Easy Mother's Day Dessert Recipes

Written by
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Cathy Jacobs
Updated 09/01/20
Rhubarb Crumble Pie

Verdina Anna / Getty Images

Your mother deserves the best of everything. This Mother's Day, treat your mother to something divinely delicious, with our top Mother's Day desserts. From scrumptious strawberry shortcake and lovely lemon bars to cute cupcakes and pleasing parfaits, we've collected wonderful dessert recipes to please every mom's palate. So whether you're creating an entire Mother's Day meal from scratch, or want to treat your mom to a homemade dessert after dining out, these special Mother's Day dessert recipes are a fantastic way to celebrate that very special mom in your life. Make one, or make them all.

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  • 01 of 24

    Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

    Strawberry Shortcake and Bowl of Strawberries
    DebbiSmirnoff / Getty Images

    This easy strawberry shortcake recipe is a beloved classic, just like mom. It's also so easy to prepare, with only three ingredients. Store-bought pound cake takes the place of homemade shortcake — but we won't tell mom this recipe uses store-bought ingredients if you don't. Tender strawberries, velvety cake, and billowing whipped cream make a special Mother's Day dessert she's sure to love.

  • 02 of 24

    Lemon Bars

    Lemon Bars

    Richard Jung / Getty Images

    Everyone loves traditional homemade lemon squares, especially moms. These lovely lemon bars have a refreshingly sweet and light flavor that makes them a welcome treat after a big Mother's Day meal. Pack up some to go, too—they keep well in the fridge.

  • 03 of 24

    Orange Meringue Pie

    Orange meringue pie

    capelle.r / Getty Images

    This Mother's Day, treat your mom to a delicious twist on the usual lemon meringue dessert with this delectable orange meringue pie recipe. Use a pre-baked pie shell for this easy pie recipe that takes about 40 minutes to prepare and bake, start to finish. Top this special occasion dessert with whipped cream for a fabulous presentation.

  • 04 of 24

    Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

    Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

    The Spruce / Ana Zelic

    Swirled with raspberry jam, this cheesecake in a graham cracker crust is as pretty to look at as it is delicious. Raspberry is a sweet and seasonal variation on the usual fruit cheesecake recipe. Serve this creamy, decadent homemade raspberry swirl cheesecake for dessert this year, to wow mom at her Mother's Day celebration.

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  • 05 of 24

    Blueberry Upside-Down Cake

    Blueberry Upside-Down Cake

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    Blueberry upside-down cake offers a bright fruit flavor against a luscious cake that's irresistible. The recipe's rather easy and is ready in just about an hour, and you can even freeze it. Served along with Greek yogurt or cream, it's simply a lovely dessert.

  • 06 of 24

    Champagne Cupcakes

    Champagne Cupcakes

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    A delightful indulgence, Champagne cupcakes sparkle with flavor and are a real treat for this special occasion. The recipe's relatively easy, incorporating sparkling wine into both the batter and frosting. Get fancy with the piping bag, and add metallic edible decorations for extra pizzazz.

  • 07 of 24

    Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

    Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Strawberry rhubarb pie is a classic combination of two late spring fruits whose season begins just in time for Mother's Day. Sweet and tart, the juicy fruit looks lovely peeking through a simple lattice top. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

  • 08 of 24

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

    Easy pineapple upside-down cake on a serving stand

     The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    If you want maximum impact with little effort, this easy pineapple upside-down cake could be the Mother's Day dessert that takes pride of place on your buffet table. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an over-the-top meal finale.

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  • 09 of 24

    Instant Pot Flan

    Instant Pot flan, or creme caramel, in a dessert dish

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This Instant Pot version of the classic Spanish dessert cooks in less than 10 minutes, though you do need to plan ahead as it must chill in the refrigerator for four hours before you serve it. The light caramel custard makes a sweet finish to a Mother's Day meal.

  • 10 of 24

    Strawberry Bread

    Strawberry bread

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Perfect as a sweet ending to a Mother's Day brunch, this strawberry bread is fresh and flavorful and pretty to look at. Chopped strawberries are mixed into a batter that is livened up with orange juice. Once baked, the bread is drizzled with a cream cheese frosting.

  • 11 of 24

    Mint Ice Cream

    Mint ice cream

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

    Homemade ice cream is a wonderful surprise, and this mint ice cream recipe captures the taste of spring beautifully. The flavor comes from mint extract, while food coloring gives it the alluring green color. It's a fun way to use your ice cream maker and create a treat the entire family will love.

  • 12 of 24

    One-Bowl Brownies

    One-Bowl Cocoa Brownies

    The Spruce / Jessie Sheehan

    Don't let the name fool you—these brownies may be simple to make, but they are sophisticated in flavor. Espresso powder offers a hint of coffee while intensifying the chocolate taste, and a sprinkling of sea salt at the end cuts the sweetness and finishes these brownies with a special touch, perfect for celebrating Mom.

