Birthday Desserts

By Sam MerrittPublished Jan 17, 2025

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Celebrate birthdays in style with my collection of fun and unique birthday desserts! I have everything from birthday cookies and cakes to ice cream and even fudge.

collage of the best birthday desserts featuring cookie cake, cake pops, birthday cookies, cupcakes and crumb topping

25 Unique & Classic Birthday Desserts

While my collection of cake recipes is a great place to search for your next birthday dessert, sometimes you want to celebrate with something a bit different. Today’s collection of birthday desserts is perfect for those of you who are aren’t cake-exclusive (might I suggest my cookie cake or pizookie?) or just looking to switch things up with a new celebratory recipe.

Okay, I know I said this list was about desserts other than cake, but I do have to highlight just one of my very favorite birthday cake recipes before we get started. My funfetti cake has been one of my most popular recipes for years; it’s a classic, super fun cake with three thick layers, tons of sprinkles, and smooth buttercream to top it all off. You can even frost it naked-style and top with my confetti cake crumbs for a Milk Bar style look!

1. Funfetti Cake

One of my top recipes of all time, this funfetti cake is so light and fluffy.

Slice of funfetti cake with lots of colorful sprinkles and a bright pink icing swirl on a white plate.

4.92 from 743 votes

Funfetti Cake from Scratch

Over 600 five-star reviews! This completely from-scratch cake is soft and fluffy with fun colorful sprinkles and homemade frosting.

FUNFETTI CAKE RECIPE

2. Cake Pops

So fun and perfectly portioned! I also have a recipe for chocolate cake pops, if you’d prefer those!

5 from 7 votes

Cake Pops

These cake pops are made entirely from scratch for the best flavor and texture. They are perfectly sweet and so much fun to make and decorate!

CAKE POPS RECIPE

3. Rice Krispie Treats

Add some colorful sprinkles, and you have one of the most crowd-pleasing birthday desserts!

Hands pulling a rice krispie treat apart to show a gooey marshmallow center.

4.94 from 86 votes

The Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

This is the BEST rice krispie treat recipe! They take less than 30 minutes to make and have a gourmet taste with premium butter, vanilla, and extra marshmallows.

RICE KRISPIE TREATS RECIPE

4. Birthday Crumb Cake

Perfect for birthday breakfasts or birthday desserts, this crumb cake has plenty of sprinkles and a buttery topping.

4.75 from 8 votes

Birthday Crumb Cake

Birthday desserts, step aside–this is the perfect indulgent birthday breakfast! It's made with a buttery sprinkle-flecked streusel topping and filling.

BIRTHDAY CRUMB CAKE RECIPE

5. Birthday Cupcakes

The perfect birthday cupcakes! These are fast and easy, and they can be topped with your favorite frosting.

4.85 from 13 votes

Birthday Cupcakes

With no layering or slicing, a simple decoration, and a shorter bake time, these birthday cupcakes are an easy alternative to traditional birthday cake.

BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES RECIPE

Not a cake person? Cookie cake is the perfect solution! It’s quite literally a giant chocolate chip cookie served party-style 💕

Close-up view of a chocolate chip cookie cake topped with a ring of chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

4.88 from 16 votes

This thick, soft, and chewy cookie cake is my favorite birthday cake alternative! It slices up beautifully and is so easy to make with no scooping, chilling, or rolling.

COOKIE CAKE RECIPE

7. Funfetti Cheesecake Bars

Spruce up classic cheesecake bars with a birthday twist!

funfetti cheesecake bar topped with whipped cream and sprinkles on brown parchment

4.56 from 9 votes

Funfetti Cheesecake Bars

Perfectly sweet and plenty colorful, these birthday cheesecake bars simple to make and party ready! No water bath!

FUNFETTI CHEESECAKE BARS RECIPE

8. Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

How cute are these cupcakes? Don’t worry, that “ice cream” twist is super simple (made with cream cheese frosting), and I’ll walk you through every step.

4.98 from 36 votes

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Made with just one batch of icing and your favorite cake mix, these ice cream cone cupcakes are easy to make and so adorable.

ICE CREAM CONE CUPCAKES RECIPE

9. Birthday Cake Cookies

Similar to Lofthouse cookies, these cookies are so soft with not-too-sweet icing topping. We’ll add extra sprinkles and birthday crumbs for an extra festive look! If you want another “cakey cookie”, try my sour cream cookies.

5 from 3 votes

Birthday Cake Cookies

Only 45 minutes to prep! These 100% from scratch cookies are made without any cake mix. Top them with my cream cheese frosting for a birthday dessert that's out of this world delicious!

BIRTHDAY CAKE COOKIES RECIPE

10. Ice Cream Cake

A classic birthday dessert! This recipe sandwiches homemade no-churn ice cream between two layers of fudgy chocolate cake.

5 from 23 votes

Ice Cream Cake

Fudgy cake surrounds creamy ice cream in this homemade ice cream cake recipe. This recipe is carefully tested to stay moist and soft despite being frozen.

ICE CREAM CAKE RECIPE

11. Frosting Filled Cookies

These gourmet cookies are stuffed with buttercream frosting for a fun surprise bite!

Two halves of a frosting filled chocolate chip cookie stacked on top of each other.

5 from 3 votes

Frosting Filled Cookies

Frosting lovers will devour these irresistible frosting filled cookies. They are huge, bakery-style treats that are surprisingly easy to make and NOT too sweet!

