20+ Desserts that Go with Chili

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Ever had a great bowl of chili and wondered what dessert to pair with it? Chili’s complex and spicy flavors can make it challenging to find the right dessert that complements, rather than clashes with, its rich taste.

The best desserts to pair with chili should complement its rich and spicy flavors. Classic options like Pumpkin Bars offer a sweet contrast, while rich Dark Chocolate Brownies can satisfy chocolate cravings. For a unique twist, consider Whiskey Salted Caramels or a Brandy Old Fashioned Cake. Each of these desserts is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making them perfect companions for your chili meal.

Ready to discover the dessert that’ll make your chili meal unforgettable? I selected desserts that range from the traditional to the unique, each carefully selected to complement the flavors of your chili.

In A Rush? Key Takeaways

  • Pumpkin Bars: A fall classic that pairs a spiced cake-like batter with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
  • Dark Chocolate Brownies: Fudgy, rich, and intense—perfect for chocolate lovers.
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Chewy, sweet, and incredibly easy to make.
  • Whiskey Salted Caramels: For those looking to add a bit of pizzazz to their chili night.
  • Brandy Old Fashioned Cake: A moist, buttery cake with a hint of brandy that pairs well with the warmth of chili.

Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin Bars are a classic fall dessert that is the perfect accompaniment to any chili dinner. The bars feature a light and fluffy pumpkin-spiced cake-like batter that is then topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting. The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a flavor profile that is both sweet and spicy – perfect for pairing with chili.

The bars are easy to make and require minimal prep time and ingredients. The bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an air-tight container for up to a week, making them a great option for a last-minute dessert.

Dark Chocolate Brownies

Dark Chocolate Brownies are a delicious dessert that can be served with chili. The brownies are made with a rich, dark chocolate batter that is cooked to perfection in a baking pan. The result is a moist, fudgy brownie with an intense dark chocolate flavor that complements the flavor of the chili.

The edges of the brownies are crispy and the center is slightly chewy, making them an ideal accompaniment for chili. These brownies are quick and easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. The batter is mixed together in one bowl, poured into the baking pan, and then baked until the edges are crispy and the center is set. Once cooled, these brownies can be served with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are one of the most delicious desserts that go perfectly with chili. They are incredibly easy to make and require just a few simple ingredients. The cookie bars are made with a combination of creamy butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

The sweet and salty chips are then mixed into the dough to give it a delicious flavor. The bars are then baked in the oven until they are golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars come out of the oven perfectly chewy and gooey.

The sweetness of the chocolate chips is a perfect contrast to the spiciness of the chili. They are an easy and delicious way to complete any meal. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a delicious dessert to serve with chili.

Whiskey Salted Caramels

Whiskey Salted Caramels are a delicious and unique dessert that is perfect for those looking to add a bit of pizzazz to their chili night. The whiskey adds an intriguing depth of flavor and the salted caramel provides a delightful sweetness. The recipe is easy to follow and takes about 30 minutes to make.

To make the whiskey salted caramels, start by combining sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Once bubbling, add the butter and whiskey and stir until everything is combined. Next, pour the mixture into a greased 8×8 pan and bake for 25 minutes. After the 25 minutes, take the pan out of the oven and let cool before cutting into small pieces.

The final product is a delicious combination of sweet and salty that is a great addition to chili night. The whiskey salted caramels are a tasty and unique dessert that will be sure to please. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, it is no wonder why this recipe is one of my favorite desserts to go with chili.

Brandy Old Fashioned Cake

Brandy Old Fashioned Cake is one of the tastiest desserts to enjoy with chili. It is a true classic recipe with a moist, buttery texture and a hint of brandy. The cake is made with a simple combination of butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and brandy. After baking, the cake is topped with a creamy frosting made from butter, cream cheese, and sugar.

The result is a decadent and delicious dessert that pairs perfectly with chili. The Brandy Old Fashioned Cake is a great way to finish off a meal. It is simple to make and has a tender, moist texture that is sure to please. The hint of brandy in the cake adds an interesting flavor that pairs well with the warmth of chili

Banana Split

Banana Split is a classic dessert recipe that has been around for generations. It is a simple yet delicious treat that is always a hit. The recipe starts with a banana split in half lengthwise and then topped with a variety of toppings like ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a cherry on top. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a truly unique dessert.

