When my daughter asked me What Are the 9 Common Desserts? she could learn to make as a beginner baker, I was immediately transported back to my grandmother’s kitchen in Kentucky. There I stood on a worn wooden stool, learning the simplest sweet recipes that would become the foundation of my lifelong love of baking. For busy parents wondering what are the 9 common desserts worth teaching children or mastering themselves, I’ve compiled this guide to the most approachable sweet treats.
What Are the 9 Common Desserts? that even complete beginners can create with minimal effort and basic ingredients? These timeless classics form the perfect starting point for anyone new to baking or cooking, creating delicious results without specialized equipment or techniques.
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What Are the 9 Common Desserts? Everyone Should Know How to Make?

What are the 9 common desserts that serve as the building blocks for beginner bakers? These foundational recipes use ingredients most families already have in their pantries and teach fundamental techniques that transfer to more complex desserts later. When exploring what are the 9 common desserts for beginners, focus on these approachable options:
- What are the 9 common desserts with pantry ingredients? Most require simple staples like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter
- What are the 9 common desserts with versatile techniques? Each teaches essential baking skills like mixing, folding, and basic timing
- What are the 9 common desserts for busy families? All can be prepared in under 30 minutes of active time
- What are the 9 common desserts for customization? These recipes serve as perfect bases for adding personal touches and flavors
If you’ve enjoyed our Cozy Breakfast Recipes: Effortless Morning Meals, you’ll find that many of these basic desserts work beautifully within our Sweet & Savory Treats: Special Breakfast Indulgences collection for weekend morning treats. And for those interested in expanding to international flavors, check out our guides to What Are The Most Popular Desserts In Asia? and Asian Desserts: 13 Sweet Recipes Across the Continent.
1. What Are the 9 Common Desserts? Start with Chocolate Chip Cookies
When asking What Are the 9 Common Desserts? every beginner should master, chocolate chip cookies come first on my list. These universally beloved treats were the first recipe my grandmother taught me, emphasizing how the perfect balance of crisp edges and chewy centers comes from proper mixing technique.
My children call our family recipe “happiness cookies” because the aroma that fills our home while they bake seems to instantly brighten everyone’s mood. What makes cookies a staple among what are the 9 common desserts is their forgiving nature – even imperfect cookies taste delicious!
2.Classic Brownies
Among What Are the 9 Common Desserts? that never disappoint, brownies reign supreme for their rich chocolatey goodness and simple preparation. When my son had a last-minute school bake sale, these saved us with their quick mix-and-bake approach that still delivered bakery-quality results.
What makes brownies essential among what are the 9 common desserts is their versatility – they can be cakey or fudgy, plain or embellished with mix-ins, making them perfect for beginners to experiment with variations without risking the basic recipe.
3.Simple Vanilla Pudding
When exploring What Are the 9 Common Desserts? that teach fundamental techniques, homemade pudding offers lessons in gentle heating and stirring to create the perfect silky texture. My grandmother called pudding “patience in a bowl,” teaching me that some of life’s best pleasures require taking your time.
What makes pudding valuable among what are the 9 common desserts is how it teaches beginners the importance of temperature control and constant attention – skills that transfer to many other cooking projects.
4.Fruit Cobbler
Among what are the 9 common desserts that showcase seasonal ingredients, fruit cobbler offers a rustic charm perfect for beginners. The first time I made peach cobbler with my daughter using fruit from our local farmers’ market, she was amazed at how just a few simple ingredients transformed into something so delicious.
What makes cobbler essential among what are the 9 common desserts is its forgiving nature – exact measurements matter less than with most baked goods, making it perfect for beginners still developing their baking confidence.
5. Basic Yellow Cake
When asking What Are the 9 Common Desserts? that form the foundation of celebration baking, a simple yellow cake tops the list. My mother taught me that mastering a basic cake recipe was like having a blank canvas – once you understand the technique, the variations are endless.
What makes yellow cake important among what are the 9 common desserts is how it teaches proper measuring and mixing methods – the difference between a light, fluffy cake and a dense one often comes down to these fundamental skills.
6. Rice Pudding
Among What Are the 9 Common Desserts? with comforting qualities, rice pudding offers warming satisfaction with minimal ingredients. My grandmother’s rice pudding recipe has sustained our family through countless winter evenings and sick days, providing both nourishment and comfort.
What makes rice pudding valuable among what are the 9 common desserts is its practical use of leftover rice – teaching beginners the importance of reducing food waste while creating something delicious.
7. Apple Crisp
When exploring What Are the 9 Common Desserts? perfect for fall, apple crisp showcases seasonal fruit with a fraction of the work of a traditional pie. The first time I made apple crisp with my children, they were delighted by the contrast between the soft, spiced apples and crunchy oat topping.
What makes apple crisp essential among what are the 9 common desserts is how it introduces the concept of texture contrasts – teaching beginners how different components create a more interesting eating experience.
8.Chocolate Mousse
Among What Are the 9 Common Desserts? that feel fancy but remain approachable, chocolate mousse offers impressive results with surprisingly few ingredients. When my husband and I couldn’t afford an anniversary dinner out, I made chocolate mousse that rivaled any restaurant dessert despite my limited skills at the time.
What makes mousse valuable among what are the 9 common desserts is how it teaches the technique of folding – a gentle incorporation method that creates the signature light texture.
9. What Are the 9 Common Desserts? Ice Cream Sundaes
When asking What Are the 9 Common Desserts? that require minimal cooking, ice cream sundaes provide endless creativity with store-bought ice cream as the base. My family’s Sunday night sundae tradition has become a cherished ritual where everyone expresses their personality through their unique combination of toppings.
What makes sundaes essential among what are the 9 common desserts is how they teach flavor pairing and presentation – even the simplest dessert can become special through thoughtful assembly and garnishing.
Common Questions About Basic Desserts for Beginners
Q: What are the 9 common desserts I can make without special equipment?
When exploring What Are the 9 Common Desserts? for beginners, equipment concerns often arise. Fortunately, all nine desserts on this list require only basic kitchen tools most homes already have – mixing bowls, measuring cups, a whisk, and a wooden spoon will get you through most recipes. For baked items, a simple 8×8 or 9×13 pan works for multiple recipes. If you enjoyed our What does adding sour cream to a box cake mix do? article, you’ll find these basic desserts equally approachable.
Q: What are the 9 common desserts that are most foolproof?
When asking what are the 9 common desserts least likely to fail, I recommend starting with chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and fruit cobbler. These three are particularly forgiving of minor measurement errors or timing issues. My seven-year-old son successfully made our family brownie recipe with minimal assistance, proving their beginner-friendly nature. For more inspiration, see our Ultimate Banana Bread Recipe, another foolproof option.
Q: What are the 9 common desserts that take the least time?
For busy families wondering What Are the 9 Common Desserts? with minimal time investment, ice cream sundaes, no-bake chocolate mousse, and stovetop pudding offer the quickest paths to satisfaction. When my children have last-minute school events, these become our go-to options. The mousse needs chilling time but requires less than 15 minutes of active preparation.
Understanding what are the 9 common desserts for beginners opens a world of sweet possibilities without overwhelming new bakers. Start with these foundational recipes, then explore variations as your confidence grows. Remember my grandmother’s wisdom: “Mastering simple desserts gives you the skills for fancy ones, but sometimes the simple ones taste the sweetest.”
With warmth, Sophia

Easy Fudgy Brownies for Beginners
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperatur
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in 30-second intervals until completely melted
- Add sugar to the melted butter and whisk until well combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Don't overmix.
- If using, fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment paper and cutting into squares.