**Chocolate Sheet Cake**
Simple, celebratory, and delicious, you just can’t go wrong with a classic Chocolate Sheet Cake for any party. Don’t be thrown off by the ingredient list: buttermilk and sour cream add moistness and cut the sweetness of the chocolate, while a bit of coffee boosts the chocolate flavor.
**Margarita Balls**
“These Margarita Balls are the bourbon balls of the summer,” says Senior Producer Ivy Odom. “They’re sweet, limey, and perfectly but not overly boozy. Just like we like our bourbon balls in the South, they come together super quickly, and like the perfect margarita, have just the right amount of salt.”
**Banana Split Cake**
Does it get more festive than a sheet cake that mimics a classic ice cream sundae? We don’t think so! “I decided to try and make this for Mother’s Day and the cake turned out perfectly. Family said it was amazing and we plan to make more,” writes a reviewer who left the recipe five stars.
**Heaven On Earth Cake**
Layers of angel food cake, peach pie filling, whipped cream, and vanilla pudding make this easy, trifle-like dessert. Not a fan of peaches? Use any fruit pie filling.
**Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting**
Many Southern celebrations include bottles of Cheerwine in the cooler, so we decided to take a note from Grandma’s old-fashioned soda cakes and add the North Carolina-made soft drink to a festive cupcake recipe.
**Cowgirl Cookie Bars**
Similar to their cousin the cowboy cookie, these jam-packed bars are bursting with flavor and texture from mix-ins like pecans, coconut, oats, and three (yes, three!) kinds of chocolate chips.
**Punch Bowl Cake**
“I’ve been making this recipe (handed down to me by my oldest sister) for over 40 years. It’s great for large gatherings, easy to make, looks stunning and everyone always loves it,” wrote a reviewer named Melinda who gave this delightful layered dessert recipe five stars.
“Just make sure you have enough room available in your refrigerator for chilling a full punch bowl!”
**Knock-You-Naked Brownies**
The name is scandalous, but the treat is delicious! These totally decadent brownies are a must-try for chocolate lovers.
**Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad**
This one’s an oldie but a goodie, y’all! No one will turn their nose up at this make-ahead Jell-O dessert once they try a bite of this sweet-and-salty perfection.
**Lemon-Lime Poke Cake**
This wonderfully bright citrus cake is the perfect bake-and-take dessert for a summer party. Lemon and lime slices make for an easy topper that doesn’t require any decorating skills.
**Aunt Brenda’s Sour Cream Banana Pudding**
“This is my aunt’s recipe for banana pudding, and I promise y’all, sour cream adds the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, tart, tang,” says Senior Producer Ivy Odom. “You’re never going back.”
**Sugar Cookie Bars**
Enjoy classic sugar cookie flavor without worrying about creating perfectly sized cookie dough balls. This big-batch dessert comes together in your 13- x 9-in. pan, and you can alter the frosting color to fit your party theme.
**Chocolate Delight**
This layered confection goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, we can guarantee it will disappear right before your eyes. Don’t skip any of the chilling steps if you want nice, even layers.
**Easy Fudge**
When we say easy, we mean it! You won’t need a candy thermometer for this chocolate treat that calls for just a handful of ingredients.
**Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake**
We took a classic Southern dessert and made it even easier, thanks to a white cake mix. Even better—this recipe comes together right in the baking dish, so there are less dishes to do.
**Chocolate Fondue**
A pot of warm chocolate fondue is a sure way to get the party started. You’ll only need five ingredients and 30 minutes to throw it together. Spring for high-quality chocolate for the tastiest results.
**Mahogany Cake**
This little-known brick red cake is just like a red velvet cake, but without the food coloring, and with a heavenly ermine frosting that spreads like a dream.
**Atlantic Beach Pie Bars**
A creamy lemon-lime filling and sweet Saltine cracker crust make these a delicious alternative to traditional lemon bars. Fancy them up with a dollop of whipped cream, or enjoy them as-is.
**Strawberry Pound Cake**
This bright pink cake will make a statement on the dessert table. Fresh strawberries are used in the glaze and in the batter.
**Chocolate Chip Blondies**
You can never go wrong bringing a batch of bar cookies to a party. And these buttery, chocolate-filled blondies will fly off the dessert table.
**Peaches-And-Cream Icebox Pies**
If you’re hosting during higher temperatures, you’re not likely to fire up the oven for dessert. That’s why these no-bake icebox pies are the perfect summer party treat.
**Mini Coconut-Key Lime Pies**
These mini pies are a tropical paradise in bite-sized form. One reviewer advises you not to skip out on the homemade whipped cream.
**Strawberry Cheesecake Bites**
There actually isn’t a dollop of cheesecake in these ‘cheesecake’ bites, but you’re the only one who has to know. The no-bake, minimally-messy mixture tastes just like strawberry cheesecake without the hassle.
**Lemon Tiramisù**
Tiramisù is delicious no matter what. Throw lemon into the mix and you’ll have a to-die-for dessert.
**Pecan Cheesecake Pie**
You don’t have to decide between pie and cheesecake. This dessert lets guests have both. The nutty topping adds a nice crunch to the characteristic creaminess of the popular cheesecake.
**Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes**
Everyone gets their own sweet cake when you make mini versions. These little pound cakes are perfect for everything from picnics to holiday parties. Chocolate and buttermilk glazes make these extra luscious.
**Mini Confetti Cakes**
Guests will never know how easy these mini cakes are to make. Cut the small cake layers from a sheet cake using a round cutter. Whipped cream makes frosting the cakes simple and quick.
**Easy Individual Peach Pies**
These little pies are perfect for outdoor entertaining. The pie crust edges are folded over like a galette to keep assembly easy and the glorious peach filling from spilling out. Made right in your muffin tin with refrigerated pie crust, these are a breeze to put together.
**Heaven In A Bowl**
If you want to impress a crowd, you can’t do much better than this incredible layered dessert made with brownies, peanut butter pudding, chunks of peanut butter cups, and sweetened whipped cream. Assemble the trifle the night before you plan to serve it, and prepare for rave reviews.
**Rebecca’s Black Bottom Icebox Pie**
With a rich, creamy filling and melt-in-your-mouth crust, this is quite possibly the best chocolate pie ever. Make it up to filling the pie crust a day ahead. Top with whipped cream and garnish before serving.
**Chocolate Pecan Chess Pie**
Cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate turn a typically sweet dessert into something more sophisticated.
**Lemon Pound Cake**
You can’t miss when serving a simple pound cake, and this one is bursting with bright, sunny flavor thanks to lemon in the cake, glaze, and icing.
**Lemon Meltaways**
You’ll use just a tad less than two sticks of butter to make these delicate little gems. Toss them with powdered sugar while still warm.
**Mini Carrot Cakes**
Everyone will make a fuss over these single-serve carrot cakes but they are a breeze to make. All you need is a sheet cake and a cookie cutter!
**Fudge Pie**
You’ll put your microwave to use for this chocolate treat. This fudge pie is one of the most wickedly delicious chocolate desserts you’ll ever eat. Try it with ice cream for an even better result.
https://www.southernliving.com/party-desserts-11876623