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Mother’s Day dessert doesn’t have to turn into a big baking project. Sometimes the best thing you can make is a cheesecake that sits in the fridge overnight, small glasses of lemon posset after brunch, or a few chocolate-covered sweets packed into a box.
I grouped these desserts by what they help with most. Start with the no-bake and chilled desserts if the oven is already busy or you want something ready ahead of time. The cakes, tarts and bakes are better when you want one dessert for the table. And if you’re making a small homemade gift, the sweet treats at the end are the best ones to pack.
For a real cake without the oven, this is the one. It has an Oreo crust, blueberry cream cheese layer and fresh blueberries on top, and it sets in the fridge without gelatin.It’s small enough for a family dessert but can be doubled if you need more slices. Make it the day before so it has plenty of time to chill.
Lemon posset looks dressed up for what it actually is. You only need heavy cream, sugar and lemon juice, then the mixture sets in small glasses in the fridge.It’s a nice one after a heavier brunch or dinner because the lemon keeps it bright. Add berries, lemon zest or a small cookie on the side right before serving.
These dessert cups have layers of chocolate and dulce de leche, lemon curd and whipped cream. They look neat in small glasses, but the work is mostly simple layering.Make them the day before, cover and keep them chilled until you need them. They’re a smart choice when you want individual desserts and don’t want to slice a cake.
I’d make this with fresh raspberries, not frozen, so the filling holds its shape. It’s a smaller 6-inch cheesecake, which makes sense when Mother’s Day dessert is for a family table rather than a large party.It doesn’t need gelatin either. Give it enough time in the fridge and it will slice much better.
Mango panna cotta works well when you only need a few portions or want dessert served in glasses. The creamy layer sets in the fridge, then the mango sauce goes on top.I keep the mango sauce separate and spoon it on at the table. It looks fresher that way, and you don’t have to worry about the top getting messy in the fridge.
Mango tiramisu is the one if you want a chilled dessert that still cuts into slices. You layer ladyfingers, mascarpone mixture and mango sauce in a loaf tin, then chill it until ready to serve.It takes a bit more assembling than panna cotta, but it feeds more people and still keeps the oven off. Dust the top with cocoa before slicing.
These small dessert cups have Oreo crumbs, raspberry cream, Nutella cream and fresh raspberries. They’re ready quickly, but they taste better after an hour or two in the fridge.They’re easier to serve than a whole cake, especially for brunch or a casual family meal. Use firm fresh raspberries so the cream stays thick.
These lemon cupcakes are soft, fresh and quick to share.Lemon juice goes into the batter, and you also spoon some over the warm cupcakes after baking, which gives them a brighter flavor.The mascarpone frosting makes them a little more special without turning them into a decorating project. They can go in a box for Mom or onto the brunch tray.
This lemon tart has a simple press-in crust and a citrus filling. It takes longer than the no-bake desserts, but the ingredients are basic and there’s no rolling needed.Serve it plain with powdered sugar, or add whipped cream, sour cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side.
This cake has sponge layers, homemade blueberry filling and whipped cream. Make it when you want something lighter than a rich cheesecake but still want a proper cake to slice.The sponge, filling and cream can be prepared in stages, then assembled the day you serve it.
Strawberry coconut tart is a quieter dessert, better for afternoon coffee than a big sit-down dessert. You press the dough into the pan, add strawberry jam, then finish it with the coconut topping.It’s sweet, buttery and a bit old-fashioned, which I mean as a compliment. Cut it into smaller squares if you’re serving it with coffee.
This is the dessert to make when you want something that looks special but doesn’t sit heavy after a big meal. You fill the chocolate meringue layers with raspberry cream and fresh berries.Bake the meringue bases ahead so they have time to cool. Add the cream and berries just before you serve so the pavlova keeps its crisp edges.
You stuff these dates with peanut butter, dip them in chocolate, then finish them with toppings like lavender, nuts, coconut or sea salt. They’re chewy, sweet and a little salty.They make more sense as a homemade gift than as the main dessert. I usually do a double batch: one box for Mom, and the rest somehow disappear before I finish wrapping.
Chocolate covered raspberries are quick when you want something small and pretty. You only need fresh raspberries, chocolate and optional sprinkles.Dry the berries well before dipping so the chocolate sticks better. Fully dipped raspberries look more like candy, while half-dipped ones stretch the chocolate further.
You only need three ingredients: desiccated coconut,sweetened condensed milk and almonds or hazelnuts. They’re no-bake, quick to roll and simple to pack into a small box.Keep them chilled until serving or gifting. They soften at room temperature, so they’re best stored in the fridge.
Mother’s Day dessert questions
What is an easy dessert to make for Mother’s Day?
No-bake cheesecakes, lemon posset, mango panna cotta and small dessert cups are the simplest options here. They don’t need oven time and most of the work is mixing, layering or chilling.
What Mother’s Day desserts can I make ahead?
The no-bake cheesecakes, lemon posset, lemon curd dessert cups, mango panna cotta, mango tiramisu and raspberry Oreo cups can all be made ahead and kept chilled. Pavlova bases can also be baked ahead, but add the cream and berries closer to serving.
What can I make as a small homemade Mother’s Day gift?
Chocolate covered dates, chocolate covered raspberries and Raffaello coconut balls are the best giftable treats on this list. They’re easier to box than a cake and can be made in small batches.
More Mother’s Day recipes
Dessert can be the only thing you make from scratch, especially if breakfast or brunch is already planned. Choose one chilled dessert, one cake or a few small sweets, then keep the rest of the day simple.
So many great ideas here, anything chocolatey is a winner for me!
You can’t go wrong with chocolate desserts, right? :)
This is such a great collection of recipes! Everything looks so delicious I don’t know where to start ♥
:) Just go one by one :)
So many lovely recipes here! I can’t wait to try the rafaellos and the oreo dessert.
Let me know how you liked them!
All these desserts look amazing. I’ll take them anytime of year :)
Thanks, Darlene!
Yummy! My mom would love all of these dessert recipes! I think I’ll make one of them with fresh berries as they’re just coming into season!!
Yay! :)