Whenever we have a family potluck, I always volunteer to make dessert. It first stemmed from me being tired of the same old store-bought pie or cake every time, but now I've grown to actually love baking! I'm lucky that my friends and family aren't picky at all, so whatever I choose to make will always go over well.
The issue, though, is that choosing a recipe becomes a bit of a chore. I never know which recipes to trust, and I don't want to take a risk on making something when it's for a group of people. What if it doesn't turn out and then I'm stuck using that store-bought pie I just knocked?
Luckily Paula Deen is here to save the day. You're basically guaranteed a winner when you make one of her recipes, even her savory dishes like casseroles.
These are some of the best Paula Deen dessert recipes to bring to your next family gathering...or to make on a Wednesday night when you have a craving for sweets. We won't tell anyone, promise.
1. S'mores Cake
This will leave your guests asking for "some more s'mores!" A chocolate cake, marshmallow frosting, and graham cracker crumbs? It's a slam-dunk. Who says s'mores can only be made over the fire?
2. Lemon Bars
Who doesn't love a good lemon bar? Paula's recipe is simple, yet delicious. I never really liked lemon bars growing up because to me, chocolate was the ultimate dessert. Now I'll choose lemon bars over everything else, especially at a summer BBQ.
3. Georgia Cookie Candy
Think of this as a crossover between a peanut putter cup and a s'more! Chocolate, peanut butter, and graham crackers all team up together to make a delectable candy that everyone will be fighting over! My Nanny used to make something very similar to this but I could never figure out the recipe after she passed. This was so similar I almost started to tear up.
4. Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
This just sounds like a Paula recipe, does it not? It's a perfect recipe you can throw together on short notice and it's just as tasty as if you spent hours baking! Cream cheese, powdered sugar, yellow cake mix and oh ya, BUTTER!
5. Apple Pie
Paula uses green apples to make this pie extra tart and extra delicious. I always struggle with balancing the spices in an apple pie, but this recipe is as close to perfection as you'll ever come!
Now for some less traditional recipes that still taste like home.
6. Butterfinger Cake
Hmm...candy or cake, candy or cake? Easy! Have both! This cake uses a lot of pre-prepared ingredients, which means it's easy to throw together in a hurry! It's a combination of Butterfinger bars, cake, and ice cream, all put together to make an epic dessert.
7. Brown Sugar Cookies
Maybe it's just me, but I had never heard of brown sugar cookies until a few years ago! Sure, I knew about the classic sugar cookie, but using brown sugar had never crossed my mind. Luckily Paula Deen set me straight, and now I have a perfect recipe for every bake sale!
8. Mississippi Mud Cake
My favorite cake to make is the one that doesn't involve a lot of work, and this definitely falls into that category! A chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and decorated with marshmallows is about as easy as it gets! It also serves a big crowd!
9. Blue Velvet Cake
We've all heard of red velvet cake, but blue velvet cake is totally new! Red velvet cake is usually a chocolate cake with red food coloring and cream cheese frosting. But this cake is chocolate with coconut frosting. It's perfect as a "surprise inside" cake or even for a gender reveal party!
10. Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Dessert
Cherry Garcia has always been my Nana's favorite flavor of ice cream. Personally I find it too sweet, but then I tried this dessert from Paula and my mind was totally changed! Perfect for a huge crowd on a summer's day, this is guaranteed to please the masses.