28 Church Basement Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Oatmeal Molasses Crisps

When I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook, I had to try it. It’s traditional in regions with Amish populations—Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Upper Midwest. Now it’s a staple for our family and the folks at our church fellowship, too. —Jori Schellenberger, Everett, Washington

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

I'm a chocolate lover, and these cream cheese brownies have satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can't be beat. My family requests them often, and I'm happy to oblige. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming

Gran's Apple Cake

My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California

Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Creme

With only five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time, creamy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow creme is one of the easiest treats. It makes a great food gift, too!

Frosted Banana Bars

These bars are always a hit at potlucks in the small rural farming community where my husband and I live. I also like to provide them for coffee hour after church. They're so moist and delicious that wherever I take them, they don't last long. —Karen Dryak, Niobrara, Nebraska

Gingersnaps

Friends and neighbors look for these old-time cookies on the goody trays I make for them every holiday. They're irresistible for dunking into milk, and they bring back a nostalgic spicy flavor of Christmases past. —Elizabeth Flatt, Kelso, Washington

Chocolate Peanut Treats

When I was in high school, I took these sweet and crunchy squares to bake sales— and they were the first to sell out. I still make them for family and friends who love the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. —Christy Asher, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Peach Cobbler Recipe

The first step to making peach cobbler? You have to choose perfect peaches. We'll walk you through the recipe.

Butter Pecan Cheesecake

Fall always makes me yearn for this pecan cheesecake, but it’s delicious in any season. You’ll want to put it on your list of favorite holiday desserts. —Laura Sylvester, Mechanicsville, Virginia

How to Make Our Quick and Easy Recipe for Cocoa Brownies

This brownie recipe with cocoa powder is heaven fresh out of the oven.

Thelma's Chocolate Eclair

I love eclairs, but making the actual pastry is difficult, so I came up with this recipe as a substitute. It still satisfies my cravings with the same wonderful flavors. —Thelma Beam, Esbon, Kansas

Favorite Coconut Meringue Pie

We usually have a good selection of pies at our neighborhood get-togethers, but I always come home with an empty pan when I bring this classic. Friends line up for a creamy slice, topped with golden meringue and toasted coconut. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Yes, you really can make amazing peanut butter cookies with just three ingredients; just follow this three-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe to find out how.

Candied Fruitcake Squares

I'm not big on citrussy fruitcake, so when I found this version decades ago, I knew I'd found "my" recipe. We're all nutty for it. —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

I love peanut butter and chocolate, so I combined recipes to blend the two. This chocolate peanut butter cake is heavenly served plain or topped with ice cream. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Banana Pudding Cups

Banana pudding cups are an ideal sweet treat for those hot summer afternoons, but you'll be glad you made this banana pudding in any season and at any time.

Amish Vanilla Pie

We live in rural northern Indiana where we have several Amish communities. I found this recipe in our local paper a few years back, and after making a few adjustments, I came up with a fabulous pie! It reminds me of the many cream pies my grandma made for holidays. Be sure to allow the Amish vanilla pie to set and cool completely before cutting and serving. —Shelly Brubacher, Nappanee, Indiana

Apple Crisp

Every bite of this apple crisp has tart, tender apples and a cinnamon streusel topping. It smells like heaven when it's baking too!

Lemon Bars

This delightful lemon bar recipe is from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. They has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. —Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona

Buttermilk Pound Cake

This buttermilk pound cake has a superior texture that is equally moist, tender and light. The recipe is your new go-to for serving with fruit or tea, or on its own as a snack.

Mississippi Mud Pie

Mississippi mud pie is a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert. With a little help from boxed pudding mix and frozen whipped topping, it's ready in a flash without any fuss.

Carrot Cake

My family's best carrot cake recipe dates back to my great-grandmother! We bake up a few of these carrot cakes for special occasions to make sure there's enough to go around. You'll love the texture this pretty, moist treat gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland

Crispy Chocolate Squares

Folks will think you slaved away on these fast and fudgy treats. People often request the recipe and are surprised to find out how easy they are to make. Even kids can make 'em! —Karen Speidel, Wheeling, Illinois

Butterscotch Pie

This butterscotch pie is here to prove that butterscotch isn’t just for Grandma and Grandpa.

Lemon Pudding Dessert

After a big meal, folks really go for this light lemon treat. The shortbread crust is the perfect base for the fluffy top layers. I've prepared this sunny dessert for church suppers for years and I always get recipe requests. —Muriel DeWitt, Maynard, Massachusetts

Frosted Brownies

These Frosted Brownies have an amazing chocolate frosting that you'll adore. Sit back and savor every bit of the chewy brownie base and rich, fudgy frosting.

Family-Favorite Cheesecake

This easy cheesecake recipe has been a family favorite for almost 20 years. It's fluffy, delicate and absolutely delicious. I've shared it at many gatherings over the years and have even started baking it for our friends instead of Christmas cookies. —Esther Wappner, Mansfield, Ohio

Buttermilk Pecan Pie

This is the treasured "golden oldie" that my grandmother made so often whenever we'd come to visit. Grandma grew her own pecans, and we never tired of cracking them and picking out the meat when we knew we'd be treated to her special pie! —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas