30 Best Restaurant Desserts (+ Easy Recipes)

Are you a foodie with a sweet tooth? If so, restaurant desserts are likely the cherry on top of your dining experience. 

There’s no shortage of options, from classic comfort sweets to innovative indulgences.

Molten chocolate lava cakes. White chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Baklava. Custard. The list goes on.

With so many mouthwatering options, how do you decide which ones are worth the calories? Well, that’s where this blog post comes in. 

I’ve scoured restaurants nationwide to bring you the best restaurant desserts ever. They’re delicious, decadent, and definitely worth the calories.

So, get ready to indulge in a world of sweet sensations. Let’s dive in! 

1. Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Let’s start this list with one of everyone’s favorite restaurant desserts.

It’s rich, indulgent, and absolutely overflowing with decadent chocolatey goodness. 

The cake itself would be incredible enough. But chocolate lava cakes are more than mere cakes.

They’re warm, chocolate-lava-filled delights. 

Just imagine it. You dip your spoon into the dessert to get a mouthful of soft, fluffy cake.

And as soon as you do, a river of chocolate and melty ice cream comes spilling out. 

If that isn’t a bit like heaven on earth, I don’t know what is. 

2. Molten Lava Cake

This molten lava cake takes slightly longer to make than the one above. It’s still just as simple, though.

People are always so surprised by how few ingredients these cakes actually require. 

As long as you have butter, eggs, sugar, flour, salt, and chocolate, you have everything you need.

Pick whichever recipe works best for you. They both taste spectacular. 

3. Take 5 Bars

Of course, not every restaurant dessert has to be so impressive.

For something a bit simpler (but just as yummy), try these quick and easy copycat Take 5 bars. 

They’re a breeze to make and require no actual cooking.

You need just seven ingredients, and they’re perfect for enjoying on the go. 

And who doesn’t love the classic combo of chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel? (The salty pretzels make them even tastier!) 

4. Gemma’s Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are another simple option that always makes a big impact, especially when they taste this good. 

These cookies have crisp edges and soft, melt-in-your-mouth centers.

They feature a buttery, brown sugar flavor and plenty of gooey chocolate chunks. 

They’re so scrumptious that they taste even better than restaurant cookies.

Instead, they’re like the kind of yummy chocolate chip cookies your grandma used to make. 

5. French Palmier Cookies

French Palmiers are elegant cookies that everyone assumes are too difficult to make.

In reality, though, they require three simple ingredients and no advanced kitchen skills.

They’re light, airy, and flaky, and you can tweak the recipe however you like. This version is the simplest.

It uses only puff pastry dough, sugar, and a dash of salt. 

However, you can also add cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or brown sugar.

You can even make a savory version with garlic and parmesan if you prefer! Your options are nearly limitless. 

6. Homemade Nutter Butters

Homemade Nutter Butters are a softer version of the famous store-bought cookie. (Just as delicious, though!) 

You make them with homemade peanut butter cookies and a peanut butter filling. The texture is a bit different, but the taste is spot on. 

7. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Sweet, tangy, fruity, and creamy. This white chocolate raspberry cheesecake has it all.

It features a silky-smooth filling against a crunchy, buttery Oreo crust. 

It’s actually a copycat Cheesecake Factory recipe of the cake of the same name.

Luckily, it looks, feels, and tastes exactly the same as Cheesecake Factory’s version. 

Making it at home is a lot less expensive, though.

8. Blueberry Cheesecake 

Do you prefer blueberries to raspberries? If so, this might be the better recipe for you.

It still has plenty of tart flavor and tangy cheesecake goodness. But you’ll swap out the raspberries for blueberries.

9. Baklava

There’s nothing like the flaky, crunchy, subtle sweetness of baklava.

It’s only made its way into mainstream American desserts in the last several years. 

As a result, many people have yet to experience it. Help ensure your guests get to try it by making it for them. 

This recipe shows you how to make the best baklava with fewer than ten ingredients.

It takes a little time, but you don’t have to be a kitchen pro to get it right. 

10. French Apple Cake

Seeing a gorgeous, intricate dessert is always a treat. But sometimes, those that look the simplest often taste the best.

That’s the case with this seemingly plain French apple cake. 

It may look like a bland yellow cake, but it’s not. It’s ridiculously soft and moist, and every bite is infused with chunks of juicy apples. 

With or without confectioners’ sugar and ice cream, this cake is spectacular. 

11. Tiramisu Layer Cake

Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert adored by many. It flawlessly combines the flavors of chocolate, coffee, and cream. 

Typically, people add ladyfingers or another similar cookie to the recipe.

This one foregoes cookies in favor of soft, fluffy sponge cake instead. It’s just as good as ever, only fluffier. 

12. Flourless Lemon Cake

Need a gluten-free dessert option for your next summer brunch?

Give this flourless lemon cake recipe a try. It’s light, bright, and full of zingy lemon flavor. 

It comes together in 20 minutes plus another 40 in the oven. It’s quick and easy, so it’s a real crowd-pleaser for any occasion. 

13. Cheesecake Brownies

Brownies are one of my favorite desserts. They’re thick, fudgy, moist, and wonderfully indulgent.

They’re the ultimate ‘treat yo’ self’ option. 

But occasionally, I want to make them even more decadent. That’s where this cheesecake brownie recipe comes in. 

It takes everything you already love about brownies and adds a rich cheesecake swirl.

They might not be healthy, but they’re 100% addictively delicious. 

14. Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Okay, so after those fabulous but diet-destroying brownies, I wanted to offer at least a semi-nutritious option. Enter chocolate-covered bananas. 

They’re a fun, no-bake dessert option that’s loaded with potassium.

Don’t get me wrong; they’re still a dessert and should be consumed in moderation. 

But hey, at least these have one redeeming health benefit! 

15. Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

No one does fried apples quite like Cracker Barrel. So why use a copycat recipe for fried apples from anywhere else?! 

With six ingredients and 25 minutes, you can whip up the best fried apples. They’re sweet and have the perfect texture. 

When you first bite into them, there’s a little resistance. It’s not crunchy exactly, but it gives them a nice bite.

After that, though, they practically melt in your mouth. 

16. Classic New York-Style Cheesecake

I’m a firm believer that you can never have too many Cheesecake Factory copycat recipes.

So here’s another one. This time, it’s for their classic New York-style cheesecake. 

It looks gorgeous, has the best texture, and tastes terrific. And don’t let the water bath scare you off.

It’s actually much easier to do than most people realize. 

17. Best Cinnamon Rolls

These spongy, sticky cinnamon rolls might not be the best cinnamon rolls in the world.

Still, I wouldn’t bet against them. In fact, this recipe is one of my go-to options for cinnamon rolls. 

It’s easy to follow and turns out perfect treats every time. Don’t take my word for it, though.

Make them yourself and see if you think they’re the best you’ve ever had. 

18. Creamy Chocolate Fondue

Are you an avid visitor to local fondue restaurants? If so, I totally get it.

Who doesn’t love sticking things in hot melted cheese and gooey chocolate? 

If it’s the chocolate you love, save yourself some money.

Use this chocolate fondue recipe to whip up your own fondue fountain at home. 

The recipe requires only six ingredients and about 10 minutes. Then, you can dip things into chocolate to your heart’s content. 

19. Strawberry Cake

This lovely cake is elegant enough for the most special of special occasions.

Fortunately, it’s simple enough to make that you can whip it up just because. 

It’s a cool, creamy, strawberry-studded cake that everyone will love. It’s perfect for summer but tastes great all year long. 

20. Soft Pretzel Bites

Soft pretzel bites are tender, chewy, and perfect for appetizers or desserts.

This recipe allows you to make salty bites (with a cheesy dipping sauce) or sweet ones. 

The only difference between them is a yummy cinnamon-sugar coating.

And yes, I know. You can pick up frozen pretzel bites and heat them in the oven. 

But they’ll never come close to tasting as good as these homemade versions. 

21. Custard

Looking for a dessert that keeps things simple? Check out this six-ingredient vanilla custard recipe. It’s silky smooth, sweet, and creamy. 

It’s super thick and a little rich. However, you can easily tweak the recipe to make the consistency thinner.

(This works well if you need pourable or fillable custard.)

22. Hong Kong Egg Tarts

These small, circular tarts may not be at the top of everyone’s favorite dessert lists.

However, I’m willing to bet that’s simply because those people haven’t tried them. 

These flaky pastries feature smooth, sweetened egg custard centers and taste divine.

They’re the ideal choice for something light that won’t weigh you down. 

23. Cosmic Brownies

Okay, these may be more “Little Debbie” than “restaurant.” Even so, they’re awesome, and I couldn’t leave them off this list. 

Do you know those Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies? The thick, fudgy ones with the colorful, M&M-like topping?

That’s what these brownies are, only with actual mini M&Ms on top. 

I’m not even going to lie. I know these are geared more toward children.

But I devour them just as quickly as any kid in the room. 

24. Chills Chocolate Brownie Sundae

Ever wished you could whip up Chili’s decadent chocolate brownie sundae at home?

Well, now you can, and you’ll only need a handful of ingredients. 

Simply pick up any boxed brownie mix. Bake the brownies with some chopped walnuts mixed in.

Then, top them with ice cream, fudge sauce, and maraschino cherries. Sweet and simple. 

25. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

In the mood for cheesecake but don’t have the time, energy, or ingredients to make one?

That’s okay! Make bite-sized cheesecakes inside strawberries. 

Seriously, these tasty morsels have everything you love about cheesecake. (Including the graham cracker crust!)

They’re just healthier, smaller, and much simpler to make. 

26. White Chocolate Blondies

These five-ingredient blondies take a whopping 35 minutes to make.

They’re thick and chewy, like brownies without the chocolate. 

They’re sweet and buttery and taste even better with a tall glass of milk or sweet tea. 

28. Fried Ice Cream

I remember being absolutely astonished by fried ice cream as a kid.

The first time my parents ordered it for me at a Mexican restaurant, my jaw hit the floor. 

I thought whoever was in that kitchen had to be a wizard.

I mean, really, how can anyone fry ice cream unless they have some kind of magical powers?

It turns out they didn’t, and fried ice cream isn’t actually tough to make.

I could have probably even managed it as a kid if someone had told me it was so simple. 

Well, in case you didn’t know, I’m telling you now. If you love Mexican fried ice cream, you can easily make it at home. This recipe tells you how.

29. Crepes

Do you ever wake up with an intense craving for crepes? Don’t head to Oh, Crepe just yet!

With this recipe, you can make perfectly thin and flavorful crepes at home. 

Like the fried ice cream, it’s not even that difficult! After all, crepes are really just super-thin pancakes.

It does take a little time, though. Remember to make your batter beforehand. 

And don’t be afraid to experiment with the fillings. Savory or sweet, crepe filling options are pretty much limitless. 

30. Red Velvet Cake

I’m ending this list with one of the best recipes for red velvet cake you’ll ever try.

Everything about it is perfect. The light, moist, and fluffy cake. The drool-worthy ermine frosting. 

Every bite of this cake is heavenly. 

Take it to your next office party or family gathering. People will praise your baking skills for months afterward.