55 Easy Graduation Desserts Worth Celebrating

From the Recipe Creator: These Oreo Rice Krispies Treats are chewy on the inside with a crispy, crunchy cookie top. Not only are they tasty, but the crumbled cookies make for a sweet graduation dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: The surface of this graduation dessert is perfect for decorating in any way you like. We use school colors to match the specific graduate. —Patsy Dean, Sealy, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: Oreo mousse cake is so simple to put together, but it tastes as decadent as fancy restaurant desserts. Have fun garnishing it as you like using crushed or whole Oreos, additional whipped cream rosettes or chocolate shavings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Graduation day will be a lot more festive with these graduation cupcakes. Choose decorating icing and M&M’s to match the graduate’s school colors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I adapted my favorite cheesecake recipe to work in the Instant Pot. The texture was so incredible, I may never bake it in the oven again! Be sure to use mini chocolate chips. If you use regular size chips, they will sink to the bottom. —Michele Kusma, Columbus, OH

From the Recipe Creator: I made this cute graduation dessert for my daughter’s graduation. They really topped off the party fun! —Margy Stief, Essington, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: A creamy lime topping turns angel food cake into yummy squares that are perfect as a graduation dessert. I adapted this luscious treat from another recipe. It is super easy to make. Beverly Marshall, Orting, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: This cool no-bake strawberry pie is the perfect cure for your sweet tooth, especially in the summer. Made with pantry staples, it is as easy as pie to make and has become one of my most requested warm-weather treats. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: Light and creamy, this butterscotch graduation dessert never lasts long when I serve it at parties. The fluffy cream cheese layer topped with cool butterscotch pudding is a lip-smacking combination. —Becky Harrison, Albion, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe started out as a plain zucchini cookie. But over the years, I added nuts and chocolate chips. These soft cookies never make it to the cookie jar! —Tina Lunt, Bass Harbor, Maine

From the Recipe Creator: When I got married, a woman at my parents’ church gave me this version of a popular Michigan treat. I sometimes pipe a bit of frosting onto each piece for decoration during the holidays. —Kristen Ekhoff, Akron, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: Warm a slice of this cream cheese pound cake in the microwave for about 25 seconds. Then serve it with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream, fresh fruit or alone. —Betty Smith, Evans, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: For a lower-fat alternative to ice cream-filled pops, try this citrus novelty. The tangy orange flavor will make your taste buds tingle, while the silky smooth texture offers cool comfort. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: I can’t count how many times I have made these cookies—they are our favorites. I love to bake all kinds of goodies with my two daughters, and my husband loves to sample the treats. —Carmen Rae, New Haven, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars were one of my favorite treats when I was a little girl. They are very versatile. A friend likes to spread a cup of melted chocolate chips over the top to make it special enough to be a graduation dessert. Be sure to let the chocolate set before cutting into these simply delicious bars. —Laura Campbell, Lisbon, Maine

From the Recipe Creator: Circus peanuts are one of the most popular candies in my hometown's old-fashioned candy shop. When I saw this circus peanut Jell-O recipe, I knew just where to buy them. Kids love the cool fruity taste, and older folks enjoy the trip down memory lane. —Ruthanne Mengel, De Motte, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: Rhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don't bother! Of all the desserts I've tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

From the Recipe Creator: What could be better than a brownie crust layered with chocolate cheesecake and topped with ganache? These cheesecake bars will satisfy even the biggest chocolate lovers. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: For our daughter’s graduation dessert, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she’s used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I’ve found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: These rich bar cookies will melt in your mouth! They’re ideal to have on hand for a snack at graduation parties. —Pauline Schrag, Theresa, New York

From the Recipe Creator: This luscious lemon poppy seed cake recipe uses cake mix and pudding mix for an easy graduation dessert highlighting the classic flavor combination. —Betty Bjarnason, Egbert, ON

