24 Indulgent Desserts (+ Easy Recipes)

We all get those sweet cravings that a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt just won’t fix.

To me, indulgent desserts are all about extravagance and treating yourself. Forget the calories and the guilt, just enjoy every single bite!

A wise woman once said that life is too short to say no to cake. Keep that in mind as you look through this list of 24 incredibly indulgent desserts.

These easy-to-make recipes may be sinful, but you’re more than worth it!

1. Millionaire’s Shortbread

As if the name doesn’t scream luxury already, this sweet treat is three layers of pure indulgence. 

It’s buttery shortbread with a thick layer of creamy caramel, topped with a healthy dose of chocolate. You can’t have just one bite!

The good news is, each layer is super easy to make, and you can have a whole tray ready to devour in less than an hour.

2. Cookie Dough Billionaire Bars

Now, if you want to go overboard, why not add a layer of cookie dough?

Be sure to let the caramel fully set before covering in a thick, creamy layer of fluffy, egg-free cookie dough. 

The great thing here is that these are even more decadent, so you can cut them a little smaller and have extra!

3. Rocky Road Brownies

A good brownie can be pretty indulgent, but there’s always room for improvement!

This recipe has a fantastically fudgy brownie that gets covered in marshmallows, extra chocolate, and cashews.

In the last five minutes of baking time, add your toppings and put the brownies back in the oven so everything melts together into a mess of deliciousness.

Not a cashew fan? Use any nut you like, or switch them up for M&Ms for a little color. 

4. Slutty Brownies

Of course, if you really want to go all out, you should absolutely try these slutty brownies!

If you thought adding marshmallows was extra, just wait.

This recipe has a layer of cookie dough on the bottom that gets covered in Oreos before the whole thing is engulfed in chocolate brownies. 

When baked, it all marries together for one truly over-the-top dessert. 

Though if you ask me, a layer of caramel wouldn’t be out of place.

5. Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

Cupcakes have really come a long way, and some are pretty outrageous these days. Unfortunately, we don’t all have access to a pantry full of exciting extras.

For this recipe, all you need is a boxed mix, whipped cream, and raspberries for something different and decadent. 

The white cake mix will always come out moist and tasty, and by adding a tart raspberry whipped cream, rather than a frosting, you’ll get a light and luxurious topping that is beautiful. 

6. Over-the-Top Donut Milkshakes

You must have seen those crazy Freakshakes online? No?! Go check them out, I’ll wait!

It’s safe to say that a thick, creamy milkshake topped with everything from cake to pie is so indulgent.

Ideally, you’ll need one of those tall glasses with the handle, which you can find online. A regular glass will work, though.

This milkshake actually has donuts blended right inside! It even has sprinkles and all for a cake batter-esque treat.

It all gets topped with five donuts and donut holes… and also extra whipped cream and chocolate sauce. 

Wow! 

7. Brown Sugar Bacon Ice Cream Sandwiches

Anyone can put a scoop of ice cream between some chocolate chip cookies. Sure, it’s delicious, but we’re looking at luxury here.

I love wafer cookies for this. They have a crisp texture and the flavor is more subtle, leaving room for the bacon to truly shine. 

You can use any ice cream flavor you prefer, though I think butter pecan would work especially well. 

For the bacon, cook it low and slow, so the fat really renders out and you’re left with crisp, salty-sweet crumbs.

8. Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

There’s a reason you always see this on the menu at restaurants. 

Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies, and when served in a hot skillet, they are warm, gooey, and irresistible. 

You can use a baking dish or a large oven-proof pan, but these little skillets make the cutest individual portions. Plus, no sharing!

Remember to adjust the bake time for the dish you use. Larger skillets will need close to a half-hour, where the minis will be ready in around 10 minutes. 

The edges should be cooked, leaving the middle soft and chewy.

9. Dark Chocolate, Brandy, and Cherry Cake

A great way to make your dessert a little more indulgent is to soak it in some kind of alcohol. 

Not only will it add a new layer of flavor, but it immediately becomes that much harder to resist. 

This light chocolate cake uses melted chocolate and whipped egg whites for an airy but rich flavor. And the brandy-soaked cherries will keep it moist and sweet. 

10. Molten Lava Cakes

If a warm and fudgy chocolate cake with a gooey melted center and scoop of ice cream doesn’t make you feel fancy, I don’t know what will.

A dessert like this is usually reserved for dinner out, which is a shame because these cakes are actually pretty easy to recreate at home. 

The trick is not to over-mix the six ingredients and cook at a high temperature, pulling the tray out just as the outside is cooked. 

By making them at home, you can really have some fun and take the luxury up a notch. Why not try a creamy Bailey’s ice cream or a generous helping of salted caramel?

11. Coconut Creme Brulee with Passionfruit Syrup

Creamy and sweet, creme brulee is a favorite of mine. 

Though I love the classic, this tropical twist is something else!

Adding coconut cream into the custard is a subtle but effective little change that is great in and of itself. 

But the passionfruit syrup! It really is an added luxury and is so easy to make. Just simmer and reduce with a little sugar and water. That’s it!

You don’t even need a Chef’s torch for these. You can grill them right in your oven.

12. Chocolate Hazelnut Chess Pie with Rolos

Chess pie is an ooey, gooey, ultra-sweet slice of heaven.

Adding Nutella to the pie filling gives a chocolate and hazelnut flavor you will love. 

As if that isn’t delicious enough, you will then fold through chopped Rolos for a hit of caramel.

Serve with whipped cream and extra Rolos. Mmm!

13. Salted Chocolate Pots with Caramel Sauce

Another one of those “restaurant-only” desserts, these little pots are ridiculously easy to make. 

With just five ingredients, one of which is a pinch of salt, you can have a tray of these setting in the fridge in just 10 minutes.

Starting with store-bought caramel, put about a tablespoon in each of your ramekins. Or maybe try peanut butter, fudge sauce, or a fruit compote for something different.

You will pour super-simple milk chocolate ganache over the top. Though again, you can use dark or even white chocolate if you prefer.

The worst part will be the wait! But when topped with a pinch of sea salt, you’ll have an easy, but rich and flavorful dessert. 

14. Mini Pavlova

Indulgent doesn’t always mean complicated. 

These little nests are a perfect, airy, and sweet end to dinner.

If you really want to save time, buy some meringues from the store. They will taste just as good and save you some time.

This recipe is simple, using whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries for a colorful dish.

Of course, if you really wanted to indulge, why not try chocolate and cherry, or a pina colada version?

15. Brown Butter, Fried Nutella, and Banana Croissant Sandwiches

Elvis was the king of many things, including sandwiches.

This recipe might not have bacon and peanut butter, but I think it’s up there with something Elvis would fly a thousand miles for. 

Now, Nutella and banana filled croissants are already pretty drool-worthy. But if you really want to go the extra mile, you won’t be sorry. 

Using brown butter, which is so simple to make – just cook it low and keep an eye on it – you’ll have a toasted outer crust that is buttery, a little nutty, and so flavorful. 

And since the theme here is indulgence, I would even throw some bacon in there. 

16. Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream Pie

How does an Oreo crust loaded with peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter whipped cream, hot fudge sauce, and peanut butter cups sound?

I know… one slice will leave you in a peanut butter coma.

Making your own peanut butter ice cream is dangerous. 

When you see how easy it is to just combine vanilla ice cream with peanut butter and chopped peanut butter cups, it will be hard to go back. 

The whipped cream is just as easy. Make sure your peanut butter is room temperature, so it mixes in right.

My only note would be this needs salted caramel. But that might just be my obsession…

17. Blackberry and White Chocolate S’mores

S’mores aren’t just for kids. And they don’t just have to be chocolate.

No need to make a fancy compote, it’s as simple as adding a smashed blackberry to your white chocolate and marshmallow filling.

Super refreshing, this flavor combination is different but so good. It makes a nice change to having the same s’mores every night during the summer.

Though, you can take these all the way through winter by broiling your marshmallows inside. 

18. Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie

Chocolate pie is a rich, deep, and sinful dessert. 

For me, I like a little something extra with my chocolate pie, otherwise, it’s kind of one-note.

So when I saw this recipe with a light and creamy coconut top, I was sold. 

I love the texture from the coconut in the chocolate, and the coconut whipped cream is super sweet. It has just the right amount of coconut to compliment the richness of the chocolate.

19. Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake with Salted Caramel

This spiced pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust is honestly an indulgence by itself. Serve with a little whipped cream, and you’ll have something great.

This recipe kicks things up a notch and adds in a cinnamon buttercream and salted caramel.

You’ll be making two cheesecakes here, one with and one without the crust.

To assemble, you’ll put the crust on the bottom and top with some buttercream and caramel, before adding the second cheesecake on top. 

Cover the whole thing in buttercream and drizzle with the rest of the caramel for a fall-inspired cheesecake that will leave your guests speechless. 

20. Carrot and White Chocolate Pie with Ginger Ice Cream

We’ve all had pumpkin or sweet potato pie, and it’s always delicious. Maybe it’s time for something new?

This pie contains vanilla roasted carrots that get blended with white chocolate, eggs, ginger, brown sugar, and sour cream. 

The color is amazing, and the flavor is like a carrot cake with white chocolate ganache, in pie form. 

For the ice cream, there’s no need to go crazy. Find some crystallized ginger in the store and mix it through a good vanilla ice cream for a cool side to this quirky pie.

21. Whiskey Caramel and Banana Self-saucing Pudding

This is so much more than a banana cake.

Be sure to use ripe bananas for extra flavor and don’t over-mix the batter.

The whiskey caramel comes together in a matter of minutes and gets poured straight over the unbaked batter. 

When baked, the sauce will seep through, infusing that whiskey flavor into the cake, before settling underneath in a thick and ultra-luxurious boozy base. 

22. Salted Caramel Peach Splits

A good banana split can be an indulgent way to enjoy a sundae. But I think this caramel and peach version is pretty special.

Grilling the fruit with the syrup will leave the splits caramelized and tender. 

Serve them warm with sweet, cinnamon whipped cream, a decent scoop of ice cream, and plenty of salted caramel.

23. Peanut Marshmallow Tart

If you’re looking for something simple that you don’t see every day, try this out.

Using any chocolate cookie you prefer, the filling has just five ingredients. 

Slowly melt the marshmallow, milk, and peanut butter, letting it cool for a few minutes before incorporating into the whipped cream. 

This pie gets sprinkled with chopped peanuts and chilled for a few hours before serving.

24. Devil’s Food Fudge Cookies

If you haven’t ever tried using a boxed cake mix for cookies before, be prepared to be blown away. 

These cookies are thick, chewy and so moist. Just by altering the recommended recipe on the box, you can make a great cookie base. 

This recipe uses chocolate chips and walnuts for a great fudgy and crunchy texture. But they’re super versatile and would be amazing with anything.

I would probably try toasted pecans or maybe white chocolate chips.