Here are our top easy desserts to make when you’re short on time! Pick dessert ideas like no bake cookies, no-bowl cakes, and 3 ingredient treats.
Low on time and energy, but want a sweet treat? Here are 10 quick and easy dessert ideas that go from 0 to treat in no time! We’re always on the lookout for simple treats, because here’s the thing: it’s hard to find the energy when you’re already making the main meal.
Here are our top easy desserts that are super speedy to prep: either in advance or right before serving! Pick from no bake cookies or a tasty 2 ingredient Italian treat. Or try our fan-favorite applesauce cake you can mix right in the baking pan (genius!). Ready to get started?
And now…our top 10 easy desserts!
At the top of all easy desserts? No bake cookies! And these No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are a step above the rest. They're rich and chocolaty, full of chocolate peanut butter flavor and sweetened just enough with sugar and maple syrup. They’re beautifully glossy in texture, and the flavor? When we serve them at parties, they go fast.
Mug cakes are the definition of easy dessert ideas! This genius method for going from 0 to cake in just a few minutes is absolutely worth a try. This Chocolate Mug Cake recipe comes out insanely fudgy and 100% delicious! It’s got a secret ingredient that makes a delightfully rich flavor.
Also try: Vanilla Mug Cake
Sometimes baking takes lots of ingredients, time, and mess…but not here! This genius combination of three ingredients makes for the most peanut butter-y, chewy, sweet and salty flourless cookies you’ll have. Really. It seems unbelievable, but it makes this recipe perfect for whipping up on moments notice and ideal for baking with kids.
Everyone loves a good chocolate cookie. But here's something we think is even better: these soft, gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! They've got an irresistibly chewy texture, featuring a luxurious dough with loads of dark chocolate chips. A bit of oatmeal gives it a nostalgic heartiness, and the edges get perfectly golden.
This applesauce cake is the ultimate easy dessert idea: you don't even need a bowl to mix it in! And it turns into one of the most delicious cakes you’ll eat. Moist and scented with cinnamon, it’s perfectly fluffy and a little gooey. It’s got a healthy spin with olive oil and Greek yogurt, and instead of icing there’s a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Need an easy dessert idea...fast? If you've got 5 minutes, make this edible cookie dough! This tasty mixture has the best cookie dough flavor and texture. It's the ultimate simple treat! For a healthy spin, try this Chickpea Cookie Dough.
Sautéed bananas float in a dreamy sauce of caramelized sugar and rum, topped with melty vanilla ice cream. It might be the ideal easy dessert because it’s so fast to whip up after dinner. All it takes is 10 minutes, with virtually no thinking ahead!
Bliss bites are by far our most popular easy dessert recipe on this website! They taste like a homemade peanut butter cup combined with a no bake cookie, and people all over the world make and love them! Made with maple syrup, coconut oil, and oats, they’re naturally sweet, vegan, and gluten-free: so they work for eaters of all kinds.
What's an easier dessert idea than chocolate bark? It's a fun way to make a special dessert in advance, then refrigerate it and nab a piece anytime a chocolate craving strikes. This one features dried cranberries, pistachios and coconut for a beautiful confetti of flavors.
Here's another favorite easy dessert that’s healthy and ultra delicious: Chocolate Covered Bananas! The crunch of a crisp dark chocolate coating around an icy banana makes magic. Make up a batch and store them in the freezer for anytime a chocolate craving hits.
Last up in our easy dessert recipes: Affogato! The Italian affogato is one of the world's easiest desserts: just top vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso. As the hot coffee hits the frozen ice cream, it transforms into the most delicious rich and melty treat.
More sweet recipes
Love sweets? Us too. In addition to these easy dessert recipes, we’ve got lots of other collections to browse. Here are a few of our top lists of treats, from chocolate to fruit to special diets:
- Try our top Genius Dessert Recipes
- Go wholesome with these Healthy Desserts
- Are you a choco-holic? Try these Chocolate Dessert Recipes
- Or go fruity with Top Fruit Desserts, Apple Desserts or Strawberry Desserts
- Browse special diets with Gluten Free Treats and Vegan Desserts
Top 10 Easy Desserts: No Bake Cookies & More!
- Prep Time: 14 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 22 to 24 cookies 1x
Description
These no bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies are a step above the rest! They’re so irresistible, everyone will ask for the recipe.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dark chocolate or Dutch process cocoa powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 cups Old Fashioned rolled oats
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except the oats in a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Once it starts rapidly bubbling, set a timer for 1 minute. Stirring continuously with a spatula, boil for 1 minute. Then immediately remove from the heat and stir in the oats.
- Make 1 ½ tablespoon-sized scoops (using a size 40 cookie scoop, if you have it) and them place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten them with a buttered spoon, or press gently with your fingers. (Flavor variations: Top them with flaky sea salt, or toasted coconut and flaky sea salt for a Samoa flavor.)
- Freeze the cookies for 10 minutes. Then store refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Easy desserts, easy dessert recipes
More easy recipes
We’ve got ’em! Creating easy recipes for every meal is our sweet spot. In fact, we wrote a book about simple cooking, too. Whether you’re looking for a specific diet or just general browsing, here are a few more easy recipe ideas:
- Try these 25 Easy Recipes for every meal
- Opt for 20 Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes or 30 Easy Vegetarian Recipes
- Grab these 15 Easy Salad Recipes
- Thristy? Go for 5 Easy Juicing Recipes
- Love seafood? Try our 30 Easy Seafood Recipes
Let us know if you have any questions!
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