When is a cookie not a cookie? When it's a cookie crust! Whether it's dough pressed into a pan, or crumbs mixed with butter and baked, cookies are just the beginning of these dreamy desserts.
48 Recipes That Start With a Cookie Crust
1/48
Fruit Pizza
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These pretty fruit pizzas have been a hit every time I've served them. They start with premade cookie dough, making them super simple. —Janet O'Neal, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
2/48
Giant Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this giant peanut butter cookie cake for my husband, adding light and low-fat products to the cookie dough. It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests. Since it can be made ahead of time and frozen, it cuts stress for busy hostesses. And really, who doesn't love peanut butter ice cream? —Joann Belack, Bradenton, Florida
3/48
Cream Cheese Cookie Cups
Total Time
25 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Need a quick dessert? Try these yummy cookie bites. For a pretty look, use an icing bag to pipe the filling into the cups, then top each with mini M&M's. —Rachel Blackston, Mauk, Georgia
4/48
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you delight in the taste of chocolate, then this is the cheesecake for you. Every creamy bite melts in your mouth. It's so impressive yet not difficult to prepare-I whip up this dessert each time I want a yummy treat for my family, friends or co-workers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
5/48
Black Forest Tart
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cherry pie filling and a melted chocolate drizzle top a rich, fudgy cake made from chocolate cookie crumbs. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
6/48
Banana Split
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
In 1904, the first banana split recipe was made here in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at a local drugstore. We still use his original formula when we make banana splits in our restaurants. —Melissa Blystone, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
7/48
Mini Neapolitan Baked Alaskas
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Surprise—there's ice cream inside these tiny showstoppers! Dinner guests will be thrilled with the pretty presentation. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
8/48
Strawberry Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas
9/48
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that's just right for cooks who don't have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat a whole mini cheesecake yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, Michigan
10/48
Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Oh say can you see this amazing dessert at your next gathering? I make it ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, wrapped in foil, for a week or so before serving. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
11/48
Taffy Apple Pizza
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet treat has something for everyone. With peanut butter, apple, peanuts, caramel topping and a sugar cookie crust, the pleasing pizza pie is sheer delight! —Melissa Beachy, Guthrie, Kentucky
12/48
Cranberry Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Every year when the cranberries are harvested, my family looks forward to eating this cheesecake. —Nairda Monroe, Webberville, Michigan
13/48
Raspberry Ice Cream Delight
Total Time
30 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This gorgeous make-ahead dessert is a light, refreshing ending to a summer meal. I first made it for my aunt's 85th birthday dinner and everyone loved it! —Nancy Whitford, Edwards, New York
14/48
Chocolate & Coconut Cream Torte
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother passed this recipe down to me years ago and now I make it for my own grandchildren. When preparing, make sure the chocolate layer is properly chilled before adding the next layer, or the coconut will sink into it. —Jason Purkey, Ocean City, Maryland
15/48
Oreo Brownies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You won't want to frost these brownies, since the marbled top is too pretty to cover up. Besides, the indulgent cream cheese layer makes them taste as if they're already frosted. The crushed cookies add extra chocolate flavor and a fun crunch. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
16/48
Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is delicious with either fresh-picked or frozen raspberries. That means you can make it year-round. One bite of raspberry pie will instantly turn winter to summer. —Julie Price, Nashville, Tennessee
17/48
Trail Mix Cookie Cups
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My granddaughter helped create these cookie cups for the first time by using ingredients from my pantry and fridge. We used trail mix to jazz them up. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
18/48
Honey Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Birthdays and holidays are great times for cheesecake, and Christmas is ideal for this particular one. In our annual church baking contest, it won first place! —Tish Frish, Hampden, Maine
19/48
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was young we produced several ingredients for this longtime favorite on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made our own butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois
20/48
Creamy Coffee Pie
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s easy to stir mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips and crushed sandwich cookies into coffee ice cream to create this irresistible frozen dessert. —Cherron Nagel, Columbus, Ohio
21/48
Macaroon Ice Cream Torte
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves frozen treats. With chocolate four ways, this one is so beautiful, people think it came from an ice cream shop. —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
22/48
Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sugar cookie dough is a speedy way to turn ricotta and mascarpone cheeses topped with blackberries into beautiful bars. — Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
23/48
Rocky Road Cookie Cups
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Traditional rocky road ice cream has nuts, marshmallows and chocolate. Using prepared cookie dough makes it easy to put the flavors together in these fast, kid-friendly cups. —Charlotte McDaniel, Jacksonville, AL
24/48
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
25/48
Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina
26/48
Orange Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The aroma of orange zest hints at how heavenly this delicate cheesecake tastes. Gingersnap cookie crumbs make a distinctive crust, while glazed orange slices become a blossomlike topping. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
27/48
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This no-bake pumpkin pie includes a delicious cream cheese layer. It's a terrific make-ahead dessert because it needs to refrigerate a few hours.
—Donna Freund, Dubuque, Iowa
28/48
Caramel Peanut Fantasy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Packed with peanuts and gooey with caramel, this do-ahead treat is one sweet dream of a dessert to serve company. With an easy cookie crust and scrumptious candy bar layers, it goes together quickly—and will disappear just as fast! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
29/48
Chocolate Peanut Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I entered this pie in our county fair, and it was selected grand champion. Who can resist a tempting chocolate crumb crust and a creamy filling with big peanut butter taste? Be prepared to take an empty pan home when you serve this pie at your next potluck. —Doris Doherty, Albany, Oregon
30/48
Frozen Peppermint Delight
Total Time
25 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s festive, delicious and easy to make, this is the one for you. Drizzled in hot fudge sauce and loaded with pretty peppermint pieces, this almost tempting treat will have guests asking for seconds. —Pam Lancaster, Willis, Virginia
31/48
Peanut Butter Custard Blast
Total Time
55 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
"Ooey, gooey, great!" is how friends and family describe this chocolate-peanut butter dessert. I appreciate the make-ahead convenience. —Marilee Evenson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
32/48
Pumpkin Delight Magic Bars
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother never wrote down her delightful recipes, so I created this recipe as a holiday tribute to her. They're creamy, sweet and a little tart. Eat with a fork so you can scoop up all the delicious topping ingredients that might tumble off. —Lisa Glassman, Boynton Beach, Florida
33/48
Chocolate Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone’s a chocolate lover when it comes to this chocolate cheesecake. It melts in your mouth, and it’s very smooth and fudgy. For a fun taste twist, spoon cherry or strawberry topping over each slice right before serving. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
34/48
Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s amazing coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
35/48
Mud Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's one of those "looks like you fussed" desserts that is so easy it's become a standard for me. I love the mocha version, but pure chocolate lovers may prefer using chocolate chip ice cream. The cookie crust is a snap to make.
—Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
36/48
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
37/48
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for a classic autumn dessert, try this pumpkiny cheesecake pie. It’s a winner at potlucks and on the Thanksgiving table. The gingersnap crust forms a spicy sweet foundation. —Sharon Crockett, La Palma, California
38/48
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
39/48
Easy Mocha Cream Pie
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chocolate crust is excellent with a cool no-bake mocha filling. — Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
40/48
Luscious Almond Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas
41/48
Creamy Mocha Frozen Dessert
Total Time
20 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Light as a feather, this cool, satisfying dessert is delicious and impressive to serve. It's an excellent dessert to take to a potluck because it can be made ahead and stored in the freezer. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
42/48
Key Lime Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love Key lime pie, but some people are reluctant to take a whole slice of pie. These bars give just the right taste of Key lime and freeze well, so I can keep a stash for when I need a tart treat. —Kristine Staton, Broomfield, Colorado
43/48
Mudslide Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Change up cheesecakes with different liqueur flavorings. This “mudslide” version with coffee and Irish cream is my husband's favorite. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
44/48
Oreo Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family loves dessert, and this chocolaty, layered treat is one of Mom's most-requested recipes. It's so easy to prepare this Oreo ice cream cake! —Kimberly Laabs, Hartford, Wisconsin
45/48
Neapolitan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This rich, creamy cheesecake is a crowd-pleasing standout. It has won first-place ribbons at numerous fairs and is my family’s favorite dessert. It’s an indulgence sure to elicit oohs and aahs when served to guests. —Sherri Regalbuto, Carp, Ontario
46/48
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama
47/48
Peanut Butter Lasagna
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The desserts of my dreams have both chocolate and peanut butter. So when I came up with this rich dessert, it quickly became my all-time favorite. —Debbie Price, La Rue, Ohio
48/48
Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves cheesecake, and this favorite is from a cookbook I bought long ago for $1 at a yard sale. We love raspberries and chocolate—what a match! —Mickey Turner, Grants Pass, Oregon