easy desserts 9x13 pan

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12 Simple 9x13 Desserts that Serve a Crowd and Taste Amazing

Meet your new favorite potluck dessert.

Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands.

When it comes to easy baking ideas, 9x13-inch pan desserts are among the best options, bar none. For sweet rolls, cakes, bar cookies, and crispy rice treats, these recipes are a cinch to make and to share with a crowd. And for those of you reluctant to turn on your ovens, we've included some no-bake dessert casseroles.

Blueberry Lemonade Poke Cake

A quadruple-dose of lemon (zest, lemonade concentrate, lemon curd, and lemon slices) perks up a boxed cake mix. Add a splash of almond extract and a simple homemade blueberry sauce, and this poke cake transforms into one of our best 13x9-inch summer desserts. Bonus: It can be made with fresh or frozen berries, prepped entirely ahead, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before serving.

Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Admittedly, this is more of a pastry than a dessert, but we count these fluffy cinnamon rolls as one of the best 9x13-inch brunch recipes. There's a reason these rolls have been featured in the Red Plaid cookbook time and time again—"they are so light" and "turn out perfectly," according to BH&G home cooks who bake them. Mashed potato in the dough, and a brown butter-infused frosting, help these rolls to stand out from their pastry competition.

Root Beer Cake with Float Frosting

Speaking of uniquely-infused homemade frostings, this buttercream gets its float-like flavor from replacing milk with thawed vanilla ice cream. It's the perfect a la mode-style topping for a cake flavored with root beer. To really drive the concept home, garnish your cake with a cherry.

Apple Sheet Cake

You're probably more familiar with pineapple upside-down cake, but the concept works just as well for apple desserts —especially during fall harvest. Sweet-tart baking apples, such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn, join forces with apple butter and freeze-dried apples to load a lot of fruit flavor into one 13x9-inch pan. And, of course, we had to pump up the frosting. This version calls for a drizzle of autumn maple syrup.

10 Ways with Marshmallow Treats

Do you remember those cereal-based lunch-box bars from brown bag days in grade school? We've given this nostalgic no-bake dessert a 10-choice makeover, so you can keep things interesting year round. Chocolate fans will adore the Oreo, Trail Mix, and Mounds renditions, while kids (and kids at heart) will enjoy the Birthday Cake, PB&J, and Lemonade versions.

Peach Crumble Bars

Fully loaded with 6 cups of fresh peaches , this is one of the best 9x13-inch desserts to make after a summer visit to the farmers market. To up the decadent ante, the fruit filling is sandwiched between a buttery, shortbread-like crust and a coconut-hazelnut crumble topping. It's even better served warm and crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Chocolaty Caramel-Nut S'more Bars

On those scorching summer days when you're craving a s'mores bar, but not the heat of the campfire, turn to these s'mores-inspired treats. Caramel baking bits give each bite of this easy bar recipe a chewy texture.

Pineapple Upside-Down Coffee Cake

Make the most of a can of pineapple rings in this tropical-flavored casserole dessert. Crown the tempting caramelized fruit topping in whipped cream , and you'll impress everyone with the amount of fruit flavor. That's because we call for mixing a half cup of the canned fruit juice right into the nutmeg-seasoned cake batter.

Chewy Cherry Almond Bars

If you love a slice of cherry pie, try this easy fruit bar recipe. A chewy oat base is topped with cherry preserves and sliced almonds. A little almond extract in the dough adds even more flavor.

Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars

Kelsey Hansen

If you're hosting a crowd for the holidays, make this easy pumpkin bar recipe . It makes 32 servings and each bite is loaded with creamy pumpkin, toffee pieces, and chopped pecans.

Limoncello Cheesecake Bars

These lemony cheesecake bars get a boost of flavor from limoncello liqueur in the filling. Top the finished bars with homemade candied lemon slices and a generous dusting of powdered sugar.

Dutch Letter Bars

These bars are a take on the classic Dutch letter cookies, often shaped like an "S." Here, almond paste Is mixed into a buttery dough and topped with raspberry jam. Finish this easy dessert recipe with sliced almonds and coarse sugar for crunch.

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13 Potluck Desserts You Can Make in a 9-by-13 Pan

That unsung hero of the kitchen gets its star turn.

By Margaux Laskey

Hand-carved wooden spoons and millennial pink all-purpose pans may get all the attention on Instagram, but the real unsung hero of the kitchen is the 9-by-13 baking dish . They’re inexpensive, easy to transport (just cover the top with aluminum foil), and you can serve right from the dish, whether you’re sitting around a table or on a picnic blanket. They’re particularly good for desserts that serve a crowd, like sheet cakes, cobblers, brownies and bars. Just in time for summer cookouts, here are 13 of our best 9-by-13 desserts.

1. Scotcheroos

Someone wise once thought to combine Rice Krispies treats with peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch chips, and behold: The scotcheroo was born. This version from Samantha Seneviratne calls for bittersweet chocolate and a sprinkling of flaky salt to balance the sweetness.

