Easy Dessert Recipes

by Marsha McDougal

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All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville test kitchen to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.

Today we’re sharing our favorite Easy Dessert Recipes that are perfect for holidays, parties, family gatherings, or as a simple weeknight dinner treat. We’ve included several no-bake desserts, freezer-friendly desserts, and easy desserts that require just a few ingredients. Easy desserts that are made with simple pantry ingredients are always a win in our book! ;)

Collage of six easy dessert recipes with title text in the center.

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No Bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars

No Bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars

front view of no bake pretzel peanut butter bars lined up in a grid
These no-bake pretzel peanut butter bars are a ridiculously simple homemade version of your favorite peanut butter cups!
4.93 from 27 votes
$3.94 recipe / 0.16 per square Get the Recipe

We are kicking things off with these ridiculously easy No-Bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars! They’re a homemade version of a peanut butter cup and they’re perfect for sharing at parties or stashing away in the freezer for later ;)

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

A hand holding a stack of raspberry oatmeal bars close to the camera
These easy Raspberry Oatmeal bars are a fast fix for your sweet tooth and they only require a few pantry staples plus your favorite jam!
4.71 from 41 votes
$2.86 recipe / $0.32 serving Get the Recipe

You can easily whip up a batch of these Raspberry Oatmeal Bars when you want a sweet dessert to go with dinner. They’re fun and simple to make with just a few pantry staple ingredients.

Easy Chocolate Pudding

Easy Chocolate Pudding

Overhead view of whipped cream being stirred into a cup of pudding.
This easy chocolate pudding combines simple pantry ingredients to make a rich and sweet chocolate pudding in under 10 minutes.
4.93 from 13 votes
$2.44 recipe / $0.61 serving Get the Recipe

When we say this Easy Chocolate Pudding recipe is fast, we mean it! All you need are five simple pantry ingredients and 10 minutes and you’ll have a super simple and delicious chocolate pudding dessert!

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake For Two

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake for Two

Two jars of no bake strawberry cheesecake side by side with whole strawberries on the side
This No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is the perfect small batch dessert for Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or any day the cheesecake craving hits!
5 from 9 votes
$3.68 recipe / $1.84 serving Get the Recipe

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake for two…or three! Honestly, you can scale this delicious dessert to feed as many people as you want. It’s a classic dessert that’s easy to make during the week or for special occasions.

Easy Lemon Cream Pie

Easy Lemon Cream Pie

Overhead view of a sliced lemon cream pie with lemons on the sides
This sweet and creamy cloud-like lemon cream pie is an easy summer dessert that can be made completely no-bake, if needed.
4.97 from 28 votes
$4.26 recipe / $0.53 per slice Get the Recipe

This fluffy Lemon Cream Pie is a simple dessert thats perfect for parties and family gatherings. Make it with a buttery graham cracker crust or vanilla wafers and just a few simple ingredients for a sweet and dreamy treat!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

flourless peanut butter cookies scattered on a surface
These dairy-free flourless peanut butter cookies are soft, rich, and have the perfect salty-sweet balance. 
4.74 from 19 votes
$1.65 recipe / $0.14 each Get the Recipe

These flourless and dairy-free Peanut Butter Cookies are rich, soft, and perfectly salty-sweet. They’re a great option for gluten-free and dairy-free friends and they’re also incredibly easy to make!

Jello Salad

Jello Salad

Overhead photo of a whole full of jello salad topped with sliced strawberries.
Jello salad is a sweet, creamy, popular dessert that’s easy to make and always a crowd favorite for potlucks, picnics, and holidays!
5 from 3 votes
$7.87 recipe / $1.12 serving Get the Recipe

Well hello, my favorite dessert from childhood! Jello Salad is a classic potluck dessert that’s always fun to share at family gatherings. It’s simple, sweet, and definitely a crowd favorite ;)

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies

Overhead view of a pile of oatmeal cookies on a plate with a white napkin and a cup of milk on the side.
These delicious Oatmeal Cookies are crispy around the edges and soft & chewy in the center. The perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth!
4.75 from 16 votes
$3.77 recipe / $0.21 each Get the Recipe

Get ready to devour these homemade, delicious Oatmeal Cookies! They’re soft, chewy, and simply irresistible.

