I gotta admit, when I sat down to think about some of my favorite American desserts, I really had a tough time deciding.
There are just so many incredible treats to pick from!
I mean, what screams America more than apple pie?
But then there’s Texas sheet cake, chocolate chip cookies, anything with peanut butter, and pretty much any glazed donut you can think of.
We love our desserts sweet and jumbo-sized. No one does brownies quite like we do, and good luck finding someone who can resist a slice of New York-style cheesecake.
With Memorial Day and the 4th of July right around the corner, I’ve rounded up two dozen of my favorite American desserts for you to choose from.
Make one, make ’em all! Each one is more delicious than the next, and you’ll be the life of the party.
Contents
24. Delicious Summer Berry Cupcakes
These Berry Cupcakes are the sweet bomb for Summer!
These tasty cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and packed with a mix of summer berries – red currants, raspberries, and blueberries. So, if you want a yummy snack to devour when the weather heats up, these delightful cupcakes are the way to go!
To make these the ultimate summer dessert, add a dollop of sweet buttercream frosting on top and sprinkle with extra berries!
These cupcakes are incredibly moist, and bursting with a variety of juicy berries! So fresh, fruity, and absolutely fantastic!
23. Creamy Strawberry Panna Cotta
This strawberry panna cotta is so yummy and perfect for a hot summer day. It’s creamy, light, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. My kids are obsessed with this dessert!
Eating strawberry panna cotta is like a healthy treat because it’s packed with strawberries. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. Plus, they’re full of antioxidants and plant goodness that can help keep your heart happy.
You can whip up this dessert in just 15 minutes with only 5 simple ingredients.
If you have any leftovers, you can stash them in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Don’t bother freezing this dessert though, it won’t keep its creamy and fluffy texture.
And hey, if you’re not a fan of strawberries, you can use raspberries or blackberries instead, or mix them up! So many berry possibilities to try out.
22. Best Blueberry Pie – Iconic American Recipe
Blueberry Pie is like the ultimate go-to dessert. It’s all about those sweet, juicy blueberries that just burst in your mouth. And when it’s summer and those berries are in season? Oh man, that’s when you know it’s time to bake a blueberry pie.
You can’t go wrong with a slice of this classic American dessert. Whether you use fresh or frozen berries and make the crust yourself or cheat a little with store-bought, a Blueberry Pie is always a winner.
Don’t be intimidated by making your own pie crust. Trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds. You can even make the dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge to make the whole process super easy. It’s all about making things simple and delicious at the same time.
21. Fun and Easy Red Velvet Cake Valentine’s Hearts
Creating these delightful Red Velvet Cake Hearts for Valentine’s is a breeze and they’re adorned with a generous layer of cream cheese icing, ensuring each bite is irresistibly soft and silky.
Perfect for adding a festive touch to Valentine’s Day, these miniature treats are a joy to make and eat!
This recipe for Red Velvet Cake Hearts is incredibly straightforward and ideal for Valentine’s Day festivities. While I prefer to use my own recipe for homemade red velvet cake, don’t hesitate to use a pre-made mix from the store if that’s what you have on hand.
You’re not limited to just red velvet; feel free to experiment with vanilla, strawberry, or even chocolate flavors. Opting for a store-bought cake mix and cream cheese frosting from a can is perfectly fine too.
I originally crafted this as a heart-shaped cake for Valentine’s, but its versatility means you can enjoy making it for birthdays or any special occasion throughout the year.
Whether you’re seeking inspiration for Valentine’s Day or just in the mood for a heart-themed cake, this recipe is sure to please.
These Red Velvet Cake Hearts are a charming and easy-to-make option for anyone looking to celebrate with a bit of sweetness.
Crowned with cream cheese frosting and boasting a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re an ideal choice for a festive and bite-sized Valentine’s Day treat!
20. Simple Indiana Sugar Cream Pie
So like, this pie is like the bomb in Indiana. It’s called “Hoosier Pie” but it’s really just a rich custard pie with nutmeg on top.
Back in the day, the Amish and Shaker peeps in Indiana whipped this pie up when they were in a pinch and didn’t have any fresh fruit or cash.
