10 Irresistible Homemade Desserts to Try This Weekend

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

• • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• • 2 large eggs

• • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• • 1 teaspoon baking soda

• • 1/2 teaspoon salt

• • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. 1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.

1. 1. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

1. 1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

1. 1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

1. 1. Stir in the chocolate chips.

1. 1. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.

1. 1. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until golden brown.

1. 1. Let cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Decadent Fudge Brownies

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup unsalted butter

• • 2 cups granulated sugar

• • 4 large eggs

• • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• • 1 cup all-purpose flour

• • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• • 1/2 teaspoon salt

• • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• • 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.

1. 1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

1. 1. Beat in flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips if using.

1. 1. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

1. 1. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not overbake!

1. 1. Let cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

3. No-Bake Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• • 2 cups cream cheese, softened

• • 1 cup powdered sugar

• • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions:

1. 1. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

1. 1. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

1. 1. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then fold into the cream cheese mixture.

1. 1. Spread the cheesecake mixture over the crust and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.

1. 1. Top with your choice of fruit or chocolate sauce before serving.

4. Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients:

• • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

• • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• • 2 cups all-purpose flour

• • 1 tablespoon baking powder

• • 1/4 teaspoon salt

• • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed

• • 1 cup milk

• • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Instructions:

1. 1. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and set aside for 30 minutes.

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a baking sheet.

1. 1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

1. 1. Stir in the milk until just combined. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet.

1. 1. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.

1. 1. To serve, slice the shortcakes in half, add strawberries, and top with whipped cream.

5. Classic Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• • 2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)

• • 6-8 apples, peeled and sliced

• • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

1. 1. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with granulated sugar, cinnamon, flour, and lemon juice.

1. 1. Roll out one pie crust and place it in a pie dish. Fill with the apple mixture.

1. 1. Roll out the second pie crust and cut slits for ventilation. Place it over the apple filling and seal the edges.

1. 1. Brush the top with the beaten egg.

1. 1. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 35-45 minutes.

1. 1. Let cool before serving, ideally with ice cream!

6. Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients:

• • 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

• • 1 cup granulated sugar

• • 1/4 cup cornstarch

• • 1 1/2 cups water

• • 3 large egg yolks, beaten

• • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

• • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• • 3 egg whites

• • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for meringue)

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the pie crust according to package instructions.

1. 1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat until thickened.

1. 1. Whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, then whisk that back into the saucepan. Stir in lemon juice and butter.

1. 1. Pour the filling into the baked pie crust.

1. 1. For the meringue, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar until stiff peaks form.

1. 1. Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing the edges to prevent shrinking.

1. 1. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Cool before serving.

7. Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients:

• • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• • 2 large eggs

• • 2 large egg yolks

• • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease four ramekins.

1. 1. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth.

1. 1. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until thick and pale. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture.

1. 1. Add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.

1. 1. Divide the batter between the ramekins.

1. 1. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are firm but the center is soft.

1. 1. Cool for 1 minute, then invert onto plates. Serve immediately with whipped cream or ice cream.

8. Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients:

• • 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut

• • 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

• • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

• • 2 egg whites

• • 1/4 teaspoon salt

• • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (for drizzling, optional)

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. 1. In a bowl, combine coconut, condensed milk, vanilla, and almond extract.

1. 1. In another bowl, whisk egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form.

1. 1. Gently fold the coconut mixture into the egg whites.

1. 1. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

1. 1. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden. Let cool.

1. 1. If desired, melt chocolate chips and drizzle over the cooled macaroons.

9. Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• • 6 egg yolks

• • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• • 2/3 cup milk

• • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

• • 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled

• • 8 ounces ladyfingers

• • Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions:

1. 1. In a saucepan, whisk egg yolks and sugar over medium heat until thickened. Gradually whisk in milk.

1. 1. Remove from heat and let cool. Beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form and fold into the egg mixture.

1. 1. Dip ladyfingers in coffee and layer in a dish.

1. 1. Spread half of the cream mixture over the ladyfingers. Repeat with another layer of cookies and the remaining cream.

1. 1. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.

10. Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup peanut butter

• • 1 cup granulated sugar

• • 1 large egg

• • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. 1. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, and salt until combined.

1. 1. Roll the dough into balls and place them on the baking sheet. Flatten each ball with a fork.

1. 1. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Let cool before serving.