20 Rich Dessert Casseroles Perfect for Your 9×13 Dish
These crowd-pleasing dessert casseroles turn your trusty 9×13 pan into a dessert powerhouse. Each recipe feeds a crowd and tastes amazing.
From fruity cobblers to creamy layered treats, these desserts work great for potlucks, family gatherings, and special occasions.
01. Tropical Fruit Cocktail Sheet Cake

This vintage cake mixes canned fruit cocktail right into the batter for extra moisture. The colorful fruit pieces add sweet bursts throughout each slice.
A coconut and brown sugar topping bakes golden on top. The creamy coconut sauce drizzles over warm slices for tropical flavor.
This old-fashioned method creates a tender cake that stays moist for days. Perfect for feeding large groups with minimal effort.
02. Triple Layer Chocolate Pecan Treat

This version combines cream cheese with chocolate and vanilla pudding mixes for rich filling. The pecan crust provides a nutty base for creamy layers.
Some cooks spread the layers separately instead of mixing them together. This creates distinct flavor zones in each serving.
The three-layer approach takes extra time but creates impressive results. Great for special occasions when you want restaurant-quality dessert.
03. Classic Southern Banana Pudding

This beloved recipe layers vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and creamy pudding in perfect harmony. Thousands of home cooks rate this their family favorite.
The cookies soften slightly while absorbing flavors from the pudding and bananas. This creates the perfect texture contrast in every bite.
This method works great for large parties since it never leaves leftovers. People actually get upset when you forget to bring it.
04. Butterscotch Chip Bread Pudding

This version adds butterscotch chips to traditional bread pudding for extra sweetness. The chips melt during baking and create pockets of caramel flavor.
You can experiment with different candy chips or even chocolate milk instead. This flexibility makes the recipe perfect for using pantry ingredients.
The bread pudding method transforms day-old bread into elegant dessert. Takes about an hour but most time is hands-off baking.
05. Simple Cookie Dough Cheesecake

This easy version uses store-bought cookie dough and just four total ingredients. The refrigerated dough saves time while adding chocolate chip goodness.
The cookie dough creates both crust and topping layers. This eliminates complicated steps while delivering rich cheesecake flavor.
Perfect for beginners who want impressive results without advanced baking skills. You can have this ready in under two hours.
06. Customizable Ice Cream Dessert

This basic recipe uses pistachio ice cream and candy toppings for a frozen treat. You can swap any ice cream flavor to match your preferences.
The method works with different candy bars, nuts, or cookie crumbles on top. This makes it perfect for using whatever you have available.
Great for hot weather when you want cold dessert without turning on the oven. Takes minimal prep time with maximum cooling effect.
07. Frozen Ice Cream Sandwich Bars

This version layers ice cream sandwiches in your pan for easy serving. Chocolate syrup and peanut butter create the fudgy sauce using just the microwave.
The sandwiches soften slightly to create cake-like texture while staying cold. The microwave sauce eliminates stovetop cooking completely.
This method works great for kids’ parties or summer gatherings. You get bakery-style ice cream cake with grocery store convenience.
08. No-Bake Banana Split Cake

This family recipe recreates banana split flavors in casserole form without any cooking. Graham cracker crust provides the perfect buttery foundation.
All the classic banana split ingredients layer together for familiar flavors. The no-cook method keeps your kitchen cool during hot weather.
Perfect for beginners since there’s no baking involved whatsoever. You can assemble this in about twenty minutes of active time.
09. Layered Pumpkin Cake Dessert

This autumn favorite combines cake, pumpkin pie filling, and crumble topping in distinct layers. Each bite delivers different textures and complementary flavors.
The layering technique creates a dessert that looks impressive when sliced. The pumpkin layer tastes like classic pumpkin pie filling.
This version works great for fall gatherings and holiday meals. Takes more assembly time but creates restaurant-quality presentation.
10. St. Louis Style Chocolate Butter Cake

This recipe transforms the famous St. Louis gooey butter cake into chocolate version. Chocolate cake mix makes the prep work much easier.
The two-layer approach creates different textures in one dessert. The bottom stays dense while the top gets slightly gooey.
Perfect for chocolate lovers who want something different from regular cake. The gooey texture makes this unforgettable for guests.
11. Traditional Fresh Peach Cobbler

