Trending Sweets: What Desserts Are Hot Right Now?

If you've walked past a bakery or scrolled through your feed lately, it's impossible to miss that desserts are having a serious moment. Think about it—when did you last see a dessert trend that didn't make you want to run for your mixing bowl? Right now, what's old is new again, but with a twist. You’ll see classic desserts showing up everywhere, but they come loaded with new flavors or surprising presentations.

Want to jump in on the dessert craze? It’s easier than you think. You don't need rare ingredients or hours of prep. Most trending sweets need basic pantry stuff—plus a little creativity. Some bakers are switching up regular sugar for unexpected things like brown butter or tahini to change the flavor game. Others keep things super simple but focus on the look. A bit of powdered sugar, a drizzle of glaze, and suddenly your ordinary dessert becomes Instagram-worthy.

• The comeback of nostalgic desserts
• Viral sweets taking over social media
• International flavors on the rise
• Easy tips for making trendy treats at home

The comeback of nostalgic desserts

2025 is all about throwbacks, especially when it comes to desserts. Those treats you grew up with—think banana pudding, chocolate chip cookies, and rice crispy treats—are popping up everywhere, but with little upgrades. Bakeries are adding bold flavors like miso or browned butter to blondies, or boosting brownies with tahini or pretzel swirls. It’s not just about the flavor, either. Home bakers are bringing back sheet pan cakes, but they’re swapping neon sprinkles for natural colors and loading them with extra-decadent frosting.

The reason these desserts are back isn’t hard to figure out. People want comfort, and nothing says that like the sweets you ate at family get-togethers or school parties. But the twist is, these old favorites are getting a glow-up. You’ll spot classic apple pies topped with salted caramel or old-school pound cakes taking on new life with espresso glazes. Even Jell-O molds—yeah, really—are getting an upgrade with fresh fruit and whipped coconut topping instead of the usual canned stuff.

If you want to bake trending sweets at home, start with a classic recipe. Add a twist: mix in a fun spice (like cardamom to snickerdoodles), swap out the filling (try Nutella in cinnamon rolls instead of the usual cinnamon-sugar), or change up the toppings with toasted nuts or citrus zest. The trick is to keep the basics familiar, but throw in one surprise so it stands out.

• Pound cakes: Try a brown butter glaze or spike it with lemon-lime zest.
• Banana pudding: Layer with crispy cookie bits or shaved chocolate on top instead of vanilla wafers.
• Rice crispy treats: Mix in freeze-dried berries for a punch of color and tartness.

The coolest part? These dessert trends aren’t stuck in the past—they’re evolving. Nostalgic treats let you play around in the kitchen while still hitting that comfort-food nostalgia.

Viral sweets taking over social media

Social media has turned dessert trends into full-blown crazes. With a swipe or scroll, you can spot new sweets in action, and some of them go from niche to mega-popular overnight. Right now, videos under the hashtag #desserttrends rack up over 2 billion views on TikTok alone, showing just how many people are following the dessert trends chase.

Ever tried a cronut or a croffle? These mashups have been everywhere lately. Cronuts (that’s a croissant and a donut) might sound old by now, but their new cousin—the croffle (croissant plus waffle)—blew up across Instagram Reels late in 2024. Influencers aren’t just posting the finished product. You see step-by-step clips, fail videos, and easy tweaks.

This past year, mochi donuts spiked in online searches after a handful of creators posted their chewy, bouncy textures. Unlike standard donuts, mochi versions use glutinous rice flour. The result is a light, stretchy bite. And because these treats are often decorated with colorful glazes or freeze-dried fruit, they grab a ton of attention in photos and videos.

Another big hit? The Basque burnt cheesecake. At first, the idea of purposefully “burning” a dessert seemed odd. Still, the mix of a caramelized outside with a soft, custardy core struck a chord online. From New York to Tokyo, bakeries saw lines out the door when foodies shared their takes on social platforms.

• Croffles: Quick to make with ready-made croissant dough and a waffle iron.
• Mochi donuts: Use rice flour for that signature chew. Simple glazes are enough.
• Basque burnt cheesecake: The darker the top, the better. Perfect for beginner bakers.
• Cloud bread: Uses only eggs, sugar, and cornstarch—goes viral for the fluffy look more than the taste.

Here’s a quick rundown of how these sweets popped off on social media last year:

If you want to join in, think visual. Most viral desserts win big because they look cool and come together in a few easy steps. Sometimes it’s all about a dramatic cheese pull, colorful icing, or a satisfying crunch on camera. The speed and creativity you see online spill over into home kitchens—so grab your phone and roll with the next big trend.

International flavors on the rise

People are craving something different, and dessert trends in 2025 prove it. Don’t be shocked if your local bakery has Japanese mochi donuts or Mexican tres leches cake on display. These sweets aren’t just for travel shows anymore—they’re everywhere now.

Korean bingsu (a shaved ice dessert with toppings like sweet milk, matcha, and fruit) is turning up as a top pick during summer. Thai mango sticky rice, with its creamy coconut milk and ripe mango, is now a regular on many trendy café menus. Even Basque burnt cheesecake—from Spain—keeps trending because of its caramelized top and creamy center. Many home bakers love it since it doesn’t need a water bath or fancy skills.

• Dessert trends show international influence: French macarons with Asian-inspired flavors like yuzu or black sesame are super popular at bakeries and on food blogs.
• Brazilian brigadeiros (chocolate fudge balls) have been popping up in birthday parties, weddings, and even as party favors in the US and Europe.
• Taiwanese bubble tea-inspired cakes and cupcakes are getting tons of attention, especially among younger crowds who love anything boba.

If you want to try this at home, check your local grocery store for global ingredients. Stuff like condensed milk, matcha powder, or tapioca pearls are easier to find than ever. Plus, tons of supermarkets now have aisles just for international foods.

Here’s a quick look at which flavors are leading the trend right now:

The best part? You don’t need to travel to try these sweets. Give them a go at home, and you might end up loving international desserts even more than the classics.

Easy tips for making trendy treats at home

You don’t need to be a pro baker to whip up some of the hottest dessert trends right in your kitchen. Most trending sweets rely on little hacks and clever shortcuts that anyone can handle. TikTok trends have popularized things like using store-bought dough for cinnamon rolls and leveling up your brownies with a handful of potato chips or even pretzels for crunch.

Here’s some practical stuff you can do to join the trend:

• Swap out the basics: Try brown butter instead of regular butter to add a nutty flavor to cookies and cakes. People love the depth it gives to treats without needing new ingredients.
• Go bold with flavor: Add matcha powder or instant espresso to your batter for a punch of taste and color. You can even swirl in jam or nut butter for an easy upgrade.
• Dress it up: Eye-catching toppings take even a simple treat over the top. Think freeze-dried fruit, mini marshmallows, or a sprinkle of edible glitter. Looks matter when everyone’s taking dessert pics.
• Batch-bake with friends or family: It’s way more fun, and you get more variety at the end. Try a dessert board, mixing mini versions of trending sweets on one platter.

Curious what’s actually most popular? Here’s a quick look at home bakers’ favorite desserts in 2024, according to a survey across popular recipe websites:

If you want to save time, try using an air fryer or microwave for faster versions of popular treats like brownies and mug cakes. And don’t forget, the freezer is your best friend—most trendy desserts can be portioned and frozen, ready for days when you want something sweet with zero hassle.