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Mother’s Day Dessert Ideas

May 2, 2026 · In: Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Spring

Mother’s Day isn’t complete without a delicious dessert for mom to indulge in! I’ve collected 30+ of my favorite recipes you can use to celebrate your mama – desserts that are easy to make ahead like S’mores Icebox Cake and No-Bake Cheesecake, small batch cake recipes for more intimate family celebrations, and classics that my own mother loved to bake like Berry Crisp.

mothers day dessert ideas

A quick note about dietary restrictions: I have a small but growing collection of gluten-free dessert recipes, eggless cake recipes, and vegan dessert recipes in case you need them!

  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Eggless Cake Recipes
  • Vegan Cake Desserts

Mother’s Day Dessert Ideas

strawberry cupcakes recipe with strawberry frosting

Strawberry Cupcakes

These cupcakes are delightful and bursting with natural strawberry flavor! They are a labor of love (you’ll have to cook some strawberries) but worth it for mom.

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no churn vanilla ice cream berry crisp toppings

No-Churn Berry Crisp Ice Cream

Inspired by my love for berry crisp a la mode (and how it reminds me of my mom!), this berry crisp ice cream is smooth no-churn vanilla ice cream with ribbons of berry filling and buttery oat streusel clusters! 

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strawberry swirled no-bake cheesecake topped with strawberries

No-Bake Marbled Strawberry Cheesecake

Tangy no-bake cheesecake with swirls of beautiful strawberry reduction, set on a buttery graham cracker crust. Stunning, delicious, and perfect for making ahead!

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strawberry lemon cake recipe

Strawberry Lemon Cake

Soft and zesty lemon cake layers with bright strawberry buttercream that’s bursting with authentic flavor – this is the BEST strawberry lemon cake and it’s unbelievably easy to make.

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no bake cheesecake recipe by sugar and sparrow

The Perfect No-Bake Cheesecake

Velvety smooth, creamy filling that has all the traditional flavor of cheesecake (without any baking!) set on a buttery graham cracker crust. This one is perfect for making ahead!

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hummingbird cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Hummingbird Cake

As a mom, I can attest that this cake is so comforting! Stick-to-your-fork moist, perfectly spiced, and has incredible flavor between the ripe banana, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans.

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fruit pizza with berries recipe

Berry Fruit Pizza

A giant chewy sugar cookie with cream cheese frosting, dressed up with fresh berries for a dessert that will impress your mom big time! It’s quick, easy, and so fun to decorate.

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easy smores icebox cake recipe

Easy Smores Icebox Cake

Layers of graham crackers (which soften into a cakey consistency), easy chocolate ganache, and pillowy soft homemade marshmallow meringue that gets toasted on top! An easy make ahead dessert that mom will obsess over.

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lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting

Lemon Cupcakes

These lemon cupcakes are light and refreshing, perfectly fluffy, bursting with natural lemon flavor, and irresistible topped with lemon cream cheese buttercream.

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berry crisp recipe with vanilla ice cream

Berry Crisp

This always reminds me of my mom – she made it all the time growing up and I think of her every time I make it! A warm dish of mixed berry crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is so comforting.

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small batch raspberry chocolate cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Small Batch Raspberry Chocolate Cake

Decadent chocolate cake with delicious raspberry buttercream and a beautiful chocolate ganache drip, perfectly portioned for 2-4 people! Perfect size for a small family celebration.

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lemon blueberry cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting on a cupcake stand

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Super soft yet moist lemon cupcakes with fresh blueberries perfectly suspended inside and irresistible lemon cream cheese frosting. These are always a hit and I have a layer cake version too!

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sugar and sparrow small batch strawberry cake

Small Batch Strawberry Cake

The perfect amount of strawberry cake for 2-4 people and bursting with natural strawberry flavor! You can bake this as a mini 4-inch layer cake OR a single layer 6-inch cake.

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4th of july desserts no bake

Small Batch Strawberry Cake

The dreamiest cookies and cream cheesecake made without any baking! Rich and creamy french vanilla filling studded with Oreo cookies on a delicious Oreo crust.

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strawberry crunch ice cream cake recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

This cake is so nostalgic – any mom from the 90’s would remember a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar! This cake version is no-churn strawberry and vanilla ice cream with layers of strawberry crunch.

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berry chantilly cake recipe inspired by whole foods

Berry Chantilly Cake

Inspired by the iconic Whole Foods bakery dessert, this cake features layers of fluffy white cake, Chantilly cream frosting, and fresh berries throughout. 

