These 21 Easy Desserts Were Always on the Table When Company Came Over

Growing up, it felt like the dessert table was a love language all its own—warm cobblers, frosted cakes, and gooey bars that magically appeared when guests walked through the door. These desserts were always on the table when company came over, like some unspoken rule of hospitality. They weren’t just sweet treats—they were little traditions passed from one gathering to the next. Honestly, just thinking about them brings back the hum of conversation and the clink of forks on vintage plates.

Cobblers

A casserole dish of blackberry cobbler with a serving spoon. — Cast Iron Skillet Blackberry Cobbler. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Blackberry Skillet Cobbler combines juicy blackberries with a soft and springy golden brown cake on top.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Blackberry Cobbler

Coconut Pie

A slice of coconut custard pie being removed form a pie plate. — Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy coconut custard pie made with coconut milk, egg yolks, and a golden crust. Baked and topped with toasted coconut for a perfect finish.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Custard Pie: A Southern Classic

Carrot Cake

This Carrot Cake Sheet Cake is packed with fresh carrots, cinnamon, and pecans, then topped with rich cream cheese frosting.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Sheet Cake With A Buttermilk Twist

Icebox Desserts

Strawberry Icebox Pie With A Crisp Pretzel Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Strawberry Icebox Pie made with real strawberries, lemon juice, gelatin, and a pretzel crust for a nostalgic spring or summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Pie With A Crisp Pretzel Crust

Bundt Cakes

lemon blueberry bundt cake top view. — Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This is a simple from-scratch recipe for blueberry bundt cake. With blueberries in every bite and a cream cheese frosting, what’s not to love!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Possum Pie

Layered Possum Pie with toasted pecans, tangy cream cheese, rich chocolate custard, and whipped cream is a must-try dessert!
Get the Recipe: Southern Possum Pie With A Pecan Crust

Butter Cake

Rich and delicious, St. Louis Butter Cake is a classic dessert packed with buttery flavor and a gooey filling.
Get the Recipe: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Peach Pie

This Crumble Peach Pie has a buttery crust, juicy peach filling, and a sweet crumb topping that is begging for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Peach Pie With Crumble Topping

Brownie Pies

A slice of chocolate brownie pie topped with ice cream and syrup. — Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts

This rich and decadent Brownie Pie has a soft, moist, and chewy brownie filling—with the unexpected touch of toasted pecans!
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Pie

Fruit Pies

A lattice topped blackberry pie. — Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Enjoy a delicious Blackberry Pie with a buttery crust and a sweet-tart filling. Perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie is a fun twist on a beloved classic, made with a flaky pie crust, a chocolate ganache base, and a toasty pecan filling.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Pecan Pie

Rice Pudding

This comforting and creamy rice pudding is more like a rich vanilla custard that’s topped with next level bourbon-soaked raisins.
Get the Recipe: Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

Peach Cobbler

This easy peach cobbler with premade pie crust recipe only takes about 15 minutes to prepare using fresh, canned, or frozen peaches.
Get the Recipe: Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe With Premade Pie Crust

Bread Pudding

Baked to perfection, this Peach Bread Pudding combines soft, moist bread cubes with juicy peaches for a magical spin on a classic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding

Angel Food Cake

Light and fluffy Angel Food Cake made with egg whites, vanilla, and powdered sugar. A simple, airy dessert that’s like a slice of heaven.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

Banana Pudding

Featuring layers of bananas, creamy vanilla pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafer cookies, this Banana Pudding is an instant classic.
Get the Recipe: The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

Cookies

This Hot Pot Chocolate Cookies Recipe is also known as the chewiest chocolate cookies made in a pot on the stove!! The easiest recipe ever!!
Get the Recipe: Hot Pot Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie with condensed milk, orange zest, and cinnamon makes for a creamy, flavorful dessert. Perfect for holidays or any time of year.
Get the Recipe: A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk

Cola Cake

This chocolate Coca-Cola cake is made with the iconic soda, mini marshmallows, and unsweetened cocoa powder for extra rich chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallow

Hummingbird Cakes

A hummingbird sheet cake cut into squares. — Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Hummingbird Sheet Cake combines ripe bananas, pineapple, and cinnamon with a rich cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese

Lemon Treats

Two slices of lemon pie on plates next to a pie dish. — Classic Lemon Icebox Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This tangy, creamy Lemon Icebox Pie is a Southern staple that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. A true throwback to summer icebox cakes of the past.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Icebox Pie