23 best American desserts

Best American desserts

Pecan pie

Pecan pie is a classic dessert in the US. Originating in the southern regions, it's the go-to treat at festive celebrations. Try our version for a sweet 'n' salty pie that's perfect with vanilla ice cream or crème fraîche.

Oreo fridge cake

Popular in America, fridge cakes are really easy to make – simply layer thin biscuits with sweetened whipped cream. Left overnight, the biscuits soften and become ‘cake’. Here we’ve used Oreos and Baileys cream to make ours extra-indulgent.

Pumpkin pie

Make our easy pumpkin pie with maple cream for Thanksgiving or a dinner party dessert. This rich and creamy pud uses shop-bought pastry, making it simple yet impressive.

Deep-dish apple pie

An American-style pie with a crisp sugar-crust. Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Easy to make, this is sure to be a new family favourite.

Baked raspberry cheesecake

A classic and really indulgent dessert, baked cheesecake is a crowd pleaser. The fresh raspberries on top cut through the rich body of the cheesecake.

S'mores

Made with just five ingredients in less than 10 minutes, this take on the classic barbecue treat features the all-American pairing of peanut butter and jam.

Classic chocolate brownies

Brownies have been fully assimilated into the UK's baking scene from the USA, and this version is as rich, gooey and satisfying as you could hope. Once you've nailed the recipe, try ramping it up with added ingredients – we’ve included some suggestions to get you going.

Peanut butter cookies

Peanut butter cookies are a USA staple. Nutty, buttery and quick to make, these versions are gluten-free and great for baking with kids. Have them ready in just under 30 minutes. See more cookie recipes.

Key lime pie

This freezes brilliantly, so it’s a great make-ahead pud for dinner with friends. It’s best to freeze it before the cream goes on top then just add the topping before serving.

French crullers

These donuts – which don't seem to have any connection with France except in their use of choux pastry – have become something of a trend in the US, and you'll find them at places like Daily Provisions in NYC.

PBJ blondies

With a similar concept to brownies, blondies are sweet, rich desserts from the US which focus on vanilla instead of cocoa. Buttery, nutty and incredibly moreish, this version takes them to the next level with peanut butter and jam – a classic combo across the pond.

Hummingbird cake

Hummingbird cake is really popular in the southern states. Here, pineapple and banana meet heady spices, with the sponge sandwiched together with a cream cheese buttercream.

S'mores chocolate and salted caramel pots

Here, the classic US campfire snack of toasted marshmallow and chocolate squished between two biscuits is reworked to create an elegant layered dessert.

Red velvet cake

Give your chocolate cake a red tinge in this classic American cake recipe, covered in silky-smooth cheese frosting for extra indulgence.

Mississippi mud pie

An ice cream version of the decadent American chocolate mud pie with crunchy hazelnuts and topped with rich fudge sauce.

Toffee apple dump cake

'Dump' cakes come from America and are happily easy to make – just mix the ingredients and dump into a tin to bake. Drizzle extra toffee or caramel sauce over this version for a more indulgent tea time treat.

American pancakes

These thick American-style pancakes are made extra-fluffy using two raising agents. Equally delicious as a breakfast or dessert, enjoy them served warm and drenched in maple syrup. See more pancake recipes.

Vegan pumpkin pie

Ready-made pastry and a tin of pumpkin purée make this plant-based pie very easy to whip up. It's a sweet, spiced treat that's perfect for autumn.

Chocolate s’mores cake

Looking for the ultimate chocolate dessert? We've taken the flavours of s'mores and combined them into a decadent dark chocolate cake. The rich sponge is flavoured with Horlicks and incorporates biscuit spread whilst the cake is topped with blowtorched marshmallows for a showstopping finish.

PBJ flapjacks

This inventive flapjack recipe incorporates the winning flavour combination of crunchy peanut butter, raspberry coulis and golden syrup - perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.

Spiced chocolate oatmeal pie

Oatmeal pie was created as an alternative to the classic US pecan pie, when the nuts were too expensive to buy. The pie filling is a sweet custard made with golden syrup, dark muscovado sugar and a little bit of spiced rum, studded with pieces of dark chocolate and flavoured with various spices. A perfect autumnal dessert.

PBJ cheesecake

Need a quick dessert to impress guests at your next dinner party? Make this simple no-bake cheesecake with that classic American combo of peanut butter and jam. With just 40 minutes of hands-on time, its a speedy but impressive pud with USA style.

Banana split s'mores

We couldn't resist one more s'more-themed desserts. Cooked bananas have a fragrant juiciness that’s ideal paired with salty biscuits and dark chocolate. This fun dessert is best made over a barbecue or campfire and enjoyed outdoors.