I don’t cook for fun all the time, but baking is a different story—I genuinely love it. I’m the type who prefers finding a standout recipe and perfecting it rather than testing dozens and keeping only a few. That approach has led to a carefully curated collection of our family’s favorite desserts: reliable, crowd-pleasing recipes we return to again and again. If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll be happy to see many of these include chocolate. From cookies and bars to cakes and fruity desserts, there’s something for every occasion.
If you need a quick, dependable recipe that’s likely to become a family favorite, try one of these.
Cookies + Bars
Chocolate Chip Cookies
We tested many versions before settling on a modified classic that delivers consistently: easy to make, dependable, and utterly delicious. This is our go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe when we want that perfect balance of texture and flavor.
Get the best ever chocolate chip cookie recipe here.
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you want to go all-in on chocolate, these are the ones. Rich, pillow-y yet chewy double chocolate chip cookies that feel a bit indulgent and are always a hit.
Get the double chocolate chip cookies recipe!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pillow Cookies
These are essential if someone in your family loves peanut butter cups: chocolate cookies filled with peanut butter that bake into little pillows of pure satisfaction.
Get the chocolate peanut butter pillow cookie recipe here.
Chocolate Chip Bars
Growing up, cookie bars were our household staple—quicker and easier than scooping individual cookies when there were five kids running around. These bars deliver that gooey, buttery center you crave, but in one convenient pan.
Get the chocolate chip cookie bar recipe!
Baked Brownies
For everyday brownies I often use a trusted box mix, but when I want classic scratch brownies, I turn to the famed Baked! bakery recipe. It’s a reliably rich, fudgy brownie that feels special.
Get the Baked! brownies recipe here.
Photo by Sweet Laurel
Nut Butter Brownies (Gluten Free!)
These brownies have been declared “the best I’ve ever had” by people in my house—and they’re flour-free and contain no artificial sugars. We usually use peanut butter but any nut butter works. In our version we follow the cookbook adaptation that replaces dates with extra maple syrup; both approaches are delicious.
Get the nut butter brownie recipe here.
S’Mores Bars
These are a must-make at least once: a hybrid of s’mores and cookie bars. They’re easy, universally loved, and a reliable dessert to bring to gatherings. I’m tempted to try them with a more intense dark chocolate for a twist.
Get the s’mores bars recipe here.
Cakes
Chocolate Cake + Best Chocolate Frosting Ever
Ina Garten’s chocolate cake is a family favorite, but we pair it with a simpler frosting that’s practically foolproof—just combine the ingredients in a food processor and blend. The combination is our go-to whenever we want a reliably spectacular chocolate cake.
Get Ina’s chocolate cake recipe and our favorite chocolate frosting recipe.
Photo by Smitten Kitchen
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
This cake was a hit at a birthday and people still ask about it—easy to convert into cupcakes, too. If you love the chocolate-and-peanut-butter pairing, this one delivers a nostalgic, rich flavor that’s always well received.
Get the chocolate peanut butter cake recipe here.
Carrot Cake (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan optional!)
I made this for a gluten-free guest and immediately fell in love with the result. The cashew “cream cheese” frosting is surprisingly creamy and pairs beautifully with the cake. I use a version from a trusted cookbook but follow a slightly different frosting technique—skipping probiotic capsules and using lemon juice—with great results.
Get the carrot cake recipe here.
Italian Rainbow Cookie Cake
This cake has become a birthday tradition in our home. If you adore classic tri-color Italian rainbow cookies, you’ll love this layered cake. It takes more effort, but the result is special. To save time, pulse almond paste briefly in a food processor to grate it more quickly.
Get the Italian rainbow cookie cake recipe here.
Pies + Fruity Desserts
Extra Flaky Pie Crust
I’m not a pie obsessive, but when I make one I rely on this extra-flaky crust. It’s based on a trusted cookbook recipe with a refined, “new and improved” online version that produces consistently great results.
Get the extra flaky pie crust recipe here.
Berry Crumble
This is my mom’s emergency dessert: quick, simple, and delicious. Our favorite is raspberry, but any frozen fruit works. It takes minutes to prepare and just a short time in the microwave—perfect when unexpected guests arrive.
Recipe: Melt 1 stick of butter, stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup quick oats (regular oats work too), 1/2 cup flour, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Place a 10–12 oz bag of frozen fruit in a pie dish, spread the oat mixture on top, and microwave for 7–8 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream. (Personally, I like leftover chilled crumble almost as much as fresh.)
Banana Pudding
This simple banana pudding is comforting and easy to assemble. If you love the Magnolia Bakery version, this recipe captures that same creamy, nostalgic flavor.
Get the banana pudding recipe here.
All The Other Good Stuff
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Candies
A family holiday staple, these no-bake chocolate peanut butter crispy candies are easy, fun to make with kids, and endlessly customizable. My mom makes dozens each season as gifts, and I’ve continued the tradition.
Get the chocolate peanut butter crispy candies recipe here.
Chocolate Banana Bread
This is my favorite way to use overripe bananas: a chocolate banana bread that tastes like chocolate cake but works for breakfast. It’s our automatic recipe whenever bananas start to go past prime.
Get the chocolate banana bread recipe here.
Do you have dessert traditions in your family? I’d love to hear them. I’ll keep updating this list as we discover more favorites.