Our 48 Favorite Stay-at-Home Desserts

When you’re craving comfort food, nothing hits the spot quite like a homemade treat. And in these stressful times, our recipes for cakes, cookies, bars, puddings and other desserts are here to soothe your sweet tooth. Plus, you can skip running to the store. Most of these recipes are made with pantry staples you already have on hand. (For more ideas, check out our guide to cooking, cleaning and making the most of your time indoors).

Chocolate Comfort Cake

This moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for holiday dinners. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Puppy Chow

This snack mix is perfect for a late-night treat or a as pick-me-up any time of the day. I sometimes take a batch to work, and it's always eaten up quickly. —Mary Obeilin, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Banana Bread Cake

Make our easy banana bread cake recipe with just one banana and a few pantry staples—it's oh, so delicious.

Snickerdoodles

This snickerdoodle recipe bakes up a batch of soft, tender cinnamon-sugar cookies. Don't forget the cream of tartar!

Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump Cake

Looking for a super quick dessert that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This easy dessert will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Aurora, Colorado

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

What's a potluck without strawberry pretzel salad? This summer side dish (or should we say dessert?) is definitely a recipe to keep in your back pocket.

Easy Cake Mix Bars

I take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It's one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they're so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

These gluten-free peanut butter cookies are chewy, salty and sweet. You wouldn’t believe you only need three ingredients to make them.  

Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods

Kids of all ages enjoy making and eating these fun treats. The decorated pretzels are a pretty gift in a cellophane bag or a glass jar. —Kay Waters, Benld, Illinois

Chocolate Pudding

Bring your favorite childhood lunchbox treat to life with this rich and decadent homemade chocolate pudding recipe.

Whipped Shortbread Cookies

These whipped shortbread cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta

Lemon Coconut Bites

The tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York

Creamy Rice Pudding

I was fortunate to grow up around fabulous cooks. My mother and grandmother taught me to experiment with recipes, and we tried a lot of variations on this one. No matter how we chose to embellish it, it was always tasty. When I make this, it brings fond memories to mind. —Laura German, North Brookfield, Massachusetts

Hot Milk Cake

Travel back in time with this easy, old-fashioned hot milk cake recipe. Moist and tender, like a sponge cake and pound cake hybrid, it's the perfect snacking cake!

Snickers Cookies

Though you wouldn't know by looking, you'll find a sweet surprise inside these cookies. My mother got this Snickers cookie recipe from a fellow teacher at her school. It's a terrific way to dress up refrigerated cookie dough. —Kari Pease, Conconully, Washington

Biscotti Recipe

Take a break and have some coffee or tea with one of these tasty biscotti. It's sweet but not overly so, and it's a crunchy, satisfying snack that's fantastic for when you want to relax and have something simple to eat.

Lemon Sheet Cake

This lemon sheet cake is the ideal dessert for serving at parties. It is incredibly moist, sweet and bursting with citrus flavors.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Everyone who tries these beloved gems is amazed that they use only five ingredients. Baking cookies doesn't get much easier than this. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona

White Chocolate Cereal Bars

A friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

I’m a busy schoolteacher and pastor’s wife and I wouldn’t dare show my face at a church dinner or bake sale without some of these tempting peanut butter treats. They’re quick and easy to make and always a hit. —Kristi Tackett, Banner, Kentucky

Pineapple Pudding Cake

My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It's so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts

Magic Cookie Bars

Whether you call them magic cookie bars, seven-layer bars or Hello Dolly bars, we know that this super simple dessert is always a hit.

Berry Brownie Pizza

How could you not love pizza for dessert? A fudgy brownie base is layered with a whipped topping sauce, then topped with fresh strawberries, chopped nuts and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.  —Karen Heleski, Ubly, Michigan

Fudgy Brownies with Peanut Butter Pudding Frosting

Rich brownies are topped with a peanut butter pudding frosting to make this a recipe the whole family will love. These are perfect for a potluck, bake sale or yummy after-dinner treat. —Amy Crook, Syracuse, Utah

Peanut Butter Cups

You don't have to own any fancy or expensive equipment to make irresistible peanut butter cups at home. In fact, it only takes a microwave and some mini muffin liners.

Contest-Winning Easy Tiramisu

This recipe makes a great quick dessert for a special supper…or anytime. It's easily doubled if needed. What a fun use for pudding snack cups! —Betty Claycomb, Adverton, Pennsylvania

Apple Comfort

Years ago, we were without electricity for nine days during an ice storm, but I was able run the slow cooker from our generator. The situation called for a treat, and this has been a favorite ever since.

Rustic Honey Cake

Serve this sweet, moist honey cake with ripe berries and a sprinkle of crunchy pistachios.    

Peanut Butter Graham Bars

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. —Mina Dyck, Boissevain, Manitoba

Black Bean Brownies

Black bean brownies are naturally high in protein and fiber, but this recipe ensures chocolaty goodness too. If you're avoiding dairy and gluten, give these a try, but be warned: It's nearly impossible to eat just one.

Magic Brownie Bars

When I was a kid, one of my all-time favorite treats was magic cookie bars. This recipe combines all the same classic flavors in a magic brownie bar! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Slow-Cooker Blueberry Cobbler

I love blueberries, and this easy cake mix cobbler showcases them deliciously. Serve the treat warm with a big scoop of French vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Oatmeal Cream Pie Recipe

We love foods that remind us of childhood, like the chewy oatmeal cream pies stashed in our lunch boxes on lucky days.

Nutella Hand Pies

These pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I've written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas

Easy Pistachio Tube Cake

Mixes make this light cake easy, and a fluted tube pan gets it holiday party-ready. Go for the pistachios on top—the extra crunch is worth it. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Easy Mexican Brownies

This easy Mexican brownie recipe comes together quickly enough for dessert anytime because it uses a box mix. Cleanup is quick and minimal, too!

Peanut Butter Cake Bars

These cakelike bars are packed with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and they're perfect for any occasion. Kids and adults alike are in for a treat with these gems. —Charlotte Ennis, Lake Arthur, New Mexico

Easy Crunch Berry Pie

This is a fresh, simple approach to making a company-worthy pie. The playful Cap’n Crunch cereal crust is fun to bite into, and it’s the perfect complement to a mixed berry no-bake filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooker Dump Cake

Our crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!

Cannoli Dip

Ricotta is one of my family's favorite ingredients. I made up the cannoli filling and broke up some ice cream waffle shells to use as "chips and dip"—it was an instant hit! It's also good served slightly warm. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

Pressure-Cooker Lava Cake

Because we love chocolate, this decadent cake has long been a family favorite. It's even amazing cold the next day—assuming you have any leftovers! —Elizabeth Farrell, Hamilton, Montana

Easy Key Lime Pie Trifle

I came up with this easy Key lime pie trifle because I adore Key lime pie in all its forms. It's a refreshing treat on a hot summer day, and since it can be made ahead, it's ideal for entertaining, too. The pie is easier to cut when still a little frozen, but be sure to let the pieces finish thawing before starting the recipe. —Barbara Moorhead, Gaffney, South Carolina

Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler

This homey dessert is always a big hit with my family. We like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —Cindy Jajuga, Weed, California

Giant Buckeye Cookie

I’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, Ohio

Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread

My Scottish grandmother was renowned for baked goods, and these chunky shortbread bars are an example of why. —Jane Kelly, Wayland, Massachusetts

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

These chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies are so easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients and a stovetop.

Up Next: Discover the highest-rated, most-popular desserts that came out on top this year.