Banana Split is a great recipe to serve with chili, as it adds a sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory dish. The creamy ice cream and whipped cream cut through the spiciness of the chili, while the banana provides a delicate sweetness that is not overpowering.

Caramel Ice Cream

Caramel Ice Cream is the perfect dessert to pair with chili. The combination of creamy ice cream and deep, caramel flavor balances out the heat from the chili. This recipe starts with a basic caramel sauce, made by simmering butter, sugar, and heavy cream together for a few minutes until the sauce is thick and creamy.

Then, it’s just a matter of combining the caramel sauce with your favorite brand of vanilla ice cream. The result is a decadent, flavorful ice cream that is sure to be a hit with family and friends. Caramel Ice Cream is a versatile dessert that can be served alone, or with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts. No matter how it’s served, Caramel Ice Cream is always a crowd-pleaser!

Peach Blackberry Upside Down Cake

The recipe starts with a sweet and buttery cake base, which is topped with a layer of juicy peaches and sweet blackberries. The cake is then topped off with a homemade brown sugar and cinnamon topping that adds a unique twist to the traditional upside down cake.

The combination of sweet and tart flavors in the topping and the juicy fruit in the cake makes it a truly unique and delicious treat. The cake is easy to put together and the end result is a dessert that is sure to be a hit with family and friends. It’s the perfect recipe for a special occasion or just an enjoyable dessert to share with loved ones.

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats are an easy-to-make, gooey, and delicious dessert that is perfect for a cozy cold night. The recipe starts with melting the butter in a saucepan until it is browned and bubbly. From there, the mixture of marshmallows, brown butter, and Rice Krispies cereal is stirred together until it is melted and combined.

The mixture is then spread in a pan and allowed to cool. The result is a sweet and crunchy dessert that is the perfect accompaniment to a spicy chili. The combination of the flavors and textures will tantalize your taste buds and bring a smile to your face. This is why I chose this recipe for my blog of 20+ Desserts that Go with Chili.

Peanut Butter Cookies

These Peanut Butter Cookies are a great addition to any chili dinner. The sweetness complements the spiciness of the chili perfectly, making it an ideal dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds. The cookies are simple to make and the ingredients are pantry staples, making it an accessible dessert to whip up last minute.

Plus, they are sure to be a hit with both adults and children alike. With their delicious flavor and easy preparation, these Peanut Butter Cookies are a must-have recipe in any cook’s repertoire.

Apple Pie

Apple pie is the perfect dessert to accompany a bowl of chili. It has a rich, buttery crust, a sweet and tart filling, and a flavorful topping that enhances its overall deliciousness. The pie itself is easy to make, and with a few simple ingredients you can whip up a delicious treat in no time.

The traditional apple pie filling consists of apples, cinnamon, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice, and is best served warm with a scoop of ice cream. The combination of sweet and tart flavors creates a mouth-watering dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. The flaky, golden crust is the perfect vessel for the sweet apple filling, and when topped with a scoop of ice cream, it’s an unbeatable combination

Cherry Crisp

Cherry Crisp is one of the most delicious desserts to go with chili. It is easy to make and packed with flavor. This recipe starts by combining fresh cherries with a generous amount of sweet brown sugar and cinnamon. Then a buttery oatmeal mixture is placed on top to create a sweet and crunchy topping.

When baked together in the oven, the cherries become soft and juicy while the oatmeal topping turns golden and crisp. The finished result is a mouthwatering dessert that is packed with sweet and savory flavors. Not only does it pair perfectly with chili, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a snack or lunchtime treat.

Strawberry Shortcake

This recipe combines the sweet, juicy flavor of strawberries with the buttery, flaky texture of shortcake. The cake is made with simple ingredients like butter, flour, baking powder, and a bit of sugar, while the strawberry topping is a delicious combination of freshly-chopped strawberries and sugar.

The topping is then spooned over the top of the cake and baked until golden brown. The finished product is a fluffy, sweet, and tart dessert that pairs perfectly with chili. Not only does the sweetness of the shortcake balance out the spice of the chili, but the tartness of the strawberries adds a nice touch of flavor. Plus, the buttery, flaky texture of the shortcake pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of the chili.

