Our 11 Most Popular Desserts of 2024 (Including Everyone’s Favorite Cake!)

Collette Reitz
Collette ReitzSpecial Projects Editor
Working across AT Media brands, I see through the completion of large-scale editorial projects from their inception. I've worked as an editor in digital media for nearly seven years, covering food and trending news at Elite Daily before coming to ATM. I love using em dashes and running along the Chicago lakefront.
published Dec 30, 2024
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A bee sting cake on a cake stand with a slice taken out showing a thick layer of pastry cream filling and a sliced almond topping.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot

Deciding what you want to make for dessert is a fun problem to have because it means you get to eat something sweet soon. But knowing how and where to start looking can feel daunting. That’s when you turn to our new classics: The Kitchn’s 11 most popular desserts of 2024. They’ll show up in your regular rotation soon enough (if they’re not already!).

From the most popular cake of the year, which happens to be a famed German dessert, to a Ding Dong in cake form, this list will have you ready for any birthday party, potluck, or special occasion. You can also go the no-bake route with a deliciously tart and sweet lime icebox cake or chocolate-peanut butter dream bars made with Oreo cookies. No matter your skill level or sweet preferences, we’ve got tested, top-rated recipes for everyone. 

Check out the full lineup of dessert recipes that took the top spots this year.

1 / 11
Bee Sting Cake

Our most popular dessert of the year! The cake, filling, and almond topping give you a balanced sweetness, and it's rustic charm will elevate any sweets table.

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2 / 11
Ding Dong Cake

This dessert won't fit in your lunch box — well, maybe a slice will — but the chocolate cake, fluffy marshmallow-esque filling, and fudgy ganache will remind you of your school lunch days (in the best way).

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3 / 11
Bee Sting Delight

Get the flavor of our most popular cake in a simple, delicious no-bake dessert: a graham cracker crust topped with smooth honey-vanilla layers and toasted almonds.

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4 / 11
Pound Cake

This classic recipe achieves exactly what you want in a pound cake. It has a tender, dense texture with a buttery, vanilla flavor.

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5 / 11
Thanksgiving Cobbler

You can make this pumpkin pecan cobbler any time of year when you want a cozy dessert.

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6 / 11
Banana Cake

While the flavor will remind you of banana bread, this banana cake's pillowy soft texture and luscious cream cheese frosting firmly certify it as a cake.

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7 / 11
Key Lime Icebox Cake

With six layers of graham crackers and creamy key lime curd topped with whipped cream, no one will believe it only took you 30 minutes to make this sweet treat.

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8 / 11
Impossibly Creamy Lemon Mousse

If you only have 20 minutes but still want a citrusy dessert, then this no-bake lemon mousse is ready and waiting for you.

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9 / 11
No-Bake Cherry Delight

You might just get rid of your oven altogether when you realize you don't need it for this creamy no-bake dessert with the prettiest glossy red topping.

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10 / 11
No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Dream Bars

Chocolate and peanut butter is the ultimate flavor combo, and they come together deliciously in these velvety-smooth bars made with an Oreo crust.

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11 / 11
Sour Cream Cookie Bars

When you can't decide between a cake or cookies, make this tangy sugar cookie bar finished with colorful frosting and sprinkles for a little fun in every bite.

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Cake
Dessert