15 Of Of Ina Garten’s Best-Selling Desserts
Ready to sweeten your day with the Barefoot Contessa’s greatest hits? These are the Ina Garten desserts fans order, bake, and rave about over and over again. You will find simple techniques, smart flavor boosts, and that signature comforting elegance. Grab a whisk, because you are about to crave every single bite.
1. Beatty’s Chocolate Cake
This is the chocolate cake people beg you to bring to every party. The batter mixes oil, buttermilk, and hot coffee for incredible moisture and a deep cocoa flavor that stays tender for days. A swoop of rich buttercream finishes it with bakery level drama.
You can bake it as layers or a single sheet for easy serving. The recipe is forgiving, so you do not need fancy tools to nail it. One bite and you will understand why it sells out at bake sales fast.
2. Brownie Pudding
If you love a brownie and a molten cake, this pudding is your dream dessert. The top bakes into a crackly crust while the center stays lush and fudgy like warm truffle. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts into rivers that make every spoonful unreal.
It looks fancy but stirs together in minutes with pantry ingredients. Bake it low and slow for that perfect gooey middle. Serve straight from the dish and watch it vanish before it cools.
3. Lemon Bars
Bright and buttery, these lemon bars strike the perfect sweet tart balance. The shortbread crust is sandy and tender, supporting a sunny curd that sets with a delicate wobble. A snowfall of confectioners’ sugar makes them photo ready and picnic perfect.
They slice cleanly and pack well, so they are ideal for bake sales and gifting. Use fresh lemons for the most fragrant zing. One pan disappears fast, so you might as well make two.
4. Coconut Cake
This towering coconut cake tastes like a tropical celebration. Tender white layers get brushed with syrup, then cloaked in tangy cream cheese frosting and a blizzard of shredded coconut. Every bite is plush, cool, and luxuriously sweet.
It is the ultimate centerpiece for showers and birthdays. Bake the layers ahead and assemble the day you serve for the freshest texture. Keep it chilled and slice thick for maximum delight.
5. French Apple Tart
Buttery pastry, thin apples, and apricot glaze create a bakery window showstopper. The apples fan into elegant rows that caramelize at the edges, turning sweet and slightly crisp. A quick brush of warm jam gives that glossy patisserie finish.
It is simpler than it looks thanks to store bought puff pastry. Serve warm with a dollop of creme fraiche for a chic touch. Your kitchen will smell like a Paris cafe the moment it hits the oven.
6. Perfect Cheesecake
Creamy, tall, and crack free, this cheesecake is a master class in texture. A buttery graham crust supports a silky filling that slices like a dream. Lemon zest and vanilla keep it bright rather than heavy.
Ina bakes it in a water bath for reliability every time. Chill it overnight so the flavors settle and the texture firms beautifully. Top with macerated berries for a crowd pleasing finish.
7. Peach Crisp
Juicy peaches bubble under a crunchy oat streusel that tastes like buttery cookies. The filling is lightly spiced, letting the fruit shine without turning it into pie. Serve it warm and the edges caramelize into the best bits.
This is a low stress dessert that loves a scoop of vanilla or a cloud of whipped cream. Frozen peaches work well when fresh are out of season. It is summer comfort in a spoon any time of year.
8. Strawberry Country Cake
Think strawberry shortcake but more elegant and generous. Two butter cakes sandwich billows of lightly sweetened cream and loads of fresh berries. The texture stays tender while the juices mingle with the crumb just enough.
It travels well and builds quickly, so it is perfect for parties. Add a splash of Grand Marnier to the berries for a grown up twist. Every slice tastes like sunshine on a plate.
9. Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake
This make ahead stunner layers crisp chocolate cookies with mocha whipped cream. Overnight, it transforms into a sliceable mousse cake with perfect stripes. The flavor is coffee shop meets dessert heaven.
No baking means zero stress for busy hosts. Play with shapes by building it round or in a loaf pan. Serve chilled with chocolate shavings for a dramatic finish.
10. Pumpkin Roulade with Ginger Buttercream
Light pumpkin sponge gets rolled around a silky ginger studded buttercream. The swirl looks fancy, yet the method is forgiving with Ina’s tips. Warm spices and tangy sweetness make each slice taste like fall.
Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve slightly chilled for clean cuts. You can bake the sheet ahead and fill before serving. It is a holiday showpiece that disappears fast.
11. Outrageous Brownies
These brownies are thick, glossy, and loaded with chocolate chunks. A hint of instant coffee deepens the cocoa without tasting like espresso. The shiny top gives way to fudgy centers that never dry out.
They feed a crowd from one sheet pan, making them perfect for parties and potlucks. Cut small squares because they are intensely rich. Serve slightly warm with ice cream if you dare.
12. Eton Mess
Crisp meringue shards, ripe berries, and billowy cream come together in minutes. The texture is a playful mix of crunchy, soft, and juicy. A drizzle of raspberry sauce ties it all with tart sweetness.
It is the ultimate low effort dessert that still feels special. Build individual glasses or heap it in one big bowl. You get maximum drama with minimum work.
13. Pear Clafouti
This rustic French dessert bakes ripe pears in a light, custardy batter. It puffs in the oven, then settles into a silky, softly sweet slice. A dusting of sugar adds a gentle crackle on top.
It is lovely warm or at room temperature, perfect with coffee or an after dinner sip. The blender batter could not be easier to whip up. Use firm pears so they keep definition as they bake.
14. Raspberry Crumble Bars
Sweet tart raspberries meet a buttery oat crust and crumble lid. The bars bake into neat slices that balance jammy fruit with a tender bite. A hint of orange zest lifts the berries without stealing the show.
They are perfect for lunchboxes, bake sales, and easy desserts. You can swap in other berries or preserves when raspberries are not in season. Expect empty plates and requests for the recipe.
15. Chocolate Ganache Torte
Silky ganache sets atop a crisp cookie crust for a sophisticated, no fuss showpiece. The texture is truffle like, intensely chocolatey, and perfectly smooth. A sprinkle of flaky salt makes the flavors pop.
Slice small wedges because it is richly satisfying. Serve with lightly whipped cream to balance the intensity. It is the dessert that convinces people you trained in Paris.