It’s just a simple, tasty treat that’s been around since the 1800s.
19. Old-Fashioned Whoopie Pies – American Sweet Treat
I’ve never seen whoopie pies anywhere but in the States, which is strange because they’re so good with their soft cake and frosting filling. You can make them in any flavor, and I like to call them the American version of macarons.
18. Bourbon Pecan Pralines from Louisiana
These pecan pralines are so delicious with their crunchy roasted pecans, a hint of bourbon, and homemade caramel. They’re super simple to whip up and even easier to devour!
You can add them to your holiday spread for a extra special treat or give them as a yummy gift.
Over time, these treats made their way to Louisiana where they decided to switch things up by adding cream to the mix and using pecans instead of almonds.
The result? A mouthwatering nut covered in a creamy caramel. And let’s not forget the touch of vanilla and bourbon that gives these pecan pralines a cozy sweetness that I can’t get enough of.
17. Mississippi Mud Pie with Flourless Chocolate
This Mississippi Mud Pie is seriously amazing, like I can’t even handle how good it is. Like, I might as well just give up baking now because nothing will ever compare to this. Just kidding, but seriously, this pie is like my new favorite dessert. It’s just that good!
16. Amazing Boston Cream Pie
The dude who made up the Boston cream pie back in the day probably never thought it would still be a thing today, being sold in stores, turned into cupcakes, ice cream, and even donut flavors.
But let’s be real, who can resist those layers of sponge cake filled with custard and covered in chocolate?
It’s not even a pie, but who cares. We totally get why everyone loves it and why it’s still hanging around. I mean, imagine a world without Boston cream pie? No thanks.
15. Refreshing Spumoni Baked Alaska
For a tasty way to finish off a fancy meal, check out this cool dessert you can make in the freezer. People will be impressed by how it looks and tastes!
14. Traditional American Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies
When it comes to cookies, these are gonna be so good they’ll practically disappear in your mouth and have you craving more.
I always throw in some cream cheese with my cookies. It gives them a delicious taste and ensures they stay nice and soft.
Mini chocolate chips are the way to go for these, plus they look adorable. But if you want extra chocolate, go ahead and toss in some chunks!
13. Vanilla Glazed Baked Chocolate Donuts
Fried donuts are awesome, but not everyone can fry up a batch at home.
Baked donuts are a great option, still giving you that cute donut shape but with a soft, cakey texture.
These are chocolate on chocolate, super rich and decadent.
I’m a fan of that, but I think a vanilla glaze would really pop against the dark donut.
12. Apple Pie Milkshake – Iconic American Dessert!
If you’re into apple pie with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream, then you gotta try this milkshake recipe.
I whip this up whenever I’m baking an apple pie. Just slice up some extra apples and toss them in a pot with the spices and cornstarch.
You gotta cook them down, blend it all up, and then mix in the ice cream.
You could go for store-bought applesauce, but honestly, this homemade version is way tastier.
11. Classic New Orleans Beignets from Scratch
New Orleans, Cafe Du Monde, and beignets are like my ultimate dream trio! This cute outdoor cafe has that classic New Orleans charm.
If you haven’t been there yet, you gotta add it to your must-visit list!
But in the meantime, you should totally give this beignet recipe a shot! They’re fluffy, airy, and trust me, one won’t be satisfying enough!
10. Peanut Butter and Banana Sundaes Original Recipe
What’s your favorite late-night snack? I love having peanut butter and banana on toast.
I prefer peanut butter with bananas over peanut butter and chocolate any day.
You’ll be whipping up a peanut butter sauce for this, kind of like a peanut butter caramel.
Feel free to use any flavor of ice cream you have and load up on the banana slices!
9. No-Bake Banana Pudding Twinkie Cake – Easy Sweet Treat
If there’s ever a zombie outbreak, I’m totally gonna pull a Woody Harrelson and hunt down some Twinkies like in Zombieland.
I know they’re unhealthy, but I just can’t help myself!
This no-bake American treat might be even more American than apple pie – Twinkies with vanilla pudding and bananas on top.
It’s smooth, tasty, sugary, and those Twinkies are the perfect foundation.
