10+ Easy Dessert Recipes for Quick and Delicious Treats

Making desserts doesn’t have to be hard or take a long time. Many recipes are simple and use ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.

You can enjoy tasty treats without spending hours cooking or baking. Whether you want something to share or a quick snack for yourself, these recipes make dessert simple and fun.

1) No-Bake Chocolate Pudding

No-bake chocolate pudding is a great easy dessert when you want something quick and tasty. You don’t need an oven, just a few simple ingredients and a little mixing.

It’s creamy and rich, perfect for any occasion. You can enjoy it right away as a soft treat, or chill it in the fridge to firm it up.

This pudding mixes cocoa powder, milk, and a bit of vanilla for flavor. Some recipes add whipped topping for extra creaminess.

If you want to make a dessert pie, use a pre-made crust and pour the pudding in. This makes a lovely chocolate pudding pie with little effort.

For a simple no-cook version, check out this No-Cook Chocolate Pudding recipe.

Ingredients

• Cocoa powder
• Sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Whipped topping (optional)
• Pre-made crust (for pudding pie)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and milk in a bowl.
2. Stir until smooth and no lumps remain.
3. Add vanilla extract and mix again.
4. For extra creaminess, gently fold in whipped topping.
5. Pour into your dish or crust if making a pie.
6. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours (about 35°F / 1.6°C) to set, or eat immediately if you like it softer.

2) 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These peanut butter cookies are super simple and perfect when you want a quick treat. You only need three ingredients, and they come together fast.

No fancy tools or skills required, just mix and bake. The texture is soft and chewy, and the peanut butter gives a rich flavor.

They’re naturally gluten-free, which is great if you want a simple dessert that works for many diets. You can roll the dough into balls or use a fork to press a crisscross pattern on top before baking.

They bake in about 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C), so you won’t wait long to enjoy them.

Ingredients

• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix peanut butter, sugar, and egg in a bowl until smooth.
3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Flatten balls slightly with a fork to make a crisscross pattern.
5. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are golden.
6. Let cookies cool before removing from the sheet.

Learn more about this recipe at 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies.

3) Quick Strawberry Panna Cotta

Strawberry panna cotta is a creamy and light dessert you can make quickly. It doesn’t need baking and uses simple ingredients you might already have.

You start by heating cream and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Then, add gelatin to help it set.

After mixing in fresh strawberry puree, pour the mixture into molds and chill. After a few hours in the fridge, your panna cotta will be set and ready.

Top it with fresh strawberries or a strawberry sauce for extra flavor. You can try swapping strawberries for other fruits like peaches or cherries.

Ingredients:

• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Gelatin
• Fresh strawberries

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat cream and sugar until sugar dissolves.
2. Stir in softened gelatin until completely mixed.
3. Add strawberry puree and stir gently.
4. Pour into molds and chill for at least 4 hours or until set.
5. Serve with fresh strawberries or sauce on top.

For a complete recipe, check this detailed Strawberry Panna Cotta guide.

4) Easy Lemon Mug Cake

If you want a quick dessert, a lemon mug cake is a great choice. It’s simple to make and ready in just a few minutes.

You mix the basic ingredients right in a mug, then pop it in the microwave. This makes it perfect when you don’t want to heat your whole oven or spend too much time baking.

The cake is light and has a fresh lemon taste. You can add a lemon glaze if you like, but it’s delicious on its own too.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. In a microwave-safe mug, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add milk, melted butter, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth.
3. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes (about 90 to 120 seconds).
4. Let it cool a little before eating.

5) Gluten-Free No-Bake Fruit Tart

You can make a tasty gluten-free no-bake fruit tart that is simple and fresh. It uses a nutty crust made from gluten-free cookies or nuts.

The filling is creamy and light, often made with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative. Top your tart with fresh berries or any fruit you like.

This dessert is great when you want something sweet without turning on the oven. It’s perfect for warm days or last-minute treats.

You can find easy ideas for this type of tart on sites like Sally’s Baking Addiction or Healy Eats Real.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground nuts
• ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or butter
• 1 cup Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 2 cups mixed fresh berries

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cookie crumbs or nuts with melted coconut oil. Press into a tart pan to form the crust.
2. Chill the crust in the fridge for 15 minutes.
3. Stir Greek yogurt with honey or maple syrup. Spread over the crust.
4. Arrange fresh berries on top.
5. Chill the tart for at least 30 minutes before serving.

6) Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

You can make soft and chewy sugar cookies without too much effort. These cookies stay tender and melt in your mouth.

You don’t need to roll or cut them out, just drop the dough onto a baking sheet. The recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Butter and sugar give the cookies their soft, chewy texture. You can add a little vanilla or lemon zest to change up the flavor if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
7. Let cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before moving them.

7) Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies are a simple and tasty dessert you can make anytime. They have a soft, chewy texture and just the right amount of chocolate in every bite.

You don’t need fancy ingredients or tools to bake them. Just basic staples like butter, sugar, and eggs.

These cookies are great for sharing with family or friends. The recipe usually takes around 20-25 minutes from start to finish.

Baking at 350°F (175°C) helps the cookies cook evenly without burning.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugars until smooth.
3. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt separately.
5. Gradually blend dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before eating.

8) Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

Making vanilla ice cream at home is easier than you might think. You just need a few basic ingredients and some patience while it freezes.

This recipe gives you a creamy, classic treat that you can enjoy plain or with toppings. You can add mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit to make it your own.

Homemade vanilla ice cream is perfect for quick desserts or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Small pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix milk, sugar, and salt until sugar dissolves.
2. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla extract.
3. Pour mixture into your ice cream maker and follow its instructions.
4. Freeze the ice cream for at least 2 hours at 0°F (-18°C) before serving.

Try adding your favorite mix-ins once the ice cream starts to thicken. For more tips on making vanilla ice cream, check out this simple vanilla ice cream recipe.

9) Cheesecake Nachos

Cheesecake nachos are a fun and easy dessert you can make fast. You start with cinnamon and sugar tortilla chips.

These chips add a sweet, crunchy base for your dessert. Next, add dollops of no-bake cheesecake on top.

Drizzle caramel or honey over the chips for extra sweetness. Sprinkle toffee bits or fresh fruit like strawberries to finish.

This dessert is great for parties or a quick snack when you want something sweet with little effort. You can customize it with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 6 flour tortillas
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup no-bake cheesecake filling
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce
• 2 tbsp toffee bits or chopped nuts
• Optional: fresh strawberries or other fruit

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut tortillas into triangles.
3. Mix sugar and cinnamon.
4. Toss tortilla pieces in cinnamon sugar.
5. Lay chips on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until crisp.
6. Let chips cool.
7. Spread or dollop cheesecake on chips.
8. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top.
9. Sprinkle toffee bits or nuts.
10. Add fresh fruit if desired.

For more ideas, check out a detailed Cheesecake Dessert Nachos recipe.

10) Microwave Brownie in a Mug

If you want a quick dessert, try a microwave brownie in a mug. Mix a few simple ingredients right in the mug and cook it in the microwave.

You can enjoy a warm, fudgy brownie in about a minute. This recipe gives you a single serving without baking a whole pan.

You only need a microwave-safe mug and a fork or small whisk. Add vanilla or nuts for extra flavor if you like.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• A pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and salt in your mug.

2. Stir the mixture until it looks smooth.

3. Add milk, oil, and vanilla.

4. Stir everything together well.

5. Microwave the mug on high for 60 seconds.

6. Let it cool a bit before eating.

For more details, check out this microwave brownie in a mug recipe.