This old-fashioned version uses fresh peaches and homemade crust for authentic flavor. No shortcuts here means extra work but incredible taste.
The fresh fruit creates natural juices that bubble up through the crust. This makes every bite taste like summer in the Missouri countryside.
Takes more time than shortcuts but creates memories worth the effort. Absolutely perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream on top.
12. Bright Lemon Layered Dessert

This version layers lemon pudding with creamy filling for citrus lovers. Adding fresh lemon juice and zest brightens the artificial pudding flavor.
The extra lemon additions create more natural taste than pudding mix alone. This small change makes a big difference in final flavor.
Perfect for summer potlucks when you want something light and refreshing. The bright flavor cuts through heavy meal richness beautifully.
13. Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Dump Cake

This dump cake layers cream cheese, cherry filling, and cake mix without mixing. Crescent roll dough creates an easy bottom crust.
The dump method means literally dumping ingredients in layers before baking. No complicated mixing or technique required for great results.
Perfect for busy weeknights when you want homemade dessert without fuss. Takes about ten minutes of prep time before baking.
14. Family Recipe Apple Crisp

This handed-down recipe creates classic apple crisp with oatmeal topping. Fresh apples cook down into tender, spiced perfection underneath.
Adding chopped nuts to the oat topping creates extra crunch and flavor. The nuts toast during baking for deeper taste.
This traditional method works great served warm with ice cream. The family recipe has been tested through generations of happy eaters.
15. Tex-Mex Inspired Sopapilla Cheesecake

This version recreates sopapilla flavors using convenient crescent roll dough. Cinnamon sugar and honey drizzle provide the authentic Tex-Mex taste.
The crescent rolls puff up like traditional sopapillas while staying tender. The cheesecake filling adds richness that balances the sweet toppings.
Perfect for when you want something different from regular cheesecake. The honey drizzle makes every bite taste like restaurant dessert.
16. Dense German Apple Cake

This European-style cake stays moist and dense with plenty of fresh apples throughout. Cinnamon spice gives it warm, autumn flavor.
The recipe serves twenty-four people, making it perfect for large gatherings. The dense texture means it keeps well for several days.
This method takes more time but feeds a crowd beautifully. Great for family reunions or church potlucks where you need quantity.
17. Make-Ahead Pineapple Sheet Cake

This tropical cake features pineapple throughout with rich cream cheese frosting. Chopped pecans and coconut in the frosting add satisfying texture.
The make-ahead feature means flavors improve overnight in the refrigerator. This actually saves time on busy entertaining days.
Perfect for summer gatherings when you want tropical flavors. The sheet cake format makes serving large groups much easier.
18. No-Cook Strawberry Angel Food Dessert

This simple version layers store-bought angel food cake with strawberries and cream. No cooking required makes this perfect for hot weather.
The angel food cake absorbs flavors from strawberries and cream layers. This creates unified taste throughout while maintaining distinct textures.
Takes minimal effort but looks impressive when sliced and served. You can assemble this in about fifteen minutes total time.
19. No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert

This version recreates eclair flavors without any baking required whatsoever. Graham crackers, pudding, and chocolate create familiar taste combinations.
The dessert tastes best after sitting overnight in the refrigerator. This allows all flavors to meld together while crackers soften perfectly.
Perfect for keeping ingredients on hand for unexpected guests. You can whip this together quickly when you need last-minute dessert.
20. Earthquake Style Hurricane Cake

This easy cake bakes coconut and pecans under German chocolate cake mix. Cream cheese mixture sinks down during baking for marbled effect.
The sinking cream cheese creates the “earthquake” effect that gives this cake its name. This happens naturally during the baking process.
Takes just five minutes of prep time before baking does the work. Perfect for when you want impressive results with minimal effort.
Final Thoughts
These twenty dessert casseroles prove that your 9×13 pan can create amazing sweet treats. From no-bake options to traditional baked desserts, there’s something for every occasion.
Try different recipes based on your time, skill level, and flavor preferences. Your family and friends will love these crowd-pleasing desserts.