18 Copycat Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Make restaurant-worthy desserts and classic packaged treats in the comfort of your own kitchen. From pound cakes and cookies inspired by menu items at iconic chains like Starbucks, Panera Bread, and McDonald’s to DIY versions of store-bought snack cakes and candy, you’ll want to bookmark this collection of our favorite copycat desserts—you’ll come back to it again and again.

Copycat of Starbucks Lemon Bread

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

“A Starbucks favorite that you can copycat in your own kitchen,” says recipe creator SB, who recommends serving with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

The Best Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA

“Enjoy the best vanilla bean cheesecake that tastes very close to The Cheesecake Factory’s version. It is incredibly delicious!” —littlebit86

Better-Than-Starbucks Blueberry Pound Cake

Yoly

It couldn’t be easier to make this coffeehouse-inspired pound cake at home. This recipe calls for frozen blueberries, but you can use fresh if they’re in season.

Neiman Marcus Cake

Sara Eleogram Roberts

“Looking for a cake recipe that will give you something like the ooey, gooey butter cake you had a Neiman Marcus?,” asks recipe creator Mary Catherine Bailey. “Try this one!”

Dole Whip

Destiny Eikenberry

If you like fruity sorbet, you’ll love this pineapple-flavored treat that’ll make you feel like you’re at Disney World all year long. You can make it with just five easy-to-find ingredients.

Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

Carson’s Mommy

“Absolutely the BEST yeast doughnut recipe we’ve tried and the only one we’ll use,” raves reviewer BellyDance. “The best secret of all is the butter in the icing … it just melts into the doughnut (just like a Krispy Kreme).”

Copycat McDonald’s Apple Pies

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

“These hand pies capture the flaky, gooey essence you love from the classic menu item, but with a freshness you can’t get from the drive-thru.” —Annie Campbell

Pop-Tarts

Homemade Pop Tarts.

Try these colorful pastries for breakfast or dessert. “These homemade Pop-Tarts include all the flavor of the original, but don’t contain any of the stuff you can’t pronounce on the back of the box,” says recipe creator Bettina M. Hornsby.

Clone of a Cinnabon

Meredith Food Studios

Allrecipes users can’t get enough of this cozy recipe — it has almost 7,000 five-star reviews. “You have got to try these,” says recipe creator Marsha Fernandez. “The first time I made them, I thought of how much money I could save by making my own!”

Copycat Tagalongs

AR Magazine

“If you didn’t get enough Tagalongs at the last Girls Scout cookie sale, no need to fret: you can make the classic cookies at home with this copycat recipe.” —Colleen Weeden

Instant Chocolate Hard Shell

Holiday Baker

What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike Bar? As it turns out, you don’t have to do much: This easy hard shell for ice cream comes together quickly with just chocolate chips and coconut oil.

Copycat Moon Pies

Meredith Food Studio

“Inspired by the original Moon Pie cookies, this copycat version boasts tender, but slightly crisp graham cracker cookies flavored with the faintest bit of cinnamon, sandwiched around a sweet, chewy marshmallow filling, and dipped in a sweet chocolate glaze.” —John Somerall

Homemade Twinkies

LYNNINMA

Believe it or not, these mini cream-filled sponge cakes taste even better than the grocery store staple. What’s the secret ingredient? A package of vanilla pudding mix.

Chocolate Duet Cookies

Deb C

According to recipe creator CHERBH, these Panera Bread-inspired double chocolate cookies are somehow even better the next day (if they last that long).

Shamrock Shake

Christina

McDonald’s fans will absolutely love this deliciously minty milkshake. “This has become a St. Patrick’s Day tradition in our house. The kids love it, and so do I,” says recipe creator Julie Kimball Fitzgerald.

Cream-Filled Cupcakes

Alberta Rose

“Fantastic recipe,” according to reviewer JULIEKID. “The cupcakes turned out just right. They had a consistency very similar to Hostess cupcakes but with no nasty chemical aftertaste!”

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups should get you through the weekend.

Make homemade Reese’s with just four ingredients you probably already have on hand (chocolate chips, peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, and a pinch of salt) and a muffin tin.