40 Desserts That Start with a Package of Cream Cheese

Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert

The desserts of my dreams have both chocolate and peanut butter. So when I came up with this chocolate peanut butter dessert, it quickly became my all-time favorite. It’s a cinch to whip together because it doesn’t require any baking. My family loves this chocolate peanut butter cup lasagna! —Debbie Price, LaRue, Ohio

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Strawberry Cheesecake

The creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas

Turtle Skillet

This caramel-chocolate dip with buttery biscuit dippers is delicious! You can use refrigerated croissants instead of biscuits for a flakier texture. —Betsy Tankersley, Flat Rock, North Carolina

Cream Cheese Ice Cream

This cheesecake ice cream is hands-down the best homemade ice cream I've ever eaten.—Johnnie McLeod, Bastrop, Louisiana

Double Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake

Every slice of this creamy cheesecake is a standout. The classic pairing of chocolate and coffee is sure to please partygoers. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

Creamy Caramel Flan

A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida

Lemon Tiramisu

I created this lemon tiramisu to please everyone in my family. It’s a cross between cheesecake and tiramisu with a refreshing lemony flavor. Garnish with fresh berries if you have them on hand. —Monica Marolt, Willowick, Ohio

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake

I wanted to make something based on my friend’s love of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This cheesecake recipe has decadent layers of peanut butter and a thick swirl of preserves—it truly feels as if you’re biting into a sweeter, dessert version of your favorite childhood sandwich. —Melinda Buchman, Rock Hill, New York

Apple Kolaches

A fellow home cook shared this recipe for a sweet, fruit-filled pastry. My son, who isn’t a dessert fan, was disappointed when he came home to find his dad had polished off the last kolache in the batch. —Ann Johnson, Evansville, Indiana

Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight

This is a simple chocolate delight recipe for any occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho

Bananas & Cream Pound Cake

This banana pound cake got me a date with my future husband. At a church event, he loved it so much, he asked for another piece. The rest is history! —Courtney Farnon, Cartersville, Georgia

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

My mother’s cousin shared this strawberry cream cheese pound cake recipe more than 50 years ago. Our family has enjoyed it ever since, especially on a hot New Mexico day! It can be made the day before. —Vickie Britton, Hobbs, New Mexico

Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers

I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania

Easy Key Lime Pie

This refreshingly easy Key lime pie is a winner on all counts. It’s quick and easy enough to make for a weeknight dessert, but special enough to take to parties. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Layered Peanut Butter Brownies

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter makes these brownies a real crowd pleaser. They're so good that they won a ribbon at the fair. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee

Sweet Potato & Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake

I make a sweet potato souffle that I’ve always thought tastes like a dessert. I finally decided to use that idea for an actual dessert, and the result was a smooth, rich cheesecake.

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

My 3-year-old son loves these vanilla bean cupcakes! Vanilla bean flecks give the moist, tender cupcakes special-occasion status. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario

Strawberry Tart

This creamy strawberry tart boasts a crunchy chocolate layer tucked next to the crust. Try making individual tartlets instead of one big dessert. —Dawn Tringali, Hamilton Square, New Jersey

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

I make these banana bars with cream cheese frosting whenever I have ripe bananas on hand, then store them in the freezer to share later. With creamy frosting and big banana flavor, this treat is a real crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Knight, Marion, Iowa

Mini PB&J Cheesecakes

I got hooked on these mini peanut butter and jelly cheesecakes when a friend made them. She let me steal her recipe, and now I'm sharing this tasty treat with you!—Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Whenever I make this chocolate raspberry cake, I get rave reviews. It’s impressive, and the raspberry filling is wonderful. —Marlene Sanders, Paradise, Texas

Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Enjoy this holiday dessert without worrying about calories. Plus it is so luscious that no one will guess that it is light! —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin

Lemon-Rosemary Layer Cake

Tall and impressive, this unique lemon-rosemary layer cake is a treat for the senses with flecks of lemon zest and fresh rosemary. Just wait until you taste it! —Mary Fraser, Surprise, Arizona

Pecan Roll-Ups

This recipe is so delicious and is sure to become a favorite of your family. The pecans make them so rich.—Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin

Frosted Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

“Heavenly” is a good description for this luscious dessert, conveniently made a day ahead. When I don’t have a candy bar on hand, I melt ¾ cup of chocolate chips to use in the frosting. Whipped cream can be used in place of the whipped topping.—Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah

Pineapple Pudding Cake

My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It’s so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts

Red Velvet Jar Cake

I love to make these red velvet jar cakes for friends, family and teachers. Red velvet is my favorite during the holidays, but you can use any cake and frosting flavors you like. Then dress up the jars with homemade labels and ribbons for gifting. Don’t forget to tie a spoon to the jar; everyone likes to dig right in! —Lillie Collier, Mobile, Alabama

Gooey Butter Cake

A friend gave me a quick version of this gooey butter cake recipe using a cake mix, but I prefer baking from scratch, so I came up with my own. My family can’t get enough! The middle will sink a little; this is normal. This dessert is delicious served warm or cold. —Cheri Foster, Vail, Arizona

Easy Nutella Cheesecake

Creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread tops a crust made of crushed Oreo cookies to make this irresistible baked cheesecake.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sunny Citrus Cheesecake

This beautiful layered cheesecake takes a bit longer to make, but the end result is so worth it! Citrus seems to be the perfect ending for an Easter meal, and the bright flavors really shine in this dessert. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Berry Dream Cake

I use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee

Pumpkin Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a classic dessert that everyone enjoys. For a more fall flavor, try this version, which features a creamy pumpkin filling and sweet spices.—Holly Billings, Battlefield, Missouri

Apricot-Nut White Fudge

We look forward to this luscious apricot fudge recipe every Christmas. It's easy to make, and it melts in your mouth. I wrap up small squares of the candy with ribbon and silk holly.

Dirt Dessert

My mom used to serve this yummy dessert, and I just loved it. It's so fun to eat and a snap to make. Add some gummy worms on top for the kids if you'd like. —Kristi Linton, Bay City, Michigan

Butterscotch Delight

This creamy layered dessert is popular whenever I serve it. —Barbara Edgemon, Belleview, Florida

Makeover Traditional Cheesecake

Though softer than a full-fat cheesecake, this lightened-up dessert has all of the original’s delectable flavor. It’s sure to make any special event more festive. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Lingonberry-Cardamom Cake

Our family is Scandinavian, and we love using almonds, cardamom and lingonberries in desserts, as in this cardamom cake. If lingonberry jam is difficult to obtain, you can use pureed cranberry sauce with a little lemon juice to get a similar sweet-tart flavor. Whipped cream is a perfect topping for this Scandinavian-inspired dessert. —Barbara Kvale, Cologne, Minnesota

Gooey Butter Cookies

As a native of St. Louis, I wanted to make a cookie version of the famous gooey butter cake. And although many gooey butter cake recipes use a cake mix, my cookies are made from scratch.—Julia Nouss, Richmond, Virginia

Cookie Butter Pie

I tasted Biscoff cookie spread at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make this pie your own by substituting peanut butter or another kind of spread for the Biscoff spread and then matching toppings. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama

Lemon Cheesecake Tarts

To make these cute tarts more quickly, add the filling to store-bought phyllo tart shells. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon