18 Childhood Classic Desserts with an Adult Twist

Nothing reminds me of my childhood like chocolate cake with chocolate frosting! Served with a tall glass of milk, this classic chocolate cake recipe is one I turn to again and again when I’m feeling nostalgic. Don’t forget to top your dessert with your favorite sprinkles for added color and pizazz!

This isn’t your mom’s PB&J! A fun dessert for late nights with friends, these sandwiches are made using homemade donuts, then are topped with cookies and grape-flavored jellybeans for an indulgent treat that’s obviously best served with a glass of milk!

Everyone knows cookies make the best ice cream sandwiches! With this recipe, you can bake your own sprinkle-infused cookies (or use store-bought, we won’t tell!) and fill them with your favorite ice cream for a delicious summer treat you’ll love even more than you did when you were a kid.

You’ll score a touchdown at your next football party with these cute football-inspired jelly shots. Made using alcoholic root beer (or non-alcoholic for the kids), these sweet little jellies are great for tailgates or watching the game with buds on the big screen.

Booze up your brownies using your favorite bottle of red wine. A decadent dessert made with Dark Cocoa Candy Melts candy and cocoa powder, this grown-up brownie recipe would be delicious with a glass or port or a hot cup of coffee.

Chocolate and peanut butter lovers rejoice! The only thing that could make the classic chocolate chip cookie better is peanut butter, and these cookies combine the two perfectly. Serve with a tall glass of milk or crumble them on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. No matter how you eat these cookies, it’s near impossible to stop at just one!

Enjoy a taste of island living with these coconut pineapple upside down cupcakes. Flavored with coconut rum, these little bite-sized delights are great for any summer celebration.

Featuring all the fall flavors you love, these caramel apple cookie bars make a wonderful campfire dessert. Packed with cinnamon, dried apples, pecans and caramel, these bars are great when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoy with a glass of your favorite whiskey for an indulgent autumn sweet treat.

Sure, thumbprints are great when filled with chocolate, but these PB&J-inspired cookies are great for the young at heart. Filled with raspberry jam, these peanut butter cookies will bring back all your favorite childhood memories!

Give your favorite peanut butter-filled candy a little makeover with this grown-up candy recipe! Made using Dark Cocoa Candy Melts candy, these little peanut butter cups are topped with a dash of Salted Caramel flavor.

Give your favorite lunchtime meal a sweet upgrade with these peanut butter and jelly cupcakes. Topped with peanut butter frosting, grape jelly and crunchy peanuts, these cupcakes are great for birthday parties, movie nights or just weeknights in with the kids.

Bourbon and chocolate and caramel, oh my! Packed with amazing flavor, these little brownie bites are a delicious way to end your meal. The buttery flavor of pecan pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate and Bourbon for a dessert that tastes similar to (if not better than!) their candy inspiration.

Add a little pop of color to your favorite childhood summer treat with some Candy Melts candy and a splash of sprinkles. A fun project to do with the kids, these candy-dipped ice pops are sweet, refreshing and fun!

Start your day off right with these tasty muffins inspired by the classic jelly donut. Filled with raspberry jam and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, these muffins are great for brunch with mom or breakfast with the kids. These muffins are also baked, not fried, so treat yourself to one more!

Breakfast for dessert? Yes, please! Hearty maple syrup, sweet bananas and crunchy candied walnuts combine with a rich cream cheese frosting for a delicious cupcake you can enjoy late at night or early in the morning!

Go big or go home with this rich and buttery Bourbon bread pudding. Made using croissants and drizzled with a sweet caramel sauce, this is one indulgent dessert that’s worth every calorie!

Layers of chocolate and peanut butter nestle between chocolate cookie crumbs for a cool, sweet dessert that’s perfect for summer dinner parties or BBQs. Best of all, there’s no need to bake this lasagna! It “cooks” in the fridge!