Homemade Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie Treats

Stacked rice krispie treats
Sweet and fluffy marshmallows, creamy butter, and crispy rice cereal make these homemade rice krispie treats melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
4.79 from 14 votes
$2.30 recipe / $0.26 serving Get the Recipe

It doesn’t get any easier than these Homemade Rice Krispie Treats! It’s literally just four simple ingredients, but together they become something truly magical!

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Overhead view of chocolate fudge with walnuts cut into squares on a wooden surface, one with a bite taken out.
This super fast and easy chocolate fudge recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie platters or anytime you need a quick chocolate fix.
4.86 from 7 votes
$6.88 recipe / $0.43 serving Get the Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick way to get your chocolate fix, you’ve got to try this easy Homemade Chocolate Fudge recipe. It’s perfect for holidays and special occasions or if you simple want an easy weeknight dessert!

Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding

Side shot of three glasses of banana pudding.
This easy, creamy banana pudding recipe has layers of vanilla wafers, bananas & pudding. A Southern classic dessert, perfect for potlucks & gatherings.
5 from 3 votes
$4.91 recipe / $1.23 serving Get the Recipe

I suggest making a double batch of this easy Banana Pudding recipe because it’s always a crowd favorite! Another no-bake dessert that can be made in just 10 minutes!

Cherry Turnovers

Cherry Turnovers

Two cherry turnovers stacked on a plate, one cut in half with filling spilling out.
Cherry Turnovers are a delicious baked dessert made with flaky puff pastry and sweet, tart cherry sauce. This is the best easy dessert recipe!
5 from 3 votes
$9.85 recipe / $1.23 serving Get the Recipe

Who remembers these sweet treats from childhood? These Cherry Turnovers are made with a flaky and buttery puff pastry and a sweet, tart cherry sauce on the inside. So good!

Easy Apple Crisp

Easy Apple Crisp

Apple crisp in a bowl topped with vanilla ice cream
This Easy Apple Crisp is a warm and cozy dessert that features fresh fall apples baked with cinnamon and spices and a crispy oat topping.
4.89 from 9 votes
$2.48 recipe / $0.41 serving Get the Recipe

I love a good fruit crisp dessert. Mainly because they’re uncomplicated, uses simple ingredients, and made with fresh seasonal fruit like this Easy Apple Crisp! It includes baked apples that are seasoned with a little sugar and warm spices, and topped with a sweet and buttery crispy oat topping.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Vanilla Pudding

Overhead shot of vanilla pudding in a white bowl topped with a dollop of whipped cream and surrounded by strawberries.
This homemade vanilla pudding recipe is super rich and creamy, only takes a few simple ingredients, and is so much better than instant mixes!
4.44 from 16 votes
$2.79 recipe / $0.70 serving Get the Recipe

This classic vanilla pudding recipe is ultra rich and creamy, delicious warm or cold, and can be made in just 20 minutes!

Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse

Overhead view of three cups of chocolate mousse with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
When it comes to a perfectly luscious and light dessert, it doesn't get much simpler than this deeply flavored easy chocolate mousse. You are four ingredients away from heaven!
5 from 3 votes
$8.23 recipe / $1.37 serving Get the Recipe

Who doesn’t love a good mousse recipe?! This easy Chocolate Mousse is light, luscious, and super simple to make!

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Marsha McDougalMarsha is a Nashville native and the food blogger behind MapleJubilee.com where she shares simple, healthy-ish recipes for busy families and home cooks. As a cancer survivor, Marsha’s goal is to share more recipes using whole foods and real ingredients! She enjoys practicing her food photography, spending time with her family and sharing her bubbly personality and food recipes on her YouTube channel.More About Marsha

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  2. Great collection! Might I also suggest plain old fashioned baked custard. It uses whole milk, whole eggs, vanilla extract, and a sprinkle of nutmeg–I cheat by adding half & half to the milk, but my mom never did. She sweetened it with honey or maple syrup. Very economical. I hadn’t made it in about 50 years but started a keto version using artificial sweetener for diabetic husband. I bake in 4 oz custard cups. He likes it warm, but when chilled, I serve with piles of lightly sweetened fruit on top (frozen is handy), usually berries, but stone fruits are delicious, too. The baked cups are good in the fridge for 3-5 days.

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