33 Best Dessert Bar Recipes

Deciding what to make or bake for a gathering can be a daunting task, but when you have some easy and quick dessert bar recipes on hand, your life will be just a little easier.

While it’s fun and satisfying to bake cookies, it still demands some work, which is why making dessert bars is more appealing. You get to do less work and still achieve optimal results.

These sweet bars only require a pan, some layers of sweetness, a sharp knife, and a little of your time to make a whole pan of delicious sweet dessert finger snacks.

The following list includes fruit-filled bars, lemon bars, shortbread bars, pumpkin bars, cheesecake bars, and even zucchini bars.

Sometimes a bar is not exactly what you’re looking for when planning a dessert for your party or get-together. For those occasions, these 35 Easy Fun Desserts to Impress Guests, have what you’re looking for!

You’ll find each one of these recipes to be a crowd-pleaser.

1. Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese

Fall baking is a time when people break out their pumpkin game for recipes. This pumpkin bar with a cream cheese recipe bakes up some spicy, moist breakfast or snack bars.

This dessert would be ideal for a Halloween party, Thanksgiving dinner, or just as a seasonal breakfast treat.

These pumpkin dessert bars look and taste so good that you may keep making them all year round without regard to season.

2. Easy No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Easy is the operative word when you’re looking for some dessert to make for a party.

This recipe for easy no-bake chocolate oatmeal bars will make some mouth-watering sweet bars sure to soothe the savage sweet tooth.

These thick, rich, and chewy dessert bars will melt in your mouth and will surely please the party guests.

One more benefit of this recipe is that it freezes so well for later.

3. Congo Bars

What’s a Congo bar? Whatever these party dessert bars are, they certainly sound like some exotic snack.

Not to burst your bubble, but these are not exotic cookie bars. This recipe is an especially distinct chocolate chip cookie bar that’s a throwback from the 1980s.

Someone just decided to give this a fun and fancy name.

This is just a fancier version of chocolate chip cookies with a few twists and turns that make them taste better.

4. Seven Layer Cookie Bars Recipe

Can you even imagine how a 7-layer cookie bar might taste? Neither can I, but this recipe for 7-layer easy dessert bars sounds extremely rich and tasty.

It includes chocolate, coconut, butterscotch, and pecans. You can make this recipe any time for any party all year long, and it will consistently please the masses.

This is also a versatile recipe. If you don’t like butterscotch, you can use caramel morsels, chocolate chips, or even M&M candies instead.

5. Raspberry Crumb Bars

Do you like raspberries? If you do, you can make the most popular bar recipes with this raspberry crumb bar recipe.

The crumbly part comes in with buttery oatmeal crumbles that sit atop these dessert bars of goodness.

If you have some upcoming holiday or seasonal parties, this recipe is pretty quick and easy to make.

Shh! You don’t need to use fresh raspberries. You can use raspberry jam. No one needs to know.

6. The Best Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are one of the most popular bars recipes ever made. Have you ever tried to make lemon bars?

This recipe is for the best lemon bars you will ever make, whether you have or haven’t.

These bring a shortbread crust, a delicious lemon filling, and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar to the table.

This lemon bars recipe is the best because of the thicker layer of lemony deliciousness than you get with other lemon bars.

7. Best Peach Cobbler Crumble Bars

Usually, peach cobbler comes in pie form, but in this case, you will be making the best peach cobbler crumble bars that are sure to please the crowd.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making tasty party dessert bars? Now is your chance to make the best thick and buttery, peach-filled, crumble bars you’ll ever make.

Fresh peaches are the best for making this recipe. However, if you want to practice with frozen peaches, you can.

Completely thaw, drain, and the frozen peaches first. Otherwise, your recipe won’t sit right.

8. The Best Easy to Make Pecan Pie Bars

This is another recipe that uses the easy shortbread crust option along with a pour topping.

Fall is a great time to bake nutty pecan pie bars since this is an old-timey idea that will bring a little nostalgia plus modern ideas to the party.

It’s not unusual for people to make these instead of traditional pecan pies since they are much easier to make.

How do you think you’ll do?

9. Award Winning Homemade Crunch Bars

The best crunch bars are homemade. How would you like to impress your friends and family with this award-winning recipe for homemade crunch bars?

This is considered a copycat-style recipe for crunch bars, except vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

These taste even better than the original candy bar. You need just five ingredients and a couple of minutes to make them.

Try it and make these crispy, creamy, crunchy, smooth no-bake chocolate peanut butter crunch bars.

10. Apricot Coconut Crumble Bars

Crumbly bar desserts are all the rage these days. Do you know why? It‘s likely because they are easier to make.