8. Try Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Are you ready for a sweet throwback? Remember how awesome it was to have a DQ ice cream cake on your birthday as a kid?
This cake is stacked with chocolate ice cream, chocolate ganache, crumbled Oreos, vanilla ice cream, and topped off with a dollop of whipped cream.
You could totally skip the whipped cream on top, but I think it really gives this ice cream cake that classic birthday cake vibe.
7. Crunchy Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie
This classic southern pie has got all the flavors you could want in a slice of pie.
It’s sugary, gooey, crisp, and buttery. I enjoy it best when it’s warm, with a sprinkle of chocolate chips and a dollop of whipped cream.
While there are different ways to make it, most recipes call for brown sugar and corn syrup to get that ideal filling.
I personally like to mix in some mini chocolate chips and sometimes even add bacon bits for a salty kick.
6. Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
If you don’t have an ice cream maker because you think you won’t use it, this recipe is gonna make you rethink that.
Just one taste of this homemade chocolate and peanut butter ice cream, and you’ll be addicted.
Not only does this ice cream have chocolate and peanut butter, but it also has chunks of peanut butter cups mixed in.
The only way to make it better would be a little caramel drizzled on top.
5. Perfect Bananas Foster – Uniquely American Dessert
You can enjoy Bananas Foster on its own with a scoop of ice cream or use it to top off anything from a slice of pound cake to a warm, freshly baked biscuit.
You can whip up a batch of these delicious and slightly boozy bananas in just ten minutes.
If you’re making it for grown-ups, no need to worry about cooking off the alcohol. I just like to add it in for some extra flavor.
4. Easy to Prepare Peanut Butter Brownies
I’ve mentioned before that some of the yummiest American desserts involve peanut butter.
It shocked me to find out that other countries don’t use it like we do. Whenever I bring it abroad, it’s always a big hit.
This recipe is seriously addictive. Imagine a moist, gooey brownie covered with Reese’s – that’s basically what this is.
The layer of peanut butter is rich and great for cutting into slices. It would also be amazing as a filling for the chocolate cake mentioned earlier.
3. The BEST American Cookie Dough Dip Recipe
I whipped up a cookie dough and cheesecake dip for my pals from Spain and Sweden, and they were seriously impressed!
Can you believe they never had a sweet dip before? They went wild for it.
Of course, the bowls were scraped clean in no time! But the best part? These dips are super easy to whip up.
This cookie dough dip with cream cheese is like a magical mix of cookie dough and cheesecake. And those toffee bits? Absolutely heavenly!
2. Texas Sheet Cake – Delicious Dessert!
This cake is named after its massive size (you know everything’s bigger in Texas!) and its roots can be traced back to a 1950s recipe that was shared with the Dallas Morning News.
People have described it as “Texas-sized and extra greasy” and it’s made with classic southern ingredients like buttermilk and pecans.
You’ll need a pretty big mixing bowl for this one. Just blend everything together into a smooth batter before popping it in the oven.
Once it’s out, pour on a delicious chocolate and buttermilk glaze and sprinkle with pecans while the cake is still warm.
It’s simple, huge, moist, and absolutely irresistible.
1. Apple Pie Recipe – Popular Dessert in America
I don’t get it, but I bet you see it at every summer cookout, every single year.
I’m guessing your fam has their own recipe, but in case they don’t, this one’s a total classic. Super simple.
It’s just a tasty mix of tangy apples and spices, wrapped in buttery pastry.
24 Best American Desserts
Satisfy your sweet tooth! Explore 24 easy classic American dessert recipes for timeless treats.
Ingredients
- Delicious Summer Berry Cupcakes
- Creamy Strawberry Panna Cotta
- Best Blueberry Pie – Iconic American Recipe
- Fun and Easy Red Velvet Cake Valentine’s Hearts
- Simple Indiana Sugar Cream Pie
- Old-Fashioned Whoopie Pies – American Sweet Treat
- Bourbon Pecan Pralines from Louisiana
- Mississippi Mud Pie with Flourless Chocolate
- Amazing Boston Cream Pie
Instructions
1. Choose any American Desserts from the post that you like
2. Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
3. Try the best American Desserts and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.