Treat your mom to Mother's Day desserts that are (almost!) as sweet as she is. We have all the favorites, from strawberry shortcake to cobbler, cheesecake and homemade ice cream.
49 Best Mother’s Day Desserts
Updated on Mar. 07, 2025
1/49
Two-Berry Pavlova
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a light and airy dessert that I first tried in Ireland. When I got home, I made this berry pavlova for my kids, who loved to build their own with their favorite fruits. The whipped cream makes for icing on the cake! —Norma Stevenson, Eagan, Minnesota
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert filled with a creamy component and topped with all kinds of extras. Here, we keep it simple with a whipped cream filling and a berry topping, but feel free to use what your mom likes best. Pastry cream and lemon curd are other popular fillings, and nuts and fruit work well as toppings.
2/49
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Celebration Cheesecake
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Both my children were born on the same day five years apart, so I like to make an elaborate dessert to celebrate the occasion. This seven-layered beauty really fits the bill. The baking and preparation are easy, but you do need to set aside some time for the assembly. Everyone will be amazed when they see the final product. —Kristyne McDougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
Celebrate mom with an extra special dessert. The Cheesecake Factory’s cake has seven layers, which sounds intimidating. However, we’ll let you in on a little secret: Our copycat version is incredibly easy to make. We make our layers with a cake made from white cake mix, instant pudding and store-bought cheesecake filling and frosting.
3/49
Contest-Winning Chocolate Angel Food Cake
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I take this different kind of angel food cake to church bake sales, it goes before I can get it on the table!—Mary Ann Iverson, Woodville, Wisconsin
I’ll never forget the first time I made an angel food cake. My mom requested one for Mother’s Day, so my dad and I got to work. Unfortunately, we weren’t aware of the number one rule: The egg whites must be brought to room temperature. They never fluffed up, and the cake was a bust. So, learn from our mistake and bake with room-temperature eggs!
4/49
Strawberry Trifle
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I won first prize in a dairy recipe contest with this tasty strawberry trifle. You can double the recipe and make two for large groups. —Norma Steiner, Monroe, Wisconsin
Need a dessert that’s practically impossible to mess up? This strawberry trifle is it. The no-bake recipe is made by layering instant pudding mix with cubed angel food cake and sliced strawberries in a trifle bowl. Finished with whipped cream, it’s a picture-perfect dessert for mom to ooh and ahh over.
5/49
Classic Creme Brulee
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My favorite dessert is this creme brulee recipe. Recently I was at a party where the guests finished preparing their own desserts by “broiling” the sugar on their portions with a small torch. What a great idea! —Joylyn Trickel, Helendale, California
Creamy and decadent, this creme brulee dessert pairs well with any Mother’s Day dinner recipe. If your mom is a chocolate fiend or lemon lover, try our chocolate-raspberry creme brulee or lemon creme brulee.
6/49
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You can have your cake and eat it guilt-free with these taste-tempting treats. The petite graham cracker “crust,” chopped fresh berries and cream cheese frosting offer all the goodness of cheesecake in manageable portions. —Jill Drury, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I used to work in a bakery in high school, and strawberry cheesecake cupcakes were one of my contributions to the menu. I’ll never forget the customer who bought a whole tray for his wife, who was a few days away from giving birth and had a strong craving for them. Between the graham cracker crust, strawberry flavor and fluffy cream cheese frosting, this cupcake has wide appeal for moms—even new ones.
7/49
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
This rich, buttery ice cream sure beats store-bought versions. And with its pretty color and plentiful pecan crunch, it's nice enough to serve to guests at a summer party. —Jenny White, Glen, Mississippi
My mom is obsessed with ice cream, but even mild ice cream enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to turn down a dessert as gourmet as this one. Homemade ice cream is all about love, especially when doused with salted caramel sauce and pecans.
8/49
Pizookie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bake up the ultimate shareable cookie. For variety, swap out the chocolate chips for an equal quantity of M&M's or chocolate chunks. Or go super fancy by mixing the chocolate chips and pecans into the dough, then gently folding in 1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Any mom who loves a soft-baked chocolate chip cookie will love sharing this enormous, pizza-sized cookie. Serve it straight out of the oven with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream on top, and your mom will brag about this Mother’s Day for weeks.
