These 20 Desserts Are Easy To Make And Totally Delicious
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat after dinner? I’m always on the hunt for desserts that don’t require a culinary degree to whip up.
Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or just short on time, the following simple desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth without the headache.
Grab your apron and let’s make some magic happen with these foolproof recipes!
1. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Chocolate and peanut butter—name a more iconic duo, I’ll wait! These bars require zero oven time, making them perfect for summer days when turning on the oven feels like a crime against humanity.
Simply mix crushed graham crackers with melted butter and peanut butter for the base, then top with melted chocolate. Pop them in the fridge, and voilà!
I once made these for a potluck and came home with an empty plate and seven recipe requests.
2. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sometimes the old standards exist for a reason. These timeless treats require basic pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand. The smell alone while they’re baking is worth the effort.
The secret? Slightly underbake them for that perfect chewy center with crispy edges. For extra flair, sprinkle some sea salt on top before baking to create that sweet-salty contrast that makes people go wild. Trust me on this one.
3. Strawberry Shortcake Stacks
Forget fancy layered cakes! These adorable stacks use store-bought pound cake (or angel food cake) sliced into rounds. Layer with freshly whipped cream and macerated strawberries for an impressive-looking dessert that takes minutes to assemble.
I made these for my mom’s birthday when I completely forgot to plan ahead. She thought I’d spent hours in the kitchen! The trick is to let the strawberries sit in sugar for at least 30 minutes to create that lovely syrup.
4. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
One cup peanut butter, one cup sugar, one egg. That’s it! Mix, roll into balls, press with a fork to create that classic criss-cross pattern, and bake. These cookies defy logic with their perfect texture and robust flavor despite the minimal ingredient list.
They’re naturally gluten-free too, which makes them my go-to when baking for friends with dietary restrictions.
Want to get fancy? Dip half in melted chocolate after they cool for an elevated treat that screams “I totally meant to do this.”
5. Oreo Truffles
Pulverize a package of Oreos (filling and all) into crumbs, mix with softened cream cheese, roll into balls, and dip in melted chocolate. The result? Bite-sized flavor bombs that taste like they came from a fancy chocolate shop.
I brought these to a holiday party last year, and people literally fought over the last one. My cousin still brings it up every time I see him. The hardest part is waiting for the chocolate to set before devouring them all.
6. Berry Yogurt Parfaits
Layer Greek yogurt (sweetened with a touch of honey) with fresh berries and granola for a dessert that’s both beautiful and nutritious. The contrast of creamy yogurt, juicy berries, and crunchy granola creates a textural wonderland in every spoonful.
Assemble them in clear glasses to showcase the colorful layers. They’re elegant enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight treat. For an extra special touch, toast your granola with a bit of cinnamon and brown sugar first.
7. Rice Krispie Treats
Butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies cereal. Three ingredients, one pot, and five minutes of cooking time create a nostalgic dessert that never disappoints. The key is using fresh marshmallows and not overcooking them—just melt until smooth.
Press the mixture into a pan using wax paper to prevent sticky hands. My niece and I make these together whenever she visits, and I’ve learned that adding a handful of mini chocolate chips while the mixture is still warm creates magical little melty pockets throughout.
8. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Nothing says “I’m fancy but lazy” quite like chocolate-dipped strawberries. Melt good-quality chocolate, dip fresh strawberries with the stems attached, and place on parchment paper to set. The juicy berry paired with the snap of chocolate creates pure magic.
For a truly impressive display, drizzle with white chocolate after the dark chocolate sets. A little sprinkle of sea salt takes these to a whole new dimension. I once charged $3 each for these at a school fundraiser—they sold out in 15 minutes flat!
9. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips
Cut flour tortillas into triangles, brush with melted butter, sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar, and bake until crispy. The transformation is nothing short of miraculous—humble tortillas become a sweet, crispy treat that’s impossible to stop munching.
Serve with fruit salsa (diced strawberries, kiwi, and a squeeze of lime) or caramel sauce for dipping. These were my college dorm room specialty when I had zero cooking equipment except a toaster oven and a knife. Sometimes simplicity wins!
10. Instant Pot Cheesecake
Cheesecake used to intimidate me until I discovered the Instant Pot method. No water bath nightmares or cracking issues! Mix cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, pour over a simple graham cracker crust in a springform pan that fits your Instant Pot.
Cook under pressure for 35 minutes, and you’ve got perfectly creamy cheesecake every time. The first time I made this, my husband thought I’d bought it from a bakery. I didn’t correct him for at least three days—the compliments were just too good.
