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Our 20 Best Desserts of 2023
Your new favorite dessert might just be in this collection of recipes. From easy cheesecake bars to comforting banana breads, these are the highly-rated treats that got the most attention from EatingWell readers in 2023. You seriously don’t want to miss out on mouthwatering desserts like our High-Protein Lemon Blueberry Muffins and Fresh Apple Cake Recipe as you make your way into the new year.
Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
These lemon-blueberry cheesecake bars feature the rich, creamy flavor of cheesecake without the fuss. A thin layer of cheesecake flavored with lemon surrounds a mound of fresh blueberries bursting with sweet fruity flavor. You can use this easy recipe as a template, easily swapping out the blueberries for another berry or chopped fruit. Lime zest and juice can be used in place of lemon.
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Oatmeal Banana Bread
This oatmeal banana bread features old-fashioned oats, which provide texture. This banana bread is subtly sweet and well balanced, making it perfect for tea time, breakfast time and anything in between.
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High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Muffins
These lemon-blueberry muffins are so good, you'll think they came straight from a bakery. A sprinkle of sugar creates a nice crunch on the outside, while strained yogurt ensures the muffins stay moist on the inside. The yogurt also provides a boost of satisfying protein, making these muffins perfect for breakfast or snack time. If using frozen blueberries, there's no need to thaw them beforehand. They will add a purple hue to the batter, but it won't affect the delicious end result.
VIEW RECIPE This Fresh Apple Cake Is Perfect for Apple Season
Super-juicy apples flavor this mildly spicy fresh apple cake that pairs beautifully with a warm cup of tea. The glaze offers a sweet finish. If you like a thicker glaze, use less buttermilk to thin it. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and slightly tart, but you can use any combination of apples you like, keeping in mind the tarter the apple, the less sweet the cake will be.
VIEW RECIPE No-Bake Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Here we make a no-bake cheesecake with a simple pressed graham cracker crust and a cream cheese and strained yogurt filling that sets as it chills. Blueberries tossed in store-bought lemon curd add sweetness and tang. This easy cheesecake works well with any berry. If you're using strawberries, slice or quarter them and let them drain a bit before adding them to the cheesecake.
VIEW RECIPE Maple-Cinnamon Sweet Potato Bread
This comforting sweet potato bread is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or served with a dollop of maple ice cream or sweetened whipped cream for a light dessert. Be sure not to overcook the sweet potato in the microwave—a dry sweet potato will make the bread less moist.
VIEW RECIPE Mini Muffin-Tin Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecake
Cream cheese and lemon combine with raspberries and a splash of vanilla in these mini muffin-tin cheesecakes. This easy recipe is perfect for brunch or any time you need a cute dessert to feed a crowd.
VIEW RECIPE Classic Banana Bread
This versatile bread is the perfect on-the-go breakfast, gift for a host, or holiday gift. Top it with whatever you like, and even throw some additional ingredients like chocolate chips. It's the bread that everyone can get behind. Banana bread should form a crack down the center as it bakes--a sign the baking soda is doing its job. Serve toasted with a smear of cream cheese, Greek yogurt or peanut butter and top with mixed nuts, if desired.
VIEW RECIPE Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)
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This capirotada, or Mexican bread pudding, features layers of nuts, cheese, dried fruit and bread drizzled with cinnamon-infused sugar syrup.
VIEW RECIPE Banana-Blueberry Protein Muffins
These super-moist and tender muffins get a protein boost with the addition of cottage cheese and peanut butter. The banana, which adds natural sweetness, doesn't overpower the flavor of the blueberries. Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh. For a different twist, try raspberries or chopped apple.
VIEW RECIPE Banana Muffins
This banana muffin recipe pairs nutty whole-wheat flour with sweet, ripe banana and dark chocolate chips for an irresistibly moist and tender grab-and go-breakfast or snack.
VIEW RECIPE The Best No-Sugar-Added Apple Pie
This no-sugar-added apple pie gets its natural sweetness from antioxidant- and fiber-rich dates. Cider vinegar helps to enhance the flavor. We like Gala apples for their sweetness and crisp texture, but any sweet, firm apple will work well. If you like your apple pie on the tart side, add a Granny Smith to the mix. We use frozen pie crusts for the bottom and top of the pie. The dough should release easily from the tin for the top crust within about 10 minutes out of the freezer. If not, let it sit out a bit longer until it releases easily.
VIEW RECIPE Raspberry-Jam Bites
It doesn't get easier, or more delicious, than this simple, three-ingredient snack. Chia seeds and raspberries add fiber to these healthy frozen bites. Chocolate provides a touch of sweetness to balance the tartness of the berries.
VIEW RECIPE Easy Lemon-Blueberry Cookies
These lemon-blueberry cookies are sweet and tangy with a chewy center, thanks to the addition of cream of tartar that gives them a texture similar to a classic snickerdoodle. They spread as they bake, so be sure to give them a full 2 inches of space on the baking sheet.
VIEW RECIPE Cranberry-Lemon Cheesecake Bars
These festive cheesecake bars are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Cranberries add a pop of color and tang.
VIEW RECIPE Easiest Apple Tarts
These apple tarts look and taste like they came from the bakery but are so easy to whip up yourself. An ultra-flaky, buttery puff pastry crust frames tart-sweet Granny Smith apple slices, while the warm flavors from the fruit soak into the pastry. To prevent your apple tarts from becoming soggy, leave any juices from the apple slices behind in the mixing bowl.
VIEW RECIPE Peach Crisp
Sweet summer peaches star in this easy peach crisp. The crunchy topping adds nutty flavor and texture to juicy peach filling. When peaches are out of season, you can use frozen peaches instead. Be sure to let them thaw completely before using.
VIEW RECIPE Puff-Pastry Apple Turnovers with Brown Butter
The filling of these flaky apple turnovers is made with browned butter, giving it a nutty flavor. Granny Smith apples offer a nice balance of sweet and tart, plus they hold their shape when cooked for a pleasant texture. If you want your turnovers sweeter without increasing the sugar, swap them out for a sweeter apple like Gala or Honeycrisp.
VIEW RECIPE Banana Nut Bread
Walnuts add crunch and tangy sharpness in this healthy banana nut bread recipe. Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots, or even black bananas, as they will provide more sweetness. The banana nut bread is tender, with a caramelized crust.
VIEW RECIPE Sweet Potato Dump Cake
This lightly sweetened sweet potato dump cake with a crumble topping is similar to a sweet potato casserole but with a firm, cake-like texture. If you can't find a spice cake mix, you can use a vanilla cake mix and add cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.
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