40 Easy Mother’s Day Desserts She'll Absolutely Love
We've got no-bake ideas, picture-perfect pies and a ton of chocolate treats.
The fastest way to mom's heart is through her stomach, and the fastest way to anyone's stomach is through dessert (obviously). So make one of these easy Mother's Day desserts for her to have on her special day, whether she loves an over-the-top cake recipe, a tray of homemade cookies, fudgy brownies or an elegant fruit tart. We rounded up all that (and more!) so you can choose the best treat for your gal.
After kicking off the day with a special Mother's Day brunch (or breakfast-in-bed), be sure to end it on a sweet note by baking Mom (or your grandma, aunt, mother-in-law — any motherly figure!) one of these lovely desserts. From light, colorful and spring desserts to decadent chocolate treats that are delicious any time of year, these baked goods are impressive enough — even the easiest ones — to double as a Mother's Day gift. The best part — besides how good they taste — is that they instantly show just how much you appreciate Mom by taking the time out of your day to make her something special and homemade (and that’s the kind of gift you can’t put a price tag on).
While a few of these treats are pretty elaborate, others can be whipped up in a breeze or, better yet, require no baking at all. Fill store-bought brioche buns with whipped cream for a 15-minute stunner that she'll love, or put together an impressive layer cake, complete with edible flower "petals" if you're a more experienced baker. No matter her favorite sweet treat, put the cherry on top of Mother’s Day dinner with an unforgettable (and tasty) dessert to make her feel just as special as she is.
Lemon Layer Cake With Flower Petals
White chocolate, coconut oil and candy melts are all you need to make these pretty, decorative "petals." Not interested in baking the cake? Skip it and pick up a store-bought option instead.
Maritozzi
This classic Roman snack combines store-bought brioche buns with homemade whipped cream for an easy dessert that tastes like you put a lot of work — and love — into it.
Get the Maritozzi recipe.
S'mores Brownies
If Mom has a serious sweet tooth, she'll love these meringue-topped brownies complete with a graham cracker crust.
Get the S'mores Brownies recipe.
Baked Alaska
Who's more deserving of a seriously over-the-top treat than Mom? Layer ice cream into a bowl to create the base, top it with meringue and torch it for a dessert she'll never forget.
Get the Baked Alaska recipe.
Meyer Lemon Madeleines
Meyer lemons pack full flavor (sweeter and more floral than regular lemons), which is just what you want when making these delicate cookies.
Get the Meyer Lemon Madeleines recipe.
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Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Cake meets cookie in these rich chocolate pies sandwiched with cream cheese frosting.
Get the Chocolate Whoopie Pies recipe.
Coconut Cream Pie
If you really want to make this a standout dessert, make your own pie crust. Then, you'll fill it with creamy custard and top with homemade whipped cream.
Get the Coconut Cream Pie recipe.
No-Bake White Chocolate Meltaways
This two-ingredient dessert is a melt-in-your-mouth treat. After you melt the chocolate and top with strawberries, it just needs to sit for 15 mins.
Get the White Chocolate Meltaways recipe.
Ice Cream Float
It's a classic for a reason! Pair vanilla ice cream with your mom's favorite soda for a simple but sweet dessert.
Get the Ice Cream Float recipe.
Roasted Strawberry Tart
We added whole milk Greek yogurt to the whipped cream topping for a slightly tangy contrast to the sweet roasted strawberries. Yum!
Get the Roasted Strawberry Tart recipe.
Rainbow Meringue Sandwiches
These are a showstopper! Dainty meringues will wow your guests with their intricate designs and vibrant colors.
Get the Rainbow Meringue Sandwiches recipe.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Classic sugar cookies get a chocolate twist. We used tinted icing and candied sunflower seeds to create the sweet flowers you see.
Get the Chocolate Sugar Cookies recipe.
Waffle Cookies with Strawberry Buttercream
Let's keep it simple: Use store-bought waffle cookies with homemade strawberry buttercream for an easy but satisfying bite-sized treat.
Get the Waffle Cookies with Strawberry Buttercream recipe.
RELATED: Mother's Day Ideas 2023
Blueberry Crème Fraîche Semifreddo with Pecan Crumble
It's never a bad time for ice cream! This creamy, custard-like dessert is a new (and stunning) take on a summertime favorite.
Get the Blueberry Crème Fraîche Semifreddo with Pecan Crumble recipe.
RELATED: 53 Fresh Fruit Dessert Recipes That Are the Perfect End to Any Meal
Coconut Macaroons
If your mom or anyone else in the family follows a gluten-free diet, these macaroons are perfect. They're chewy, drizzled with chocolate and can be made with just six ingredients.
Get the Coconut Macaroons recipe.
Lemon Pound Cake
Few things are as tasty as a classic lemon pound cake, and our recipe calls for lemon icing to make it even better.
Get the Lemon Pound Cake recipe.
Pecan Berry Bursts
Add a pop of color to your Mother's Day table with these irresistible homemade pecan cookies.
Get the Pecan Berry Bursts recipe.
Sugared Lavender Cupcakes
Inside, you'll get a lovely mix of lavender and vanilla, while the outside gets a sweet confectioners' sugar glaze. They're almost too pretty to eat!
Get the Sugared Lavender Cupcakes recipe.
S'mores Icebox Cake
You don't even have to uncover the fire pit or turn on the oven to bring this graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate beauty to life.
Get the S'mores Icebox Cake recipe.
White Chocolate and Lavender Madeleines
While you wait for the day that you can treat her to a Parisian adventure, make her these cake-like French treats. And while you're at it, brew a cup of her favorite herbal tea to go with them.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.
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