21 Desserts That Brought Boomers and Gen Z Together at the Table

Some desserts don’t go out of style—they just get passed down. These 21 recipes have the kind of flavor that brings different generations to the same table. Whether you grew up with them or just found them on your feed, they’re simple, familiar, and worth making. They’re the kind of desserts everyone agrees on.

A cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting on a decorative plate, accompanied by a fork. Slices of apple and cinnamon sticks are visible in the background. — Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers

Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers is a colorful dessert with a tangy lime filling and fresh blackberries on top. It takes about 1 hour and includes lime juice, sugar, and a buttery crust. The flavor is tart, bright, and just sweet enough to balance it all out. It’s the kind of dessert that looks fancy but feels easy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers

Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme

Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme is a smooth, chilled custard with rich white chocolate and berry flavor. It takes about 45 minutes plus chill time, using heavy cream, eggs, and fresh blackberries. The flavor is creamy, sweet, and full of depth from the berries. It’s the kind of dessert that feels special without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream combines a crunchy crust with a zesty lime filling and a cool, dairy-free topping. It takes around 40 minutes plus chill time, using lime juice, eggs, and sweetened condensed milk. The taste is tart, creamy, and slightly tropical. It’s the kind of pie that goes fast at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake with Greek Yogurt

A cheesecake with a crumbly crust topped with bright red cherry sauce and a few mint leaves, displayed on a white plate—truly dessert perfection. This sweet treat is an irresistible fruit dessert that's sure to delight your taste buds. — Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake with Greek Yogurt. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake with Greek Yogurt is a no-bake dessert that’s light, creamy, and layered with fresh flavor. It takes about 30 minutes to make plus time to set, using raspberries, yogurt, and lemon juice. The flavor is tangy, sweet, and refreshing. It’s the kind of cheesecake that feels right in any season.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake with Greek Yogurt

Blueberry Ice Cream

Blueberry Ice Cream blends fresh berries with a creamy base for a frozen treat that’s homemade and full of flavor. It takes about 30 minutes to churn after prepping the mixture. The taste is sweet, slightly tart, and rich with berry flavor. It’s the kind of ice cream you keep reaching for.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Ice Cream

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

A butterscotch apple crumble in a cast iron skillet on a wooden cutting board. — Butterscotch Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butterscotch Apple Crisp layers soft spiced apples under a buttery oat topping with caramel notes throughout. It bakes in 45 minutes with ingredients like apples, brown sugar, and oats. The flavor is sweet, warm, and full of texture. It’s the kind of dessert that smells like something’s always baking.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Peach Crumble Bars

Peach Crumble Bars combine fresh peaches with a crumbly oat topping and soft base. They bake in 40 minutes and use simple ingredients like butter, flour, and fruit. The flavor is sweet, juicy, and just a little buttery. It’s the kind of bar that works as dessert or an afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies bake soft and sweet with a hint of tart citrus in every bite. They take around 25 minutes to prep and bake, using lemon zest, sugar, and flour. The flavor is bright, buttery, and simple. It’s the kind of cookie you pack, gift, or keep all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sugar Cookies

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

A stack of three lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a metal plate, with more bars blurred in the background. — Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust layer a crisp base with a smooth, tart lemon filling. They bake in about 45 minutes with lemon juice, eggs, and flour. The flavor is zesty, sweet, and rich with citrus. It’s the kind of bar that cuts clean and disappears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Citrus Dream Tart

Citrus Dream Tart brings together a graham cracker crust and a creamy citrus filling topped with whipped cream. It takes about an hour with prep and chill time, using lemon, lime, and orange. The flavor is tangy, sweet, and smooth all at once. It’s the kind of dessert that works after any meal.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Dream Tart

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits pairs fluffy biscuits with sweet berries and whipped cream. It takes around 40 minutes and uses strawberries, cream, and pantry basics. The flavor is fruity, soft, and just rich enough. It’s the kind of shortcake people come back for.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Covered Strawberries are dipped and chilled until the coating sets just right. They take about 20 minutes with just two ingredients: strawberries and chocolate. The taste is rich, sweet, and crisp with each bite. It’s the kind of treat that never needs an excuse.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Mini Apple Pies

Mini pies with lattice crusts are arranged on a white plate. — Mini Apple Pies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Mini Apple Pies are filled with cinnamon apples and baked in single-serve crusts for easy grabbing. They bake in under 45 minutes and use apples, sugar, and pie dough. The flavor is warm, sweet, and classic. It’s the kind of pie that doesn’t need slicing or sharing.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Lemon Crème Brûlée

Lemon Crème Brûlée combines smooth custard with a crisp sugar top and a citrus twist. It takes about an hour plus chill time, using cream, lemon, and eggs. The flavor is rich, silky, and bright with lemon. It’s the kind of dessert that breaks with a spoon tap.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Crème Brûlée

Blackberry Crumble Pie

Blackberry Crumble Pie bakes fresh berries under a golden brown sugar topping in a flaky crust. It takes about 55 minutes with blackberries, flour, and butter. The flavor is juicy, sweet, and just tart enough. It’s the kind of pie that tastes like late summer.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Crumble Pie

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

Air Fryer Apple Crisp brings soft, spiced apples together with a crisp oat topping in less time than usual. It’s ready in about 25 minutes using apples, oats, and cinnamon. The taste is warm, sweet, and slightly caramelized. It’s the kind of shortcut that doesn’t skip flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Crisp

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Cinnamon Rolls bake up soft with apple pieces and a swirl of cinnamon sugar in every bite. They take around 2 hours with rising time and use yeast, apples, and brown sugar. The flavor is sweet, spiced, and buttery. It’s the kind of breakfast that doubles as dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Blueberry Cobbler

Blueberry Cobbler bakes juicy berries under a golden biscuit topping that’s soft inside and crisp on top. It takes about 50 minutes and uses blueberries, sugar, and flour. The flavor is sweet, rich, and slightly tart. It’s the kind of dessert served warm with a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler

Stuffed Peaches

A plate of peaches stuffed with goat cheese and basil. — Stuffed Peaches. Photo credit: Sage Alpha Gal.

Stuffed Peaches are halved and filled with creamy goat cheese, herbs, and a hint of honey. They bake in about 25 minutes using fresh peaches and simple ingredients. The flavor is sweet, tangy, and slightly savory. It’s the kind of dish that blurs the line between side and dessert.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peaches

Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

Cookies on a cooling rack on a dark surface. — Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies mix tart cranberries with rich chocolate and hearty oats. They bake in about 15 minutes and use butter, sugar, and rolled oats. The taste is sweet, chewy, and balanced with a little bit of bite. It’s the kind of cookie that works for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert

Three glass dessert cups filled with layers of pumpkin mousse, whipped cream, and sponge cake sit on a wooden surface, adorned with greenery and cinnamon sticks. A small white pumpkin is in the background. — Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert layers spiced pumpkin with whipped cream and coffee-soaked cookies. It comes together in about 30 minutes with no baking required. The flavor is rich, creamy, and slightly spiced. It’s the kind of dessert that fits just right in fall or any time.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert