36 Easy Dessert Recipes That Anyone Can Make
Looking for sweet treats that don’t take hours to prepare? Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, baking with kids, or just craving something sugary at home, this list of 36 easy dessert recipes has something for every occasion. From no-bake wonders to quick oven delights, these desserts are stress-free, foolproof, and irresistibly delicious.
1. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups quick oats
Instructions:
Bring butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa to a boil. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and oats. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool until set.
2. 5-Minute Mug Cake
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Dash of vanilla
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a mug. Microwave for 1–1.5 minutes. Let cool slightly and enjoy warm.
3. Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 pint strawberries
Instructions:
Melt chocolate in the microwave. Dip strawberries and place on parchment paper. Chill for 15–30 minutes.
4. Banana Ice Cream (No Machine Needed)
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
Instructions:
Slice and freeze bananas. Blend until smooth. Optional: Add vanilla, cocoa, or peanut butter.
5. Classic Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 bag marshmallows (10 oz)
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions:
Melt butter and marshmallows. Stir in cereal. Press into a greased 9×13 pan and cool.
6. Peanut Butter No-Bake Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Melt peanut butter and butter. Stir in sugar and crumbs. Press into a pan. Melt and spread chocolate over top. Chill and slice.
7. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels
Ingredients:
- 1 bag pretzel rods or twists
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Melt chocolate. Dip pretzels halfway. Lay on parchment and let harden.
8. Apple Nachos
Ingredients:
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 tbsp peanut butter or caramel sauce
- Toppings: mini chocolate chips, granola, nuts
Instructions:
Arrange apples. Drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle with toppings.
9. Strawberry Shortcake in a Jar
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cake, cubed
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
Instructions:
Layer cake, strawberries, and whipped cream in jars. Chill and serve.
10. Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 12 cookies
- 1 pint ice cream
Instructions:
Scoop ice cream between two cookies. Freeze 30 minutes before serving.
11. Quick Lemon Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients, spread in a greased 9×13 pan, and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes. Cool and dust with sugar.
12. Oreo Truffles
Ingredients:
- 1 pack Oreos
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Crush Oreos and mix with cream cheese. Form balls, freeze, then dip in melted chocolate.
13. Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
Blend all until smooth. Chill before serving.
14. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips with Fruit Salsa
Ingredients:
- 3 flour tortillas
- 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon
- Mixed chopped fruit
Instructions:
Brush tortillas with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, bake at 375°F until crisp. Serve with fruit.
15. Easy Brownie Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix
- Add-ins: chocolate chips, nuts (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare mix and spoon into mini muffin tin. Bake per box directions. Cool before removing.
16. Microwave S’mores
Ingredients:
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate squares
Instructions:
Layer graham, chocolate, and marshmallow. Microwave for 10 seconds. Top with second graham cracker.
17. Ice Cream Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups softened ice cream
- 1.5 cups self-rising flour
Instructions:
Mix ingredients. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes.
18. Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
Mix ingredients and chill overnight. Top with fruit before serving.
19. Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup granola
- 1/2 cup berries
Instructions:
Layer yogurt, granola, and berries in a glass. Serve cold.
20. Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas
- 1/2 cup melted chocolate
Instructions:
Slice bananas, dip in chocolate, and freeze until firm.
21. Caramel Popcorn
Ingredients:
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
Instructions:
Boil butter, sugar, and syrup for 2 minutes. Pour over popcorn, toss, and bake at 250°F for 30 minutes.
22. Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients:
- 12 vanilla wafers
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
Line muffin tin with wrappers and place a wafer in each. Blend filling and pour in. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
23. Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 tube sugar cookie dough
- Frosting and sprinkles
Instructions:
Press dough into pan and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Cool, frost, and cut into bars.
24. Chocolate Bark
Ingredients:
- 1 cup melted chocolate
- Toppings: nuts, dried fruit, crushed candy
Instructions:
Spread melted chocolate on parchment, add toppings, and chill. Break into pieces.
25. Pineapple Whip (Dole Whip Copycat)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen pineapple
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions:
Blend until smooth and creamy. Serve chilled or frozen.
26. Instant Pudding Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 package instant pudding
- 2 cups milk
- 1 graham crust
- Whipped topping
Instructions:
Prepare pudding, pour into crust, chill 1 hour. Top with whipped cream.
27. Brookies (Brownie + Cookie)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 brownie mix
- 1/2 cookie dough
Instructions:
Layer cookie dough in pan, then brownie batter. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
28. 3-Ingredient Fudge
Ingredients:
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
Melt everything together. Pour into a pan, chill 2 hours, and slice.
29. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Mix ingredients, pour into loaf pan, bake at 350°F for 50–60 minutes.
30. Cinnamon Roll Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls
Instructions:
Cut rolls into quarters, bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, drizzle with included icing.
31. Easy Fruit Crumble
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped fruit
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions:
Place fruit in dish, mix crumble topping and sprinkle on. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
32. Cherry Pie Cups
Ingredients:
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 tube biscuit dough
Instructions:
Press biscuit dough into muffin tin. Fill with pie filling. Bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes.
33. No-Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tub whipped topping
- 1 graham crust
Instructions:
Blend cream cheese and sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust and chill 2 hours.
34. Almond Joy Energy Balls
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients, roll into balls, chill for 30 minutes.
35. Frozen Yogurt Bark
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- Fruit and granola for topping
Instructions:
Spread yogurt on a tray, drizzle with honey, add toppings. Freeze and break into pieces.
36. Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 box funfetti cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup oil
Instructions:
Mix ingredients, scoop onto baking sheet, bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
Final Thoughts
In Conclusion, Desserts don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. These 36 easy dessert recipes are proof that you can satisfy your sweet tooth with minimal time, effort, and ingredients. Whether you’re baking with the kids, impressing guests, or treating yourself, there’s something here for every craving.