From the Recipe Creator: When I saw a recipe for banana cream pie trifle I was inspired to invent a version than spun off my favorite pie, Key lime. My family loved it! Some friends got to try it, too, and they enjoyed immensely as well. —Rebecah Lytle, Ocala, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: When our kids have their own graduation parties, I like to surprise each of them with this chocolate treat. Our favorite dippers include fruit, marshmallows, cookies and pound cake. —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: I rely on my microwave to hurry along the assembly of these yummy peanut butter bars with graham crackers. With their pleasant flavor, they’re sure to disappear quickly at graduation events. —Mina Dyck, Boissevain, Manitoba

From the Recipe Creator: I grew up helping my mom make a lot in our farmhouse kitchen; strawberry shortcakes, roasts, soups and pies. This sunny strawberry shortcake recipe brings back memories of family summers on the farm. —Janet Becker, Anacortes, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: If you have a craving for cookies and you want them now, these yummy strips take just a few minutes to make from start to finish. —Kathy Zielicke, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: A light and fluffy marshmallow layer tops the tart rhubarb filling in this delicious make-ahead graduation dessert. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: I use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee

From the Recipe Creator: The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: This is the cookie recipe I created for the Las Vegas World Food Championships in 2013. It's similar to a shortbread thumbprint cookie, but with lots more personality. —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: When I was in high school, I took these sweet and crunchy squares as a dessert for graduation parties. I still make them for family and friends who love the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. —Christy Asher, Colorado Springs, Colorado

From the Recipe Creator: The addition of dulce de leche makes this a decadent new take on traditional seven-layer bars. You can cut this recipe in half and make it in an 8x8-in. pan. —Andrea Barlow, Hot Springs, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: This yellow cake will become your go-to recipe for birthdays, but the tender cake with flavorful chocolate buttercream is truly perfect for any occasion. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: This crowd-pleasing graduation dessert can be made the night before. I love that you can be flexible with the ingredients. Add any in-season fruit you like! —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario

From the Recipe Creator: I learned to bake beside my mom and grandmother. When I was on break from college, I knew just how to entertain myself: I made cookies. Sharing this recipe with my mom and grandmother was a proud moment.—Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New York

From the Recipe Creator: These pops won't turn your tongue blue or neon green like many store-bought pops because they're made with fresh grapes, blueberries and kiwifruit. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I created this recipe based on our family’s love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Vary the color to match school colors for a creative graduation party dessert. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: One night my husband had some friends over to play poker and he requested these s'mores bars. They polished off the pan and asked for more! I shared the recipe, and now their families make them, too. —Rebecca Shipp, Beebe, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: Here's a recipe that will bring back memories of your childhood. Banana flip snack cakes taste just like the banana flips we used to eat when we were kids. —Berta Hagen, Int'l Falls, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky

From the Recipe Creator: These chunky, chewy squares are a feast for the eyes. Malted milk flavor coats this treat from top to bottom. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: We don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Everyone who tries this dessert falls in love with it. Using a slow cooker liner makes cleanup a breeze. —Latona Dwyer, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a fun layered graduation dessert that will appeal to all ages. If you want it even nuttier, you can use chunky peanut butter, and if you’re not a fan of cashews, substitute your favorite nut. This peanut butter lasagna is one of my favorite pudding desserts. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: How’s this for a dish? All the joy of a banana split without the mess. Everything in this recipe fits into one pan of delectable brownie bars. —Constance Sheckler, Chestertown, Maryland

From the Recipe Creator: I had to bake something from my heritage for school. So, I made this heavenly kourabiedes recipe. —Rebecca Sprague, St. Louis, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: This cobbler came about because I love chocolate-covered strawberries. Top it with whipped cream, either plain or with a little chocolate syrup stirred in. —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee

From the Recipe Creator: A gift of homemade candy is always a hit with sweet tooths. I dip these peanut rolls in chocolate, but they’re yummy plain, too. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba

From the Recipe Creator: My extended family shares a meal every Sunday. The aunts and uncles take turns bringing everything from main dishes to desserts like this traditional Mexican cinnamon cookie called reganadas. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Creamy and rich, this homemade banana pudding recipe is so easy. Layer it in a trifle bowl for a pretty presentation. —Ruth Kizer, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: This is one of the best peach dump cake recipes in the world. It's sweet, tender cake with a beautifully crisp cobbler topping. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, and dessert's golden. —Keri Sparks, Little Elm, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan