18 easy dessert recipes from no-bake cheesecake to peach cobbler
There's always room for something sweet, even if there's not much time to make it.
With these recipes for easy desserts, even the most novice of home cooks will be able to mix, bake and slow-cook cakes, pies, sweet dips and more types of treats for busy days.
Whether you prefer an easy dessert recipe with just a few ingredients or one that's so quick, it'll be a no-stress addition to the schedule, these easy dessert recipes will make any occasion, or weeknight, much sweeter.
Easy dessert recipes
Tiramisu Parfaits by Grace Parisi
Serving individual glasses of tiramisu for dessert is a piece of cake. Simply layer espresso-dipped ladyfingers, creamy custard and chopped chocolate into a ramekin or a small glass. A dusting of cocoa powder adds an elegant and delicious finishing touch.
Skillet Berry Crisp with Almond-Cornmeal Topping by Lazarus Lynch
A skillet fruit crisps is Lazarus Lynch's No. 1 go-to for dessert because it's so easy to make. You just toss in the fruit, top it with a crumble, bake it ... and that's it!
Sunny's No-Bake Strawberry Blueberry Pie by Sunny Anderson
This easy, no-cook recipe from Food Network star Sunny Anderson is perfectly light and refreshing thanks to its ingredients and cool temperature. "This easy pie makes a delicious dessert without ever turning on the oven," she told TODAY Food.
Banana Split Kebabs by Delish
Kebabs make food fun, finger-friendly and simple to serve. This sweet, skewered dessert is a healthy, kid-friendly spin on a classic banana split sundae. Simply place chunks of bananas, strawberries and pineapples on a stick, drizzle on some melted chocolate, top with chopped peanuts and freeze.
Anne Burrell's Olive Oil Cake with Blueberry Sauce and Peaches by Anne Burrell
This cake from Anne Burrell is especially great because it's not super sweet and you get the beautifully grassy olive oil flavor in conjunction with seasonal summer fruit.
S'mores Dip by Shannon Miller
Turn the campfire favorite into an easy-to-make dip that's absolutely irresistible. This one-pan dessert satisfies any s'mores craving with its layers of melted chocolate, toasted marshmallow and crunchy graham crackers.
5-Ingredient Fruit Cobbler by Elizabeth Chambers
Fruit cobblers aren't just for the summer. This easy dessert is a winner any time of year because it can be made with fresh, frozen or canned fruit. Plus, this recipe only takes five ingredientsto make and it's ready in under an hour.
Easy Chocolate Fondue by Casey Barber
Rich chocolate fondue is a dessert that always impresses — and it's fun to eat. Combining high-quality bittersweet chocolate and white chocolate makes this dip extra creamy and smooth. Serving it with fruit is easy, but mix things up and try this dip with marshmallows, cubed pound cake, cookies, pretzels and more.
Slow-Cooker Cherry Delight by Cathy Mitchell
Desserts don't get any easier than this dump cake. Simply combine store-bought yellow cake mix, canned cherry pie filling, butter and walnuts, then let the slow cooker do the rest.
Giada's Chianti Affogato by Giada De Laurentiis
This easy, impressive and delicious dessert from superstar chef Giada De Laurentiis is just for grown ups. "It takes just 10 minutes to prepare but the indulgent flavors of the red wine, warm cinnamon and zesty orange taste like you spent hours perfecting the silky sauce," she told TODAY Food.
5-Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Coffee Icebox Cheesecake by Grace Parisi
This five-ingredient dessert is much lighter than a traditional no-bake cheesecake. Here, cream cheese is whipped with hot fudge and coffee ice cream, then layered with chocolate wafer cookies. As this make-ahead cake chills, the cookies soften to a cake-like consistency. Serve with a dollop of hot fudge for an extra indulgent flavor combo in every bite.
Peaches and Cream by Aimee Olexy
Sautéing peaches in a combination of brown butter, sugar and cardamom is a great way to showcase the subtle sweetness and natural juiciness of the stone fruit. A dollop of vanilla-scented whipped cream completes this beautiful dessert.
Edible Cookie Dough by Rachel Fong
Go ahead and indulge in a spoonful of cookie dough straight from the bowl. It tastes exactly like raw cookie dough but this version is safe to eat because it's free of raw egg and the raw flour is heated to 160 degrees to kill off bacteria. Personalize the dough with festive colors and flavorful mix-ins to make it extra fun for kids of all ages.
Watermelon Dessert 'Pizza' by Anna Helm Baxter
Equal parts refreshing and indulgent, watermelon pizzas are made using thick slices of baby watermelon. Anna Helm-Baxter loves to set up a mix and match toppings bar so every member of the family can customize their own piece of the pie.
Joanna Gaines' Strawberry Shortcake by Joanna Gaines
This strawberry shortcake dessert from home design guru Joanna Gaines doesn't need much of an introduction. The beauty of this classic treat is in its simplicity. "It doesn't get much better than sweetened, ripe strawberries spooned over soft, buttery biscuits with homemade whipped cream," she told TODAY.
Brown Butter Butterscotch Marshmallow Squares by Ryan Scott
Crispy cereal treats may be pegged as a kid's dessert, but the elevated ingredients in this recipe make these great for grownups, too. Sweet butterscotch, nutty brown butter and rich dark chocolate will please even the most sophisticated of palates.
Bacon S'mores by Dan Whalen
Swapping a graham cracker for bacon allows the classic s'mores structure to remain in tact, but adds a totally distinct flavor element to the campfire favorite.
Slow Cooker Fudge by Elizabeth Heiskell
Made with just five ingredients, this fudge is super easy to prepare since the slow cooker does most of the work. It's perfect to serve friends or family, but it also makes a great gift.