Apple Cider Bread

It’s made with simple ingredients like apple cider, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The bread has a unique flavor that is both sweet and tart, making it a great accompaniment to a bowl of chili. The bread is also incredibly moist and fluffy due to the addition of the apple cider, which also gives a pleasant aroma to the kitchen. The bread is best served warm and can be served with butter, honey, or jam. It’s a great way to make a delicious and comforting dessert that pairs perfectly with chili.

This recipe is a favorite of mine because it’s easy to make, flavorful, and a great accompaniment to chili. The sweet and tart flavor of the apple cider enhances the flavor of the chili, while the moist and fluffy texture adds a wonderful texture to the dish. Apple Cider Bread is a great way to add a bit of sweetness to a savory dish, and it’s sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Chocolate Cake

This easy-to-make cake is moist, fudgy, and full of chocolatey goodness. The cake is made with a mix of all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, butter, eggs, and buttermilk. The batter is combined and poured into a greased baking pan and baked until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once cool, the cake is topped with a delicious chocolate frosting and can be garnished with fresh berries or sprinkles.  Chocolate Cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. The flavor of the cake is enhanced by the chocolate frosting, making it taste even more indulgent.

Apple Squares

Apple Squares is one of my favorite recipes for desserts that go with chili. This delicious treat is made with freshly diced apples, cinnamon, and a buttery, crumbly topping. The apples are mixed with the cinnamon and spread into the bottom of a baking dish. The topping is made of flour, sugar, and melted butter, which is then sprinkled over the top of the apples.

The entire dish is then baked until the top is lightly browned and the apples are soft. The result is a sweet and flavorful treat that pairs perfectly with chili. The ingredients are simple and inexpensive, and the dish can be made in just minutes. Not only does it pair well with chili, but it also goes great with any other meal.

Glazed Donuts

The recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients and time. All you need is some white sugar, butter, milk, baking powder, flour, and of course some donut molds. To make the glaze, simply mix the sugar, butter, and milk together, and microwave for a few minutes until it’s hot and the sugar has dissolved.

Once the glaze is ready, simply dip the donuts in and let them cool. The result is a delicious, glazed donut that pairs perfectly with chili. The subtle sweetness of the glaze complements the hearty and spicy flavors of the chili, making it a great combination.

For an extra special treat, you can also add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the glaze before dipping the donuts. Glazed donuts are a tasty and easy way to add a little bit of indulgence to a chili dinner. The sweetness of the glaze is a great contrast to the spiciness of the chili, making it a classic combination that everyone loves. 

Caramel Bread Pudding

Caramel Bread Pudding is a classic dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. This recipe is a combination of a few simple ingredients that combine to create a decadent and delicious result. The bread of choice is cut into cubes and toasted in the oven for a few minutes, then soaked in a mixture of eggs, cream, caramel, and spices. After baking for a short time, the bread is a golden brown and the caramel sauce is bubbling on top. The result is a combination of sweet, creamy, and crunchy that is sure to please.

Caramel Bread Pudding is a great dessert to serve alongside a bowl of chili. The creamy caramel sauce and crunchy cubes of bread offset the spicy chili perfectly. The presentation of Caramel Bread Pudding is also beautiful and will add a touch of elegance to any meal. This dessert is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Angel Food Cake

Angel food cake is a light, airy, and delicious dessert that is the perfect complement to a hearty chili. This cake is made with whipped egg whites, flour, sugar, and cream of tartar. It is baked in a tube pan, which gives it its signature shape and texture.

The cake is fluffy and moist, and it is lightly sweet and often topped with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream. The flavor of the cake is delicate and pairs perfectly with the robust flavors of a chili.

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler is a classic, sweet, and easy dessert recipe that is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. This dessert consists of a buttery biscuit topping and a layered filling of juicy peaches, sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg. The biscuit topping is made with all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter.

After baking for about 30 minutes, the top of the cobbler will be lightly golden brown and the filling will be bubbling. The final result is a warm, mouthwatering cobbler with a sweet, tart flavor profile.

S’Mores

These delicious treats consist of a toasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate sandwich between two graham crackers. The combination of the chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers creates a delicious and unique flavor that is sure to please.

Not only are S’mores delicious, but they are also incredibly easy to make. All you need is some graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars. Simply toast the marshmallows over a campfire or on a stove-top grill until golden brown, place the marshmallow and a chocolate bar between two graham crackers and enjoy!