FROSTING FILLED COOKIES RECIPE

12. Birthday Cake

This is sprinkle-flecked classic yellow cake topped with a smooth and creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting (though my fudge frosting would also be tasty!).

4.82 from 53 votes

Birthday Cake Recipe

This classic birthday dessert features soft and fluffy yellow cake made with sprinkles and a chocolate frosting. You can't go wrong with this one!

BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPE

13. Funfetti Cookies

Soft and chewy funfetti cookies have all the flavor of the cake without any of the fuss.

4.87 from 66 votes

Funfetti Cookies

No cake mix required! These from-scratch funfetti cookies take just 20 minutes to prep and serve as a great cake alternative.

FUNFETTI COOKIES RECIPE

14. Pinata Cupcakes

How fun are these? We love them for parties, but you can also use them for gender reveal cupcakes!

Piñata cupcake: topped with vanilla frosting, sprinkles pouring out of center

5 from 24 votes

Piñata Cupcakes

Springy vanilla cupcakes loaded with your favorite sprinkles and topped with vanilla frosting! They are so much fun and kids love them.

PINATA CUPCAKES RECIPE

15. Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

These are a more gourmet version of classic rice krispie treats topped with a fudgy frosting and of course, lots of sprinkles.

4.87 from 15 votes

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

No oven needed and just 20 minutes to make! This is one of my favorite last-minute birthday desserts.

CAKE BATTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS RECIPE

16. Confetti Crumbs

Similar to streusel, these birthday cake crumbs are perfect for topping cakes or snacking.

5 from 6 votes

Confetti Crumbs

Add these confetti crumbs to any recipe, and you've got yourself an instant party! Just 20 minutes to make and endless serving opportunities.

CONFETTI CRUMBS RECIPE

17. Vanilla Cupcakes

If you love vanilla, these cupcakes are for you (I think you’ll love the vanilla bean frosting!)! I have an amazing vanilla cake recipe if you prefer cake for your birthday desserts.

Vanilla cupcake on a pedestal topped with a tall swirl of vanilla bean frosting.

4.90 from 93 votes

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Made with pantry staples, these are the easiest and tastiest vanilla cupcakes you'll try. My recipe is well tested to produce light, moist, and buttery cupcakes every time!

VANILLA CUPCAKES RECIPE

The party-ready version of my edible cookie dough! These are similar to cake pops–it’s hard to eat just one!

5 from 27 votes

These edible cookie dough pops are quick and easy to make in just 1 hour. They are safe to eat (no raw flour or eggs) and are such a crowd-pleaser!

COOKIE DOUGH POPS RECIPE

19. Chocolate Cupcakes

You can’t go wrong with classic chocolate cupcakes! If you’d rather make a cake, try my chocolate cake recipe instead.

head-on view of a chocolate cupcake in a hot pink cupcake wrapper topped with piped chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles

4.84 from 517 votes

Truly the Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

These 100% from scratch cupcakes are so much better than a box mix! They can be made in one bowl and finished in less than an hour.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES RECIPE

20. Frosted Animal Cookies

Kids and adults love these adorable frosted animal cookies. One of my favorite birthday desserts, and also a great baby shower dessert too!

5 from 7 votes

Frosted Animal Cookies

Just like the cookies you had as a kid, only so much better. These are easy to make (no chilling) and are so nostalgic with their pink and white icing.

FROSTED ANIMAL COOKIES RECIPE

21. Confetti Cupcakes

The cupcake version of my funfetti cake, these taste great with classic buttercream or my favorite chocolate frosting.

4.92 from 46 votes

Confetti Cupcakes

These cupcakes are so soft and fluffy. Top them with vanilla buttercream and plenty of sprinkles for that funfetti look!

CONFETTI CUPCAKES RECIPE

22. Cake Batter Cheesecake Dessert Shooters

Perfectly portioned no-bake cheesecake dessert shooters are perfect for parties!

Dessert shooter cups filled with cake batter cheesecake and topped with sprinkles and a cherry.

5 from 5 votes

Cake Batter Cheesecake Dessert Shooters

Made with Cool Whip, cream cheese, golden Oreos, and just a bit of cake mix, these dessert shooters are easy to put together and so tasty!

CAKE BATTER DESSERT SHOOTERS RECIPE

23. Sprinkle Cookies

If you’re a firm believer that you can never have too many sprinkles, you’ll love these cookies.

4.90 from 38 votes

Sprinkle Cookies

These are soft and chewy cookies with a crunchy sprinkle shell! No chilling required.

SPRINKLE COOKIES RECIPE

24. Cake Batter Fudge

If cookies and cake aren’t your thing, birthday fudge might be exactly what you’re looking for!

4.18 from 56 votes

Cake Batter Fudge

Creamy cake batter fudge is made with funfetti cake mix for the most authentic flavor! No candy thermometer needed!

CAKE BATTER FUDGE RECIPE

25. Funfetti Oreo Bars

Toss broken Oreo pieces and sprinkles into traditional blondies for a fun birthday treat.

4.41 from 5 votes

Funfetti Oreo Bars

These buttery bars come together quickly by hand (no mixer!) and have a true cake batter flavor without any boxed cake mix.

FUNFETTI OREO BARS RECIPE

Overhead view of a sprinkle flecked cupcake missing one bite.

I hope you found a new favorite in this list! If you try one of these recipes for any birthdays this year, I’d love it if you left me a review afterwards to let me know how it went!

P.S. — include your four-legged friends on birthdays! My pupcakes are a fun dog-friendly dessert option 🐾

Enjoy! 🥳

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook