21 Dessert Bars to Cut Small and Pass Around

Dessert bars are made for sharing, especially when you can cut them into little squares and let everyone grab a favorite. This mix has gooey caramel, rich chocolate, creamy cheesecake, bright citrus, and plenty of buttery shortbread. Set out a few varieties and watch how quickly the tray starts to disappear.

Carmelita Bars with Thick Oat Layers & Gooey Caramel

Thick oatmeal cookie layers hold semisweet chocolate and a generous layer of gooey caramel in these rich, chewy bars. Once cooled, they slice neatly into small pieces for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Carmelita Bars with Thick Oat Layers & Gooey Caramel

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust

A buttery shortbread crust supports a gooey pecan filling with plenty of chocolate. You get the familiar flavors of pecan pie in an easy-to-share bar.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust

Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Creamy cheesecake and bright cranberry flavor make these bars a festive option for a dessert tray. Cut them into smaller squares when you need enough for everyone to grab a piece.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Apricot Bars with a Shortbread Crust

Sweet dried apricots sit over a golden shortbread crust with a coconut-pecan topping for extra texture. These sturdy little bars are easy to slice and set out for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Bars with a Shortbread Crust

Brownies with Edible Cookie Dough Frosting

Fudgy brownies get an extra indulgent layer of sweet, eggless cookie dough on top. Small squares are plenty rich, which makes them especially useful when you're serving a group.
Get the Recipe: Brownies with Edible Cookie Dough Frosting

Easy Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust

A buttery graham cracker crust balances the creamy, tart lemon filling in these easy bars. Their bright citrus flavor is a nice break between richer chocolate and caramel desserts.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal

Mini Reese's cups and peanut butter chips are baked into chewy oatmeal bars for plenty of peanut butter flavor in every bite. They're substantial enough to cut into smaller portions for passing around.
Get the Recipe: Reese's Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal

Pistachio Lemon Shortbread Bars

Tart lemon and nutty pistachios give these shortbread bars a sweet-tangy flavor that stands out on a dessert table. The firm base also makes them convenient for serving by hand.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Lemon Shortbread Bars

German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut

Rich brownie layers surround a coconut-pecan filling for a handheld take on German chocolate cake. Each square packs enough flavor that you can comfortably serve them in smaller portions.
Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars (Without Sweetened Condensed Milk)

These baked cheesecake bars have plenty of fresh key lime flavor with a creamy filling that holds its shape once chilled. The full pan can be sliced into small squares when you're feeding a group.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Cheesecake Bars (Without Sweetened Condensed Milk)

Fudgy Pecan Praline Brownies

Dense chocolate brownies are finished with a sweet brown sugar and pecan praline topping. The combination is rich enough that bite-size squares go a long way on a dessert platter.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Praline Brownies

Cinnamon Sugar Cheesecake Bars

Crescent roll dough keeps these cheesecake bars simple while a creamy filling and cinnamon sugar give them a cozy flavor. They're easy to portion into little squares for a casual gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Cheesecake Bars

Fudgy Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

Rich chocolate brownies are swirled with tangy cream cheese and raspberry for a fruity contrast in every piece. The colorful layers also make them an eye-catching addition to a shared dessert tray.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

Shortbread Toffee Bars with Chocolate

Buttery shortbread is layered with sweetened condensed milk, milk chocolate, toffee bits, and pecans. With so much packed into each bite, these bars are ideal for cutting into small pieces.
Get the Recipe: Shortbread Toffee Bars with Chocolate

Chewy Brown Butter Blondies with Toffee

Browned butter gives these chewy blondies a deep, nutty flavor, while toffee adds another layer of sweetness. Their crisp edges and soft centers make them an easy crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Brown Butter Blondies with Toffee

Pecan Pie Bars

A buttery pecan cookie crust and soft nutty filling bring classic pecan pie flavor into an easy handheld dessert. A simple chocolate topping adds just enough extra richness.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

Starbucks-Inspired Cranberry Bliss Bars You Can Make at Home

Sweet, tart cranberry flavor and a creamy topping give these homemade bars their coffee-shop appeal. Slice them into small pieces for an easy seasonal treat to share.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks-Inspired Cranberry Bliss Bars You Can Make at Home

Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies

Fudgy brownies meet creamy peanut butter frosting and salty pretzels in this sweet-and-salty dessert. Small squares give you a little bit of every layer without being too much.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars with Shortbread Crust

A buttery shortbread crust is topped with smooth dark chocolate filling and fresh raspberries. The rich chocolate and tart fruit make these bars especially good in smaller portions.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars with Shortbread Crust

White Chocolate Blondies with Peppermint Frosting

Buttery white chocolate blondies are dotted with crushed candy canes and finished with cool peppermint frosting. Cut them small and they make an easy festive addition to a dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Blondies with Peppermint Frosting

Triple Layered Peanut Butter Brownies

A fudgy brownie base, thick peanut butter frosting, and smooth chocolate glaze create three decadent layers. They hold their shape well after slicing, so they're easy to arrange and pass around.
Get the Recipe: Triple Layered Peanut Butter Brownies