Recipe: Scotcheroos

2. Hawaiian Guava Cake

Imagine unveiling this bubble gum pink cake to squeals of delight at your next picnic. Kiera Wright-Ruiz adapted it from Alana Kysar’s “Aloha Kitchen: Recipes From Hawai‘i,” a cookbook of traditional Hawaiian dishes. Pink guava concentrate can be harder to find outside Hawaii and California, but you can also use white guava concentrate or 100 percent guava juice.

Recipe: Hawaiian Guava Cake

3. Magic Cookie Bars

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• Editors’ Collection

Potluck Desserts You Can Make in Your Favorite 9-by-13 Pan

Cake, pie, brownies and more potluck dessert recipes you can make ahead of time in a 9-by-13 pan. discover more dessert recipes in our summer recipe collection..

Strawberry Pretzel Bars

Millie Peartree

45 minutes, plus 4 to 6 hours’ chilling

Rice Krispie Treats

Scott Loitsch

20 minutes, plus cooling

Butter Mochi

Genevieve Ko

2 hours, plus cooling

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake

30 minutes, plus at least 2 hours’ freezing

Caramelized Banana Pudding

The New York Times, Millie Peartree

30 minutes, plus chilling

Scotcheroos

Samantha Seneviratne

Thai Tea Tres Leches Cake

Ligaya Mishan, Sam Yoo

5 1/4 hours

Chocolate Birthday Cake Butter Mochi

Sara Bonisteel, Sheldon Simeon

1 hour 15 minutes, plus cooling

Naz Deravian

Basque Cheesecake Bars

Jesse Szewczyk

About 3 hours

Rice Krispies Treats With Chocolate and Pretzels

15 minutes, plus cooling

No-Bake Cheesecake Bars

20 minutes, plus chilling

Bittersweet Brownie Shortbread

Melissa Clark

1 1/2 hours, plus cooling

Lemon Bars With Pecan Crust

Lisa Donovan

4 1/4 hours

45 minutes, plus cooling

Hawaiian Guava Cake

Kiera Wright-Ruiz, Alana Kysar

50 minutes, plus chilling

Rocky Road Ice Cream Bars

Lidey Heuck

15 minutes, plus freezing

Chess Pie Squares

Margaux Laskey, Julia Reed

1 1/4 hours, plus cooling

Cherry Yum-Yum

Vaughn Vreeland

30 minutes, plus at least 4 hours’ chilling

Strawberry Poke Cake

Priya Krishna, April Anderson

1 hour 45 minutes, plus chilling

Creamy Peach Pie Bars

1 ½ hours, plus 2 hours’ chilling

Tres Leches Cake

About 1 hour, plus chilling

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

Ligaya Mishan, Maria Kitsopoulos

2 hours 30 minutes

Pink Grapefruit Bars

About 8 hours 10 minutes

Chocolate Whiskey Cake With Coffee Caramel 

Natasha Pickowicz

2 hours 35 minutes

Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Yellow Sheet Cake With Chocolate Frosting

Erin Jeanne McDowell

Raspberry Pie Crunch Bars

1 1/2 hours

Buttermilk Tres Leches Cake

6 hours (includes 1 hour soaking and 4 hours’ refrigeration)

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry Slab Pie

Nicole Taylor

4 hours, plus 2 hours' cooling

Best Peach Cobbler

1 hour 20 minutes

Vegan Brownies With Tahini and Halvah

Charlotte Druckman, Amy Chaplin

1 hour 15 minutes, plus chilling

Pumpkin Pie Bars

50 minutes plus 5 hours’ cooling and chilling

Apple Crumble

About 1 hour 10 minutes

Sugar Cookie Bars

Margaux Laskey, “American Girl Cookies”

40 minutes, plus cooling

Namoura (Syrup-Soaked Semolina Cake)

Tejal Rao, Amanda Saab

Supernatural Brownies

Julia Moskin, Nick Malgieri

About 1 hour

Plum Cobbler Bars

Lemon Sheet Cake With Raspberry Whipped Cream

Cranberry Lemon Bars

1 hour, plus cooling and chilling

Peanut Butter Brownies

Julia Moskin, Joanna Gaines

45 minutes, plus cooling and freezing

Lemon Sheet Cake With Buttercream Frosting

Yossy Arefi

No-Bake Chocolate Mousse Bars

Banana Pudding

Apple Sheet Cake With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Peach Crumble Slab Pie

2 1/2 hours, plus 1 hour's chilling

Pumpkin Sheet Cake With Molasses Cream-Cheese Frosting

Seis Leches Cake

Denver Chocolate Sheet Cake

Alex Witchel, "The Junior League at Home"

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

70 minutes, plus cooling and chilling

Cinnamon Apple Sheet Cake

Spicy Ginger Applesauce Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

1 hour, plus cooling

Pecan Squares

Buttermilk Banana Pudding With Salted Peanuts

Grant Melton

45 minutes, plus chilling

Magic Cookie Bars

Best Lemon Bars

Julia Moskin

Salted Apricot-Honey Cobbler

Alison Roman

More Editors’ Collections

Our best july 4th recipes, 101 recipes, easy picnic recipes that travel well and taste even better, bright and beautiful summer pastas, 100 easy recipes for your summer cooking bucket list, 100 recipes.

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No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Dessert (9 x 13 pan)

Cherry cheesecake dessert in a 9 x 13-inch pan is one of my go-to recipes for potlucks and gatherings. Everyone loves it, and it’s super simple to make!

It’s the perfect summer dessert, since it’s served cold. But no matter the weather, it’s always a hit!

After tasting this no-bake cherry cheesecake at a gathering, I knew I had to have the recipe. However, I didn’t know how to find it. So, I combined about 4 different recipes to come up with this one.

And the combination was a success!

This recipe could actually be called No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake for a Crowd, because it’s large enough to feed lots of people. That’s another thing I like about it.

Affiliate links included below. Read my disclosure here .

One of the most important things about this recipe is that I wanted it to fit in a 9″ x 13″ dish.

Here’s a pan similar to the one I often use for this recipe. I love the lid, which keep everything protected!

Supplies Needed for This Recipe

• 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Rolling pin

No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Dessert Ingredients

For the crust you’ll need:.

• 2 packages (2 plastic sleeves=18 rectangles) of graham crackers (from a 14.4 oz. box)
• 1 1/2 sticks melted butter
• 4 Tbsp. granulated white sugar

For the topping you need:

• 2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups whipped topping
• 2 cans cherry pie filling

How to Make No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Dessert

1.  Grease a 9″x 13″ pan (I use butter or coconut oil).

2. Next, make the crust.  Crush graham crackers in a plastic zipper bag with a rolling pin. Melt butter. Combine butter, sugar, and graham crackers.  Press into 9″ x 13″ pan.

3. Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Fold in whipped topping.  Spread over crust. Spread pie filling over all.

4. Refrigerate at least one hour.  Enjoy!

I have made this ahead of time (even the night before) and stored it in the refrigerator, and it still turns out great!

No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Dessert

Ingredients.

• 2 packages graham crackers Use 2 plastic sleeves=18 rectangles of graham crackers (from a 14.4 oz. box)
• 1 1/2 sticks melted butter
• 4 Tbsp. granulated white sugar
• 2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups whipped topping
• 2 15-oz cans cherry pie filling

Instructions

• Grease a 9″x 13″ pan (I use butter or coconut oil). Make the crust. Crush graham crackers in a plastic zipper bag with a rolling pin. Melt butter. Combine butter, sugar, and graham crackers. Press into 9″ x 13″ pan.
• Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Spread pie filling over all. Refrigerate at least one hour. Can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

If you’re looking for a no-bake cherry cheesecake dessert recipe, then give this one a try! It might just become a family favorite!

38 Comments

Hi, can I use thickened fresh made cranberry sauce using 3 cups of berries or would I need more sauce?

Hi Janet! This recipe uses two 15-oz cans of pie filling, which I think is a little less 2 cups per can. So, it may cover it thinly. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!

Can I use a disposable tin 9×13?

Yes, that would work!

Hey! Can I make this and freeze it?

Hi Madi! I haven’t tried it myself, but I’ve heard others say they have successfully frozen this dessert before adding the cherry pie filling. The instructions were to make the crust and add the whipped cream/cream cheese layer on top of the crust. Put the dessert in the fridge for several hours to set up. Then, wrap well with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil, and freeze for up to a couple of months. When you’re ready to use it, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator. Then, once it has thawed completely, add the cherry pie filling on top.

I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it sounds like it should work! Let me know how it turns out if you decide to try it!

Thanks so much for getting back to me! I’m going to try it

You’re very welcome! I’d love to hear how it turns out!

This was a delicious light cheesecake I took to work for a Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone loved it. It is delicious. I will keep this recipe to use again.

Thank you, Lynnette! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it! It’s a favorite at our house, too.

I only have graham cracker crumbs on hand was wondering how many cups of crumbs I should use

I haven’t measured to see how many cups they would amount to (I’ll have to remember to do that next time, as I’m sure it would be helpful). I would try around 2 cups. It should still work even if it’s not exact, since it’s just graham crackers, butter, and sugar. As long as there’s enough butter to hold everything together. Hope that helps, and I’ll try to make this again soon to get an exact measurement on how many graham cracker crumbs!

Yum!! I am a sucker for all things cheesecake! Thanks for sharing on Homestead Blog Hop!

Same here! It’s possibly my favorite dessert.

love desserts like this so easy to make, take any where and taste great thanks for sharing come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

I’ve seen desserts similar to this one, but I’ve never seen this exact combination before, and I’ve certainly never seen one that required no baking whatsoever! What a good summertime treat!

Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!

Thanks so much for the feature!

Was going to try it with blueberry pie filling. Anyone try that before?

Yes! It works just as well with blueberry pie filling!

