79 Easy Dessert Ideas

Looking for something sweet? We've rounded up our top-rated easy dessert ideas from home cooks across the country.

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Cookie Butter Pie

I tasted Biscoff cookie spread at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make this pie your own by substituting peanut butter or another kind of spread for the Biscoff spread and then matching toppings. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama

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1/79
2/79

Slow-Cooker Dump Cake

Total Time 2 hours 10 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: No matter the season, this dump cake recipe is wonderful! It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Josephine, Texas
3/79

Strawberry Gelato

Total Time 35 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: You'll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey. Fresh raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for the strawberries if you prefer. If your berries are tart, add a touch more sugar or honey. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
4/79

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue

Total Time 10 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Whenever the family wanted to do a little celebrating over the years, I would make this fondue. It’s fun gathering around the table to get a taste of it. —Beverly Olthaus, Cincinnati, Ohio

Also, add these Irish desserts to your list that will be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

5/79

Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Total Time 30 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This strawberry shortcake is the perfect ending to any meal. Homemade biscuits and fresh berries shine in this classic dessert.

By the way, mind checking these easy, party-ready fondue recipes that are delicious and offer endless possibilities.

6/79

Easy Tiramisu

Total Time 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: No one can resist this quick and easy tiramisu recipe. Make it ahead for added mealtime convenience. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

7/79

Snickers Cookies

Total Time 20 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: 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
8/79

Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars

Total Time 25 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Who doesn't like this dessert duo? Add your favorite combination of candies to garnish the tops of these chocolate peanut butter dream bars. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska

9/79

Mango Sorbet

Total Time 25 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: You'll love the sunny color and fruity flavor of this light dessert. If you can't find mangoes, substitute fresh peaches. To peal peaches, drop them into boiling water for a few seconds. Then you can easily slip the skins right off. —Test Kitchen

10/79

Marshmallow Fudge

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: You'll find it nearly impossible to resist this rich chocolate delight. It's chock-full of marshmallows and graham crackers—and no one will believe that the tantalizing treat is low in fat. —Holly Mann, Temple, New Hampshire

This 2-ingredient fudge belongs in your recipe box. It’s the easiest candy recipe EVER!

11/79

White Chocolate Cereal Bars

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: 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
12/79

Cheesecake Berry Parfaits

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 parfaits
From the Recipe Creator: The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
13/79

Nutella Hand Pies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

These other hand pies can make a tiny and tasty treat.

14/79

Cantaloupe A La Mode

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator: This special dessert is a refreshing finale to a warm-weather meal. —Nancy Walker, Granite City, Illinois
15/79

Gooey Chocolate-Peanut Bars

Total Time 30 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These are so easy to make and take no time at all. They’re great to package up for those college kids looking for something from home. Everyone will want this recipe. —Elaine Grimme, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
16/79

Frozen Margarita Mousse

Total Time 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Who doesn't love a frozen margarita? This creamy frozen mousse combines ready-to-drink margarita mix and whipped topping (you could use this whipped topping substitute instead). It's easy to put together and the freezer does all the work. Garnish with additional crushed pretzels and kosher salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
17/79

Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars

Total Time 20 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I'm a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona
18/79

Hazelnut Toffee

Total Time 30 min
Servings 2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator: The Willamette Valley produces a lot of hazelnuts, so this recipe truly represents our neck of the woods. I always make plenty of this delicious toffee to serve at Christmas and give as gifts. —Earlene Ertelt, Woodburn, Oregon

19/79

Apple Brown Betty Recipe

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it's big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois

20/79

Cannoli Dip

Total Time 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
21/79

Apple Fritter Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I was experimenting with a beer bread to make it into a dessert and came up with this delectable apple fritter cake. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
22/79

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pizza

Total Time 30 min
Servings 16 slices
From the Recipe Creator: Kids go crazy for this gooey dessert pizza, although adults snap it up too. Everyone loves the chewy crust and the amazingly delicious combination of chocolate and peanut butter. —Bernice Arnett, Marshfield, Missouri
23/79

Easy Mexican Brownies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I was hosting a fun Mexican-themed cocktail party and needed a quick dessert recipe. Dressing up an ordinary boxed brownie mix made life easy and delicious! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
24/79

Cream Pie

Total Time 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Fresh berries and cream pie—it’s a simple, classic combination just like Grandma used to make. My version gets you out of the kitchen and into your lounge chair quickly. Enjoy! —Gina Nistico, Taste Recipes Food Editor
25/79

Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice

Total Time 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: If you didn’t think watermelon and cilantro could go together in a dessert, this recipe will be a pleasant surprise! Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and a sprig of cilantro on top for extra flair. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
26/79

Pressure-Cooker Cherry & Spice Rice Pudding

Total Time 20 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I live in Traverse City, which calls itself the cherry capital of the world. What better way to celebrate our wonderful orchards than by using plump, tart dried cherries in my favorite desserts? This pressure-cooked rice pudding recipe always turns out wonderful. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
27/79

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Total Time 20 min
Servings about 8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I had been searching for a dessert to make for my brother's girlfriend (who is gluten intolerant), and I came across a naturally gluten-free dessert—a flourless peanut butter cookie. After tweaking the recipe a bit and adding Nutella and a sprinkling of sea salt, I finally found the perfect cookie for her. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
28/79

Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight

Total Time 35 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This is a simple chocolate dessert recipe for any type of potluck occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho
29/79

Pig Pickin’ Cake

Total Time 40 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina
30/79

Vanilla Frosting

Total Time 10 min
Servings About 3 cups
From the Recipe Creator: After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy vanilla buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado
31/79

Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Total Time 50 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I'm always searching for fast and easy recipes to take to the teachers lounge. The staff goes nuts for these shortcut pecan pie bars. —Kathro Yoder, Defiance, Ohio
32/79

Cherry Pudding Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
33/79

Frito Candy

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Yep, they’re made with corn chips, but don’t let that fool you. These salty sweets were a staple after meetings at the quilt guild I once belonged to. —Carol Tramp, Wynot, Nebraska

34/79

Banana Split Brownies

Total Time 1 hour 25 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: How’s this for a dish? All the joy of a banana split without the mess. Everything in this recipe fits into one pan of delectable brownie bars. —Constance Sheckler, Chestertown, Maryland

35/79

Chocolate Chip Blondies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Folks who adore the classic cookies will enjoy that same beloved flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois
36/79

Eclairs on the Grill

Total Time 35 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My best camping treat is an easy eclair on a stick. This is the one that makes people watch what you’re doing and beg to be included. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
37/79

Pina Colada Tube Cake

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
38/79

Raspberry-Banana Soft Serve

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: When I make this ice cream, I mix and match bananas for their ripeness. Very ripe ones add more banana flavor. Less ripe ones have a fluffier texture. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
39/79

First-Place Coconut Macaroons

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
40/79

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Total Time 30 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan
41/79

Pear Bundt Cake

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there's no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
42/79

Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 15 servings (3 cups lemon topping)
From the Recipe Creator: This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
43/79

Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

Total Time 20 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
44/79

Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: With an apple farm just down the road, I'm always looking for creative ways to use up those bushels. We love this cozy apple snickerdoodle dump cake with caramel drizzle and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii

45/79

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Total Time 25 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Here's proof that peanut butter and chocolate just belong together. These peanut butter blossom cookies are an easy family favorite and never fails to make my children smile. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, North Carolina

46/79

Toffee Brownie Trifle

Total Time 45 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This decadent combination of pantry items is a terrific way to dress up a brownie mix. Try this trifle with other flavors of pudding or substitute your favorite candy bar. It tastes great with low-fat and sugar-free products, too. —Wendy Bennett, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
47/79

Pecan Caramel Candies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Salty and sweet, these candies are the perfect little snack. Form a kitchen assembly line with your kids, and the making becomes just as fun as the eating. —Julie Wemhoff, Angola, Indiana

48/79

Rice Pudding

Total Time 55 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My sisters and I always loved the recipe for rice pudding our grandma made. After she passed away, I took it upon myself to try and find the secret to her rice pudding. It took quite a bit of experimentation, but I finally got it right! And I'm glad to share this easy recipe here. —Margaret DeChant, Newberry, Michigan

49/79

Scottish Shortbread

Total Time 35 min
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this shortbread recipe, along with other favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba

50/79

Mocha Cake

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Without a doubt, this is the best cake I've ever made. It's a decadent dessert that I share with everyone I can! —Katherine DeLoach, Visalia, California

51/79

Ribbon Pudding Pie

Total Time 20 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Cool, smooth and creamy, this pretty pie is a slice of heaven for people with diabetes and anyone who likes an easy yet impressive dessert. The lovely pudding layers feature a yummy combination of vanilla, chocolate and butterscotch. —Doris Morgan, Verona, Mississippi
52/79

Peach Cobbler Recipe

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
53/79

Cherry Poke Cake

Total Time 45 min
Servings 20 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
54/79

Apple Pie Bites

Total Time 35 min
Servings 16 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator: These apple pie bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
55/79

S'mOreos

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My son introduced us to this twist on classic s'mores when we were camping. Have a jar of Nutella around? Slather on the inside of the graham cracker halves before you build this one-of-a-kind treat. —Christina Smith, Santa Rosa, California
56/79

