10+ Quick Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Fast

Ever get that sudden craving for something sweet but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen? Quick dessert recipes are a lifesaver for those moments. They’re easy, fast, and odds are, you’ve already got most of the ingredients hanging around.

Quick dessert recipes make it easy to whip up something delicious without a lot of waiting or complicated steps.

Whether you’re baking for yourself, family, or surprise guests, having a few easy dessert ideas in your back pocket can really save the day. You don’t need to be a pro baker to enjoy something homemade and tasty in a hurry.

1) 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are about as simple as it gets. You only need three ingredients—perfect for a last-minute dessert.

Just mix peanut butter, sugar, and an egg until smooth. Roll the dough into balls and bake.

They turn out soft and chewy every time. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free, so almost everyone can enjoy them.

Great for beginners or kids wanting to help in the kitchen. There’s nothing fussy about these, and you get homemade cookies in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 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 each ball with a fork, making that classic crisscross.
5. Bake 10-12 minutes, then let them cool before eating.

Learn more about this easy recipe here.

2) No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie

No-bake chocolate pudding pie is a go-to when you want dessert without turning on the oven. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and comes together in minutes.

Just grab instant chocolate pudding, milk, and whipped topping, and pour it into a cookie or graham crust. Using a pre-made crust saves time, but hey, make your own if you’re feeling ambitious.

Let it chill in the fridge so it sets up nicely. If you want to dress it up, toss on some chocolate shavings or extra whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 1 pre-made chocolate cookie or graham cracker crust
• 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 cup Cool Whip or whipped topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk pudding mix and cold milk together until thick (about 2 minutes).
2. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
3. Pour filling into crust and smooth the top.
4. Chill in the fridge at least 2 hours before serving.

3) Quick Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

You can throw together pineapple upside-down cake in no time with a boxed yellow cake mix. Sweet pineapple rings and a caramelized topping make it a classic.

No need to fuss with homemade caramel. Just lay pineapple slices in the pan with brown sugar and butter, then pour the cake batter over.

Prep takes about 15 minutes, and baking is usually around 35 minutes. Once it’s done, flip it onto a plate so the pineapple ends up on top.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 can pineapple rings, drained
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 large eggs (or as directed on cake mix)
• Oil and water as called for on cake mix box

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix brown sugar and melted butter, then spread in the bottom of a 9-inch round pan.
3. Arrange pineapple rings over the sugar mixture.
4. Prepare cake batter according to box instructions.
5. Pour batter evenly over pineapple and sugar.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate.

For a step-by-step, see this easy pineapple upside-down cake recipe.

4) Easy Icebox Cake

Icebox cake is a no-bake wonder. It’s just layers of cookies and whipped cream—stack, chill, and you’re done.

You can use chocolate cookies, graham crackers, or even throw in some berries. The cookies soak up the cream and turn soft and cake-like.

Prep only takes about 15 minutes. Pop it in the fridge and let it set until you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package chocolate cookies or graham crackers

Cooking Instructions

1. Whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
2. Spread a layer of whipped cream in the bottom of a dish.
3. Add a layer of cookies or crackers on top.
4. Repeat layers until everything’s used up.
5. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight at 35°F (2°C).
6. Serve cold.

5) Cheat’s Brownies with 5 Ingredients

Need brownies fast? Cheat’s brownies are the way to go. Five basic ingredients, one bowl, and barely any effort.

Melt butter, mix everything together, and bake. You get classic fudgy brownies with a crackly top in about 30 minutes.

No fancy tools or special skills needed. Just simple, chocolatey goodness.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt butter and mix it with sugar.
3. Stir in eggs.
4. Mix in cocoa powder and flour until smooth.
5. Pour batter into a greased pan.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Let cool before cutting.

6) Classic Panna Cotta

Panna cotta is this creamy Italian dessert that feels fancy, but it’s honestly pretty easy. The texture is smooth and melts in your mouth.

You just need cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and gelatin. Let it chill in the fridge and it turns into a soft custard.

Serve it plain or with berries, or maybe a little fruit sauce if you’re feeling extra. You can make it ahead, which is always a win.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon gelatin powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle gelatin over ¼ cup cold milk and let it sit 5 minutes.
2. Heat cream, remaining milk, and sugar in a saucepan until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot but not boiling (around 180°F / 82°C).
3. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin mixture and vanilla until dissolved.
4. Pour into molds or cups and refrigerate at least 4 hours until set.
5. Serve chilled, plain or topped as you like.

7) Southern Fried Apples

Southern Fried Apples are a warm, quick dessert that comes together in minutes. Slice up some tart apples and cook them in butter until soft and golden.

Sprinkle on sugar and cinnamon for that cozy, sweet flavor. They’re great on their own or spooned over ice cream.

Tweak the cinnamon and sugar to your liking. The apples cook fast, so don’t walk away.

Ingredients

• 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add apple slices and cook 5-7 minutes until tender.
3. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over apples.
4. Stir gently and cook another 2-3 minutes.
5. Serve warm.

More details in this Southern Fried Apples recipe.

8) Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Coconut

Ambrosia Fruit Salad is a super quick, refreshing dessert. Mix sweet pineapple, mandarin oranges, and whipped topping, then add coconut and mini marshmallows for that chewy bite.

It’s best chilled for an hour so all the flavors come together. You can swap in different fruits or use yogurt instead of whipped cream if you want to mix things up.

Light, a little nostalgic, and always a hit at gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
• 1 cup mandarin orange segments (canned or fresh)
• 1 cup whipped topping
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/4 cup milk

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix pineapple and mandarin oranges.
2. Add whipped topping, coconut, marshmallows, and milk.
3. Stir gently until everything’s combined.
4. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.

Find more details in this Coconut Ambrosia Salad recipe.

9) 3-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Blondies

You can whip up blondies with just three ingredients, and honestly, it couldn’t get much simpler. If you’re craving something sweet but don’t want a big mess, this one’s for you.

Grab a few basics from your pantry and you’re set. These blondies turn out chewy and packed with chocolate chips.

The best part? You can have them mixed and in the oven in just a few minutes. Kids love helping out with this recipe, and adults won’t complain about the results either.

If you want a no-fuss dessert that still tastes amazing, these blondies really hit the spot. Check out the 3-ingredient chocolate chip blondies from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix peanut butter, brown sugar, and egg in a bowl until smooth.
3. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
4. Spread the batter into a greased 8×8-inch pan.
5. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges look set.
6. Let them cool, then slice into squares.

10) Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Peanut butter and jelly bars are a classic, easy treat you can throw together fast. They’ve got two layers of peanut butter dough with a gooey jelly center.

You can pick any jelly or jam you like—seriously, whatever’s in the fridge works. The bars bake in one pan, so cleanup’s not a headache.

They’re soft, sweet, and have that nutty flavor everyone seems to love. These are perfect for a quick dessert or an afternoon snack.

Most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen, so you won’t need a special trip to the store.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup jelly or jam

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease a 9×13-inch pan and line it with parchment paper.

3. Cream together the butter, peanut butter, and sugar. Keep mixing until it looks smooth.

4. Add in the vanilla and eggs. Mix everything well.

5. Grab a separate bowl and stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

6. Slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients. Don’t rush—just blend until combined.

7. Press half of the dough into your prepared pan.

8. Spread the jelly across the dough layer as evenly as you can.

9. Crumble the rest of the dough over the top.

10. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top turns golden.

11. Let it cool before you cut it into bars.

You can check out more about peanut butter and jelly bars here.