I have made an almost the same recipe for over 40 years, except with 1 8oz. Package of cream cheese and white granulated sugar. And of course the whipped topping which in Canada is Dream Whip. I also use Oreo chocolate crumbs as the crust. Already crushed and boxed. It is richer and more of a holiday look. I tried your recipe and it turned out fantastic, thicker than mine. I didn’t need two cans of cherry pie filling, just one large can. Delicious, and a family favourite. I now prefer 2 8oz. Packages of cream cheese and the powdered sugar instead of my recipe. I also make it a couple of days ahead with no problem. A time saver as last minute things happen. Thanks!

Thanks so much for the positive feedback about the recipe—so glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for sharing about using Oreo crumbs—great idea!

How much is just one large can? How many ounces? I have a large jar of cherry pie filling from TraderJoe’s and wonder if it will suffice.

I think the regular-sized cans I’ve used in the past were around 21 ounces, and I used two of them. So, if you have a jar of cherry pie filling that’s about 32 oz, you’ll have a little less pie filling on the top of your dessert, but it would still be good! Hope that helps!

I’m Canadian and I have always used DREAM WHIP TOPPING not COOL WHIP LIKE YOU .

Thanks, Sarah! With that much sugar and cherry pie filling…mmmm, I wish I had some right now!

This looks scrumptious!

I use to make this when I was in 4-H 30 years ago. I will have to try it again. Thanks for the reminder.

You're welcome, Debbie!

Oh, this does look yummy! I'm thinking I can used canned cherries I have ? and just add a little cornstarch to thicken them like pie filling. I'll try it 🙂

It's worth a try! And probably healthier. 🙂

That looks and sounds amazing! 😀 I will have to see about making that. We are vegan but I'm pretty sure I can switch out the cream cheese just fine! :o)

I'd love to hear how it turns out for you with the substitutions!

TOTALLY gonna make this! You are PINNED–this looks scrumptious! 🙂

LOL! Thanks for pinning, Mynnette–hope you like it as much as we do! 🙂

Yummy! I love this kind of dessert. 🙂 I've made one that's very similar and it was delicious!! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by, Sarah! 🙂

Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks and sounds delicious! I'll definitely try it!

If you try it I hope you like it, Jacqui!

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Seasonal Cravings

Seasonal Recipes and Travel

9 x 13 Pan Desserts to Delight

Published: Mar 12, 2024 Modified: Mar 12, 2024 by Karen Kelly

On the quest for effortless and crowd-pleasing sweet indulgences that embody simplicity? Look no further – your ticket to dessert delight awaits! This article unfolds the enchantment that occurs in a 9 x 13 pan, where desserts emerge as the unsung heroes of your kitchen. From gooey brownies to layered marvels that require minimal fuss, we've got your dessert strategy sorted. Bid farewell to complex recipes and the perpetual stack of dishes – just grab that reliable pan, a handful of basic ingredients, and let's transform your baking routine into a breeze. Whether you're a seasoned baker or simply possess a sweet tooth, get ready to elevate your dessert prowess with these uncomplicated, delectable, and 9 x 13 pan-approved recipes. Let the baking escapades begin!

Cherries In The Snow (No Bake Dessert)

Cherries in the snow is a simple no-bake dessert that is wonderful to serve all year round. A creamy layer is topped with angel food cake and cherries to make a dessert everyone will love. Get the Recipe: Cherries In The Snow (No Bake Dessert)

Earthquake Cake

This earthquake cake is a gooey chocolate cake loaded with coconut, pecans, cream cheese and chocolate chips. Get the Recipe: Earthquake Cake

Banana Split Cake

This no bake banana split cake is a graham cracker crust topped with layers of cheesecake, pineapple, bananas, whipped topping and chocolate fudge. Get the Recipe: Banana Split Cake

Chocolate Lasagna (No Bake)

This chocolate lasagna is a cookie crust topped with layers of cheesecake filling, pudding, whipped cream and chocolate chips. Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lasagna (No Bake)

Monster Cookie Bars

These monster cookie bars are quick to mix up and bake up in less than 30 minutes. Made with oats, peanut butter and M&Ms! Get the Recipe: Monster Cookie Bars

Magic Cookie Bars

Between the graham cracker crust, chocolate chips, nuts, and shredded coconut, these magic cookie bars are a sweet, chewy, and chocolaty delight! Get the Recipe: Magic Cookie Bars

Applesauce Spice Cake With Caramel Icing

Applesauce spice cake with caramel icing if full of warm, fall spices and topped with a decadent caramel icing. Get the Recipe: Applesauce Spice Cake With Caramel Icing

Low Sugar Carrot Cake {With Pineapple}

This delicious low sugar carrot cake recipe with pineapple and coconut make a great healthier alternative! Easy to make, moist and delicious! Get the Recipe: Low Sugar Carrot Cake {With Pineapple}

Ice Cream Sandwich Oreo Cake

Ice Cream Sandwich Oreo Cake is an affordable, easy-to-make dessert, that's sure to win over the crowd of any summer get-together. Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwich Oreo Cake

Rich And Creamy Chocolate Fudge

This chocolate fudge recipe is super delicious and easy to make. It is so rich and creamy that each bite will simply melt in your mouth. Get the Recipe: Rich And Creamy Chocolate Fudge

