10 Delicious Dessert Recipes to End Your Dinner on a Sweet Note

From pastries to candies to ice cream, the dessert gods have blessed us with an abundance of treats over the years. But not all of them can complement a homemade dinner equally. To help you pick the perfect treat for your homemade feast (especially now that National Dessert Day⁽¹⁾ is around the corner), we rounded up our 10 go-to dessert recipes that are both tasty and light enough to make you feel full. With so many delicious options, you never had a better excuse to indulge in your sweet tooth post-dinner, whether you are a fan of the classics or want to experiment with something new.

1. Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

A top choice for dessert lovers (especially during the cooler months), cinnamon rolls are a great way to round out any dinner. In this recipe, sweet potato pairs seamlessly with cinnamon while adding a pop of color to the dessert.

Ingredients:

For the Dough

• ¼ cup dried sweet potatoes
• ¾ cup warm milk
• 2 tsp dry yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• A pinch of salt

For the Filling

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. Add the potatoes to a bowl along with ¾ cup of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, add the warm milk to a cup and stir in the yeast. Let sit for a few minutes until it dissolves.
3. In a large bowl, add all the dough ingredients except for the flour. Mix to combine. Add the flour one cup at a time and knead until your form a smooth dough. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap or a towel and let it sit in a warm place until it doubles in size.
4. Meanwhile, make the filling by stirring all the ingredients together in a bowl (except for the pecans). Set aside.
5. Then, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle (about 14 inches high and ¼ inch thick).
6. Spread the filling all across the top and sprinkle with the pecans.
7. Roll the dough down into a log and cut it into 3-inch pieces.
8. Arrange them in a greased baking pan, cover with a towel, and let sit for an hour.
9. Preheat the oven to 350^oF and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with chocolate syrup of cream cheese frosting for an extra dose of indulgence.

2. Pineapple Choc Chip Cookies

Even though they're not usually paired, pineapple and chocolate can be a pretty indulgent combo. The duo joins its forces in this recipe to create a delicious and healthy treat perfect for post-dinner dessert cravings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup butter
• 1/3 cup freeze dried pineapples
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• ½ cup walnuts, crushed
• ¾ cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Add the pineapples to a bowl along with one cup of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid, transfer to a bowl, and puree with a fork.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients, one at a time. You'll end up with a slightly sticky dough.
3. Preheat the oven to 375^oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Form small balls with your hands and place them on the sheet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies turn golden brown.

3. Raspberry Muffins

Usually reserved for breakfast or a quick afternoon snack, muffins are an excellent way to clean your palate after dinner. Featuring raspberries as the "star" ingredient, the following dessert recipe is super easy - so you won't need to slave away in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¾ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 eggs
• 1 ¼ cups freeze dried raspberries (plus 3 tbsp to decorate)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Add the raspberries to a bowl along with 2 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix. Stir in the wet ingredients, one at a time, and mix again to combine.
3. Preheat the oven to 350^oF and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
4. Fill ¾ of each muffin liner with batter. Top with raspberries and bake for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

4. Apple Nice Cream

There are many ways to enjoy apples during fall (in salads, bread, or even frittatas). But this dessert recipe makes the most out of the juicy fruit with a little help from summer. Who knew eating ice cream in autumn could be so cool?

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freeze dried apples
• 4 cups frozen banana slices
• 3 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Add the apples to a food processor and pulse until they turn into a powder. Remove from the food processor and set aside.
2. Then, pulse the frozen banana slices until creamy.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse once again to incorporate.
4. Top with chocolate syrup or crushed nuts and serve immediately.

5. Nutella-Stuffed Banana Mini Donuts

Even though they're usually reserved for breakfast, donuts (specifically, the mini kind) are the perfect ending to a hearty dinner. So, if you want to indulge in the doughy treat, this chocolatey recipe will have you go bananas.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup freeze dried bananas
• 1 cup Nutella

Directions:

1. Add the banana chips to a blender and blitz until they turn into powder. Set aside.
2. Add the dry ingredients (including the banana chip powder) to a bowl and mix. Then, add the wet ingredients, one at a time, and mix again to combine. Your dough is ready!
3. Grease a bowl with cooking spray and transfer the dough. Cover with plastic wrap or towel and let sit until it doubles in size (about 1 hour).
4. Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough into a ½-inch thick.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and, using a round cookie cutter, cut out circles of dough. Place them on the sheet.
6. Fill a pot with vegetable oil halfway and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is ready to go, add 2-3 donuts at a time and cook for 90 seconds. Flip and cook for an additional 90 seconds.
7. Once golden brown, remove them from the pot and place them onto a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat until you're out of dough.
8. Next, gently make a small hole in the side of the donut and spoon one teaspoon of Nutella inside.

6. Chocolate Bark with Strawberries & Coconut

Maybe it's just us, but we think that chocolate bark can be so much more than just a holiday snack. This dessert recipe takes the treat and gives it a unique makeover (strawberries and coconut, anyone?), creating an irresistible post-dinner treat in the process.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dark chocolate
• 1 cup organic crunchy strawberries
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut
• ½ cup shelled pistachios, chopped

Directions:

1. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring well between each of them until the chocolate has melted.
2. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl and spoon half of this mixture into the melted chocolate. Stir well to combine.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the chocolate onto it. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly.
4. Top with the remaining half of the mixture and refrigerate for 2 hours or until the chocolate is set.
5. Using a knife or your hands, break the bark into pieces and store leftovers (if any!) in the fridge.

7. Chocolate Mango Mousse

For an Asia-inspired take on your dessert, try this creative mousse instead. Combining mango's natural sweetness with chocolate's rich texture, the treat is lighter in calories than most desserts and a pleasant delight.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1¼ cups freeze dried mangoes
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Add the mangoes to a bowl along with 2 cups of water and soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and transfer to a food processor.
2. Now add the chocolate chips, egg, and sugar to the food processor. Set aside.
3. Pour one cup of coconut milk into a pot and heat over medium-high heat. Make sure to stir occasionally. Once the milk is about to boil, remove it from the heat and pour it into the food processor.
4. Blitz for a minute. Then, add the remaining coconut milk and sugar and blitz once again until smooth.
5. Pour the mousse into cups and refrigerate overnight.

8. Cherry Froyo

Rich in probiotics, this dessert isn't just delicious; it's downright healthy. And thanks to the cherry's sweet flavor and popping color, it's irresistible to both kids and adults. In other words, it's the perfect dessert for family dinner night.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups freeze dried cherries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups plain yogurt (preferably full-fat)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Directions:

1. Place the cherries in a bowl along with 3 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes and transfer to a saucepan.
2. Add the lemon juice and sugar to the saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
3. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse until pureed.
4. Spoon the puree into a bowl and add the milk and yogurt. Mix well to combine. Refrigerate overnight.
5. The next day, process the mixture into an ice cream maker for 20 minutes. Serve immediately or store in the freezer for later use.

9. Roasted Grape Parfait

Just because you want to eat healthier, it doesn't mean you should skip dessert – and this recipe makes it all possible. Filled with grapes, yogurt, and nut, it's rich in antioxidants, protein, and healthy fats – so, you know you're in for a nutritious treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups freeze dried whole red grapes
• 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup walnut, crushed
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Add the grapes to a bowl along with five cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200^oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Once the grapes are soaked, squeeze away excess liquid, toss with the sugar and place them onto the sheet. Slow-roast for 3 hours or until they soften. Remove from the oven and cool.
4. To layer the parfait, spoon ¼ cup of Greek yogurt at the bottom of 4 glasses. Top with 1/3 cup of the grapes, 1 ½ tablespoon of walnuts, and 1 teaspoon honey. Repeat until you use up all the ingredients. Serve immediately.

10. Chai-Poached Peach & Ricotta Crostini

Crostini are usually a savory treat, but this recipe turns the appetizer into a last-minute dessert that's both fancy and elegant. Despite its intricate looks, it's very easy to make – so you can readily resort to it when you have guests over and want to serve something flashy after the main course.

Ingredients:

• 6 baguette bread slices
• 2/3 cup ricotta cheese
• ¾ cup freeze dried peach slices
• ¼ granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 chai tea bag

Directions:

1. Reheat the oven to 350^oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the bread slices with cooking spray and toast for 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and set aside.
2. Add the sugar, vanilla extract, and 4 cups of water to a pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the peach slices and simmer for another 6 minutes.
4. Add the teabag and simmer for 5 minutes more. Then, remove from the heat.
5. Allow the teabag to steep with the peach for 15 minutes and remove the fruit from the pot. Set aside.
6. To make the crostini, place the baguette slice at the bottom, spread a teaspoon of ricotta cheese (or more, if you want), and top with the chai-poached peach. Drizzle with honey and serve.

Which are your go-to dessert recipes after dinner? Let us know in the comments down below!

References:

1. NATIONAL DESSERT DAY - October 14, 2021 | National Today
2. https://www.sproutedkitchen.com/home/2020/12/15/sweet-potato-cinnamon-rolls
3. https://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/140381371/pineapple-chocolate-chip-cookies/
4. https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/raspberry-crumb-muffins/#wprm-recipe-container-20697
5. https://www.brit.co/vegan-ice-cream-recipe/
6. https://www.sweetestmenu.com/amazing-nutella-donuts/
7. https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/dark-chocolate-bark-with-strawberries-and-pistachios/
8. https://www.thespruceeats.com/make-chocolate-mango-mousse-in-blender-3217322
9. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cherry_frozen_yogurt/
10. https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/slow-roasted-grape-yogurt-parfaits
11. https://www.wikirecipes.net/apricot-ricotta-crostini/

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