Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse to make something extra-special for mum. Whether you’re planning a relaxed morning tea, a family lunch, afternoon tea in the garden or a cosy dinner, there’s a dessert here to finish every occasion perfectly.

This collection of Mother’s Day desserts is filled with treats that feel special without being overly complicated. You’ll find pretty cakes, creamy cheesecakes, fruity tarts, rich chocolate desserts, easy slices and make-ahead sweets that let you enjoy the day with mum instead of spending all day in the kitchen.

Table of contents

Quick Favourites Section

If you need an answer quick, and don’t have time to scroll through the 26 recipes below (#worthit), here are the some favourites from the blog. In order, they’re;

  1. Easy but showstopping Strawberry Sponge Cake
  2. Easy, creamy No Bake Passionfruit Cheesecake
  3. Quick, make-ahead Baileys Panna Cotta
  4. Rich, also make-ahead Salted Caramel Pots De Creme
A strawberry sponge cake on a cake platter.

Strawberry Sponge Cake
A passionfruit cheesecake with slices cut from it on a white platter.

No Bake Passionfruit Cheesecake
A Baileys panna cotta on a dessert plate with a scoop taken out of it.

Baileys Panna Cotta
Small glass jars on a grey platter, filled with caramel custard. One has a spoon sitting on top

Salted Caramel Pots De Creme

Showstopper Cakes

If you want to make mum feel truly spoilt, a beautiful cake is a wonderful place to start. These Mother’s Day cakes are perfect for making a statement, whether you’re serving dessert after lunch or setting the table for a special afternoon tea.

Lemon Meringue Cake
A lemon meringue cake cut into slices.
This lemon meringue cake is layers of soft, moist lemon cake, filled with lemon curd and frosted with a luscious meringue frosting. Sweet and tangy all at once, it’s a showstopper.
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Cherry Chocolate Bundt Cake
A whole chocolate cherry bundt cake on a marble platter.
This stunning moist and soft cherry chocolate bundt cake is a quick and easy dessert everyone will love. Topped with a sweet cherry icing.
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Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream (Black and White Cake)
A chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream on a platter, with a few slices cut away.
This chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream (or black and white cake) is easy and indulgent. Layers of fudgy chocolate cake and frosting.
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Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe
A slice of fluffy vanilla cake on a dessert plate.
This fluffy vanilla cake is so easy! Soft, light layers with creamy frosting, perfect for celebrations or any time. Way better than box mix.
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Raspberry Sponge Cake
A slice of raspberry sponge cake on a plate with a dessert fork next to it.
This super-easy raspberry sponge cake is two perfect layers of soft and fluffy sponge cake, filled with whipped cream and raspberry jam.
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Cheesecakes and creamy desserts

Creamy, elegant and make-ahead friendly these desserts are perfect when you want something that feels a little luxurious without too much fuss on the day. From baked and no-bake cheesecakes to creme brulee, these are lovely options for a relaxed but special celebration.

Baked Ricotta Cheesecake
A closeup of a slice of baked cheesecake.
This baked ricotta cheesecake is easy to make and has a lighter flavour than a regular cheesecake. It’s soft, creamy and sweet with the tang of lemon and it’s make ahead friendly, so it’s perfect for a crowd.
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Baked Lemon Cheesecake Recipe
A slice of lemon cheesecake on a dessert plate.
This easy baked lemon cheesecake is creamy, rich, tangy and so delicious. Absolutely packed with lemon flavour, it's a lemon lovers dream!
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Miniature Strawberry Cheesecakes
A miniature cheesecake cut open to show the strawberry filling inside.
Mini strawberry cheesecakes are as cute as they are delicious. Individual no bake cheesecakes made in a muffin tin with a classic cookie base, creamy cheesecake and rich strawberry filling. Irresistible.
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Caramel Crème Brûlée Tart
Top down view of the caramel creme brulee tart with a pot of caramel next to it.
This caramel creme brulee tart is a smooth, caramel custard in a flaky crust, topped with that classic crunchy toffee. It's easier than you might think too!
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Chocolate Creme Brulee Recipe
A spoon digging into chocolate creme brulee.
With only 4 ingredients this perfect Chocolate Creme Brulee recipe is not only easy to make but it’s also the perfect make ahead dessert for entertaining. Soft, sweet and creamy chocolate custard with a crunchy toffee top.
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Pretty Fruity Desserts

Fresh, bright and beautiful on the table, fruity desserts are always a gorgeous choice for Mother’s Day. These recipes are filled with berries, citrus and passionfruit flavours, make them feel light, colourful and perfect for sharing.

Simple Strawberry Flan
A strawberry tart with a light sponge base sitting on a marble platter with some slices cut out of it
Beautiful and simple, this Strawberry Flan is an airy sponge flan case, loaded with sweet strawberries and jelly. It’s a light, fresh summer dessert that can be easily turned into a mixed fruit flan too using any of your favourite in-season fruits.
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Strawberry Mousse Tart
The tart with 4 slices cut.
This strawberry mousse tart is a soft silky mousse made from real strawberries, inside a crisp tart shell and more fresh strawberries. It's a beautiful way to make the most of fresh berries.
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Passionfruit Tart
A slice of passionfruit tart on a small dessert plate.
This passion fruit tart, with it’s crisp tart shell and easy passionfruit curd custard filling tastes as good as it sounds. It’s all kinds of tropical dessert bliss.
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Raspberry Tiramisu
A slice of raspberry tiramisu on a white plate surrounded by fresh raspberries.
Just 8 ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to make this eggless raspberry tiramisu. Flavours that taste like summer, a rich creamy filling and no raw eggs, this eggless tiramisu will be a hit with your friends and family.
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Orange and Poppy Seed Cake
Top down view of a bundt cake with 4 slices.
This orange and poppy seed cake is tender and moist and so easy to make. With it’s bright and zesty flavour and a simple orange glaze, this elegant orange bundt cake is a winner.
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Strawberry Puff Pastry Tart
Closeup of 3 slices of strawberry puff pastry tart.
This strawberry puff pastry tart is golden, flaky puff pastry with strawberries two-ways and a cream cheese filling. It’s fresh, summery and incredibly easy to make.
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Chocolate Desserts for Mum

For the chocolate-loving mums, this section is all about rich, indulgent desserts. Think fudgy brownies, silky chocolate tarts, and other chocolate treats that are guaranteed to make the day feel like a celebration.

Triple Chocolate Brownies
A stack of 3 triple chocolate brownies.
These triple chocolate brownies are easy to make and loaded with chocolate chips. They're an indulgent, decadent chocolate lovers dream.
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Mini Chocolate Tarts
Closeup of a chocolate tartlet drizzled with chocolate and raspberries.
These mini chocolate tarts with their buttery, crisp chocolate tartlet shells and silky-smooth chocolate ganache filling are a real chocolate lovers treat. Perfect for parties.
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Chocolate Meringue Cake
A meringue cake on a cake platter.
This spectacular chocolate meringue cake, with layers of chocolate swirled meringue, chantilly cream then piled with chocolate curls and fresh fruit deserves centre stage on your dessert table.
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Pistachio Chocolate Snack Cake
Top down view of 9 squares of pistachio chocolate cake with the middle one turned on it's side.
This moist chocolate snack cake topped with creamy pistachio buttercream is easy, rich and irresistible chocolate-pistachio bliss.
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Slices Bars and Easy Bakes

These easy bakes are perfect for morning tea, afternoon tea or a casual Mother’s Day dessert platter. They’re simple to make, easy to serve, and full of lovely flavours like berries, lemon, jam and buttery shortbread.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Blondies
Top down view of blondies with one standing on it's edge.
These white chocolate and raspberry blondies are delicious, quick and easy to make. Loaded with white chocolate chips and fresh raspberries, this blondie recipe comes together in just one bowl.
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Raspberry Shortbread Bars
A few raspberry shortbread bars leaning up against one another.
These melt-in-the-mouth raspberry shortbread bars are your new go-to easy cookie bar. Just 6 simple ingredients they're portable and delicious.
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Blueberry blondies
A stack of 3 blueberry blondies.
These blueberry blondies are fudgy blondies, bursting with blueberries, topped with crunchy streusel and a tangy, sweet lemon glaze.
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Jam Tarts
A batch of jam tarts on a serving tray.
These easy jam tarts have a short, buttery cookie base filled with sweet jam or fruit curd. A great lunch box or morning tea treat they're quick and delish!
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Passionfruit Slice Recipe
A passionfruit slice leaning up against another.
You'll love these easy passionfruit slice recipe. A coconut shortbread, tangy and sweet passionfruit filling and simple passionfruit jelly.
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Blueberry Crumble Bars
A blueberry shortbread bar angled up towards the camera to show the filling.
These blueberry crumble bars are a lemony shortbread and juicy blueberries in one easy and portable dessert. Tangy, sweet, buttery and so delicious.
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What to serve with Mothers Day Dessert

A few simple extras can make any dessert feel even more special. Fresh berries, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, lemon curd, berry compote or a dusting of icing sugar are all easy ways to dress up your Mother’s Day treats.

Storage and make-ahead tips

Most of these desserts can be made ahead in some way, whether that means baking the cake the day before, chilling a cheesecake overnight or making brownies and bars in advance. Always check the individual recipe for storage instructions, but these general tips will help you plan your Mother’s Day baking with confidence.

  • Cakes can often be baked the day before and decorated on the day of serving.
  • Cheesecakes, panna cotta, tiramisu and creme brulee are all idea for making 1-2 days in advance.
  • Brownies, blondies and bars are fine made 1-2 days ahead.
  • Fruit topped desserts are best decorated on the day of serving for freshness.
  • Store chilled desserts in the fridge until ready to serve.

FAQs

What is a good dessert to make for Mother’s Day?

A good Mother’s Day dessert is something that looks impressive but doesn’t leave you stressed out or running around the kitchen on the day. Cakes, cheesecakes, tarts, tiramisu, panna cotta, brownies, and fruity desserts are all lovely options.

What desserts can I make ahead for Mother’s Day?

Cakes, cheesecakes, tarts, tiramisu, panna cotta, creme brulee, brownies, blondies and shortbread bars are all great make-ahead desserts.

Whether you’re baking for mum, grandma, someone you love or simply treating yourself, I hope you find the perfect sweet thing to make the day feel special. Save this list for later, choose your favourite and enjoy every delicious bite.

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