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake is a no bake, scrumptious dessert that is packed with flavor and quite refreshing! Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake

Easy Chocolate Puffed Wheat Squares With Marshmallows

Chocolate puffed wheat squares with marshmallows are a deliciously chocolatey, chewy treat that will have you coming back for more! Get the Recipe: Easy Chocolate Puffed Wheat Squares With Marshmallows

Easy Churro Cheesecake

This easy Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe (Churro Cheesecake dessert) is smooth and creamy and cinnamon sugary. Each bite is absolutely delicious! Get the Recipe: Easy Churro Cheesecake

Easy Plum Cake With Meringue Dough (No Baking Powder)

The allure of a plum cake with meringue dough is its airy, light, and fresh feel. A melt-in-your-mouth experience unlike any other. Get the Recipe: Easy Plum Cake With Meringue Dough (No Baking Powder)

Chocolate No Frost Oatmeal Cake

Chocolate No Frost Oatmeal Cake is not only a family favorite, but its perfectly moist, fluffy, and just what your sweet tooth craves! Get the Recipe: Chocolate No Frost Oatmeal Cake

Easy Strawberry Scooter Crunch Cake

Starting with a box cake mix this Strawberry Scooter Crunch Cake will take you back to summers with your favorite ice cream bar. Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Scooter Crunch Cake

Earthquake Cake Recipe

This earthquake cake recipe is a tasty and decadent dessert that combines chocolate cake (from a box!) with a swirl of cream cheese, pecans, and coconut. Get the Recipe: Earthquake Cake Recipe

Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe

This scratch-made Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe is the perfect fall dessert with warm pumpkin-spiced flavors and rich cream cheese frosting. Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe

Bar Snack Blondies {The Perfect Sweet + Salty Treat}

Bar snack blondies are an amazing bar recipe, loaded with chocolate chunks, roasted peanuts, and pretzels. You'll love this buttery bar! Get the Recipe: Bar Snack Blondies {The Perfect Sweet + Salty Treat}

Blueberry Heaven On Earth Cake

Blueberry Heaven On Earth Cake is a trifle-like cake that has layers of angel food cake, vanilla pudding, blueberry filling, and cool whip! Get the Recipe: Blueberry Heaven On Earth Cake

Tres Leches (3 Milks) Cake Recipe

Authentic tres leches cake is a light and fluffy sponge cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture and topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Get the Recipe: Tres Leches (3 Milks) Cake Recipe

Lemon Heaven On Earth Cake

Lemon Heaven On Earth Cake is a no-bake dessert with a perfectly tart, sweet flavor made with store-bought ingredients in only 15 minutes! Get the Recipe: Lemon Heaven On Earth Cake

More From Seasonal Cravings

On the hunt for easy, crowd-pleasing sweet treats that practically scream simplicity? This article delves into the magic that unfolds in a 9 x 13 pan, where desserts step up as the unsung heroes of your kitchen. 

Get the Recipes Here : 22 Irresistible Desserts Made in a 13 x 9 Pan

22 Delicious Desserts Made in a Loaf Pan

From gooey brownies to moist banana bread, we're about to prove that your loaf pan is the unsung hero of the dessert world. No need for complicated steps or a culinary degree – just a bit of mixing, pouring, and some good ol' oven magic.

Get the Recipes Here : 22 Delicious Desserts Made in a Loaf Pan

50 Appetizers Hearty Enough to Eat For Dinner

 Let's ditch the usual and embark on a culinary journey where appetizers take the spotlight and redefine the way we enjoy a meal!

Get the Recipes Here : 50 Appetizers Hearty Enough to Eat For Dinner

Karen Kelly

Hi, I'm Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food and travel writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find delicious recipes and fun travel ideas.

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9×13 Pan Dessert Recipes

With their simplicity and amazing flavors, these 9×13 pan dessert recipes are sure to become staples in your baking rotation.

Desserts Made in a 9×13 Pan

The 9×13 baking pan is a wonder, isn’t it? It’s one of my most used pan sizes, as it’s great for no-fuss cakes, big pans of brownies, cheesecake bars, and so much more.

I’ve put together a collection of some of BoB’s best and most popular 9×13 pan dessert recipes. I think you’ll find something to satisfy any sweet craving! Before we get to the good stuff, I have a few tips for choosing a pan. As is usually the case, I recommend light-colored, non-shiny, metal pans for baking recipes. Remember that dark pans will most likely cause uneven baking. I generally don’t recommend glass pans for baking, but they’re great choices for no-bake recipes. Also, look for pans with straight sides to get nice, straight edges.

I have a few 9×13 pans in my kitchen, including one with a snap-on lid that’s great for storing and transporting baked goods. You can find some of my recommended pans in my Amazon Storefront .

Now, let’s talk dessert!

9×13 Cake Recipes

I often joke that I didn’t know it was possible to make layer cakes at home because my mother so heavily favored baking them in a 9×13 pan. Honestly, I cast zero stones about that, as I’m also a fan of no-fuss cakes like those made in a rectangular pan. You can definitely cut out some of the work of frosting a multi-layer cake this way. Plus, a single-layer cake is easier to serve and definitely more portable. Try one of these beautiful and delicious cakes!

