8x8 Dessert Recipes That Make Baking Easier Than Ever

From brownies to cake and pudding, these 30 dessert recipes are nice, neat, and delicious.

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Updated on February 14, 2024

Southern Living Peanut Butter Lava Cake — Photo:
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Leave it to Southerners to do dessert right. We're known to show our love through cake layers, pretty pies, and homemade cookies. But sometimes we find ourselves in a pinch without enough time to whip up an intricate creation, or we just want something simple and sweet without the fuss. Enter our 8x8 dessert recipes, which are made for busy days and simple gatherings. From cakes to brownies, all these treats fit perfectly into an 8-inch square pan with easy clean-up. You'll want to pull the Wacky Cake out of the recipe tin for a one-bowl wonder (really, one pan) and save the Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake for a get-together with your girlfriends. Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches will bring out everyone's inner kid, and Lemon Tiramisu adds a bright, fresh spin to your springtime dessert table. With all these 8x8 dessert recipes, baking has never been easier.

01 of 30

Milk-And-Cereal Bars

Southern Living Milk and Cereal Bars ready to serve with bowls of cereal nearby — Molly Bolton

These sweet treats will bring all the nostalgia!

02 of 30

Peppermint Brownies

Peppermint Brownies — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

If the name "Peppermint Brownies" doesn't have you already saving this recipe for later, know that these fudgy, minty brownies have a surprise. A bit of mocha flavor really takes these treats to new heights.

03 of 30

Wacky Cake

Wacky Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Once you learn (if you don't already know) the secret to this cake, you'll understand that it earns its name. This cake comes together in one 8x8 pan—literally. You mix the ingredients right in before pushing the cake into the oven.

04 of 30

Chocolate Pudding Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Pudding Cake scooped out on plates to serve with ice cream — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This pudding cake comes together like magic. It's perfect for anyone who loves a chocolate lava cake or gooey brownie.

05 of 30

Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake

Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

If you want to rosé all day, here's your ticket. This cheerfully pink cake is guaranteed to be a hit with your girlfriends.

06 of 30

Carrot-Walnut Snack Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot-Walnut Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Loaded with carrots, nuts, and spices, this cake is the snack that tides you over from after school or work to dinner. As far as we're concerned, carrot cake counts as a vegetable—making this a healthy afternoon snack

07 of 30

Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Peanut Butter Lava Cake — Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

As soon as you spoon into the center of this cake, a river of molten peanut butter-chocolate lava will flow.

08 of 30

Banana Bread Brownies

Banana Bread Brownies — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Two family favorites, banana bread and brownies, combine for the ultimate crowd-pleaser. If you find yourself with not quite enough bananas for a whole loaf of bread, try this recipe instead. It only requires one, and chocolate does the rest.

09 of 30

Blackberry Cobbler

Blackberry Cobbler — Southern Living

This cobbler, which will fit into an 8x8 or 9x9 pan, is delicious served warm or cold. A large scoop of ice cream is obligatory.

10 of 30

Hummingbird Snack Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

Hummingbird Snack Cake with Brown Butter Frosting — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

One of the South's favorite cakes gets the snack treatment. If it's really that simple (and it is a one-bowl wonder), then there's really no reason not to make it.

11 of 30

Best-Ever Brownies

Best-Ever Brownies — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Trust us, these are the brownies you want to have on hand for every party and holiday gathering. For a little extra touch, cut into diamonds rather than the standard square.

12 of 30

Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting

Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This summery cake will put those farm-fresh raspberries to excellent use. Swath it all in the decadent frosting and watch everyone line up for seconds.

13 of 30

So Good Brownies

So Good Brownies — Jennifer Davick

Well, everything you need to know about this treat is in the name. Lining the 8-inch pan with aluminum foil will make for an easy lift when the brownies come out of the oven.

14 of 30

Easy Blackberry Cobbler

Easy Blackberry Cobbler — John O'Hagan

This six-ingredient dessert couldn't be easier. If you want to feed a group, bake it in an 8x8 baking dish. If you want to gussy up the presentation, bake it in individual ramekins.

15 of 30

Key Lime Icebox Cake

Key Lime Icebox Cake — Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Take this easy dessert with you to an afternoon on the beach or lake. Since it needs to stand for an hour, it'll be ready for all to enjoy by the time you reach your destination.

16 of 30

Triple Coconut Poke Snack Cake

Triple-Coconut Poke Snack Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Consider this cake a triple-threat: coconut milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk, and coconut chips. It's a tropical treat so good, you'll be eating it from breakfast to dessert.

17 of 30

Layered Eggnog Blondies

Layered Eggnog Blondies — Meghan Overdeep

For the eggnog fans who prefer not to imbibe an entire glass, these little cheesecake squares will satisfy any craving. They make for a divinely festive treat around the holidays.

18 of 30

Lemon Tiramisu

Lemon Tiramisu — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Give the well-loved Italian dessert a springtime twist with lemon zest, extract, and pudding. It only requires eight ingredients and 15 minutes, making it an easy, last-minute Easter brunch addition.

19 of 30

Praline Cake

Praline Cake — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Emily Hall; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This dessert drips with a decadent praline glaze that complements the tender vanilla cake beneath. This cake suits any and every occasion, so it's one that we like to keep on hand.

20 of 30

Gingerbread Brownies With Eggnog Frosting

Gingerbread Brownies With Eggnog Frosting — The Home Edit

It started with a box of fudge brownie mix and the rest, we say, is history. This dessert mashup is one that you'll be grateful to add to your recipe box.

21 of 30

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake — Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Give the traditional banana pudding the summer rendition we all need: fresh strawberries. Assemble with graham crackers in an 8x8-inch pan for an easy, neat, pretty presentation.

22 of 30

Triple-Decker Saltine Toffee Bars

Triple-Decker Saltine Toffee Bars

Saltine crackers add a crispy addition to old-school toffee treats. Salty and sweet, these layered dessert bars will satisfy any after-supper craving.

23 of 30

Coconut Brown Sugar Fudge

Coconut brown sugar fudge squares on red background — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Easy but impressive, this flavored fudge will be a stand-out wherever you serve it. We used a tried and true formula with a tropical twist for winning fudgy flavor.

24 of 30

Marbled Brown Sugar Fudge

Marbled brown sugar fudge squares on red background — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

This fudge is full of deep flavor and rich texture. Bittersweet chocolate chips swirled on top guarantee that these sweets will looks as dynamic as they taste.

25 of 30

Bourbon-Pecan Brown Sugar Fudge

Bourbon-pecan brown sugar fudge — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

We made fudge a little bit more Southern with a few well-loved additions. Bourbon and pecans are the easy twist that will make this your favorite fudge recipe yet.

26 of 30

Caramel Brownies

Caramel Brownies — Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley

Make brownies even more indulgent with a generous drizzle of caramel. Luscious bites of caramel are heavenly inside fudgy chocolate brownie batter.

27 of 30

Bourbon-Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Bourbon-Sweet Potato Bread Pudding in a well seasoned orange dish — Photo: Antonis Achilleos Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Prop Styling: Matthew Gleason

Bourbon and sweet potatoes are a combination that we'll always root for, and this recipe doesn't disappoint. Toast the cubed Challah for your best bread pudding yet.

28 of 30

Foolproof Brown Sugar Fudge

Foolproof brown sugar fudge squares on red background — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

You can't go wrong with this scrumptious fudge recipe. Put it in your recipe box for safe keeping because you're going to want to remember this one.

29 of 30

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

a square pan of banana pudding on a yellow linen — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Banana pudding that will hold up against the test of time comes together in your trusty 8x8. Try this recipe and discover how much better homemade banana pudding is than the packaged stuff.

30 of 30

Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Fudgy brownies meet cool, rich vanilla ice cream for a treat that brings out the kid in everyone. The 8x8-inch pan will come in handy for assembly.

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