Dessert is many people’s favorite part of the meal. The word dessert comes from the French word dessivir, meaning to clear away. Which in this case clear away the table and make room for something sweet to eat. Here are America’s top 5 desserts, and the recipes.

1. Ice cream

First, you stir sugar, cream, and milk into a saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Heat just until mix is hot and a small ring of foam appears around the edge. Then transfer cream mixture to a pourable container such as a large measuring cup. Stir in vanilla extract and chill mix thoroughly, at least 2 hours. (Overnight is best.). After pouring cold ice cream mix into an ice cream maker, turn on the machine, and churn according to manufacturer’s directions, 20 to 25 minutes. Finally, when ice cream is softly frozen, serve immediately or place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the ice cream and place in freezer to ripen, 2 to 3 hours. If you don’t feel like spending time, you can always go to the store and buy a box of ice cream.

“My favorite is ice cream because, I don’t really like sweets,” Maeci Baker, junior, said.

2. Cheesecake

First, preheat oven to 475°F. Place a large pan filled with 1/2 inch water in the oven. Second, you make the crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon; add butter or margarine. Press crust onto bottom and 2/3 of the way up a 9-inch springform pan lined with parchment. Wrap a large piece of foil around the bottom of the pan. Freeze until filling is prepared. Next up make the filling: Use an electric mixer to mix cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and vanilla. Blend until smooth and creamy. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Whisk eggs in a bowl; add to cream cheese mixture. Blend just until eggs are incorporated. After making the filling, remove crust from freezer and pour in filling. Carefully place cheesecake into the preheated water bath. Bake for 12 minutes; turn oven to 350°F and bake until top of cheesecake turns golden, 50 to 60 minutes. Remove cake to a wire rack to cool. When everything else is done, make the topping: Combine sour cream and sugar; spread over cake. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

“My favorite is cheesecake because, it takes me to another world when I eat it,” Hopelin Hood, freshman, said.

3. Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare cupcake pans with liners or grease and flour cake pan(s). First, whisk together sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour in a large bowl. Set aside. Then whisk oil, eggs, water, buttermilk, and vanilla in a large measuring cup or bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Batter will be thin. Then pour into prepared pans and bake as directed, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Cool completely before frosting. For the frosting add powdered sugar and cocoa to a very large bowl. Whisk to combine and get out any lumps. Pour in unsalted butter and mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer until crumbly, then add vanilla and salt. Add milk and mix until frosting is smooth and the desired consistency. Use immediately. Bake Time: 24 cupcakes: 13-16 minutes Two 9-inch rounds: 28-35 minutes 9×13-inch pan: 35-40 minutes

“I like chocolate cake because its rich, delicious and chocolate is my go-to flavor,” Kalissa Wile, junior, said

4. Apple Pie

     Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients and toss well. Set aside. Line a 9″ pie plate with pastry dough. Fill with apple filling. Roll out top crust, place over top of the pie. Seal edges and remove any excess dough. Beat egg white and 2 teaspoons water. Cut 4-5 slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 375°F and bake an additional 35-40 minutes or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.

“I like apple pie because, it’s not too sweet and you can add ice cream to it,” Jenny Delgado, senior, said.

5. Lemon Jello Cake

     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a cake pan with nonstick spray and sprinkle with flour. Tip and tap the edges of the cake pan to coat it with flour. In the bowl of a mixer, mix the cake mix, eggs, water, oil, and jello together. Pour into greased and floured 9×13 pan. Bake at 350* for 27-30 minutes. When cake is done, prick with 2 tined fork while still hot. Immediately pour lemon icing over top.  For icing, mix the lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth, in a small bowl.