53 Sweet and Salty Desserts

Read Time: 18 mins

53 Sweet and Salty Desserts2/53 Salted Caramel Cupcakes 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Salted Caramel Cupcakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 10 cupcakes Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: To help balance the sweetness of this brown sugar cupcake, our Test Kitchen experts created a unique salty frosting. It’s the best of both worlds! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 3/53 Salted Dark Chocolate Tart 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was little, my grandpa always

had a bag of caramels in his truck and a few in his pocket

had a bag of caramels in his truck and a few in his pocket. Whether we were camping or going to a movie, I enjoyed sharing caramels with him. Now I try to put caramel in as many of my desserts as possible, including this sweet and salty tart. —Leah Tackitt, Austin, Texas 4/53 Salted Cashew Oatmeal Cookies 1 Review Salted Cashew Oatmeal Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1 batch (about 4 cups mix) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My son absolutely loves cashews, so I loaded my oatmeal cookies with

them at Christmas—he loved them!

them at Christmas—he loved them! The mix makes a great gift for friends, co-workers and teachers; all they have to do is add butter, vanilla and eggs. —Richard Hatch, Glen Burnie, Maryland 5/53 Behr Track Cookie Bars 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings about 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie

bars small—they’re super rich

bars small—they’re super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa 6/53 Frozen Margarita Mousse 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who doesn’t love a frozen margarita? This creamy frozen mousse combines ready-to-drink margarita mix and whipped topping (you could use this whipped topping substitute instead). It’s easy to put together and the freezer does all the work. Garnish with additional crushed pretzels and kosher salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas 7/53 Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Flourless Peanut Butter

Thumbprints Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 8 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had been searching for a dessert to make for my brother’s girlfriend (who is gluten intolerant), and I came across a naturally gluten-free dessert—a flourless peanut butter cookie. After tweaking the recipe a bit and adding Nutella and a sprinkling of sea salt, I finally found the perfect cookie for her. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida 8/53 Chai Truffle Tart 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe

Truffles on top make it extra indulgent

From the Recipe Creator: My chai-flavored tart boasts chocolate and caramel layers tucked inside a salty pretzel crust. Truffles on top make it extra indulgent. —Chantal Bourbon, Montreal, Quebec 9/53 Sea Salt Mint White Mocha Cookies 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Sea Salt Mint White Mocha Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 26 cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe came from my mom’s Grandma Alice, who taught her how to bake. Grandma Alice always had a fresh plate of warm cookies on her counter. I learned some of

her recipes by heart as a child, and I’ve been making these since high school

her recipes by heart as a child, and I’ve been making these since high school. They taste like Christmas.—Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California 10/53 Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe photo by Laura Scherb for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 1 quart Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Folks who favor the flavor of pumpkin really need to try this spiced ice cream. But be prepared to make more! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 11/53 Crunchy Chocolate Clusters 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste

Sweet, salty and crunchy, it’s a great no-bake treat

of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy candy has a south-of-the-border flavor with cinnamon, chocolate and coffee. Sweet, salty and crunchy, it’s a great no-bake treat. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California 12/53 Chocolate Salted Caramel Bars 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Salted Caramel Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to experiment with different recipes and combine classic and new flavors. I’ve been making this shortbread for over 20 years and

finally have found the perfect pairing!

finally have found the perfect pairing! I love salted caramel, and of course I love dark chocolate, so I layered these two flavors with my favorite shortbread crust. It’s melt-in-your-mouth good, and it is quickly becoming a favorite with my family, friends and customers! For even more gooey goodness, drizzle bottled caramel sauce over top. —Lisa Glenn, Sarasota 13/53 Salted Brown Sugar and Rye Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These bakery-style cookies are a delicious twist on the classic chocolate chip

The result took

cookie! The combination of rye flour, chocolate and brown sugar makes these cookies truly unique. They’re soft and chewy with crunchy edges, perfectly salty-sweet and loaded with just the right amount of chocolate. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland 14/53 Salted Caramel Walnut Tart 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Salted Caramel Walnut Tart Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It took me a while to figure out a way to convert one of my favorite ice cream flavors into a pie—one of my favorite desserts. The result took

quite a few tries, but in the end, it was so worth it

quite a few tries, but in the end, it was so worth it. —Ruth Ealy, Plain City, Ohio 15/53 Peanut Pretzel Toffee Bark 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 1-1/2 pounds Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My toffee has been a traditional must-make treat for my family and friends for over 40 years. My Dad taught me to make great fudge from scratch but my toffee was his favorite candy and each time I make it, I think of him. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 16/53 Nut Fruit Bark 2

Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Nut Fruit Bark Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 1-1/2 pounds Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a sophisticated version of fruit bark. Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder. If you’re a fan of sweet-salty tidbits, make sure to use the sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey 17/53 Maple-Bacon White Chocolate Fudge 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Maple-Bacon White Chocolate Fudge Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 81 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tired

of the same old fudge?

of the same old fudge? Try my recipe with white chips, maple flavoring and bacon. Then be prepared to share the recipe. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California 18/53 Easy Peanut Butter & Pretzel Pie 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Peanut Butter & Pretzel Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My crispy, salty pretzel crust just begs for a creamy no-bake peanut butter filling and a layer of chocolate ganache. — Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor 19/53 Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles 9

Yep, they’re made with corn chips,

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter and salty pretzels create a to-die-for truffle. It’s a little bite of decadence and a special indulgence for the holiday season.—Ashley Wisniewski, Champaign, Illinois 20/53 Frito Candy 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved South Dakota Frito Treats Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Yep, they’re made with corn chips,

but don’t let that fool you

but don’t let that fool you. These salty sweets were a staple after meetings at the quilt guild I once belonged to. —Carol Tramp, Wynot, Nebraska 21/53 Strawberry-Lime Bars 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry-Lime Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our family loves fresh strawberries, so I look for different ways to use them. This tempting, yummy dessert has sweet strawberries, tart lime and salty pretzels. —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia 22/53 Salted Peanut Rolls 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home

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