• Chocolate Sheet Cake (pictured above)
• Lemon Sheet Cake
• Chocolate Hazelnut Marble Cake
• Honey Bun Cake
• Lemon Pound Cake Bars
• Tiramisu Cake
• Butterscotch Spice Poke Cake
• Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake
• Strawberry Sheet Cake
• Classic Crumb Cake
• Butterfinger Cake
• Coconut Cake with Dulce de Leche Frosting
• Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Frosting
• Brown Butter Almond Cake with Apricot Whipped Cream
• Frosted Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
• Coconut Sheet Cake
• Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting
• Berry Vanilla Cake
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake

9×13 Brownie Recipes

Most brownie recipes are made in 8- or 9-inch square pans because of how brownies bake. In a large pan, it can be a little tricky to get them baked evenly. Of course, it’s entirely possible to bake them in a larger pan. I mean, who’s not in favor of a bigger batch of brownies? Give one of these recipes a try!

• Nutella-Salted Shortbread Brownies (pictured above)
• Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Brownies
• Amy’s Brownies
• Caramel Crunch Brownies
• Supernatural Brownies
• Frosted Caramel Pecan Brownies
• Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies
• Cream Cheese Brownies with Toffee and Pecans
• Oatmeal Brownie Bars

9×13 Cookie Bar Recipes

Baking cookie dough in a 9×13 pan is quite possibly the quickest route to homemade cookies. No scooping, no baking multiple batches. Just spread the dough in the pan and bake. I love the look of them, too!

• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars (pictured above)
• M&M Sugar Cookie Bars
• Snickerdoodle Bars
• Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Blueberry Hazelnut Oatmeal Cookie Bars
• Black and White Cookie Bars
• Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
• Double Delicious Cookie Bars
• Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

9×13 Bar Recipes

From blondies to magic bars and a whole lot in between, bar recipes cover a lot of ground flavor-wise. This type of pan gives you a lot of room for creativity with easy layering, too.

• Carmelitas (pictured above)
• Caramel Peanut Blondies
• Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies
• Dulce de Leche Magic Bars
• Apricot Almond Bars
• Seven Layer Bars
• Apple Cinnamon Crumb Bars
• Cookies and Cream Blondies
• Chocolate Hazelnut Oat Bars
• Salted Butterscotch Blondies
• Frosted Zucchini Bars
• Double Chocolate Chunk Blondies

9×13 Cheesecake Recipes

Cheesecakes are one of my favorite things to bake when I need to impress with dessert. As much as I love traditional cheesecakes, I also enjoy cheesecake bars. You usually get a little different ratio of crust to filling than with most cheesecakes. They also have a quicker baking time, making them a perfect choice when you want homemade cheesecake without a longer baking time.

• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars (pictured above)
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars
• Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars
• Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars
• Lemon Pistachio Cheesecake Bars
• Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars
• Spiced Cheesecake Bars
• Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars
• Caramel Cream Cheese Bars
• Cherry Cheesecake Bars

9×13 No-Bake Recipes

Sometimes a no-bake dessert is just the thing. Maybe it’s too hot to turn on the oven. Or the oven is being used for cooking dinner. Or maybe it’s just something so good that you can’t resist! That’s how I feel about these crave-worthy recipes.

• No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars (pictured above)
• Coconut Cream Pie Bars
• Scotcheroos
• Salted Chocolate Brown Butter Crispy Treats
• Good Morning Sunshine Bars
• Banana Split Cake
• Peanut Butter Caramel Pretzel Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Treats
• Banana Pudding

More 9×13 Dessert Recipes

If all of that good stuff above weren’t enough, there are still plenty of other irresistible desserts you can make in your reliable 9×13 pan. Pies and bread puddings and cobblers, oh my!

• Chewy Pecan Pie Bars (pictured above)
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Bread Pudding
• Blackberry Peach Cobbler
• Chocolate Bread Pudding
• German Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
• Chai Spice Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

I hope these recipes have inspired you to get out your trusty 9×13 pan and make something delicious!

Baking Tips and Tricks

Before you get baking, check out these helpful posts to improve your baking and make you a more confident baker.

• Baking Tips for Beginners
• How to Choose Baking Pans
• Unsalted vs Salted Butter
• How to Measure Flour
• Baking Powder vs Baking Soda

Bake or Break is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Don’t miss a recipe, 5 comments on “9×13 pan dessert recipes”.

Thanks so much. I live in a 55+ condo complex and once a month we have a pot luck. These recipes will be perfect.

What a fun thing to do with your neighbors! I wish our building did something like that!

Hola “Sorry I don’t speak english” solo te quería decir que hoy descubrí tu trabajo y todas las cosas exquisítas que preparas, me gusta mucho lo que haces. Espero en algún momento poder preparar algunas de tus recetas. Saludos desde Venezuela!

I have to make a dessert for a meeting at work on Tuesday, so this was reposted just in time! Thank you!

Wonderful! I hope you found something delicious to make!

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They all sound good! Guess I might be the old lady trying the Zucchini Lemon first! Lol

They all look so good! Can’t decide which one to try first!

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9x13 Cake Recipes So Good You Might Never Make A Layer Cake Again

Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

When it comes to Southern gatherings and celebrations, it's safe to say that bigger is often better. From your batches of biscuits to pitchers of sweet tea, more is actually just right. As much as we love our layered cakes and pies , we get a little edgy when watching the slices disappear quicker than we feel comfortable with. That's why we've come to love our 9x13 baking pan even more than our round ones. The totally underrated, no-fuss 9x13 cake deserves a little more credit, especially considering all of the delicious variations that go well beyond the basics. We're talking old-school classics like chocolate-mayonnaise and cola cakes, as well as fancy new friends like coconut-carrot and strawberries-and-cream cakes. These top-rated 9x13 cake recipes make the most of the one-layered dessert that easily feeds a crowd and wins at the cake-to-frosting ratio every time. Plus, they're tasty and pretty enough to pull out for every occasion. Here are our favorite 9x13 cake recipes of all time.

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Sure, as kids we gasped at the reveal that this delicious old-fashioned delicacy uses mayonnaise; but we were quick to brush it off. You can't argue with the fluffiest, most moist sheet cake ever. Top with chocolate-cream cheese frosting and watch this cake quickly disappear.

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

You won't find anything quite as Southern as this cake's take on an Arnold Palmer. Tea-infused batter gets topped with a zesty lemonade frosting and lemon slices for garnish. Turn this into a tipsy cake by substituting up to two tablespoons of vodka or bourbon for the lemon juice in the frosting.

Coca-Cola Cake

You can instantly tell the difference that the sweet syrup and magical bubbly brew of carbonated cola gives to the cake batter, resulting in an insanely tender texture. We even throw some Coca-Cola in the cream cheese frosting for a velvety finish! Use a spoon to make swooshes in the frosting for a pretty presentation.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

You heard it here first: this poke cake made us love banana pudding more than ever before, and we've had a lot of banana pudding! The cake is rich and delicious, bursting with fresh banana flavor and soaked with homemade vanilla pudding. The toppings of banana slices, whipped cream frosting, and crushed vanilla wafers seal the deal.

Texas Sheet Cake

Every old-fashioned Southern cook knows the power of a basic Texas sheet cake. One of the most versatile cakes you'll ever bake, this chocolatey cake is topped with a to-die-for Fudge Frosting. Top it off with toffee bits or toasted pecans.

Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

We never have to choose between carrot cake and coconut cake again with this amazing hybrid recipe—cooked in a 9x13 for ease to boot. Shredded carrots and coconut, raisins, and chopped walnuts add lots of texture. You'll be sneaking extra tastes of the mouthwatering coconut buttercream frosting too!

Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

Go ahead and line your 9x13 with parchment paper—because this plum and berry-studded sheet cake looks so happy and bright when displayed on a pretty serving tray. Fresh berries and plums balance nicely with the not-too-sweet vanilla-flavored cornmeal batter. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Heavenly Angel Food Cake

It's always good to have this most versatile sheet cake up your sleeve. It makes the perfect fluffy base for desserts aplenty, whether cut into squares for tea-time petit fours or frosted generously for a portable sheet cake. Spread on top with lemon-cream cheese frosting, and garnished with gumdrop rose petals and fresh mint leaves, this cake will look almost too pretty to eat.

Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Pairing pumpkin spice with toffee bits and a spice cake mix couldn't be easier or more delicious. Pumpkin-spiced cream cheese frosting and a garnish of chopped Heath bars create the ultimate topping. Make and serve this dessert in your 9x13 baking pan for ultimate portability for all of your fall parties.

Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

Cream soda, confetti sprinkles, and a tangy-sweet frosting naturally colored with freeze-dried strawberries make this sheet cake about the most festive thing we've ever seen. It can be your easy staple cake that fits every celebration. This cake can be made ahead by refrigerating for up to 3 days before serving.

Between the unique ingredients and how it’s assembled, this cake is wacky. There is no dairy in wacky cake, it uses oil, vinegar, vanilla extract, and water instead for wet ingredients. The cake gets mixed in the pan it's baked in by making wells for the oil, vinegar, and vanilla, and then stirring with water. This easy-to-assemble dessert using pantry staples has stood the test of time—also called Depression cake, war cake, or crazy cake—wacky cake’s origins go back nearly a century when many common ingredients were hard to acquire or rationed.

Peanut Butter Cake

This easy-to-make peanut butter-flavored cake feeds a crowd and uses mostly pantry staples. Buttermilk is the Southern-secret ingredient that makes this cake moist. This tasty cake is topped with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting and chopped dry-roasted peanuts for a deliciously tangy and nutty flavor combo.

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

When you're looking for an easy cake that somehow looks even better than it tastes, this strawberry-speckled sheet cake is the way to go. Buttermilk adds a little tang, and strawberry-flavored gelatin adds a pretty, berry pink color to the cake. It won't disappoint, especially at any spring or summer gathering.

