
Best American dessert recipes
The USA sure knows how to do dessert. From s'mores chocolate pots to pecan pie and baked cheesecake, our recipes will give you plenty of inspiration for taking your desserts stateside
Looking for American desserts? Want to make the best pecan pie, baked cheesecake or peanut butter cookies? Check out our recipes below, and then take a look at our favourite American-inspired main courses.
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.

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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

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