20 Best Contest-Winning Desserts That Will Wow Everyone
Your sweet victory awaits!
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In the world of baked goods, there are tasty recipes and then there are top-notch, tried-and-true, never-fail recipes that could win (or have won!) a contest. During those extra special events like heading to a holiday cookie swap or showing up to a church potluck, you want those unforgettable sweets. Or maybe you just want to make sure you're using a recipe you know will wow a crowd. That's why you're here: to find and make the best contest-winning desserts!
A lot of these recipes are classics 'round these parts―family recipes that helped Ree Drummond start her blog and fill her first cookbooks like her famous cinnamon rolls that she makes for friends and family for Christmas. You'll also find the chocolate sheet cake that she "tweaked" from her mother-in-law (aka: accidentally added more butter) and plenty of other from-scratch cake recipes that will make a big impression.
Want to win everyone over at the bake sale and make a ton of dough (pun intended)? Try Ree's brown sugar oatmeal cookies or millionaire's shortbread. Hey, with a name like that, it's gotta be a winner, right? There are also plenty of pie recipes, pretty Bundt cakes, and a towering trifle recipe that will impress any judge (or guest about to gobble it down). So give this list of 20 contest-winning desserts a scroll and get ready to be a champion.
Chocolate Sheet Cake
When Ree first made her mother-in-law's cake for her husband Ladd, she accidentally doubled the butter in the icing. After he declared it the best he'd ever tasted, it quickly became a Drummond family favorite from then on!
Get Ree's Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe.
Apple Dumplings
Ree got this recipe from her mom's trusty recipe binder years ago and notes "It's basically the best dessert of all time." The secret is a can of Mountain Dew and a lot of butter, of course.
Get Ree's Apple Dumplings recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut butter lovers, this one is for you! You'll only need a little slice to get your fill, because it truly is that decadent. It is a potluck classic that will be gone in mere minutes, plus it's super easy to make.
Get Ree's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie recipe.
Ree's Favorite Sugar Cookies
Ree has a church potluck to thank for this beloved cookie recipe. They're the classic melt-in-your mouth kind that can be served plain or adorned with sprinkles or fancy sugar if you want to gussy them up.
Get Ree's Favorite Sugar Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Trifle
The great thing about trifles is they wow twice. First, it's hard to miss the towering layers of spice cake, whipped pumpkin and cream cheese filling, crunchy gingersnap cookies, and whipped cream. Second, it's hard to resist eating them, too!
Get the Pumpkin Trifle recipe.
Lemon Bars
No gathering is complete without classic lemon bars. Ree's version are perfectly tangy with a cookie-like crust and dusting of powdered sugar. Even if you don't think you like lemon, you'll love these!
Get Ree's Lemon Bars recipe.
Cinnamon Rolls
Ree's mom started the tradition of making these cinnamon rolls and gifting them to friends. Ree carried on the tradition, including smothering them in maple frosting, which is the secret to their over-the-top decadence.
Get Ree's Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
The Best Coffee Cake Ever
Another oldie-but-goodie that Ree "borrowed" from her mom's recipe book is this church basement classic. With a layer of brown sugary, nutty goodness on top, you'll have a hard time waiting for it to cool down before you dig in.
Get Ree's Best Coffee Cake Ever recipe.
Millionaire's Shortbread
If you like Twix, then get ready to feel super rich! These chewy dessert bars have layers of buttery shortbread, chewy caramel, and rich chocolate. The sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top ties it all together.
Get the Millionaire's Shortbread recipe.
Chocolate Pie
Ladd likes a lot of the desserts on this list, but his ultimate favorite is this easy-to-make chocolate pie. And guess what? He doesn't even top it with anything! But if you like whipped cream, sauce, or other toppings, Ree says go for it.
Get Ree's Chocolate Pie recipe.
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies
When Ree first used her new stand mixer, she said she made no less than seven batches of this dough. They're the "key to Ladd's happiness," thanks to their "dark and magical, chewy and dense" texture.
Get Ree's Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Sigrid's Carrot Cake
Ree's mom's recipe binder is the gift that keeps on giving. This Drummond family favorite is actually from her mom's dear friend Sigrid. It's moist, flavorful, and best of all, you can make it so many different ways: from a sheet cake to a stacked layer cake.
Dreamy Apple Pie
It's hard to turn down a piece of homemade apple pie to begin with, but wait until you try Ree's version. It contains "cream and all sorts of sugary, naughty goodness." Pair it with hard sauce or some ice cream, and you'll never look back!
Get Ree's Dreamy Apple Pie recipe.
Blackberry Cobbler
Ree originally got this recipe from her stepmother Patsy, and incredibly, it only has five ingredients: butter, sugar, self-rising flour, milk, and blackberries. You can easily swap out the fruit, depending on what you have available.
Get Ree's Blackberry Cobbler recipe.
Christmas Rum Cake
Ree's mother-in-law made this every year for Christmas. And well, it's so good (and easy to make!) that Ree carried on the tradition. 'Tis the season for an extra slice with more of that run glaze. 😉
Get Ree's Christmas Rum Cake recipe.
Ree's Favorite Christmas Cookies
This is officially Ree's "all-time favorite, nostalgic, comfort-food, fun-to-make, low-fuss, low-brow, high calorie, non-snobby, yummy Christmas cookie of all time." It's a simple decorated sugar cookie that will surely become a favorite of yours, too.
Get Ree's Favorite Christmas Cookies recipe.
Knock You Naked Brownies
These ultra-rich brownies have pecan and chocolate top and bottom layers with a thick layer of caramel in the middle. And while they might not actually knock you naked, you will incredibly impressed on how good they taste.
Get Ree's Knock You Naked Brownies recipe.
Perfect Pound Cake
Ree's daughter once referred to this old-fashioned recipe as "the best cake of my whole life," so "perfect" is really the best description. The secret is using a can of lemon-lime soda!
Get Ree's Perfect Pound Cake recipe.
Maple Oat Nut Scones
Ree's been using this same recipe since 1999! They duplicate an old favorite from Starbucks that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee any time of day. Chopped pecans add a lovely crunch on top.
Get Ree's Maple Oat Nut Scones recipe.
Granny's Million Dollar Cake
This layer cake was passed down through three generations of bakers. With a sweet pineapple filling and an irresistible cream cheese frosting atop an almond-scented cake, you'll have everyone saying it's right on the money.
Get the Million Dollar Cake recipe.
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