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25 Thanksgiving Desserts to Make In Your 9x13-Inch Pan

Your trusty 9x13-inch pan is the key to these crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving desserts.

Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

"Simple to make and delicious! Top it off with whipped cream — it will be a crowd pleaser." — kelly

Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding

"This was so easy to make and was so delicious. Try serving it with vanilla or caramel ice cream. YUM!" — Cookie

Lemon Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

"I won a dessert contest at work with this recipe! Simply fabulous!" — Jennifer F

Apple Pie Slices

"I made it yesterday for Thanksgiving (rather than pie) and had several compliments. I've had a few people at work ask for the recipe too! I especially love the crust! Will keep with my 'favorites!'" — wibakingmom

Cardamom Creme Brulee Parfait with Candied Pumpkin

"Here is a classic dessert with a bit of a twist that will stun your Thanksgiving guests, plus it's a great excuse to buy a kitchen torch if you don't already have one." — Ashley Baron Rodriguez  

Rum Raisin Bread Pudding with Warm Vanilla Sauce

"This easy bread pudding and vanilla sauce recipe combines my favorite things in the world: bread pudding, apples, raisins, vanilla, and rum! The sauce thickens atop the bread pudding, providing an attractive and delicious glaze. We never have leftovers!" — CHICAGOCOOKS22

Pecan Pie Bars

"These pecan pie bars are sweet and crunchy. Great for gifting during holiday season." — Marietta Strothmann  

Churro Cheesecake Bars

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"Churros meet cheesecake in these delicious churro cheesecake bars. Store-bought crescent dough is filled with a cinnamony cream cheese mixture and topped with cinnamon sugar. Serve with Mexican cajeta for extra caramel flavor." — Sarah Brekke

Nonnie's Persimmon Pudding

"Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! This is very much like my grandmothers recipe. She has been gone for years and this dessert brings back wonderful memories." — Sherry Wilkinson

Nickie's Apple-Pecan Cheesecake

"Best ever cheesecake! I did not have graham crackers so I made filling and poured into (2) pre-made graham cracker crusts. The filling fit beautifully. I baked for 1 hour and when serving drizzled caramel sauce. It was a hit! Can't wait to get graham crackers and make it per the recipe! It's a no fail recipe!" — lynette

Sweet Potato Casserole Dessert

"It was awesome! My family loved it and wanted it again! This will definitely be on our holiday list from now on." — Kaye Hinds

Pumpkin Dump Cake

"We loved this recipe! I've made dump cakes before and this pumpkin one is a nice change for pumpkin pie lovers." — AMYNTEXAS

Thanksgiving Bread Pudding

"This bread pudding is the most requested recipe I have. We stopped having pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and now have this instead." — DAWNMARIEF

Cinnamon-Apple Bars with Icing

"Cinnamon-spiced apple slices are layered between a soft golden crust and a crumb topping, drizzled with icing. Tastes exactly like apple pie, only in bar form!" — AHOTA84  

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dessert

"This is a really nice change from the boring old pumpkin pie! I took it to a family dinner and everyone wanted the recipe." — Bren

Fresh Cranberry Cake

""My family loved this cake. I made it for Thanksgiving and it was the perfect cranberry dessert." — mehrotrakirti

Apple Crisp

"This apple crisp recipe is a simple yet delicious fall dessert that's great served warm with vanilla ice cream." — Diane Kester

Boona's Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars

"These easy to make bars have been a hit in my family for years! I first made them in 4-H over 15 years ago! They are always requested for family gatherings. Who can resist butterscotch and cheesecake?!?" — mom4draven

Pumpkin Love (Layered Pumpkin Dessert)

"I like the taste of pumpkin, but not the texture in pie. This is the best of all worlds. I serve it warm with vanilla bean ice cream and fresh whipped cream. Delicious!" — Tina Sutton

Sopapilla Cheesecake

"This is a quick, easy and tasty dessert. A rich and creamy filling surrounded by a crispy cinnamon crust makes this a favorite for anyone who loves a sweets." — SAINTWIC

Cranberry Almond Swirl Cheesecake Cookie Bars

"Delicious, easy to make, and festive!" — tcasa

White Chocolate and Walnut Pumpkin Bars

"An easy-to-make pumpkin bar that has a dense, cake-like texture. It can be assembled relatively quickly, and tastes great with a cup of coffee! For best results, let the bars sit until the next day-the flavors meld and the spices come through more." — Kim  

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake

"I have a family member is can't eat dairy, so this was perfect. The whole family really enjoyed it. Topped each piece with either coconut whipped cream or dairy whipped cream. The coffee added a wonderful undertone to the flavors." — Dunroamin on the McKenzie

Éclair Cake

“This is an easy, DELICIOUS recipe. I get requests to make it at least once every holiday season. I add a bit of pure vanilla extract to the pudding mixture to intensify the vanilla flavor.” — ERIKANELSON

Great Pumpkin Dessert

"This easy pumpkin dessert recipe is made with canned pumpkin, yellow cake mix, and walnuts. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream." — Nancy  

More Recipe Inspiration

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