Desserts with vegetables? Tofu? Baby food? Surprise your family and friends with these unusual desserts that have crazy secret ingredients!
32 Unusual Desserts That Rely on a Shocking Ingredient
Updated on Aug. 02, 2024
1/32
Summer Squash Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Yellow Squash
This golden brown, tender pound cake is the perfect treat to make when you have an abundance of summer squash in your garden. It’s not overly sweet, so it appeals to everyone. —Lisa Brockwell, Necedah, Wisconsin
This golden brown, tender pound cake is the perfect treat to make when you have an abundance of summer squash in your garden. It’s not overly sweet, so it appeals to everyone. —Lisa Brockwell, Necedah, Wisconsin
2/32
Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Cornflakes
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
3/32
Peaches and Cream Whiskey Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
1 loaf (12 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Whiskey
I love when fresh peaches are in season! This recipe is sweet from the ripe peaches with a slight tang from the whiskey. This is a perfect after-dinner treat, but it’s just as good with your morning coffee. It also makes a welcome gift for neighbors and friends. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
4/32
Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Avocados
My son is allergic to dairy and eggs, so I created this silky vegan chocolate mousse recipe that he could enjoy. It’s also gluten free and grain free. If you’re having company over, it can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut
My son is allergic to dairy and eggs, so I created this silky vegan chocolate mousse recipe that he could enjoy. It’s also gluten free and grain free. If you’re having company over, it can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut
5/32
Pink Peppercorn and Sake Ice Cream
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Peppercorns
There’s plenty of sake flavor in this rich ice cream studded with peppercorns. You’ll get an interesting pop of heat with every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
There’s plenty of sake flavor in this rich ice cream studded with peppercorns. You’ll get an interesting pop of heat with every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
6/32
Black Bean Brownies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Black Beans
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
7/32
Pineapple Carrot Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Baby Food
This moist cake with cream cheese frosting is the best I’ve ever eaten. It’s so simple, too, because it uses two jars of baby food instead of fresh carrots that need to be grated. —Jeanette McKenna, Vero Beach, Florida
8/32
Potato Chip Clusters
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Potato Chips
Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super-easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super-easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
9/32
Tropical Compote Dessert
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Jalapeno
To make a more adult version of this recipe, use brandy instead of the extra tropical fruit juice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
To make a more adult version of this recipe, use brandy instead of the extra tropical fruit juice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/32
Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Potatoes
I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled for real sweet tooths. A great-grandma, I’ve spent over 85 years on the farm.
I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled for real sweet tooths. A great-grandma, I’ve spent over 85 years on the farm.
11/32
Rosemary Citrus Sorbet
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Rosemary
This pretty pastel dessert bursts with the fresh flavors of grapefruit, lime and rosemary. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
This pretty pastel dessert bursts with the fresh flavors of grapefruit, lime and rosemary. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
12/32
Raspberry Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota
13/32
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Mayonnaise
Mom always made this special chocolate mayonnaise cake for my birthday meal. It is very moist and has a nice light chocolate taste, and the flavorful frosting is the perfect topping. —Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan
Mom always made this special chocolate mayonnaise cake for my birthday meal. It is very moist and has a nice light chocolate taste, and the flavorful frosting is the perfect topping. —Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan
14/32
Lavender Honey Cheesecake
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Lavender
I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I’ve tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. —Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I’ve tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. —Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
15/32
Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Paprika & Agave
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Paprika
Pair this rich and creamy ice cream with a cup of hot or iced coffee. It’s mildly sweet with a hint of paprika. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pair this rich and creamy ice cream with a cup of hot or iced coffee. It’s mildly sweet with a hint of paprika. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
16/32
Chocolate Guinness Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Stout
One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds us of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds us of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
17/32
Quinoa, Fresh Fig and Honey-Balsamic Parfait
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Balsamic Vinegar
This quinoa yogurt parfait is special to me because of its wholesome ingredients. Quinoa is gluten-free, which is good for those who have food allergies, like my daughter. And I love fresh ripe figs when they are in season. Enjoy this for breakfast or dessert. —Dawn Hutchins, St. Johns, Florida
This quinoa yogurt parfait is special to me because of its wholesome ingredients. Quinoa is gluten-free, which is good for those who have food allergies, like my daughter. And I love fresh ripe figs when they are in season. Enjoy this for breakfast or dessert. —Dawn Hutchins, St. Johns, Florida
18/32
Olive Oil Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Olive Oil
A good olive oil cake isn’t overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
A good olive oil cake isn’t overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
19/32
Bacon Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Blondies
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Bacon
If you’re a sweet and savory fan like me, you’ll go wild over this bacon cookie bar recipe. You just can’t beat a cookie, brownie and cheesecake all mixed up and sprinkled with bacon. —Katie O’Keeffe, Derry, New Hampshire
If you’re a sweet and savory fan like me, you’ll go wild over this bacon cookie bar recipe. You just can’t beat a cookie, brownie and cheesecake all mixed up and sprinkled with bacon. —Katie O’Keeffe, Derry, New Hampshire
20/32
Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Sauerkraut
For an adventurous cake, try this recipe. People might need a little coaxing to try it but once they do, they will love it.—The Fremont Company
For an adventurous cake, try this recipe. People might need a little coaxing to try it but once they do, they will love it.—The Fremont Company
21/32
Red Curry-Pandan Ice Cream
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Curry Powder
The curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
22/32
23/32
Spiced Toffee Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Toasted Wheat Germ
I bake these cookies for family gatherings because my crowd likes cookies thin and chewy with a crispy exterior. The toffee bits make a happy surprise.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
I bake these cookies for family gatherings because my crowd likes cookies thin and chewy with a crispy exterior. The toffee bits make a happy surprise.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
24/32
Green Tomato Pie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Green Tomatoes
When frost nips our garden, I quickly gather all the green tomatoes still on the vine and make this old family favorite. It’s been handed down from my grandmother, and now my granddaughters are asking for the recipe.—Violet Thompson, Port Ludlow, Washington
When frost nips our garden, I quickly gather all the green tomatoes still on the vine and make this old family favorite. It’s been handed down from my grandmother, and now my granddaughters are asking for the recipe.—Violet Thompson, Port Ludlow, Washington
25/32
Creamy Corn Custard
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Corn
I make this custard all summer long! When I serve it to guests, I try to make them guess the secret ingredient. Not many guess corn, so it’s a fun surprise. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
I make this custard all summer long! When I serve it to guests, I try to make them guess the secret ingredient. Not many guess corn, so it’s a fun surprise. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
26/32
Blueberry Zucchini Squares
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Zucchini
I saw a bar recipe on a box of muffin mix using apple and lemon zest. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It’s a tasty combo. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
I saw a bar recipe on a box of muffin mix using apple and lemon zest. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It’s a tasty combo. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
27/32
Sour Cream Sugar Cookie Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Sour Cream
My husband requested a giant sugar cookie for his birthday. I wanted to do something a bit more exciting than birthday cookies, so I came up with this sugar cookie cake. The secret to a dense, yet cakelike texture is to make sure that you don’t overbake the cake. —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
My husband requested a giant sugar cookie for his birthday. I wanted to do something a bit more exciting than birthday cookies, so I came up with this sugar cookie cake. The secret to a dense, yet cakelike texture is to make sure that you don’t overbake the cake. —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
28/32
Watermelon Cupcakes
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Lemon-Lime Soda
My granddaughter and I bake together each week. She was inspired by her mommy’s flavored syrups, so we came up with these watermelon cupcakes. If you are not going to pipe the frosting, you can reduce the amount of frosting by half. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
My granddaughter and I bake together each week. She was inspired by her mommy’s flavored syrups, so we came up with these watermelon cupcakes. If you are not going to pipe the frosting, you can reduce the amount of frosting by half. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
29/32
Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother used to make this haystacks recipe to give to my cousin Vonnie and me when our parents didn't want us to have any more sweets. —Christine Schwester, Divide, Colorado
30/32
Molly's Sweet and Spicy Tzimmes Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: White Wine
My husband and I are always on the lookout for new ways to incorporate Jewish traditions into our interfaith home. Rich with apples, carrots and sweet potato, this sweet and spicy cake is perfect for Rosh Hashana or any fall holiday. —Molly Haendler, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
My husband and I are always on the lookout for new ways to incorporate Jewish traditions into our interfaith home. Rich with apples, carrots and sweet potato, this sweet and spicy cake is perfect for Rosh Hashana or any fall holiday. —Molly Haendler, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
31/32
Popcorn Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ingredient: Popcorn
It’s so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They’re definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
It’s so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They’re definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
32/32
Coca-Cola Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
