47 Mother’s Day Desserts for a Sweet Celebration
Mother’s Day desserts are well timed. You can bake any of your favorite spring sweets, working in juicy strawberries or tangy rhubarb. Or you can cap off your Mother’s Day dinner with the flavors of coffee or caramel or peanut butter—whatever Mom loves most. If your mom’s a confirmed chocolate person, then you know what you have to do. Scroll down to get our favorite Mother’s Day cakes, fruit desserts, and easy brownies that even the grandkids can bake.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart1/47Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
We know you’re looking for the kind of Mother’s Day dessert recipes that’ll really make it feel like a special occasion. Enter this showstopper, swirled with homemade raspberry purée and poured into an easy brown butter crust.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart2/47Strawberry Shortcakes
Strawberry desserts feel right for Mother’s Day, and this rendition of the classic is a guaranteed hit.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad4/47Double Chocolate Layer Cake
If your mom is really only interested in chocolate desserts, treat her to this stunner, dressed up in a deeply chocolaty ganache frosting.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/47Profiteroles With Maple Caramel Sauce
Gougères, éclairs, and profiteroles are all made from pâte à choux, a wonderfully flexible pastry dough that you can prep ahead. This version gets filled with store-bought vanilla ice cream and drizzled with a luscious sauce made from butter, cream, maple syrup, and white chocolate.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton6/47Classic Crème Brûlée
Kick it old school with this classic French dessert. A kitchen torch makes it easy to create the crackly burnt-sugar topping.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews7/47Chocolate Mousse
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley8/47Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Carrot cake isn’t just for Easter—it’s the perfect option to serve after a savory Mother’s Day brunch.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/47Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
Some of us count down the days until rhubarb appears and then try to eat as much of it as we can until the season’s done. If your mom feels the same way, bake this pie for Mother’s Day.
Photo by Greg McBoat10/47Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes
Our archives contain cupcake recipes for every season—this one is just right for all your May festivities.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop styling by Brian Heiser, food styling by Rhoda Boone11/47Coconut Milk Custard With Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote
Top this creamy coconut dessert with the tangy fruit compote and pistachios just before bringing it out to the table.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/47Philly Fluff Cake
Think pound cake, but fluffier. This beloved regional classic is enriched with the trifecta of tangy cream cheese, vegetable shortening, and butter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton13/47Peach and Butter Pecan Ice Cream Icebox Cake
Bringing ice cream and jam into the icebox cake formula will change your make-ahead dessert moves forever.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine14/47Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Bar cookies feel a bit more polished than your standard classic chocolate chip cookies, and these offer the ideal chewy texture.
