96 Dessert Bars That'll Win Every Potluck, Bake Sale, & Holiday Party
Brownies, cheesecake bars, blondies, and more!
Though we love ALL desserts here at Delish, there’s one category that we’ll always return to, no matter the occasion or season. And no, we’re not talking about layer cakes or pies, though those are practically synonymous with birthdays and holidays. Instead, we’re reaching for recipes for brownies, cheesecake bars, blondies, and more grab-and-go treats that are easy on us to make and to share, but still wildly delicious and special. Because we reach for them so often, we thought we’d collect them all here in one place, so we’ve always got them at the ready. No matter what you need a dessert for, you’ll find just the thing on this list.
And did we mention how much easier these are to make than most other desserts? We’ve got the classics here—like lemon bars, magic cookie bars, oatmeal fudge bars, and innumerable versions of blondies and brownies—but where bars really shine is when they’re imitating other, more complicated desserts. Our pecan pie cheesecake bars, our birthday cake blondies, our chocolate chip cookie bars, our sweet potato crème brûlée bars, and our cookie dough cheesecake bars bring the flavors you love, but with way less ingredients and effort. So, you could get out the trifle dish, pie pan, or springform pan, but when you want to impress without making a huge mess or spending too much time in the kitchen, reach for your 9x9 pan instead.
Die-hard brownie or blondie fan? We have SO MANY recipes here for you. Some top faves: our pistachio brownies, our red velvet cheesecake brownies, our copycat cosmic brownies, or our French silk brownies if we’re feeling chocolate, or our brown sugar pop-tart blondies, our snickerdoodle blondies, or our honey & peanut butter blondies if we’re not. We’ve really turned almost every flavor we could think of into one or the other, but if there’s something you’re looking for, let us know in the comments below and we’ll see what we can do.
Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars
These bars have a creamy cheesecake filling, with a chocolate chip cookie base and topping. The entire thing is topped with a simple chocolate drizzle, making for an extra-rich yet easy dessert that is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
We’re no strangers to red velvet desserts, cheesecakes, or brownies, so this marriage felt like a no-brainer. The fudginess of the red velvet and the tang of the cheesecake make a beautiful partnership, while the brownie is the perfect base to hold it all together.
Gingerbread Millionaire's Shortbread Bars
If you love soft gingerbread cookies or millionaire's shortbread, then you’ve got to try this incredible mashup. Layers of chocolate and ginger caramel top tender spiced shortbread for a festive twist on this classic British bar.
Magic Cheesecake Bars
Classic magic bars, sometimes called “7-layer bars,” consist of graham crackers, condensed milk, gooey chocolate, butterscotch chips, coconut, AND nuts. We took these one step further, and added a decadent cheesecake layer that makes these extra special, perfect for sharing some holiday magic with this holiday season.
Get the Magic Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Lemon Bars
If you prefer your desserts almost more tart than sweet, then these lemon bars are the perfect spring dessert for you. An ideal make-ahead dessert, these bars will be the star of all your spring & summer bake sales. Pucker up, buttercup!
Get the Lemon Bars recipe.
Nutter Butter Cookie Bars
In this Oreo-obsessed world, Nutter Butters are often overlooked, but now these Nutter Butter bars are bringing them front and center. Loaded with chunky peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and crushed Nutter Butter cookies, these simple cookie bars will bring out the child in all of us.
Get the Nutter Butter Cookie Bars recipe.
Pistachio Brownies
The fudgy, chewy treats are packed with melted dark chocolate and cocoa powder, then studded with chopped roasted pistachios and topped with homemade pistachio ganache. A combination of brown butter and almond extract amp up the nuttiness of the pistachio, making these the perfect snack.
Get the Pistachio Brownies recipe.
Chocolate Caramel Coffee Pretzel Bars
Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée Bars
These are the best of two great desserts: For fans of classic cheesecake, there's a rich and creamy filling with a mix of sweet potato and some warm spices. For fans of decadent crème brûlée, a crackly sugar top is sure to seal the deal. These bars are for those who want to impress!
M&M Cookie Bars
These have all the comfort of a chocolate chip cookie, with the added crunch of M&M's and the heft of a bar shape, making for a delicious treat that’s impossible to put down. Try them with seasonal M&M's to switch them up for the holidays too.
Get the M&M Cookie Bars recipe.
Cookie Butter Caramel Cheesecake Bars
It’s a scientific fact that when you add cookie butter to something, that something becomes infinitely better. Not that cheesecake needs an upgrade, but we're definitely not opposed to the occasional zhuzhing, and these cheesecake bars are “zhuzh” in the most decadent way.
Cheesecake-Swirled Ghirardelli Brownies
These fabulous semi-homemade cheesecake-swirled brownies come together fast, and you can make them to share with a cheesecake or brownie-lover.
French Silk Brownies
Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a cozy night in, these French silk pie-inspired brownies are a versatile treat that will impress your friends and family. The silky chocolate layer gives an elegant touch, while the brownie base keeps things casual and fun.
Get the French Silk Brownies recipe.
Strawberry Brownies
Made from scratch with fresh strawberries and decorated with white chocolate-strawberry ganache, these beauties might sound complicated, but trust me—they’re simple!
Get the Strawberry Brownies recipe.
Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars
These bars perfectly balance creamy, rich cheesecake with the tartness of fresh cranberries and the nuttiness and warmth of a pecan streusel topping with none of the labor-intensity of traditional cheesecake.
Caramel Crunch Bars
Who can resist the allure of dark chocolate, caramel, and Rice Krispies? These caramel crunch bars are a world of irresistible layers where each bite is a symphony of sweet perfection!
Get the Caramel Crunch Bars recipe.
No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
These no-bake cheesecake bars get a stunning, swirly topping of blackberries that looks more like art than dessert. Bonus: The cheesecake itself is tart and fluffy with the creamiest texture.
Spiced Hot Chocolate Brownies
Mexican hot chocolate is very much unique. It’s rich in chocolate, not too sweet, and the added spices will surprise yet comfort you. Inspired by that classic drink, these brownies are reminiscent of those iconic flavors with a little something extra.
Get the Spiced Hot Chocolate Brownies recipe.
Rainbow Vanilla Cheesecake Bars
Don't be shy with that food coloring for these rainbow bars! The more vibrant the colors are in the batter, the more impressive the bars will turn out post-bake.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
If you're looking for an easy treat with a nostalgic taste, how about everyone’s all-time favorite cookie but in bar form? No rolling or scooping little balls, no multiple sheet pans, AND you can store them right in the pan you baked them in.
Get the Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe.
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