49 Creative Ways to Eat Cookies

Mango Cream Tart

This fresh, luscious tart makes me happy!—Jami Geittmann, Art Director, Taste of Home Magazine

Fresh Pear Ginger Crisp

Gingersnaps lend crunch to my heartwarming cool-weather classic, featuring the season's juiciest fruit—pears.—Linda Robertson, Cozad, Nebraska

Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler

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

Maple-Glazed Apple Pie

Even though we’ve lived in Florida for 3 years, I still feel like a “Vermonter.” My parents send us a bushel of Vermont apples each fall, and we try to visit in the spring to do some sugaring. —Patricia Putnam, Lakeland, Florida

S'mOreos

My son introduced us to this twist on classic s'mores when we were camping. Have a jar of Nutella around? Slather on the inside of the graham cracker halves before you build this one-of-a-kind treat. —Christina Smith, Santa Rosa, California

Blueberry Crumble Pie

I make this delicious, fruity pie with small Maine berries, but any variety can be used. Instead of the thyme and lemon peel, I prefer to use fresh lemon thyme. The shortbread topping adds crunch and sweetness.—Jessie Grearson, Falmouth, Maine

Banana Cream Chocolate Truffles

This truffle recipe was created from ripe bananas and my imagination, and the outcome blew my family and friends away! I don’t particularly like bananas, but I could eat these truffles all day long. —Michele Lassuy, Orlando, Florida

Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox Cake

This cake is inventive and yet familiar. Be sure to use a springform pan so you can easily remove it from the cake. If it breaks while you're transferring it to the serving plate, just push the pieces back together, pressing gently. —Stella Ohanian, Porter Ranch, California

Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake

With an apple farm just down the road, I'm always looking for creative ways to use up those bushels. We love this cozy apple snickerdoodle dump cake with caramel drizzle and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii

Oreo Fudge

This cookies and cream fudge combines the creamy sweetness of white chocolate with the crunchy texture of Oreo cookies. Make this Oreo fudge recipe for dessert or use it to create edible gifts.

Contest-Winning Sweet Potato Bake

This is an easy dish to prepare and is a perfect addition to a special meal. The topping is flavorful and gives a nice contrast of textures. —Pam Holloway, Marion, Louisiana

Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten

My family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It's great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania

Peanut Butter Cream Pie

During the warm months, it’s nice to have this fluffy, no-bake peanut butter pie that’s a snap to make. Packed with flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

Frozen Mocha Marbled Loaf

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

Seven-Layer Cookies

Dulce de leche plays a starring role in this new take on seven-layer cookies. Our seven-layer cookie recipe also uses sandwich cookies for the crust, paired with layers of crispy rice cereal, coconut and pecans. Yum times seven!

Sauerbraten Soup

Sauerbraten and soup are both family favorites. This combines the two, without the long marinating time the traditional beef dish requires. You can substitute spaetzle or gnocchi for the egg noodles. —Jennifer Yerkes, Franklin Square, New York

Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum Sauce

Pineapple, rum and sugar have a longstanding and flavorful relationship that takes on new meaning when you add ginger and butter and turn up the heat. —Jamie Miller, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Creamy Coffee Pie

It’s easy to stir mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and crushed sandwich cookies into coffee ice cream to create this irresistible frozen dessert. —Cherron Nagel, Columbus, Ohio

Banana Split Supreme

This lovely and delightful dessert has the classic flavor of a banana split. It’s a cool, creamy treat with no last-minute fuss since you just pull it from the freezer. It always solicits praise from our big family. —Marye Franzen, Gothenburg, Nebraska

Fresh Raspberry Icebox Cake

Layered icebox cakes are so fun because they look impressive but couldn't be easier. Fresh raspberries make this one really special. Use Anna's Ginger Thins to get the scalloped edges, or regular gingersnaps if those are not available. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Easy Nutella Cheesecake

This Nutella cheesecake recipe bursts with hazelnut flavor and features a baked Oreo crust topped with a luscious Nutella filling.

Grilled Pears with Mascarpone Cheese

For a light dessert after a big barbecue, we stuff pears with mascarpone cheese and gingersnap cookies. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce for a sweet touch. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

Slow-Cooker Beef with Red Sauce

A homemade rub spices up this tender beef; vinegar and gingersnaps add depth to the sauce. You can substitute graham crackers for the cookies. —Laurie Tietze, Longview, Texas

Frozen Peanut Butter and Chocolate Terrine

This terrine can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer. When served, it cuts easily, revealing the lovely layers of banana, peanut butter and chocolate. —Jennifer Jackson, Keller, Texas

RumChata Cheesecake

I like to experiment and make new and unusual-flavored cheesecakes. When I tried RumChata at a friend's party, I knew it would make a great cheesecake. For a pretty presentation, drizzle it with caramel syrup or topping, or sprinkle on some toasted coconut. —Christine Talley, Hillsboro, Missouri

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

Sweet potato pecan pie pairs two southern classics in one delicious layered dessert.

Tangy and Sweet Meatballs

When we entertain friends for Sunday dinner, I frequently serve these tangy meatballs. Everyone loves the distinctive sauce, but they’re often surprised to learn it is made with gingersnaps. —Melody Mellinger, Myerstown, Pennsylvania

Sugar Cookies

This sugar cookie dates back to a Swedish woman born in 1877! Her daughter, Esther Davis, shared the recipe with me and she came up with all the exact measurements, since the original cookies were mixed by feel and taste. These are my favorite cookies and I hope they’ll become yours as well. —Helen Wallis, Vancouver, Washington

Chocolate Rum Balls

These creamy, truffle-like goodies are on my cookie tray every year. If you like, prepare them up to three days ahead of time—just store them in the refrigerator. —Dauna Harwood, Elkhart, Indiana

Peanut Butter Icebox Dessert

Leftover crushed cookies create the yummy crust for this crowd-pleasing dessert. It’s covered with a smooth cream cheese mixture, chocolate pudding and whipped topping for a lovely layered look. —Nancy Mueller, Bloomington, Minnesota

Spiced Apple Cheesecake

When you live in apple country, you get the privilege of selecting the apples and recipes you want for year-round enjoyment. Granny Smith apples are tart and crisp. Combined with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg, they make a delightful topping for a cheesecake of the Pacific Northwest. —Grace Hughes, Oroville, Washington

Mango Almond Icebox Cake

This recipe was inspired by my friend who asked me to make a mango cake. It's easy to prepare, refreshing, light, and tastes absolutely fantastic. Strawberries can be used as well. —Rachel Simoneau, Danbury, Connecticut

Lemon Meringue Floats

I actually dreamed of this float idea one night, and woke up knowing I needed to make it. Thank you, Mr. Sandman! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream

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

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

This decadent dulce de leche cheesecake features rich cream cheese filling with swirls of dulce de leche atop a spiced gingersnap and walnut crust.

Dirt Pudding Cups

These darling little desserts are my daughter Crystal’s favorite. At birthday parties, everyone loves the individual servings. —Linda Emery, Tuckerman, Arkansas

Nutty Caramel Ice Cream Cake

We made this frozen treat for a family birthday party, and we received endless comments on it. It’s truly fantastic! Be sure to try the recipe with other ice cream flavors.—Tina Stelzl, Waxhaw, North Carolina

Cookies & Cream Brownies

These Oreo brownies are a perfect mashup of rich brownies and a cheesecake-like topping, with your favorite childhood cookie thrown in. What's not to like?

Grasshopper Pie

I only need six ingredients to whip up this fluffy and refreshing grasshopper pie. I usually make two of the minty treats for our family, since we're never satisfied with just one slice. —LouCinda Zacharias, Spooner, Wisconsin

Contest-Winning Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert

With its gingersnap crust and maple syrup drizzle, this rich and creamy spiced pumpkin dessert never fails to get rave reviews. It cuts nicely, too. —Cathy Hall, Phoenix, Arizona

Pay Dirt Cake

With layers of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and creamy filling, this is definitely a rich dessert. You can decorate the top with a few wrapped chocolate coins. —Betty Jean Jordan, Monticello, Georgia

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Delight

You only need a few ingredients to make this fun, retro strawberry delight dessert.

Peaches 'n' Cream Raspberry Tart

Fresh peach slices and big, juicy raspberries crown this beautiful tart. An almond-flavored cream filling and macaroon crust complement the fruits. It’s the perfect dessert for company during peach season. —Brenda Harmon, Hastings, Minnesota

Roasted Banana & Pecan Cheesecake

We always keep bananas on hand, but with just two of us in the house, they usually ripen faster than we can eat them. That makes them perfect for roasting and baking into this cheesecake with a nutty crust. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina