The 27 Most Popular Dessert Recipes of 2023
Consider this Epicurious Wrapped, dessert edition. The year 2023 was a feast for all our sweet-toothed readers who embraced the effortless treats just as much as project bakes, which makes you all an impressive bunch of baking polyglots. Classics like chess pie and chocolate Swiss roll were hits, of course, but you also loved recipes like stovetop apple crisp and an easy chocolate mousse, that make use of cool techniques. Scroll through the full lineup below for jog down dessert memory lane.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich1/27Philly Fluff Cake
Epicurious staffer Zoe Denenberg has been trying to recreate this local favorite forever. This year, she nailed it: a tall, slightly tangy cake that’s somehow both light and rich, with a flurry of powdered sugar on top.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/27French Silk Pie
While you could use a classic pie crust for this dessert, we love this version, with its smooth, creamy chocolate filling nestled into a no-bake Oreo crust.
Photo by Max Milla3/27Butter Toffee Bars
Nick DiGiovanni featured these grandma-approved toffee bars in his book, Knife Drop, and the recipe quickly became one of our most popular bar cookie recipes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne9/27Elvis Presley’s Favorite Pound Cake
You start this cake’s baking in a cold oven, which gives it a beautiful golden crust and a slow, steady rise.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton10/27Easy Chocolate Mousse With Whipped Cream and Sea Salt
To make this eggless mousse, you’ll whip melted chocolate with water over an ice bath until it puffs into a silky dessert. It feels miraculous.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht11/27Peanut Butter Brownies
These swirled brownies could be the star of your Christmas cookie exchange—or just keep you fueled while you embark on a marathon of holiday baking.
Photo by Squire Fox12/27Clementine Pound Cake
Citrus zest and chocolate go hand in hand in this beloved recipe from baking icon Cheryl Day.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine14/27Pumpkin Roll With Cream Cheese Filling
Found yourself with a can of pumpkin purée sitting in your pantry? Don’t wait for next year’s pumpkin pie—make this impressive rolled cake now.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley15/27Cajeta Cream Cheese Brownie Tart
This is the dessert our senior editor always brings whenever she’s asked to show up to a dinner party with something sweet. And it’s always a hit.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich18/27Tiramisu Bundt Cake
You could serve this tiramisu-inspired cake at brunch, but it’s also delightful after dinner.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley21/27Malted Chocolate Cake With Namelaka and Cherries
If you love Black Forest cake or chocolate-covered cherries, you’ll love this cake with super-silky malted chocolate cream and homemade cherry jam.
Photo by Maja Smend23/27Triple Charlotte Russe
Looking for a baking project for a special occasion? You’ll find a few—including this cake—in the new baking book from Jurgen Krauss.
Photo by Dana Gallagher26/27Sheet-Pan Lemon Poppy Seed Layer Cake
Baking pros often look to sheet pans for even cake layers that cook quickly. Try it with this zingy lemon cake.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams, Food Styling by Judy Haubert27/27Quick-and-Easy Hot Fudge Sauce
When you need dessert now, you’ll be glad you stashed this simple homemade hot fudge in your fridge. (If you didn’t, don’t worry—you can make a batch in nine minutes, or use your microwave for an even speedier version.)