9/49
Tiramisu
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tiramisu is Italian for pick-me-up, and this one is definitely true to its name! My version of the classic Tuscan trifle has both coffee and espresso for layers of java flavor. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
After serving up a classic Italian dinner, end the night with a traditional tiramisu. I love making tiramisu the night before so it has a chance to set and chill. Plus, making it ahead means it’s ready to serve at a moment’s notice.
10/49
Macarons
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
30 macarons
From the Recipe Creator:
Even when decorated simply—a sprinkle of sugar and a drizzle of icing—these stylish beauties will be the showstoppers on any Christmas cookie tray. They are part of our creative Christmas cookies collection every year. —Josh Rink, Photo Stylist Taste of Home
For the Francophile moms out there, macarons are a great gift. Although they can be finicky, they’re easy to customize. Dye the shell to your mom’s favorite color, or change the filling to her preferred flavor.
11/49
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Although I have some wonderful from-scratch recipes, this one uses a boxed mix with plenty of doctoring. It has become a popular groom’s cake that gets more attention than the wedding cake. —Nora Fitzgerald, Sevierville, Tennessee
Every layer of this decadent cake is as luxurious as the last. It’s comprised of two chocolate cake layers, chocolate frosting, chocolate glaze, strawberry jam and whole strawberries on top.
12/49
Flan de Queso
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida
Also known as caramel flan, this flan de queso is rich, tangy and creamy. Inverting the flan to expose the decadent caramel topping takes a little bravery, but there’s nothing you can’t do with Mom by your side, cheering you on.
13/49
Limoncello Tiramisu
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love everything about this wonderful dessert—from the light lemon flavor and creamy Mascarpone to the crunchy, crushed macaroon on top. We think you'll enjoy it too.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
This version of tiramisu takes a springtime twist and calls for soaking ladyfingers limoncello instead of coffee. Then, homemade lemon curd is folded into the filling, and the treat is topped with cookie crumbles and candied lemon peels.
14/49
Pink Cupcakes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share too. —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
This pink cupcake recipe is for moms who have a favorite pink cardigan or a pink-hued KitchenAid mixer. The cupcake base is pink, and the gorgeous white chocolate ganache frosting is decorated with pink sprinkles.
15/49
Chocolate Mousse
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend shared this rich, velvety mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
Some moms prefer the simpler things in life, desserts included. Chocolate mousse is a classic through and through. It’s lovely served with a red dessert wine or an after-dinner espresso.
16/49
Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
A mixture of softened rhubarb, apples, brown sugar and cinnamon creates the cozy, fruity base of this warm cobbler. Crumbled coconut macaroons on top add a tropical twist and added texture.
17/49
Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
This cake uses strawberries in the cake layers and frosting, plus a little strawberry gelatin to add extra-concentrated flavor. If assembling a layered cake feels out of your wheelhouse, this recipe can easily be modified to make cupcakes instead.
18/49
Lemon Sorbet
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Whether you serve it in chilled bowls or scoop it into cut lemon halves, this creamy four-ingredient sorbet is both sweet and tart. It makes a delightfully refreshing finish to any meal. —Goldene Petersen, Brigham City, Utah
If you have a rich and heavy Mother’s Day dinner planned, I suggest serving this homemade lemon sorbet for dessert. Your flavor palate will be blown out by the end of dinner, so you’ll want a bright and citrusy sorbet to refresh it.
19/49
Tiramisu Parfaits
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These are a long-time favorite dessert. I think they look so pretty with a drizzle of chocolate, sprinkle of mini chips or cocoa on top. —Nancy Granaman, Burlington, Iowa
Assembling homemade tiramisu into individual portions is just as gorgeous as it is tasty. We lightened-up this dessert by using fat-free vanilla pudding mix and fat-free cream cheese, but it still has all the great flavor of the original.
20/49
Strawberry Roll Cake
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There are plenty of strawberry patches near my hometown, and soon they'll be brimming with red berries. I discovered this recipe a few summers ago and have made it often. Believe me, it tastes as good as it looks!
This stunning strawberry roll cake looks pretty enough to have come from a professional bakery! Don’t be intimidated by the technique; we walk you through the recipe step by step so the cake doesn’t crack, the filling doesn’t ooze and the slices turn out picture-perfect.