This recipe for apricot crumbles bars provides a little twist on the lemon bar recipe. This is the same basic cookie crust. Only the filling is different.

Crumble bars are versatile since you can incorporate different jams into the bars for various occasions. You never have to take the same cookie/cake bars to a party again.

This yummy, crumbly concoction of apricot filling and coconut crumbles will delight anyone.

11. Delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

It is the pumpkin season, so it makes sense that we would be making these delicious pumpkin chocolate chip bars.

Holiday parties abound in the fall and winter months, but there are plenty of occasions and gatherings all year long that would benefit from these dessert bars.

Does your family like pumpkin-flavored desserts? If they do, you can make these bars as a surprise as an after-dinner treat.

12. Twix Bars Recipe

Everyone probably knows what Trix bars are, but have you ever made homemade Twix bar-inspired bars?

Now is your opportunity to give this recipe for Twix bars, only better, for your next gathering.

Whether you’re hosting the party or attending it, these very chocolately homemade Twix bars will be a huge hit.

This recipe calls for a shortbread crust, which is often dry and not very sweet. If you want to add some extra flavor or sweetness, you can add a touch of vanilla extract, but not too much.

13. Best Blueberry Crumble Bars

Blueberries are versatile berries that fit into nearly any dessert, even these dessert bars. Do you love blueberries?

For blueberry lovers, this blueberry recipe crumble bars will be another amazing flavor sensation.

For those who aren’t so fond of blueberries, they may find themselves liking this one despite not being a big fan of blueberries.

One good tip is to allow these bars to cool down well before cutting them into bars. Otherwise, you could wind up with a big mess.

14. Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars

If you’re looking for something different to make for the next gathering or party, this oatmeal lemon creme bars recipe should be just the thing.

This dessert may just become your new favorite while you make it everyone else’s favorite at the same time.

The tart and sweet lemon filling combined with a streusel-style oatmeal topping are bound to make some new fans.

Do you think you can eat just one? I kind of doubt it.

15. Caramel Apple Shortbread Crumble Bars

Another autumn flavor that is known to compete with pumpkin-flavored foods is apple.

If you aren’t a big fan of pumpkin desserts, you will likely be a fan of this caramel apple shortbread crumble bars.

Do you prefer pumpkin desserts, apple desserts, or both?

These simple caramel apple bars are easy to make, yet they make a great impression on party-goers.

They aren’t just great-tasting either. They are very delicious.

16. Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

It’s fall, and pumpkin desserts are in the air and on the table everywhere you go. If you like pumpkin, these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting will hit the spot.

Are you struggling to discover new pumpkin recipes for the holidays, gatherings, or after-dinner desserts? If you, I highly recommend this pumpkin holiday snack.

My two favorite things go into this recipe. Those two things are cream cheese and pumpkin purée.

17. Raspberry Almond Linzer Shortbread Bars

Fruits and nuts seem to be abundant during this season. Do you see more desserts made with fruits, berries, and nuts this time of the year?

They say, “If you can’t beat them; join them,” so why not make these raspberry almond Linzer bars for your next holiday gathering.

These are inspired by Linzer cookies, except they are made in this bar form, making them easier to make.

Hint: If raspberry isn’t your thing, feel free to use alternate jams for the filling.

18. Pecan Caramel Bars

The flavors of fall include caramel and pecan, so it makes sense that this recipe for pecan caramel bars would be on this list.

Are you looking for dessert bar recipes ideas for your next holiday gathering?

This pecan caramel bars recipe combines delicious buttery club crackers, loads of caramel, and mildly crunchy pecans.

While it may look complicated, this dessert bar recipe is simple to make and impressive to see and taste.

19. Chocolate Caramel Binge Bars

Binge bars are excellent desserts for parties, events, after-dinner treats, and for taking to those in need of a bit of help while caring for family members or after a hospital stay.

Baking for your friends and neighbors involves more than just going to gatherings.

I think this sweet and savory recipe with caramel, chocolate, and oatmeal is one way to show you care about others.

These are sure to be a big hit no matter who gets them.

20. Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Does fudge go with oatmeal? If you like oatmeal cookies, it does.

This recipe for oatmeal fudge bars is a little different from your average oatmeal cookie or fudge brownie.

When you make these bars, you make ooey gooey goodness that contains a chocolate fudge center surrounded by an oatmeal cookie.

The very description of this dessert bar is divine. Just imagine what this combination will taste like.

21. Coffee Cookie Crack Bars

Are you looking for an egg- and nut-free no-fuss, no-muss dessert for the holidays?

This one for coffee cookie crack bars is not only egg- and nut-free, but it’s also freezer-friendly.

Once you make them, the texture of these cookies is chewy and soft, which is a popular texture for great desserts.

This recipe is addicting. It’s just so good!

Surprisingly, these take about an hour and ten minutes from preparation to cooling time.

22. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

One of the best things about dessert bars is that you can blend multiple flavors into one recipe.

For instance, this no-bake chocolate oatmeal bars recipe combines peanuts, oatmeal, and chocolate for one irresistible cookie bar.

Do you prefer no-bake recipes for their ease of preparation with no oven required?

Since no oven is needed for this recipe, it might even be a great way to spend some quality time with your kids.

23. Raspberry Almond Bars

Since this is the season of nutty, fruity desserts, this recipe for raspberry almond bars fits right into this list.

If you like raspberries and almonds, you will probably think this is a divine dessert bar recipe.

These are so rich that one bar is plenty to eat, or is it? This nutty and fruity concoction may be addicting.

This recipe includes some great tips for baking with raspberries that you may use for other berry recipes.

24. Churro Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Churros are pretty popular for holiday parties, so this churro cheesecake bars recipe will surely amaze your family and friends.

Have you been looking for a cinnamon dessert that fits into the holiday season? This recipe will end your search.

Making churro cheesecake bars will help you feed a crowd of people at a potluck or gathering.

Even if you feel like making something special for your family, this is the perfect recipe.

25. Carrot Cake Bars

Carrot cake is generally a party favorite, but what if you can make it in a pan and cut it into bars? That is easier, and it makes a better finger dessert for everyone.

Have you ever had a moist, sweet, tender carrot cake? If you have, these carrot cake bars will impress you.

These are moist, yummy, and have a bit of cinnamon and a little swirl of cheesecake in each bar.

Even the presentation of these carrot cake bars will make your mouth water.

26. Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

When zucchini brownies first became a thing, people were a little put off by it.

Today, a recipe like this one for zucchini bars with cream cheese frosting doesn’t even cause anyone to bat an eye.

This recipe brings sweetness and tenderness to the table every time.

This vegetable has proven itself to be very versatile in casseroles, soups, and now desserts.

Can you think of another veggie that’s as versatile as the zucchini?

27. Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Unless you’re allergic to peanuts or chocolate, people like not many combinations better than chocolate and peanut butter.

When was the last time you used this combination in a dessert? If you have to think about it, that’s too long.

Now, you have this no-bake peanut butter bars recipe that takes only about 5 minutes to mix up before placing it in the fridge to set. No oven is needed.

28. No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Staying with the no-bake recipes for the moment, this one is for peanut butter oatmeal bars.

Do you think oatmeal and peanut butter are complementary to each other?

Both oatmeal and peanut butter are considered healthy to eat, so this is essentially a more nutritious snack.

You can make these up in about 5 minutes, and they are ready to eat in 8 hours, right from the fridge. This is a good thing to make overnight.

29. Red Velvet Gooey Cheesecake Bars

Red velvet cake is often a dessert saved for special occasions, but is it the occasion or the red velvet cake that makes the day?

You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to make these red velvet gooey cheesecake bars. Though, it does make a good option for the holidays.

While the recipe is perfect for making up a batch or two for a gathering, it’s also a wonderful after-dinner dessert. A special occasion is not required.

30. Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry pie is an American favorite during the holidays as well as all year long.

Since the dessert bars trend started, treats like these cherry pie bars have virtually taken over the dessert table.

Whether you have a gathering to attend where you need to bring a dish or dessert, or you want to give your family a quick and tasty treat to eat, this recipe will not disappoint.

31. The Best Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Berries always make some of the best homemade dessert bars. Do you prefer dessert bars or cakes, pies, or cookies?

Essentially, cookie, cake, and pie bars are more popular because they are easier to make and are a big hit at most functions.

If you’re looking for something different for an upcoming gathering, this best blueberry swirl cheesecake bars recipe will make a great showing and impress your friends.

32. Magic Cookie Bars from EAGLE BRAND®

Have you ever heard of magic cookies? Well, this recipe for magic cookie bars from Eagle Brand will turn heads.

This is an old-fashioned way to bring something good to a party or the table after dinner.

The magic is in the chocolate chips. Coconut, nuts, graham cracker crust placed on a caramelized layer atop the traditional graham cracker crust.

You can also make variations of this recipe using butterscotch chips or peanut butter chips.

33. Swirled Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Aren’t their times you want a recipe for a dessert that’s easy to make but still makes a good presentation at a party?

Look no further because these swirled pumpkin cheesecake bars will do it all.

Your friends and neighbors will be impressed. You may even impress yourself by making these decadent cookie bars.

That cream cheese swirled look not only tastes good, but it also looks so pretty, too.