Dessert is the last course of a meal. Sweet foods, such as confections, and occasionally a beverage, such as dessert wine or liqueur, make up the course. There is no tradition of a dessert course to conclude a meal in several parts of the world, such as much of Central and West Africa, and most of China.

Desserts include biscuits, cakes, cookies, custards, gelatins, ice creams, pastries, pies, puddings, macaroons, sweet soups, tarts, and fruit salads, among others. Because of its naturally occurring sweetness, fruit is frequently used in dessert dishes. Desserts are created by sweetening dishes that are normally salty.