21/49
Cookie Butter Pie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 pies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I tasted Biscoff cookie butter at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make it your own by using peanut butter or another kind of spread and matching toppings instead. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama
This no-bake pie starts with a graham cracker crust, which holds an irresistibly decadent cream cheese, cookie butter and whipped cream filling. The pie is topped with more whipped topping, crushed cookies and salted caramel sauce. It’s a contest-winning dessert for a reason!
22/49
Vegan Cheesecake
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
1 cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich, creamy and entirely plant-based, this vegan cheesecake is everything you crave in the classic dessert but with a fresh, nondairy twist. The velvety filling has the right balance of tangy and sweet and it's beautiful topped with fresh berries. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bake something extra special for your plant-based mom this year. Vegan cheesecake forgoes eggs, cream cheese and butter for vegan butter and vegan cream cheese. It still has that quintessential homemade graham cracker crust and fresh berry topping.
23/49
Spumoni Baked Alaska
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a dazzling yet refreshing end to a rich holiday meal, try this freezer finale. It's bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Believe it or not, this spectacular cake can be made in your home kitchen. Feel free to assemble the cake the day before, then add the meringue topping and torch it just before serving. If you have a hand-held butane torch, ask Mom if she’d like to do the toasting honors.
24/49
Strawberry Shortcake
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
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
Mother’s Day always falls around the start of strawberry season, and this recipe takes advantage of those in-season strawberries. Novice bakers will love the simplicity of these strawberry shortcakes, and moms will love the flavor of the homemade cake, whipped cream filling and fresh strawberries.
25/49
Lavender Lemon Bars
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Hints of lavender and lemon zest in the crust make these treats a favorite. —Judith Hilinski, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Any mom with a green thumb will appreciate this sophisticated spin on lemon bars. Make sure to buy culinary-grade lavender, as edible flowers must be organic and cannot be sprayed with pesticides.
26/49
Raspberry Meringue Hearts
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a lovely dessert that your guests will think is almost too pretty to eat! I love the graceful heart shape of the raspberry meringue. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
If I set this down in front of my mom, I think she would start crying tears of pure joy—it’s that beautiful! The meringue heart is absolutely adorable and tastes delicious with its homemade strawberry filling and sorbet, berry and almond topping.
27/49
Pound Cake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We've always included pound cake on our family menus. Through the years I've tried many recipes, and I can honestly say this million-dollar pound cake is the best! It has a very fine, rich texture that makes it unusually smooth. That texture, plus fantastic flavor, makes this pound cake a special treat each time we serve it. —George Dunn, Jasper, Texas
This plain, buttery pound cake recipe is the perfect vehicle for indulgent toppings. From lemon curd to whipped cream and fresh berries or chocolate syrup, there’s no shortage of toppings to serve with this moist pound cake.
28/49
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of fudgy flourless chocolate cake and you'll see why it's pure pleasure for confirmed chocoholics! A small slice of this rich, dense dessert goes a long way.
This flourless chocolate cake offers sweet indulgence for gluten-free moms. I highly recommend topping the cake with our glossy chocolate ganache.
29/49
No-Bake Lemon Pie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing no-bake lemon pie is mixed in minutes and chilled while dinner is being served. —Joanne Schlabach, Shreve, Ohio
You can make this no-bake lemon pie with a premade graham cracker crust and four other simple ingredients. Five-ingredient dessert recipes are great time-savers, allowing you to spend more quality time with your mom.
30/49
Lavender Peach Gelato
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This sophisticated herbal gelato can be served as an appetizer, a palate-pleaser between courses or a sweet, elegant dessert that tastes like heaven on a spoon. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Cardamom, lavender, peaches and real vanilla create this elevated, artisanal gelato. If you can’t find ripe peaches, use frozen instead. Just let them thaw completely and drain the excess liquid before adding them to the gelato.
31/49
No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because this no-bake blueberry cheesecake doesn't contain eggs, it's lighter but also very creamy and refreshing.—Ken Gallagher, Hastings, Nebraska
This cheesecake’s smooth-as-silk filling is sweetened with marshmallow creme and uses unflavored gelatin to help it set. It’s ridiculously good, and the vanilla wafer crust provides a nice textural contrast.
32/49
Easy Peach Cobbler
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this peach cobbler recipe myself with a few tips from my mom and grandma. Because it's so quick and easy, it can be made in minutes to suit any occasion. I've used it as a breakfast fruit dish, a dinner dessert and a light snack. —Martha Betten, North Manchester, Indiana
In this easy cobbler, sweet peaches are nestled and baked into a gorgeous vanilla cake. Feel free to swap in other canned fruits like berries, mangoes, apricots, cherries or whatever mom prefers.
33/49
Berry Crisp
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this recipe because it’s easy, low-fat, versatile and delicious! The crispy topping is flavored with graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon and almonds and doesn’t taste light at all. Great with frozen yogurt or whipped topping. —Janet Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
This fruity and summery dessert is best served straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Buy mom’s favorite brand of ice cream or splurge on the best vanilla ice creams from the store. She’s worth it!
34/49
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
When I got my ice cream maker, a friend shared her dreamy freezy cheesecake recipe. For guests, I scoop this into tart shells. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
This strawberry cheesecake ice cream certainly makes a heavenly scoop. Half-and-half cream, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese and fresh strawberries make up the decadent ice cream, and graham cracker crumbs are loaded on top to mimic the traditional crust.
35/49
The Best Bananas Foster
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests are always impressed when I ignite the rum in this delicious bananas Foster dessert. Use perfectly ripe bananas for best results. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
This recipe combines dessert and a show all in one. Flambeing is a technique that involves cooking with alcohol, which requires a little technique and precaution. It’s a fun way to make dessert for any special occasion.
36/49
Cinnamon Ice Cream
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
1-3/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
This small-batch cinnamon ice cream recipe is perfect for a cozy night in. It sits perfectly on top of a baked cookie or is just as sweet on its own. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If your mom isn’t into fruity, floral, citrusy or chocolatey flavors, we got you. This cinnamon ice cream is a winter-spiced dessert outfitted for a warmer season. We love to take it to the next level and top it with salted caramel sauce or Cinnamon Toast Crunch for added texture.
37/49
Strawberry Rhubarb Cream
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island
Strawberry and rhubarb season usually overlaps around Mother’s Day, so you should be able to use in-season produce for this creamy dessert. It still works with frozen fruit but tastes brighter with the fresh stuff.
38/49
Gluten-Free Lemon Cake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law follows a gluten-free diet, so when she comes to visit I like to make her a delicious dessert. I decided to convert my grandma's whipped pound cake to be gluten- and dairy-free. My husband, who is NOT a fan of gluten-free baked goods, thought my version was amazing. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Break out the best gluten-free baking flour for this recipe. These gluten- and dairy-free mini cakes are rich, moist and refreshingly lemony. Finish them with a dusting of powdered sugar or a lemon glaze.
39/49
Raspberry Crisp
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love that this recipe is genuinely quick and simple. With just six ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, it hardly takes any effort at all, but always comes out delicious. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa
OK, so you need something easy—like, really easy? This crisp tastes like it took all day to make, but it really couldn’t be easier. Simply toss raspberries with sugar and flour, then arrange them in a pan. Top with a four-ingredient crumble and bake until golden.
40/49
Chocolate Bread Pudding
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a fun recipe because the chocolate makes it different from traditional bread pudding. It's a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Start Mother’s Day off on a good note by getting this chocolate bread pudding in the oven bright and early. That way, mom can wake up to the smell of baked chocolate permeating the air. It will be the ultimate breakfast in bed.
41/49
Lemon Mousse
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This classic, simple lemon mousse recipe is the refreshing dessert you need. Serve it with fresh fruit or eat it alone. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Simple and sweet with just a hint of puckering tartness, this lemon mousse makes a great dessert whether it’s served after brunch, lunch or dinner. Serve it simply with just a dollop of whipped cream and a few berries.
42/49
Very Blueberry Clafoutis
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This blueberry clafoutis is somewhere between a fruit-filled pancake and a fruity egg custard. Wrong season for fresh berries? Use frozen berries thawed in a colander and discard the juice. —Ken Hulme, Venice, Florida
Clafoutis (pronounced “clah-foo-tee”) is one of the easier classic French desserts. This version stars wild blueberries, but you can swap in any summer berry here.
43/49
Cast-Iron White Chocolate Tart
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This decadent dessert is worth every calorie. If you aren't a fan of citrus, leave out the orange flavoring and the white chocolate will shine through. —Phoebe Saad, Framingham, Massachusetts
This tart is full of delicious flavor, from the biscotti and amaretti cookie crust to the orange and white chocolate filling. It’s like a sophisticated lemon meringue pie.
44/49
Mini Blueberry Tarts
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 mini tarts
From the Recipe Creator:
I served this recipe to my family while we were on vacation and they were all amazed! The best part: I didn't spend tons of time on it thanks to refrigerated pie crust. Watch your mini tarts around the 13-minute mark to make sure they don't brown too quickly. If you'd like, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.—Allison Bell, Hillsdale, New Jersey
Refrigerated pie crust dough makes these tarts a breeze to put together for a quick dessert or Mother’s Day brunch dish. I love to add a little lemon or orange zest for a bright boost.
45/49
Key Lime Pie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can’t find Key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
This mini pie is perfect for sharing, although we won’t blame you if you want to keep one all to yourself. Key limes are worth seeking out, as they’re much sweeter and bolder than regular limes, but regular limes work in a pinch.
46/49
Olive Oil Ice Cream
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
Don't knock it until you try it! Olive oil ice cream is rich, creamy and earthy. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
As the name implies, this ice cream recipe includes olive oil, lending rich, fruity and slightly peppery notes to the dessert. I love serving this with a simple sprinkle of Maldon salt, fresh fruit or even just a tiny extra drizzle of olive oil on top. Just make sure to use a good-quality olive oil brand.
47/49
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these banana bars with cream cheese frosting whenever I have ripe bananas on hand, then store them in the freezer to share later. With creamy frosting and big banana flavor, this treat is a real crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Knight, Marion, Iowa
Even if you only have two ripe bananas, you can still make this special treat for mom. If she’s not a cream cheese frosting gal, swap in a vanilla frosting or chocolate buttercream frosting instead.
48/49
Earl Grey Panna Cotta
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Earl Grey panna cotta is a simple dessert that others will think is fancy. You can also substitute green tea or chai for the Earl Grey. —Judith Chow, Saugus, Massachusetts
Any tea-loving mom will adore this Earl Grey panna cotta. This recipe is pretty easy to make, so long as you have ramekins.
49/49
Lemon Pudding Cake
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband, Lloyd, loves this cake because it tastes like lemon meringue pie. The cake is no-fuss and makes just enough for the two of us.—Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
This lemon pudding cake is like the springtime version of a chocolate lava cake. A fluffy lemon cake topping gives way to a sinfully decadent lemon pudding bottom that’s irresistible, scoop after scoop.
Mother’s Day Desserts FAQ
What desserts can you make ahead of time for Mother’s Day?
The best make-ahead desserts for Mother’s Day include cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, bars and ice creams. Simply put, anything served at room temperature or chilled can be made ahead of time. Anything that should be served warm is best made just before eating.
What should you serve for a meal on Mother’s Day?
Making a homemade Mother’s Day meal is a great way to show your mom the love, especially when you pair that meal with an incredible dessert. For brunch, prepare this gorgeous mushroom and smoked salmon tart and pair it with chocolate bread pudding. For dinner, some of my favorite pairings are spicy shrimp fettuccine Alfredo with an Italian-inspired tiramisu, Asian barbecued short ribs with a palate-calming cheesecake or citrus coconut steamed cod followed by an Earl Grey panna cotta (Earl Grey’s subtle orange notes will pair perfectly!). Or try roasted Cornish game hens paired with an equally rustic lemon pudding cake.
How should you serve these Mother’s Day desserts?
Some Mother’s Day desserts can be served as-is, while others benefit from finishing accents and garnishes. You can universally count on homemade whipped cream to top off any dessert. Berries, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce or salted caramel sauce also make great toppings, but use your judgment when pairing flavor profiles.
When it comes to serving desserts with drinks, after-dinner drinks are never a bad idea. For brunch or lunch settings, look to mimosas, tea lattes, coffees or espresso-based drinks.
