Life is too short to skip dessert! When you crave something warm from the oven, chilled from the freezer, or a quick no-bake treat, there are various desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. From timeless classics to international delights, there are so many different types of desserts to explore and enjoy.
In this guide, we'll take a look at a comprehensive list of desserts. Let these treats be the perfect finishing touch to any meal or a delightful snack on their own.
- Baked Desserts
- Fried Desserts
- No-Bake Desserts
- Frozen Desserts
- International Desserts
- Satisfy Your Cravings for a Sweet Treat
Baked Desserts
These baked treats are some of the best desserts for any celebration.
1. Cake
Cake is a must-have dessert and is available in countless varieties. From decadent chocolate and red velvet to multi-layered creations and simple sheet cakes, this versatile treat is the perfect centerpiece for birthdays, weddings, and special occasions.
2. Cookies
Cookies are delicious handheld treats that range from chewy to crisp textures. Whether it's classic chocolate chip, decadent cookie cakes, or festive seasonal varieties, this dessert food is one of the most popular dessert options.
3. Brownies
Fudgy, cakey, or somewhere in between, these chocolate squares deliver intense flavor in every bite. Mrs. Fields® brownie bites come in packs of six, providing a portion-controlled treat for when you need something sweet to end the day.
4. Cupcakes
These individual-sized cakes offer the perfect canvas for creative decorations and flavor combinations. Cupcakes are ideal for special occasions, including work events, birthday parties, and even wedding receptions.
5. Pies
Flaky crusts filled with seasonal fruits, creamy custards, or decadent chocolates make these a year-round favorite. From summer berry varieties to fall pumpkin classics, pies connect us to traditions and seasonal harvests.
6. Cheesecake
Rich, creamy, and indulgent, this beloved dessert balances tanginess with sweetness. Whether baked New York-style or set in the refrigerator, the smooth texture and versatile flavor profile of cheesecake have made it a global sensation.
7. Pastries
Delicate layers of flaky dough transformed into croissants, danishes, and turnovers. The technical skill required for perfect pasties hasn't diminished their widespread appeal, with bakeries worldwide showcasing their own unique variations.
Fried Desserts
Fried desserts offer that perfect contrast between crispy exteriors and soft, tender centers. Here are some desserts to try if you love fried food.
8. Doughnuts
Versatile fried rings or filled treats that range from simple glazed varieties to elaborate creations. Whether cake-based or yeast-raised, doughnuts have transcended their humble origins to become artisanal creations worthy of social media fame.
9. Fritters
Fruit-studded batter fried to golden perfection, fritters often feature seasonal produce like apples or bananas. The crispy exterior and tender fruit-filled interior make fritters a simple yet satisfying dessert option.
10. Funnel cake
The funnel cake is a nostalgic fairground favorite featuring swirled batter fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. This simple dessert evokes carnival memories while giving you the perfect combination of crispy and tender.
11. Beignets
These squares of fried dough are generously dusted with powdered sugar. They're also light and airy treats that pair perfectly with strong coffee for a delightful afternoon indulgence.
No-Bake Desserts
When the temperature rises or time is tight, no-bake desserts come to the rescue. These convenient treats deliver satisfaction without heating up your kitchen.
12. Gelatin
Jiggly, fun, and refreshing, these molded desserts come in endless color and flavor combinations. Perfect for warm weather, gelatin desserts offer a light finish to meals while delighting diners of all ages with their playful wobble.
13. Fudge
Sweet squares that showcase different flavors, including chocolate, peanut butter, and seasonal varieties. This concentrated treat offers big flavor in small portions, making it perfect for gift-giving and holiday celebrations.
14. Pudding
Pudding offers smooth, creamy comfort in a bowl. Flavors include simple vanilla, rich chocolate, butterscotch, and more. Whether enjoyed warm or cold, pudding's silky texture makes it an accessible comfort food for all.
15. Custard
Egg-based, silky custard can stand alone or form the base for other treats. From delicate French pots de crème to homestyle baked custard, these protein-rich desserts offer sophisticated flavor with simple ingredients.
16. Mousse
Light, airy, and elegant mousse incorporates whipped ingredients for a cloud-like texture. Whether chocolate, fruit, or white chocolate, mousse delivers richness without heaviness.
Frozen Desserts
In the summer, nothing satisfies quite like the cool refreshment of frozen desserts. These chilly treats have evolved far beyond basic options.
17. Ice cream
Ice cream is the ultimate customizable frozen treat, with countless flavors, textures, and mix-ins available. From old-fashioned vanilla to trendy artisanal combinations, ice cream is one of the most popular treats for good reason.
18. Sorbet
Sorbet is a frozen treat that delivers intense flavor without dairy. This lighter option often showcases seasonal fruits in their purest form, making it both a palate cleanser and a satisfying dessert option.
19. Frozen yogurt
Frozen yogurt offers a tangy, probiotic-rich alternative to traditional ice cream that pairs with endless toppings. The slight acidity cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced frozen treat that feels slightly less indulgent than other options.
20. Gelato
Gelato is an Italian-style frozen dessert with intense flavor concentration and silky texture. Made with more milk than traditional ice cream, gelato delivers richness and satisfaction in smaller portions.
21. Ice cream cake
Ice cream cake turns simple ingredients into a no-bake, layered dessert. Cookies or graham crackers soften between layers of ice cream, creating a sliceable dessert that's perfect for a hot day.
International Desserts
Desserts from around the world showcase incredible variety, with each culture bringing unique techniques, ingredients, and flavor profiles to the table. These global treats offer a delicious way to experience different culinary traditions without leaving home.
22. Churros
Churros are Spanish-origin fried dough pastries dusted with cinnamon sugar and often dipped in chocolate. Their ridged exterior provides the perfect crispy contrast to tender interiors, making them an addictive treat across many cultures.
23. Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a coffee dessert featuring layered elements like coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa. Combining bitter coffee, creamy cheese, and sweet elements perfectly balances this sophisticated no-bake creation.
24. Baklava
Baklava showcases Middle Eastern pastry techniques with countless layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and honey syrup. This labor-intensive dessert rewards with a unique textural experience as crisp pastry yields sticky sweetness in each bite.
25. Crème brûlée
Crème brûlée is a French custard dessert with a caramelized sugar crust. The dramatic textural contrast between the brittle topping and silky custard base makes this a delicious and refined dessert option.
26. Trifle
A trifle consists of layered components, including cake, fruit, custard, and whipped cream in a bowl. This show-stopping dessert offers something for everyone with its variety of flavors and textures in each spoonful.
27. Daifuku mochi
Daifuku mochi is a Japanese rice cake dessert with a soft, chewy texture and sweet fillings.
Satisfy Your Cravings for a Sweet Treat
With so many different types of desserts available, there's truly something for every preference, occasion, and season. Whether you're drawn to the complex layers of red velvet cake, the simple pleasure of a perfectly baked cookie, or the sophisticated charm of international specialties, desserts connect us through the shared enjoyment of life's sweeter moments.
At Mrs. Fields®, we understand the power of well-crafted desserts. Our freshly baked cookies, coffee cakes, and brownies have been satisfying dessert lovers for decades. When you're craving something special but don't have time to bake from scratch, our carefully crafted treats deliver that homemade quality you want.