Dessert bars are made for sharing, whether you’re baking for a party, potluck, holiday, or just because. From fudgy brownies and creamy cheesecake bars to fruity favorites and easy no-bake treats, these recipes offer plenty of delicious ways to fill a pan.
Dessert bars are some of my favorite recipes for feeding a crowd. They’re usually easier to serve than cakes and other plated desserts, and there are so many ways to make them, from simple brownies and blondies to layered bars piled high with all the good stuff.
I’ve gathered some of my favorite dessert bar recipes here, with plenty of variety for whatever you’re craving. You’ll find rich chocolate treats, bright fruit bars, creamy cheesecake bars, classic favorites, and a few no-bake options for when you want to keep things especially simple.
Need help finding just the right dessert? Start with brownies and blondies for dependable crowd-pleasers, or try cheesecake bars when you want something a little more speical. Fruit bars offer a brighter option, while layered and loaded bars are just the thing for serioius sweet cravings. And when easy is the priority, head straight for the no-bake treats.
When chocolate is calling, brownies are hard to beat — but don’t overlook the blondies! These favorites range from rich and fudgy to thick and chewy, with plenty of chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch, and brown sugar along the way.
Brown Butter Brownies
Browning the butter gives these thick, fudgy brownies an extra layer of rich, nutty flavor. They have plenty of deep chocolate flavor and that irresistible shiny, crackly top.
Peanut butter lovers, these are for you. Thick, chewy peanut butter blondies are packed with chopped peanut butter cups, and the batter comes together easily in one bowl.
Sweet butterscotch and a sprinkle of flaky salt are a pretty irresistible combination. These chewy blondies are wonderfully simple to make when you want a low-effort treat with big flavor.
Inspired by classic buckeye candies, these rich brownies pair a fudgy chocolate base with a creamy peanut butter layer and chocolate ganache. They're an especially good choice when you want something a little more decadent.
Can't decide between brownies and chocolate chip cookies? These brookies combine fudgy brownies and chewy chocolate chip cookie dough in every bar, so you don't have to choose.
Creamy, rich, and made for sharing, cheesecake bars give you everything you love about cheesecake in an easy-to-serve form. These favorites range from fruity and bright to wonderfully decadent.
Caramel Cheesecake Bars
These layered bars go all-in on texture with a buttery crust, gooey caramel, creamy cheesecake, and a crunchy pecan-toffee topping. They're a great make-ahead choice when you want something a little extra special.
Creamy vanilla cheesecake meets a jammy fresh strawberry layer and buttery crumb topping in these colorful bars. They're fruity, creamy, and just right for spring and summer gatherings.
These no-bake cheesecake bars feature plenty of Oreos in both the chocolate cookie crust and light, creamy filling. Make them ahead and let the refrigerator do the rest of the work.
Bright lemon cheesecake is layered between a buttery oat-pistachio crust and crumb topping. They're a little different from the usual cheesecake bar, with a lovely mix of creamy, crisp, and crumbly textures.
Two favorite desserts come together with a vanilla wafer crust, creamy cheesecake, fresh bananas, and plenty of classic banana pudding flavor. They're a fun twist on both cheesecake bars and the Southern favorite.
Put fresh fruit and fruit preserves to delicious use with these bright, buttery bars. From classic lemon bars to crumb-topped favorites, there’s plenty here for fruit dessert fans.
Lemon Bars
You can't go wrong with the classic combination of a buttery shortbread crust and a bright, tangy lemon filling. A dusting of confectioners' sugar is the perfect simple finish.
Fresh blueberries are layered with buttery pecan shortbread for a simple summer treat. The same mixture makes both the crust and topping, keeping these wonderfully easy to make.
Fresh peaches are tucked between a buttery crust and a crumbly oat-almond topping. These bars are an easy way to turn ripe summer peaches into a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Sweet-tart apricot preserves are layered between a buttery oat-almond crust and crumb topping. They're simple to make and a great option when fresh fruit isn't in season.
Sometimes more really is more! These bars pile on the good stuff with buttery crusts, gooey fillings, crunchy toppings, chocolate, caramel, and plenty more.
Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These soft, chewy cookie bars are packed with two kinds of chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, toffee, and nuts. They're an easy crowd-pleaser when a basic chocolate chip cookie just won't do.
Three decadent layers make these bars a classic: buttery shortbread, rich homemade caramel, and smooth chocolate. A sprinkle of flaky salt balances all that sweetness beautifully.
Buttery oatmeal layers sandwich gooey caramel, chocolate, and crunchy nuts in these irresistible bars. They're wonderfully rich, chewy, and just messy enough.
These classic bars pile sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate, butterscotch, and nuts onto a buttery graham cracker crust. With just seven ingredients, they're also one of the easiest treats in the bunch. Bonus points for being endlessly customizable!
Chewy oatmeal cookie dough surrounds a rich, fudgy chocolate filling in these old-fashioned favorites. They're simple to make but deliver plenty of chocolate and texture in every bite.
Part cake and part bar, this crowd favorite features a soft, buttery crust topped with a rich, gooey cream cheese layer. This from-scratch version is surprisingly easy to make with basic baking ingredients.
A pretzel-oat crust, gooey caramel, cashews, chocolate, and a sprinkle of salt make these bars a sweet-and-salty standout. There's a lot going on here — in the best possible way.
Skip the oven altogether with these easy treats. From extra-gooey crispy treats to plenty of chocolate and peanut butter, these are perfect when you want something sweet without much fuss.
Ultimate Rice Crispy Treats
A few simple tweaks make the classic even better, with extra marshmallows for plenty of gooey, chewy texture. They take just minutes to make and are always a crowd-pleaser.
Think of these as peanut butter cups in easy bar form. A rich peanut butter and graham cracker layer gets topped with smooth chocolate for a six-ingredient treat that's well worth the short wait while it chills.
Crisp rice cereal and peanut butter form the chewy base of these nostalgic treats, with a chocolate-butterscotch topping to finish them off. They're quick, easy, and especially good for sharing.
Brown butter gives these rice crispy treats a richer, nuttier flavor, while a layer of semisweet chocolate and a sprinkle of salt dress up the classic. They're just as easy as the original with a little something extra.
Whether you’re craving something chocolatey, fruity, creamy, gooey, or wonderfully simple, there’s a dessert bar here for just about any occasion. Pick a favorite to try, or bookmark this collection for the next time you need an easy dessert to share.