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brown butter chocolate chip skillet cookie recipe

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

The ultimate chocolate chip skillet cookie made with rich brown butter! Perfectly gooey, crisp on the edges, and amazing whether served warm with ice cream or sliced at room temperature. Mom will love this!

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neapolitan ice cream cake by sugar and sparrow

Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake

Layers of delicious no-churn ice cream in classic neapolitan flavors (chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla), paired with decadent chocolate cake. Nostalgic and easy!

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chocolate chip cookie dough cake recipe with edible cookie dough

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cake

For the mom who can’t help herself to the cookie dough: soft and moist chocolate chip cookie cake, decadent brown sugar buttercream, semi-sweet chocolate ganache, and edible cookie dough!

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oreo icebox cake recipe

Easy Oreo Icebox Cake

7 layers of Oreo cookies and homemade whipped cream, refrigerated until the cookies soften into the perfect dessert consistency. Just four ingredients, easy to make, and every bite tastes like a milk-dunked Oreo.

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millionaire's cake recipe from scratch

Millionaire Cake

Inspired by a $22 slice of cake at Disneyworld, this recipe is so indulgent: decadent chocolate cake, thick caramel filling topped with shortbread crumbles, caramel buttercream, and whipped chocolate ganache frosting. Mom will feel like a millionaire!

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no-churn strawberry shortcake ice cream

No-Churn Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

No-churn vanilla ice cream with sweetened strawberries and baked shortcake crumbles in every bite. So dreamy and easy to whip up (no ice cream maker needed)!

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small batch churro cake by sugar and sparrow

Small Batch Churro Cake

For the Disney moms (or just moms who enjoy churros), this small batch version of my churro cake recipe is soft churro-flavored cake, smooth Mexican chocolate ganache, and cinnamon-vanilla buttercream. Makes just enough to serve 2-4 people.

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smores ice cream cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

The Ultimate S’mores Ice Cream Cake

I am such a big fan of s’mores and this would be my dream mother’s day dessert! Layers of no-bake graham cracker crust, homemade hot fudge, chocolate ice cream, and toasted marshmallow ice cream.

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lemon raspberry layer cake with raspberry filling and lemon raspberry frosting

Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake

Layers of soft lemon cake with raspberries baked into each layer (and perfectly suspended!), fresh raspberry cake filling, and lemon raspberry buttercream. 

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flourless chocolate cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Cake

This extra fudgy, decadent cake tastes like it came from a high brow restaurant and it’s so easy to make! It’s naturally gluten-free and will make Mother’s Day feel a little fancier.

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oatmeal creme pie cake recipe

Oatmeal Creme Pie Cake

Another nostalgic bake for any 90’s mom! Inspired by the classic after school treat, this Oatmeal Creme Pie cake is layers of deliciously moist oatmeal brown sugar cake and homemade marshmallow creme filling.

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the best snickers candy bar cake by sugar and saprrow

The Ultimate Snickers Cake

For the candy bar loving mom: layers of moist chocolate cake, chocolate peanut butter nougat, and thick peanut caramel, all wrapped up in chocolate buttercream frosting. I’ve also got a Milky Way Cake and a Twix Cake if either of those are her favorites!

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strawberry shortcake layer cake

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake

Layers of moist and fluffy white cake, homemade whipped cream frosting, fresh sweetened strawberries, and baked shortbread crumbs. So light and refreshing!

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small chocolate cake recipe serves 2

Small Batch Chocolate Cake

For the chocolate loving mom and perfectly portioned for 2-4 people! It’s an easy one-bowl recipe, super moist and decadent, and can be baked as a mini layer cake OR single layer 6-inch cake.

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london fog cupcake recipe with earl grey tea

London Fog Cupcakes

If your mom is a black tea lover, these cupcakes are right up her alley! They’re single serve portions of my beloved London Fog cake recipe – super soft and moist, infused with Earl Grey tea, and full of black tea vanilla flavor. 

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I hope you found the perfect Mother’s Day dessert on this list! Let me know what you make in the comments and feel free to share on Instagram. Be sure to tag @sugarandsparrowco if you post a photo – I love to see what you bake!

By: Whitney · In: Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Spring · Tagged: mothers day

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WHIPPED MASCARPONE FROSTING ✨silky smooth, delicio WHIPPED MASCARPONE FROSTING ✨silky smooth, deliciously light, and the perfect consistency for cake decorating (including filling layer cakes + piping)! Imagine a whipped cream frosting with notes of rich mascarpone cheese and that’s what this frosting tastes like. It’s a DREAM on my orange poppyseed cake and I can’t stop thinking of other Spring/Summer cake flavors I want to try it with! 

