Ready to ditch dinner? These 19 dessert recipes are worth it

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Ditching dinner has never seemed like such a brilliant idea, and it’s all thanks to this spread of epic desserts. With choices that bring the comfort of your favorites and a few surprise twists, there’s no way you’ll be missing those dinner rolls anytime soon. Swap out the main event for something sweet, and let dessert take the spotlight without a second guess.

A slice of cherry cheesecake on a plate.
Cherry Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

A close-up image of layered lemon raspberry cake slices topped with fresh raspberries and lemon zest.
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dessert as dinner? It’s a no-brainer when Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars are on the menu. They strike that perfect balance between sweet and tart, leaving you feeling like you just bit into a slice of summer. It’s the kind of treat that has you wondering why you ever bothered with a main course. You won’t even miss the dinner you skipped.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Apple Pie

A slice of apple pie on a plate with a scoop of ice cream.
Apple Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

It’s hard to stick to dinner plans when you know Apple Pie is waiting. The warm, spiced filling and flaky crust offer a comforting bite that feels like a little piece of nostalgia. You’ll find yourself reaching for another slice before you realize you didn’t even touch your main meal. Honestly, no one’s regretting pie for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Fruit Pizza

A close-up of a vibrant fruit tart topped with slices of kiwi, strawberries, mango, grapes, and blueberries arranged in a decorative pattern.
Fruit Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When your dessert looks like a work of art, why waste time on dinner? Fruit Pizza combines the sweetness of fresh fruit with a crisp, delicious base that’s almost too pretty to eat. One bite and you’ll be sold on making this your new favorite dinner replacement. It’s a dessert that makes you happy you skipped the entrée.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza

Lemon Pie

A slice of lemon pie sits on a plate next to a pie with a slice removed.
Lemon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ditch the main meal when you’ve got Lemon Pie calling your name. It’s a burst of bright, citrusy flavor that wakes up your palates and makes you question your dinner choices. This pie brings a sweet-tart delight that’s impossible to resist. Who needs a full dinner when this is on the table?
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pie

Easy Banana Pudding

Banana pudding in a bowl with whipped cream and bananas.
Easy Banana Pudding. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dinner who? Once you get a spoonful of Easy Banana Pudding, your main meal is a distant memory. It’s creamy, smooth, and has that nostalgic vibe that just feels like a hug in a bowl. You’ll be scraping the bottom and wishing you had skipped dinner sooner. There’s a reason this one’s a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Banana Pudding

Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake

Two slices of pumpkin s'mores pie on a white plate, topped with chocolate chips, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows.
Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Good luck focusing on dinner when you know Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake is coming up next. It’s the ultimate mix of chocolate, marshmallow, and a hint of pumpkin spice that makes you feel like you’re by the campfire. One bite and your thoughts of the main course disappear completely. This dessert is the one that has everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Gooey Pumpkin S’mores Cookie Cake

Sweet Potato Pie

A slice of sweet potato pie with a swirl of cream on it.
Sweet Potato Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s no question about it: Sweet Potato Pie deserves all the attention. It’s smooth, cozy, and brings a flavor that’s like a warm embrace after a long day. By the time you’re halfway through your slice, dinner feels like a total afterthought. Dessert really does steal the show here.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Biscoff Cheesecake

A homemade Biscoff cheesecake is delicately placed on a plate, accompanied by a knife and fork.
Biscoff Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Thinking of skipping dinner? Biscoff Cheesecake makes it an easy choice. It’s creamy, rich, and has that perfect hint of spice that makes each bite unforgettable. You’ll find yourself enjoying every forkful and wondering why you don’t just have dessert for every meal. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Get the Recipe: Biscoff Cheesecake

Lemon Cookies

A stack of lemon cookies on a cooling rack.
Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

If dinner feels like a chore, Lemon Cookies are the perfect excuse to skip it. They’re crisp yet soft, with a sweet zing that’s the perfect pick-me-up at any time of the day. You might try just one, but before you know it, you’re reaching for another. Dinner plans? Long forgotten at this point.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cookies

Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake

Close-up of five bright orange physalis fruits placed on a chocolate pumpkin patch brownie surface, garnished with fresh green mint leaves.
Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Why bother with dinner when you’ve got Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake to look forward to? It’s a rich, chocolatey dream with a subtle hint of pumpkin that gives it that perfect seasonal twist. By the time you’ve taken a few bites, your dinner plate will be collecting dust. This dessert leaves no room for regrets.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake

Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

A slice of Reese's pie sits on a cake slice, ready to be served.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who needs a full meal when Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie is sitting in the fridge? It’s that perfect blend of creamy peanut butter and chocolate that hits all the right notes. You’ll forget all about your entrée after just one bite. Dessert like this makes skipping dinner feel like the best decision of the night.
Get the Recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake with whipped cream swirls on a cakestand.
Red Velvet Cake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s no need to even think about dinner when Red Velvet Cake is an option. It’s got that smooth, velvety texture and a hint of cocoa that keeps you coming back for more. One slice in, and you’re hooked, questioning why you ever needed a main course. Dessert this good makes all other plans seem boring.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake

Easy Whoopie Pie

Chocolate whoopie pies with cream and powdered sugar.
Easy Whoopie Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Feeling full? Think again once you get a taste of Easy Whoopie Pie. It’s a sweet sandwich of creamy filling and soft cake that makes you rethink every calorie you wasted on dinner. You’ll be reaching for seconds because this treat is just that irresistible. Sometimes dessert is all you need.
Get the Recipe: Easy Whoopie Pie

Fried Banana

A close up of a plate of fried bananas with sauce.
Fried Banana. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

You thought you had room only for a small bite, but Fried Banana changes everything. It’s crispy, sweet, and has that melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes you want more. Before you know it, you’ve polished off the whole thing, and dinner feels like a distant memory. It’s a sweet escape you’ll happily take any day.
Get the Recipe: Fried Banana

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

A slice of pecan pie being served on a cake slice.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

One taste of Pecan Pie Cheesecake, and dinner becomes an afterthought. It’s the perfect mash-up of creamy cheesecake and that classic pie flavor, giving you the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy each bite and wonder why you didn’t just start with this dessert. It’s the showstopper that outshines everything else on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls in a pan with icing.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Once you smell Homemade Cinnamon Rolls baking, there’s no point in finishing your dinner. They’re warm, gooey, and covered in sweetness that makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a blanket. By the time you’re halfway through your first roll, any memory of dinner has faded away. This is the comfort food you needed all along.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Close-up of a dish of bread pudding with walnuts drizzled with caramel sauce in a white baking dish.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dessert-first nights are a real thing when Pumpkin Bread Pudding is involved. It’s warm, comforting, and has a flavor that feels like autumn in every spoonful. You’ll find yourself enjoying bite after bite, completely forgetting whatever dinner you had planned. This dessert is what fall dreams are made of.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Sweet Butternut Squash Dessert Pasta

A plate of baked pasta with a crispy, browned topping and dollops of white sauce.
Sweet Butternut Squash Dessert Pasta. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Main courses can wait when you’ve got Sweet Butternut Squash Dessert Pasta on your plate. It’s a surprising twist that’s both sweet and rewarding, making you want more with every forkful. By the end, you’re left wondering why you didn’t just start with this all along. Sometimes, dessert really is the main event.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Butternut Squash Dessert Pasta

Cherry Cheesecake

A slice of cherry cheesecake on a plate.
Cherry Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

End your meal on a high note with a slice of Cherry Cheesecake. It’s creamy, rich, and topped with a sweet cherry layer that brings everything together perfectly. You’ll find yourself enjoying each bite and forgetting all about whatever main dish you skipped. This cheesecake makes dessert feel like the highlight of the night.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cheesecake

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