11 British Desserts That Look Fancy but Are Actually Easy to Make

egg custard tartMacheesmo via PureWow

Good old American Apple pie sure is iconic — and delicious! — but we have to say that, when it comes to baking up incredibly tasty desserts, the Brits have it down pat! If you don’t believe us, then you’ve definitely never tried their homemade bread pudding. Mmmmm!

So, we clearly love all of the sweets in the U.K.’s repertoire, but in the past, we really shied away from making them because of one very ignorant fear— they tasted too complicated to make on our own. Every time we took a bite of a British dessert, we would instantly feel intimidated!

Fortunately, we eventually got hip to the British method of cooking up sweet treats and we soon discovered that none were nearly as involved as we previously thought. In fact, some are just plain simple to make. Who knew?!

Here are 11 British desserts that may look fancy, but are actually super easy to bake at home. To get access to the full recipes, be sure to follow the links below!

  1. Shortbread Cookies

    Believe it or not, shortbread cookies don’t have to come in a tin. In fact, they are a heck of a lot better when you make them right at home!

  2. Lemon Curd Tarts

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    These lemon curd tarts are pretty much our all-time favorite “finger dessert.” A perfect pairing for your very own English tea service!

  3. Bread and Butter Pudding

    There’s nothing more quintessentially British than a good old helping of bread pudding. This recipe’s our favorite because you can make it right in the microwave!

  4. Sticky Buns

    Before there were cinnamon buns, there were sticky buns— and boy, are these ones TASTY!

  5. Carrot Cake

    Do you like a little vitamin A with your dessert? If so, this traditional carrot cake is the recipe for you!

  6. Rhubarb Pie

    Rhubarb pie may sound like it hails from the States, but the Brits were making it long before us. Pro tip: for a spectacularly sweet twist on a traditional rhubarb pie, just add strawberries to the compote!

  7. Egg Custard Tarts

    Like the aforementioned skicky bun, this is one of those sweet treats that can be eaten for breakfast, not just dessert. Eggs are protein-packed, after all!

  8. Scones

    British scones are WAY different than those hard, dry, sickeningly sweet numbers you find in the case of your local coffee shop. Traditional ones are warm, flaky, and super soft. The best part? They require just three simple ingredients to make. Pair with some jelly, cream, or butter, and you’ll be in heaven!

  9. Ladyfinger Roll Cake

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    Ever wonder what it would be like to combine the mild sweetness of a lady finger with the fluffy texture of a cake? Hint: it’s delicious!

  10. Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

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    If you’ve never tried your hand at crafting your own pound cake, then now is the time. This classic recipe calls for oranges and cranberries, two ingredients that add some much-needed moistness to the often dry dessert. Yum!

  11. Banana Cake

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    Full disclosure: we couldn’t verify whether or not the banana cake is British, but we do know that the newest royal newlyweds happen to love it. Good enough for us!

What are your thoughts on these British delicacies? Which one is your favorite? Do you know of another delicious one that’s simple to make at home?