Introduction

Almost everyone has a sweet tooth, and indulging in a decadent dessert every now and then can make life feel sweeter than ever. From rich chocolate cakes to creamy cheesecakes, here are ten recipes for mouthwatering desserts that are sure to satisfy your cravings.

1. Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate chips together in a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
3. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.
4. Add eggs one at a time, stirring until fully incorporated.
5. Add cocoa powder and salt, stirring until smooth.
6. Pour batter into a 9-inch cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

2. Classic Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 24 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into 9-inch springform pan.
3. Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Pour mixture into crust and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned and center is almost set.
6. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

3. Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 oz red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
4. Add vegetable oil and buttermilk, and mix on low speed until combined.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
6. Add food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar, and mix until just combined.
7. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool to room temperature before frosting.

4. Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)
• 6 cups thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place one pie crust in the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Pour apple mixture into pie crust, and dot with small pieces of butter.
5. Top with second pie crust, and crimp edges to seal.
6. Brush top of crust with beaten egg.
7. Make a few slits in the top of the crust to allow steam to escape.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling hot.

5. Classic Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt butter and chocolate chips in a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
4. Add melted chocolate mixture and whisk until combined.
5. Add flour, stirring until just combined.
6. Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

6. Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cubed day-old bread
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place cubed bread in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Pour mixture over bread, making sure bread is fully coated.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until pudding is set and golden brown on top.
6. Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

7. Fruit Tart

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 cups mixed fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced peaches, etc.)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place pie crust in a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
3. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and water.
4. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and becomes clear.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
6. Arrange mixed fruit in the crust and pour the sugar mixture over the fruit.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling hot.
8. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

8. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until fully combined.
5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centers are set.
8. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed strong coffee or espresso
• 2 tbsp rum or brandy (optional)
• 24 ladyfingers
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions:

1. Stir coffee and rum/brandy together in a shallow dish.
2. Dip each ladyfinger into coffee mixture, making sure both sides are coated, and place in a single layer in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale yellow in color.
4. Add mascarpone cheese and whisk until smooth.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
6. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until fully combined.
7. Spoon half of cream mixture over ladyfingers in baking dish.
8. Repeat layering with remaining ladyfingers, coffee mixture, and cream mixture.
9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
10. Dust top with cocoa powder before serving.

10. Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar.
3. Stir in flour until fully combined.
4. Press dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
6. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, flour, lemon zest, and lemon juice until fully combined.
7. Pour mixture over baked crust.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until filling is set and lightly browned on top.
9. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.