Full recipe with cake pairing suggestions at https://sugarandsparrow.com/whipped-mascarpone-frosting/ 

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup (8oz, 227g) mascarpone cheese, cold
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 Cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
2 Cups (240g) powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. With the whisk attachment on a stand mixer (or hand mixer with a large bowl), beat the mascarpone, vanilla, and salt together at medium speed until creamy, 1-2 min
2. Turn the mixer to low and add the heavy whipping cream slowly, then turn the mixer to medium speed and beat until soft peaks form, which could take less than 1 min (keep an eye on it!). You should be able to dip a spatula into the mixture and see a peak that slightly droops when held upright. 
3. Add the powdered sugar all at once and mix on low speed until incorporated, then turn the mixer to medium speed and whip for about 30 seconds longer, until the frosting is thick and silky. Use right away or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

#mascarpone #mascarponecream #whippedcreamfrosting #whippedcreamcake #cakedecorating
BERRY CHANTILLY CAKE 🍓🫐fully inspired by the iconi BERRY CHANTILLY CAKE 🍓🫐fully inspired by the iconic Whole Foods Chantilly cake (iykyk 🙌🏼) and every bit as delicious! My homemade version is layers of extra soft and fluffy vanilla cake, berry jam, Chantilly cream frosting with rich notes of mascarpone and a hint of almond, and fresh berries throughout. It’s the idealideal berries and cream cake and ALWAYS a hit!! 
⁣
Full recipe is linked in my bio (or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/berry-chantilly-cake-recipe/)

PS: I also have a sheet cake version of this recipe! Google “sugar and sparrow berry Chantilly sheet cake” to find it! 

#chantillycake #whippedcreamcake #berrycake #cakedecorating #vanillacake
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SHEET CAKE 🍓aka classic straw STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SHEET CAKE 🍓aka classic strawberry shortcake toppings on a fluffy vanilla sheet cake and ideal for a crowd! It’s my favorite bakery-style white cake that’s so soft and moist, topped with silky whipped cream cheese frosting and thick homemade strawberry sauce. So easy to throw together with simple ingredients + a total showstopper ✨

Grab the recipe link in my bio or find it at https://sugarandsparrow.com/strawberry-shortcake-sheet-cake/ 

#strawberrycake #strawberryshortcake #sheetcake #whippedcreamfrosting #cakedecorating
ORANGE POPPYSEED CAKE 🍊this cake is unbelievably d ORANGE POPPYSEED CAKE 🍊this cake is unbelievably delicious with whipped mascarpone frosting!! The cake layers are soft and moist, packed with fresh citrus flavor, and has the satisfying crunch of poppy seeds in every bite. The mascarpone frosting keeps it light and refreshing and I love that it comes together in just about 5 minutes with minimal effort. A fancy cake that’s secretly simple!

Grab the recipe link in my bio or find it at https://sugarandsparrow.com/orange-poppyseed-cake-with-mascarpone-frosting/

#poppyseedcake #layercake #mascarpone #whippedcreamfrosting #cakedecorating
VANILLA SHEET CAKE (recipe below) 🥳 this cake is p VANILLA SHEET CAKE (recipe below) 🥳 this cake is packed with vanilla flavor, SO soft and fluffy, fun to decorate, and ideal for feeding a crowd. It makes me so nostalgic for my childhood birthday cakes!! 
 
Full recipe (w/ frosting!) at https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-sheet-cake-recipe/
 
INGREDIENTS: 
2 1/2 Cups (265g) sifted cake flour
2 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp salt 
3/4 Cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temp 
1 3/4 Cup (340g) granulated sugar 
3 large eggs, room temp 
1/2 Cup (120g) sour cream, room temp
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract 
1 Cup (240ml) whole milk, room temp
 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and line a 9×13 baking dish. 
2. Add the sifted cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. 
3. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer and large bowl), beat the butter on high speed for two minutes until creamy. Add the sugar and continue to beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and paddle as needed. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing for about 10-15 seconds after each addition. Add the vanilla and sour cream and mix for one minute on high speed. 
4. Turn the mixer off and add the dry ingredients all at once. Mix on low speed until just combined, then add the milk in a steady stream and mix until just incorporated. 
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the baking dish until room temperature, then frost with vanilla buttercream. 
 
#vanillacake #sheetcake #birthdaycake #vanilla #cakedecorating

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