Butterscotch Toffee Cookies

Total Time 20 min
Servings 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With its big butterscotch and chocolate flavor, my cookie stands out. I like to enjoy it with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. It’s my fallback recipe when I’m short on time and need something delicious fast. —Allie Blinder, Norcross, Georgia
57/79

Slow-Cooker Cherry Buckle

Total Time 3 hours 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I saw this recipe on a cooking show and came up with my own version. When the comforting aroma of this homey dessert drifts through the house, it’s hard not to take a quick peek inside the slow cooker —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
58/79

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

Total Time 40 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: 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
59/79

Chocolate Swirl Delight

Total Time 25 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I made a few updates to a great recipe and ended up with an impressive dessert. Everyone loves its light texture and chocolaty flavor. —Lynne Bargar, Saegertown, Pennyslvania
60/79

Sugar Cream Pie

Total Time 55 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I absolutely love Indiana sugar cream pie; especially the one that my grandma made for me. Here, we serve it warm or chilled and call it "Hoosier" sugar cream pie. —Laura Kipper, Westfield, Indiana

61/79

Apple Cider Pound Cake

Total Time 1 hour 25 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Fall in New England is so beautiful, and the apples here are the best! This apple cider cake is a family favorite and I like to serve it with hot cocoa.

62/79

Meringue Cookies

Total Time 1 hour
Servings about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They're all you need after a big, special dinner. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
63/79

No-Bake Cereal Bars

Total Time 20 min
Servings about 10 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With two kinds of cereal and peanut butter, these bars taste almost like candy. —Pauline Christiansen, Columbus, Kansas
64/79

Chocolate Billionaires

Total Time 45 min
Servings about 2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator: Everyone raves about these chocolate and caramel candies. I received the recipe from a friend while living in Texas. When we moved, I made sure this recipe made the trip with me! —June Humphrey, Strongsville, Ohio
65/79

Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Total Time 25 min
Servings 1-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator: We don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
66/79

Mini Cheesecake

Total Time 35 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Presto! We turned cheesecake into irresistible bite-sized snacks with these cute little treats. Feel free to use your favorite flavor of jam. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
67/79

Peanut Butter Cookies

Total Time 25 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: When she got married, my mother insisted my grandmother write down one recipe for her. Grandma was a traditional pioneer-type cook who used a little of this or that until it felt right. This treasured recipe is the only one she ever wrote down! —Janet Hall, Clinton, Wisconsin
68/79

Oreo Fudge

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I invented this confection for a bake sale at our children's school. Boy, was it a hit! The crunchy chunks of sandwich cookie soften a bit as the mixture mellows. It's so sweet that one panful serves a crowd. —Laura Lane, Richmond, Virginia
69/79

Chewy Peanut Butter Pan Squares

Total Time 40 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With seven of us in our family, including two teenage boys, these peanut butter squares never last long! It's hard to believe how simple they are to prepare. —Deb DeChant, Milan, Ohio
70/79

Potato Chip Clusters

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
71/79

Minister's Delight

Total Time 2 hours 5 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
72/79

Buckeyes

Total Time 30 min
Servings 5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These chocolate peanut butter balls (no bake!) are always popular at my church's annual Christmas fundraiser. They resemble chestnuts or buckeyes—hence the name. —Merry Kay Opitz, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
73/79

Easy Cake Mix Bars

Total Time 25 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: 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
74/79

Lemon Meltaway Cookies

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Both the cookie and the frosting are spiked with lemon in these melt-in-your-mouth goodies. Your family won't be able to get enough of this lemon butter meltaway cookie recipe. —Mary Houchin, Lebanon, Illinois
75/79

Swedish Creme

Total Time 20 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota
76/79

Quick Cherry Turnovers

Total Time 20 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Refrigerated crescent rolls let you make these fruit-filled pastries in a hurry. My family loves these turnovers for breakfast, but they’re so delicious, they’d be welcome any time of the day. Feel free to experiment with other pie fillings as well. —Elleen Oberrueter, Danbury, Iowa
77/79

Fried Apples

Total Time 45 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Mom often made these rich cinnamon-sugar apples when I was growing up. I swear the folks at Cracker Barrel copied her recipe! —Margie Tappe, Prague, Oklahoma
78/79

Shortbread Cookie

Total Time 40 min
Servings 16 cookies
From the Recipe Creator: With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
79/79

Nutella-Stuffed Strawberries

Total Time 15 min
Servings 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Gourmet strawberries are pricey to order but easy to make. We serve strawberries with hazelnut spread as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or dessert. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon