From Scratch Desserts: Homemade Pies, Cakes, and Crumbles
If you’re looking for simple and satisfying desserts from scratch, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pie-maker, there’s something rewarding about creating a homemade dessert with real, wholesome ingredients.
From flaky fruit pies and cozy crumbles to muffins, cookies, and holiday treats, these recipes are family favorites that use ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Most can be made with seasonal fruit, or your canned or frozen stash.
Explore some of our best homemade dessert recipes below, and if you’re hungry for more, don’t miss our full Cooking from Scratch guide for breads, pantry staples, and comforting meals.
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Easy From-Scratch Pie Recipes
America was built on pies. Pumpkin and apple and pecan, oh my! These are some of the simplest and oldest recipes that are still popular today. Pies are so versatile, and there is one for every holiday and season!
Cold pies, warm pies, fruit pies, and custard pies. There’s something that everyone will like. I’ve been making pies since I was a kid, and I think it’s my love language when someone requests one for a family holiday party or picnic. Check out some of my favorite pie recipes and tell me what pie is your favorite
- Rhubarb Pie – A classic sweet-tart pie perfect for spring and summer.
- Black Raspberry Pie with Crumble Top – Bold berry flavor meets buttery crumble.
- Pumpkin Pie with a Pecan Crumble Top – Creamy filling with a sweet, crunchy topping.
Cakes, Muffins & Sweet Bakes
Perfecting cakes from scratch can take time and practice, but the results are totally worth it. Quick breads are a great place to start in your baking journey. Master quick breads and simple cakes, then step it up from there. The options are endless! Check out these cake and bread desserts for your next dessert choice.
- Chess Cake/Ooey Gooey Cake – Buttery, rich, and irresistibly gooey.
- Rhubarb Coffee Cake – Tart rhubarb layered into a moist breakfast cake.
- Cast Iron Pizookie – A warm skillet cookie, crisp outside, gooey inside.
Fruit Crumbles & Seasonal Bars
Crumbles are just pies with a twist! I love a sweet crumble crust to sandwich delicious fruit inside. They are effortless to make and can replace a pie if you want to change it up a little bit. My favorite hack for putting together crumbles quickly is to use canned pie filling!
- Easy Berry Bars – A buttery crust topped with mixed berries and crumble.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble – Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb with a golden topping.
Tools for Baking from Scratch
You don’t need a lot to get started with homemade baking, but a few key tools make the job easier (and more fun). These are our go-to non-toxic, long-lasting tools for making pies, crumbles, and cakes from scratch:
- Pie Dish – A glass or ceramic dish helps your crust bake evenly and looks beautiful for serving.
- Basic Glass Baking Dishes – Great for cakes, bars, and cobblers. A versatile must-have.
- Pastry Blender – Makes mixing butter into flour a breeze. Ideal for crumbles or scratch pie crusts.
- Rolling Pin – Essential for rolling dough. Marble helps keep butter cold for flakier crusts.
- Stainless Steel Measuring Tools – Durable, safe, and easy for kids to use when helping in the kitchen.
Looking to swap out more kitchen tools? Check out our Nontoxic Kitchen Swaps post for a full list.
From Scratch Desserts FAQs
They can be! From-scratch desserts skip preservatives, artificial flavors, and excess sugar found in many store-bought options. You can also customize ingredients for dietary needs, seasonal fruits, or lower sugar.
Some of the easiest desserts include fruit crumbles, muffins, or one-bowl cakes. They don’t require special equipment or much prep time. Our Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble or Rhubarb Coffee Cake are great starting points!
Yes! Canned pie filling — especially when made at home — is perfect for quick crumbles, mini pies, or bars. It’s a great way to enjoy seasonal flavors even after harvest time.
You’ll need basics like a pie dish, measuring cups, and a mixing bowl. A pastry blender and rolling pin are helpful for pie crusts and crumbles. You can find some of our favorite natural, non-toxic tools above.
Want more from-scratch recipes and homestead cooking ideas?
We love sharing simple desserts that bring people together. If you’re craving more comforting meals, pantry tips, and from-scratch recipes, visit our full Cooking from Scratch guide.
