The 65 Best Mother’s Day Desserts to Treat Mom to on Her Big Day
Mother’s Day, a celebration to honor the moms, grandmas, aunts and loved ones who raised us to be who we are today, is coming on May 12, 2024. So, grab a spatula and get into the kitchen with your stash of flour, sugar and spices to whip up something sweet for the most important guest of all time. If you’re hosting Mother’s Day brunch or dinner, you’ll want to have something for dessert.
Whether you have five minutes or five hours, we have plenty of recipes that will make her feel the love on her special day. Is your mom a chocolate lover? Check. Or maybe she’s more of a lemon dessert person—we have those too, plus seasonal treats using spring fruits like rhubarb and strawberries. Here, 65 Mother’s Day desserts she’s bound to adore, from cake to pie to cookies. (A bouquet of flowers might help drive the message home even more...just saying.)
The 64 Best Mother's Day Gifts for Every Type of Mom
1. Naked Lemon and Olive Oil Layer Cake
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Impress Mom with this professional-looking naked cake. Adding olive oil makes it kinda healthy, right? (Maybe not, but it definitely makes the texture extra moist and delicious.)
2. Sachertorte (Chocolate Apricot Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache)
Salt & Wind
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Presenting a homemade take on the Austrian classic from Vienna’s Hotel Sacher. While the real recipe is a secret, many have crafted their own delectable mashups of dark chocolate and apricot jam.
3. Strawberry Shortcake
Two Peas and Their Pod
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
If your mom's a fan of fresh berries, look no further than strawberry shortcake. We bet she'll love digging into this pile of produce, whipped cream and homemade shortcake.
4. Grapefruit Meringue Stacks
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why We Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy
Calling all citrus lovers: This cross between a meringue pie and grapefruit pavlova is the dessert you never knew you needed. (But be warned: Now that you know it exists, you’ll want it every weekend.)
5. Glazed Vegan Chocolate Bundt Cake
The Full Helping
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, dairy free
If your mom is vegan, whip up this plant-based chocolate Bundt, drizzled with dairy-free chocolate ganache glaze. You can make it in advance and store it for up to six weeks in the freezer.
6. Key Lime Pie
Foodie Crush
Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, one bowl, beginner-friendly
Key lime is the queen of pies—the fresh, tart and sweet dessert will surely have Mom going for seconds. Even better, it’s easy enough for beginners to make. (Most of the time commitment is chilling.)
7. Chocolate Raspberry Fool
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Rushing to get Mother’s Day dinner on the table? Don’t stress about the sweets. This chocolate and raspberry mousse-ish dessert is ready in a flash.
8. Loaded Funfetti Dessert Nachos
The Cupcake Project
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Let Mom feel like a kid again on Mother’s Day with these loaded dessert nachos: cookies covered with rainbow sprinkles, meringue and chocolate chips.
9. Easy Lemon-Hibiscus Layer Cake
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
The prettiest way to dress up a simple yellow cake? Use hibiscus tea bags to create bright pink frosting in honor of your mother.
10. Simple Butterscotch Pudding
The Mom 100
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pot, gluten free
Dessert doesn’t need to be a big to-do. Sometimes a simple butterscotch pudding checks all the boxes.
11. Pear and Thyme Tarts
What’s Cooking Good Looking
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, dairy free
Here’s a dessert pairing we can get behind: this vegan, gluten-free fruit and herb tart, served alongside a glass of Champagne. We hope your mama loves bubbly.
12. Three-Ingredient Blood Orange Granita
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus freezing time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, gluten free, one pot
Finish your alfresco Mother’s Day dinner with the easiest warm-weather dessert: granita. This recipe requires just three ingredients—blood orange juice, sugar and water—and five minutes of prep.
13. Damn Good Peanut Butter Banana Cake
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
This peanut butter and banana cake may be the ultimate dessert: It’s sweet, gooey, chocolatey and enrobed in peanut butter frosting.
14. White Chocolate Citrus Pots de Crème
Healthfully Ever After
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
So fresh, so clean. Whisk melted white chocolate with citrus juice and egg whites for these restaurant-level pots de crème this Mother’s Day.
15. Kiwi and Lime Curd Fools with Blackberries
Floating Kitchen
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, make ahead
Fool is an English dessert that combines fruit and custard or whipped cream. Try this refreshing kiwi and lime version topped with juicy blackberries.
16. Easy Tiramisu
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Mom’s face when you bring out homemade tiramisu? Priceless. (Especially if she's a habitual espresso drinker.)
17. Red Velvet Lava Cakes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
If chocolate is her kryptonite, mom will go gaga for this restaurant-caliber cake that's begging to be sliced.
18. Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
What’s Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Magnolia Bakery has nothing on you. These banana cream pie parfaits take about an hour to make and will look gorgeous in Mom’s crystal dessert bowls.
19. Carrot Cake Roll
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Hi, spring. We missed you. Want to dress up basic carrot cake? Fill it with cream cheese icing, roll it up and cut it into slices.
20. Limoncello Prosecco Floats with Lemon Sorbetto
Plays Well With Butter
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
Remind Mom of that epic trip to Italy you took way back when with this tangy dessert made with limoncello and lemon sorbet. Best part? It’s doused in Prosecco.
21. Heart Thumbprint Cookies
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Show Mom some love with simple heart-shaped thumbprint cookies, filled to the brim with her favorite flavor of jam.
22. Foolproof Vegan Applesauce Spice Cake
The Full Helping
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, dairy free, beginner-friendly
No one said Mother’s Day dessert had to come after dinner. Serve this vegan applesauce spice cake for brunch alongside coffee or tea.
23. Mixed Berry Pavlova with Lemon Curd and Mascarpone Whipped Cream
Salt & Wind
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
We’ll admit that a pavlova isn’t the easiest dessert to make, but you’ll be so satisfied once it’s done. Layer homemade meringue, mixed berry compote, lemon curd and mascarpone whipped cream to blow her away.
24. Yogurt Coffee Cake
Two Peas and Their Pod
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Start Mother’s Day off right with a sweet treat. This yogurt coffee cake includes classic streusel topping and cream cheese glaze.
25. Easy Chocolate Mousse
The Mom 100
Time Commitment: 5 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Searching the pantry for Mother’s Day dessert inspo? You likely already have the ingredients you need for this oh-so-simple chocolate mousse.
26. Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Surprise Momma with this Swedish twist on Bundt cake. It’s cut in half and filled with cardamom-laced whipped cream, so each forkful tastes like a fluffy bite of heaven.
27. The Best Classic Lemon Bars
Foodie Crush
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Is lemon her go-to? We got you. Try these bittersweet, bite-sized sweets, dusted with powdered sugar. Use Meyer lemons if you can find them.
28. Mini Blackberry Cheesecake Tarts with Walnut Crust
Healthfully Ever After
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy
These bite-sized tarts topped with ginger peanut brittle will make a great addition to the dessert bar at your Mother’s Day celebration. Even if it’s just the immediate family, they’ll really dress up the party.
29. Easy Turtle Sundae Ice Cream Pie
Plays Well With Butter
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Six ingredients (including store-bought salted caramel ice cream) come together to create this decadent pie. We bet Mom will be impressed.
30. Salty Dark and Milk Chocolate Skillet Cookie
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
“No, I don’t want a giant salted chocolate chunk cookie,” said no mom (or human) ever.
31. No-Bake Berry Tiramisu
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
No-bake desserts are our love language. We have a *major* crush on this layered treat made with store-bought ladyfingers, raspberry jam and ricotta-cream cheese filling.
32. Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Mom will love whatever you decide to make her, but what she really wants for Mother's Day is quality time. Luckily, these cuties will only take you 30 minutes to make, so you'll have plenty of time to hang.
33. Cantaloupe-mint Sorbet
TARA DONNE/COOKING SOLO
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, gluten free
What has four ingredients, comes together in a blender and tastes like sunshine? This refreshing cantaloupe sorbet, of course.
34. Puff Pastry Plum and Thyme Galette
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Every mom loves a shortcut. Thanks to frozen puff pastry, you won't have to fuss with making pie dough from scratch.
35. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Behold, the most delicious mashup of all time. These handhelds have a secret to boot: They're filled with sweetened fresh strawberries.
36. Lemon Pie with Blueberry Meringue
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Part pie, part work of art. You can thank freeze-dried blueberries for the meringue's gorgeous lilac hue.
37. Mini Strawberry Ice Cream Pies
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Cool off with these simple pies filled with uber-sweet roasted strawberry filling. If you don't have mini pie pans, ramekins will work just fine.
38. Cheater’s Mini Rhubarb Galettes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
How gorgeous are these pretty-in-pink treats topped with in-season rhubarb? They're just begging to be topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
39. Coconut Rice Pudding with Rhubarb Compote
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes (plus chilling)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
Speaking of rhubarb, she can do way more than just pies and galettes—and this three-ingredient compote proves it.
40. Botanical Shortbread Cookies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
If your mom loves her plant babies or garden (almost) more than you, these cookies will be an easy win. You can find edible flowers like violets, pansies, roses or lavender online at Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.
41. Lemon-Raspberry Whoopie Pies
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Be sure to brag to mom about not using food dye in the cream filling. Raspberry jam and fresh raspberries turn it pink naturally.
42. No-Bake, Gluten-Free Rose Petal Brownies
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, gluten free, vegan
How can brownies this fudgy and chocolatey also be gluten-free and no-bake? We're glad you asked. The recipe calls for a base of sweet pitted dates instead of traditional flour.
43. Blueberry Crumble Pie
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Why not pregame your Mother's Day celebration with a trip to the local farmers market for fresh berries? This one's all about the produce, so feel free to use a store-bought pie crust.
44. Strawberry, Cardamom and Pistachio Pavlova Bites
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours and 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
They're as stunning as they are delicious, so much so that Mom might not even believe you made these light-as-air pavlova bites yourself.
45. No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Trust us: This no-bake gem is the next best thing to gifting her a tropical vacation for Mother's Day.
46. Meyer Lemon Loaf Cake
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Might we recommend digging into this breakfast delight with a batch of lavender lattes?
47. Ice Cream Cone Cannoli
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no bake, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Easy store-bought sugar cones > challenging homemade pastry shells. Thank us later.
48. Ricotta-Honey Ice Cream
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, gluten free
Repeat after us: “I do not need fancy equipment to make ice cream.” All you need to pull it off is a large casserole dish or pan instead of an ice cream maker.
49. Oatmeal Cookie Cream Pies
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Remember all those times mom slipped one of these into your lunchbox as a kid? It's about time you return the favor. Little Debbie would be proud.
50. Strawberry Pie with Strawberry Crust
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Presenting the most gorgeous pie you'll ever make from scratch. Good looking out, freeze-dried strawberries.
51. Peanut Butter Cream Pie with Raspberry Meringue
MARK WEINBERG/THE BOOK ON PIE
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Your grade-school PB&J, all grown up. The elegant swoops of pink, fruity meringue make the pie look like it was pulled straight out of a fairy tale.
52. Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Cream Cheese Glaze
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
“Doughnuts for dessert” has a nice ring to it, no? Even picky kids won't be able to resist.
53. Salted Peanut Butter and Honey Ice Cream
Cookie + Kate
Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus chilling)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, gluten free
Free of dairy and added sugar? Pinch us, we’re dreaming. Oh, and pass the hot fudge.
54. Big Raspberry-Rye Cookies
Heidi Swanson/Super Natural Simple
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one bowl, beginner-friendly
Tart-sweet freeze-dried raspberries are the ultimate foil for nutty, malty rye flour. We'd have cold milk at the ready if we were you.
55. Lemon-Earl Grey Polenta Loaf
Matt Russell/Lazy Baking
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, crowd-pleaser
If an hours-long Mother's Day brunch is on the agenda, this elegant loaf peppered with loose-leaf Earl Grey tea is a stellar starter.
56. Cheater’s Mini Strawberry-Vanilla Galettes
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
And once again, the day is saved, thanks to store-bought puff pastry. You'll be shocked what a difference a teaspoon of vanilla paste can make.
57. Biscochito Biscotti
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
You know how your mom always starts the day with a latte? Consider this New Mexico-inspired, cinnamon-laced treat her new BFF.
58. Gluten-Free Ricotta Cheesecake
Infraordinario Studio for Dalcò Edizioni S.R.L.
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Because wheat shouldn't stand between Mom and dessert, especially on her special day. Finish the cheesecake with melted chocolate, berry compote or caramel sauce.
59. Clementine Meltaway Cookies
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
The cookies' melt-in-your-mouth texture is courtesy of cornstarch in the dough. Feel free to substitute Meyer lemon or blood orange for clementine.
60. Dulce de Leche Skillet Brownie
Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
All you need to pull off that decadent, caramelly dulce de leche swirl is a can of sweetened condensed milk.
61. 7-Layer Bars
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Whether you know them as seven-layer bars, magic bars or Hello Dolly bars, one thing's for certain: This confection *never* gets old. Bring on the condensed milk.
62. Claire Saffitz’s Raspberry Almond Thumbprints
Jenny Huang/What's for Dessert
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, these bite-sized treats are very similar to French macarons—but a million times easier to prepare.
63. Orange Creamsicle Granita
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Dessert is only four ingredients away, including easy store-bought vanilla ice cream. Make it Saturday night for minimal stress on the big day.
64. Vanilla Bean Buttermilk Pie
Sully Sullivan/The Way Home
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Don't let the from-scratch crust intimidate you: It's surprisingly low-fuss. As for the filling, it's as easy as whisking the ingredients together and baking until slightly jiggly.
65. Strawberry Half-Moon Cookies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Nothing against the O.G., but these cakey cookies were overdue for an update. No one will miss the chocolate, promise.
