There’s so much talk about Southern cakes and other regional desserts, but the Midwest is not to be slept on when it comes to after-dinner delicacies. From frozen custard to buckeye balls, here are some of the best Midwestern desserts just in time for summer.
1. Gooey Butter Cake
What started as an accidental culinary discovery in St. Louis during the 1930s has become a Midwestern favorite for dessert. Midwestern folks love baked goods with ooey-gooey centers (like the cinnamon roll that’s in the middle of the pan), and this cake delivers that texture consistently throughout the whole thing. The base here is yellow cake mix, which is entirely elevated by powdered sugar, vanilla, cream cheese, and butter.
Recipe: Lil Luna
2. Buckeyes
Hailing from Ohio (hence the name), buckeye balls are deliciously simple peanut butter balls that aren’t quite completely covered in chocolate. They’re one of the best bite-sized desserts the Midwest has to offer, and they’re beloved by the masses.
Recipe: On My Kids Plate
Related: 23 Foods You’ve Never Heard Of Unless You’re From the Midwest
3. Watergate Salad
Folks in the Midwest love their fluffy salad desserts, and Watergate salad is near the top of the favorites list. All you’ll need is five ingredients (instant pistachio pudding, whipped topping, crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, and mini marshmallows) to achieve this perfect-for-the-family-cookout dessert.
Recipe: Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons
4. Frozen Custard
You might be able to trace frozen custard’s roots back to Coney Island, but this dessert has become a stalwart in Wisconsin, which has made it one of the most wildly popular desserts in the entire Midwestern region. It’s creamier than ice cream and tastier than frozen yogurt — this is the superior soft serve, guys.
Recipe: Taste of Lizzy T
5. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
There are a few ingredients you’ll see pop up over and over again if you’re having dessert in the Midwest. Jell-O or instant pudding and Cool Whip. This stuff has two of those ingredients plus pretzels for some salty crunch.
Recipe: Balancing Motherhood
Related: Jell-O Salad and Other Retro Summer Recipes We Secretly Love
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6. Lemon Shaker Pie
Traditional lemon shaker pie originated in Ohio and in the Midwest, it’s the best variation of lemon pie there is. What makes this stuff truly delicious is the top crust and the creamy lemon filling.
Recipe: Simply Recipes
Related: 24 Simple Depression-Era Desserts That Actually Are Indulgent
7. Bumpy Cake
This Michigan-born dessert might not have the most appetizing sounding name, but bumpy cake is the pinnacle of decadent desserts. Basically, it’s a rich devil’s food cake that is topped with chocolate-coated buttercream ribbons that look like little hills on the cake.
Recipe: House of Nash Eats
8. Kringle
Kringle has a complex history rooted in Denmark, but sort of like the frozen custard situation, Wisconsin adopted this stuff and skyrocketed its Midwestern popularity. This filled pastry ring is a favorite throughout the region.
Recipe: Shugary Sweets
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9. Seven-Layer Magic Cookie Bars
Home chefs in the Midwest love approaching dessert with a “more is more” mentality, grabbing everything off their baking ingredients shelves to concoct a dessert bar. Seven-layer magic cookie bars are the product of such a mindset.
Recipe: All Things Mamma
10. Snickers Apple Salad
Snickers have peanuts and caramel inside, so it makes total sense to pair them with Granny Smith apples for a caramel apple situation. Throwing some Cool Whip in is as Midwestern as it gets. This stuff is irresistable.
Recipe: Mom on Timeout
