The 52 Most Popular Desserts: Beloved Baking Classics From Cakes to Tarts
Explore Food52’s ultimate collection of 52 favorite dessert recipes, spanning cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, and more beloved treats.
Food52’s 52 Most Popular Desserts
With thousands of recipes tested and shared by passionate home bakers, Food52 has curated a cherished list of 52 best-loved dessert recipes. These treats, spanning cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, galettes, and more, represent the most saved, reviewed, and celebrated sweets in the Food52 community.
From simple classics to innovative bakes, learn what makes each dessert special, discover tips to ensure baking success, and find the perfect sweet finale for every occasion.
Cake Favorites
Cake reigns supreme in our hearts and kitchens. Whether for celebrations or everyday indulgence, Food52’s most admired cake recipes showcase the infinite possibilities of flavor and texture.
- Maialino’s Olive Oil Cake: This moist, gently citrus-kissed olive oil cake is unbeatable in its simple elegance. Its sweet-savory balance and rustic charm have claimed the status as Food52’s most popular cake.
Tip: Serve with slow-roasted strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream for added flair. - Louisa’s Cake: Channeling Italian home cooking, Louisa’s Cake boasts ricotta for a moist, tender crumb—ideal for brunch or after dinner.
- Carrot Cake with Cardamom: Spices and shredded carrots lend depth and moisture, while a creamy frosting provides the perfect finish.
- Chocolate Bundt Cake: Rich cocoa and a beautiful shape make this cake both a visual and flavor centerpiece for gatherings.
- Banana Cake with Penuche Frosting: A light, airy banana cake paired with brown sugar-milk frosting for balance and nostalgia.
- Funnel Cake: State fairs inspire this deep-fried treat — crispy, golden dough dusted with sugar, bringing out the child in everyone.
- Chocolate Dump-It Cake: This simple one-bowl chocolate cake is temptingly easy to eat, with over 400 rave reviews from the community.
- Ice Cream Cake: Coral Lee’s template lets you build the ice cream cake of your dreams—mint chip never disappoints.
- Baked Alaska (Chocolate, Coffee & Hazelnut): Decadent, stunning, and worthy of celebrations, this boasts coffee, chocolate, and hazelnut—a true showstopper.
- Meyer Lemon Cheesecake with Biscoff Crust: Zesty Meyer lemons combined with a buttery Biscoff cookie crust set this creamy cheesecake apart.
- Blueberry Lemon Cake: Celebrating wild blueberries, this summery cake is perfect with whipped cream and coffee.
Pies & Cobblers
Homestyle pies and cobblers are staples of American baking traditions, offering comfort and celebration in every slice. Food52’s favorites highlight fresh fruit, rich fillings, and easy adaptability.
- Classic Apple Pie: Sweet-tart apples, warming spices, and flaky pastry make this a perennial crowd-pleaser.
- Pumpkin Pie: Silky pumpkin custard nestled in a crisp crust brings autumn coziness to the table.
- Pecan Pie: Nutty, caramel-like filling with a buttery crust—sometimes reimagined as galettes or enhanced with chocolate.
- Blueberry Pie: Bursting with juicy blueberries, this pie embodies summer’s sweetness.
- Peach Cobbler: Juicy peaches and tender biscuit topping create a comforting, Southern-inspired dessert.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie: Sharp rhubarb balances ripe strawberries, enveloped in sweet pastry.
Cookies & Bars
Cookies are bite-sized happiness—ideal for sharing, gifting, or sneaking from the jar. Food52’s community treasures classic and inventive cookies alike, while bars provide fuss-free enjoyment.
- World Peace Cookies: Dorie Greenspan’s chocolate sablés are hailed as the most loved cookies in Food52 history, promising deep chocolate flavor and a delicate crunch.
- Best Cocoa Brownies: Alice Medrich’s recipe delivers rich, fudgy brownies celebrated for their true cocoa taste.
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: Chewy oats and plump raisins evoke nostalgia and comfort.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Crisp edges, gooey centers, and pockets of chocolate make these a forever favorite.
- Lemon Bars: Tart citrus filling atop buttery shortbread—sunshine in a bite.
- Peanut Butter Blossoms: Pillowy peanut butter cookies topped with decadent chocolate kisses.
Custards & Puddings
Custards and puddings offer creamy luxury and gentle sweetness. The Food52 community’s most memorable include:
- Flan: Silky caramel-topped custard, both elegant and comforting.
- Chocolate Pot de Crème: Decadent, spoonable chocolate custard.
- Bread Pudding: Pillowy bread, soaking up spiced custard and warming the soul.
- Rice Pudding: Creamy, nostalgic comfort in each bite.
Frozen Desserts
Frozen sweets bring delight in every season. Food52’s top picks include:
- Ice Cream Cake: Layer your favorite ice cream flavors and add cookies or whipped cream for customization.
- Lemon Granita: Tart, icy delight—perfect for beating the summer heat.
- Sorbet: Vibrant fruit flavors, always gluten-free and refreshing.
Galettes & Tarts
Rustic galettes and elegant tarts showcase seasonal fruit, nuts, and rich custards with ease and style. Food52 highlights:
- Autumn Apple & Pumpkin Galette: Two Thanksgiving classics—apple and pumpkin—come together harmoniously without overpowering sweetness.
- Rhubarb & Blueberry Galette: Rhubarb and blueberry deliver acidity, brightness, and complex almond notes from Amaretti cookies. Topped with whipped cream for richness.
- Chocolate Pecan Galette: A twist on pecan pie, marrying nuts and chocolate for a memorable dessert.
- Easy Apple Galette: Quick homemade dough and adaptable presentation—imperfection encouraged for rustic beauty. Vanilla ice cream recommended.
- Sourdough Galette with Peaches & Blueberries: Maurizio Leo’s award-winning dough lets summer fruit sing; batch and freeze dough for future treats.
- Peach Tart: Simple tools, minimal fuss, and sweet peaches in less than an hour.
- Lazy Mary’s Lemon Tart: Over 200 comments rave about its simplicity and flavor. Even non-bakers succeed—with amazing results.
Specialty & Seasonal Desserts
Some desserts are deeply tied to season, celebration, or creativity.
- Slow-Roasted Strawberries: Michelle Polzine’s recipe transforms fresh strawberries into flavor-packed toppings for cakes and puddings.
- Classic Holiday Cookies: Decorate sugar cookies and gingerbread with family and friends.
- Fruit Crisps: Baked fruit under streusel topping—easy to adapt for all seasons.
Expert Baking Tips for Perfect Desserts
- Measure accurately: Weigh ingredients when possible or follow spoon-and-level technique for flour.
- Use quality ingredients: High-quality chocolate, vanilla, and fruit make a big difference.
- Room temperature matters: Bring eggs and butter to room temperature for smooth mixing and tender texture.
- Don’t overmix: Mix just until combined to avoid dense cakes or cookies.
- Preheat your oven: Bake desserts evenly by starting with a properly heated oven.
- Test for doneness: Toothpick tests work for cakes; a gentle jig lets you know custards or brownies are set.
Table: Most Popular Dessert Categories & Example Recipes
| Category | Example Recipes | Signature Qualities |
|---|---|---|
| Cakes | Olive Oil Cake, Chocolate Bundt, Banana Cake | Moist, versatile, crowd-pleasing |
| Pies & Cobblers | Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Cobbler | Fruit-forward, comforting, classic |
| Cookies & Bars | World Peace Cookies, Brownies | Portable, shareable, nostalgic |
| Galettes & Tarts | Lemon Tart, Blueberry Galette | Rustic, seasonal, adaptable |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What type of dessert is most popular on Food52?
A: Cakes, particularly Maialino’s Olive Oil Cake, are among the top-rated, followed by inventive tarts and classic cookies.
Q: Can I customize these recipes with other fruits or flavors?
A: Absolutely. Most galettes, tarts, pies, and some cakes can be adapted for seasonal fruit, nuts, chocolate, or spices.
Q: What tools do I need for these desserts?
A: Most recipes require basic tools—mixing bowls, whisks, cake or pie pans, and sometimes a food processor for doughs. Galettes and tarts are often more forgiving and less fussy regarding presentation.
Q: Are these recipes beginner-friendly?
A: Many are designed for beginners, like Lazy Mary’s Lemon Tart and Easy Apple Galette. Community tips and abundant reviews help guide first-time bakers.
Q: What makes a dessert recipe a community favorite?
A: Simplicity, outstanding flavor, reliable results, and adaptability for seasons or occasions all contribute to a dessert’s popularity.
Q: Can these desserts be made ahead for parties?
A: Yes. Cakes, tarts, and many pies can be baked in advance. Cookie doughs and galette doughs freeze well, letting you prep stages ahead of time.
Q: Are there gluten-free or vegan favorites in the collection?
A: While many recipes feature classic baking ingredients, some—like certain fruit crisps, sorbets, and nutty cookies—can be made gluten-free or vegan. Adaptations are often suggested in comments.
Q: How do I avoid common baking mistakes?
A: The most important advice is to measure carefully, follow mixing instructions, and trust doneness tests specified for each dessert.
Final Sweet Thoughts
Whether you’re a baker searching for a new classic or seeking the perfect idea for a celebration, Food52’s 52 most popular desserts showcase the spectrum of sweet inspiration. Explore these favorites, try community tips, and celebrate the joy of baking—one beloved recipe at a time.