11. Brownie Mix Cookies
Box brownie mix isn’t just for brownies! Add 2 eggs and ½ cup oil to any standard brownie mix, and you’ve got cookie dough. The result? Fudgy, crackly-topped cookies with that distinctive brownie flavor but in convenient cookie form.
Roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking for a beautiful crinkle effect. These are my emergency desserts when guests announce they’re “just stopping by” with 30 minutes’ notice. They never suspect I’ve used a shortcut!
12. Grilled Peaches with Honey
Summer desserts don’t get easier than this! Cut peaches in half, remove the pit, brush with a little butter, and grill cut-side down until caramelized. The heat transforms these ordinary fruits into caramelized wonders with intensified sweetness.
Drizzle with honey and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into all the nooks and crannies. I discovered this recipe during a camping trip when we had run out of marshmallows for s’mores.
This happy accident has become our family’s summer tradition ever since.
13. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Sweet meets salty in this addictive treat that takes minutes to prepare. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, dip pretzel rods halfway, and go wild with sprinkles, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut while the chocolate is still wet.
Let them set on parchment paper, and you’ve got a dessert that doubles as an impressive handmade gift. During holiday seasons, I make these by the dozens using colored chocolate and festive sprinkles. They’re always the first thing to disappear at parties.
14. Watermelon Pizza
Slice watermelon into rounds about 1-inch thick, spread with Greek yogurt (mixed with a touch of honey), and top with berries, mint, and a drizzle of honey. Cut into triangles like a pizza for a refreshing, no-bake summer treat.
The juicy watermelon base paired with creamy yogurt and fresh berries creates a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
My daughter’s friends thought I was the coolest mom ever when I served this at her summer birthday party instead of traditional cake.
15. Apple Nachos
Thinly slice apples, arrange on a plate, drizzle with caramel sauce and melted peanut butter, then sprinkle with chocolate chips and crushed graham crackers. It’s like a deconstructed caramel apple but infinitely easier to eat!
The combination of crisp apples with sweet toppings creates a dessert that feels indulgent but isn’t too heavy. I started making these when my son got braces and couldn’t bite into whole caramel apples anymore.
Now we prefer this version even though his braces are long gone.
16. Dump Cake
Don’t let the name fool you—this effortless dessert is surprisingly delicious! Pour canned pie filling into a baking dish, sprinkle dry cake mix on top, arrange butter slices over the cake mix, and bake until golden and bubbly.
The cake mix absorbs the fruit juices and butter to create a cobbler-like topping with minimal effort. Cherry and pineapple are the classic combo, but any pie filling works beautifully.
When an unexpected company arrives, this is my secret weapon dessert that looks like I planned ahead.
17. Nutella Mug Brownie
Four tablespoons of Nutella, two tablespoons of flour, one egg—mix in a mug and microwave for 45 seconds. The result is a molten, gooey center surrounded by a just-set brownie exterior that will make you weak in the knees.
Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into all that chocolatey hazelnut goodness. I discovered this recipe during finals week in college and credit it with getting me through my degree.
Some might call that dramatic, but they haven’t tried this brownie.
18. Banana Bread Muffins
Those spotty bananas on your counter are dessert gold! Mash them with eggs, oil, sugar, flour, and cinnamon, then bake in a muffin tin for individual portions that bake in half the time of a loaf. The result is moist, fragrant treats that work for breakfast or dessert.
Add chocolate chips or walnuts if you’re feeling fancy. My grandmother’s recipe calls for a pinch of nutmeg, which adds a warmth that makes people ask, “What’s your secret?” I never tell them it’s that simple.
19. Frozen Yogurt Bark
Spread Greek yogurt (mixed with a touch of honey) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with berries, granola, and a drizzle of honey, then freeze until solid. Break into irregular pieces for a refreshing frozen treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
It’s like a healthier, customizable version of chocolate bark! I keep a batch in my freezer all summer long for cooling down after hot days in the garden. My favorite combo includes blueberries and pistachios, but the possibilities are endless.
20. Pineapple Whip
Frozen pineapple chunks, coconut milk, and a touch of honey blended until smooth create a dairy-free frozen treat that rivals your favorite theme park dessert. The texture is somewhere between sorbet and soft-serve—refreshing, tropical, and impossibly creamy without actual cream.
Serve immediately for soft-serve consistency or freeze for an hour for a more scoopable texture. During a heatwave last summer, I made this three days in a row. No regrets. Sometimes I add a splash of rum for the grown-up version when friends come over.