. These flaky, jam-filled pastries with a sweet glaze are made entirely from scratch.
Make Cherry Toaster Strudel at home
19. Baked Apple Cider Donuts
These donuts are soft, spiced, and full of real apple cider; no frying required.
Bake Apple Cider Donuts using this recipe