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  • 13 of 24

    Nutella Cheesecake

    Nutella Cheesecake

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

    Nutella-loving moms will rejoice when you serve them this decadent and creamy dessert. Nutella cheesecake doesn't require any baking, making it quick and easy to throw together. Assemble the chocolate cookie crust and chocolate cream cheese filling ahead of time so it has time to chill.

  • 14 of 24

    No-Bake Cool Whip Cheesecake

    No-Bake Cool Whip Cheesecake

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    These individual no-bake cheesecakes combine cream cheese and Cool Whip dessert topping for a rich and fluffy treat the whole family can share with mom. Top them with fresh berries, slices of kiwi, chunks of pineapple, or other favorite fruit. You can make these up to two days in advance and store them tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. Add the fruit just before serving.

  • 15 of 24

    Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake

    Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    This dessert looks like it took a lot of effort, but it is actually very easy to make. A luscious cheesecake is topped with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and a sweet syrup, making for a festive looking and delicious tasting cheesecake that mom will love. The cheesecake is simple, allowing for the pineapple topping to take the starring role.

  • 16 of 24

    Blueberry Bundt Cake

    Blueberry Bundt Cake

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Mom will be delighted when you surprise her with this made-from-scratch blueberry Bundt cake that's easier to prepare than you might think. The secret is all in the pan shape, which creates that classic Bundt cake look. Serve this moist, delicious cake frosted with vanilla icing, or simply dusted with powdered sugar, for a lovely end-of-meal treat.

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  • 17 of 24

    Raspberry Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

    Raspberry Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

    The Spruce /  Elaine Lemm

    This red velvet bundt cake is made extra special by a layer of sweet raspberries and a drizzle of cream cheese glaze. It's a festive dessert that's ideal for brunch, tea time, or a dessert course. You can use fresh raspberries if you have them on hand, and they look lovely decorating the top of the cake.

  • 18 of 24

    Lemon Chiffon Cake

    Lemon Chiffon Cake

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Lemon chiffon cake is a classic dessert that is delicious served during brunch, tea time, or for dessert. The cake cooks in an ungreased tube pan and will feed a crowd. Make it ahead of time so it can cool completely before adding the drizzle just before serving.

  • 19 of 24

    Italian Wedding Cake

    Italian Wedding Cake

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

    This Italian wedding cake is too easy and delicious to save just for weddings. Mom will love the moist yellow cake, fluffy cream cheese buttercream, and blanket of flaked coconut. It's just as good the next day if you want to make it ahead of time.

  • 20 of 24

    Banana Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Banana Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Laura Agra / Katie Workman / themom100com

    Cute little banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting make a scrumptious and fun Mother's Day treat. This is a great dessert for health-conscious moms who enjoy fruit in their desserts. The cupcakes taste like banana bread muffins, and you'll want to steal the yummy cream cheese frosting recipe to use for other desserts.

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  • 21 of 24

    Easy Chocolate Mango Mousse

    Easy Chocolate Mango Mousse

    Westend61 / Getty Images

    Chocolate mousse is a decadent treat that makes a wonderful dessert for special occasions. This flavorful, Thai-inspired twist on the traditional chocolate mousse recipe includes fresh ripe mangoes and coconut milk, for a rich-tasting chocolate mango mousse that's lighter in calories than the classic dinner party version. It's also naturally gluten-free and lactose-free and can be made ahead, making it the perfect Mother's Day treat when you're dining out first and coming home for dessert afterward.

  • 22 of 24

    Fresh Fruit Tarts

    Fresh Fruit Tarts

    Lai Morris / Getty Images

    Want to impress mom with your baking skills this Mother's Day? If you're confident in the kitchen, have we got a Mother's Day dessert recipe for you. Bakery-style, fresh fruit tarts with homemade pastry cream are baked in flaky pastry shells and topped with a clear apricot glaze. This is a truly a special treat that mom is sure to remember fondly for a long time to come.

  • 23 of 24

    Strawberry Creme Parfaits

    Strawberry Parfait
    Elaine Lemm

    Strawberries and cream are a luscious flavor combination that can't be beat. This pleasing strawberry creme parfait recipe adds marshmallows in the mix for a wonderful texture and sweet taste. With crumbled meringue cookies and vanilla flavoring too, it's a simply delicious Mother's Day dessert that beginner cooks can assemble easily, and moms will adore.

  • 24 of 24

    Rhubarb Crumble Pie

    Rhubarb Crumble Pie

    Verdina Anna / Getty Images

    Rhubarb is a favorite spring ingredient for pies and tarts, and it's also inexpensive. Make this tasty rhubarb pie with a buttery spiced oat crumble topping that's perfect for dessert this Mother's Day, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top or on the side.