How to Prepare Delicious, Easy-To-Make Desserts

Preparing delicious and easy-to-make desserts doesn’t have to be a complicated task. With a few simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, you can satisfy your sweet tooth in no time. Looking for some easy desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth? From sticky s’mores and creamy trifles to indulgent pies, these simple dessert recipes are guaranteed to impress.

Here are some ideas for delightful desserts that are both delicious and easy to prepare:

1. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, and melted coconut oil.
  2. Add rolled oats and stir until well combined.
  3. Press the mixture into a lined pan.
  4. Melt chocolate chips and spread over the peanut butter mixture.
  5. Refrigerate until set, then cut into bars.

2. Strawberry Shortcake Cups:

• Ingredients:
  • Pound cake, cubed
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced
  • Whipped cream
• Instructions:
  1. In serving cups, layer cubed pound cake, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream.
  2. Repeat the layers.
  3. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a strawberry slice.

3. Three-Ingredient Nutella Brownies:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Nutella
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
  2. In a bowl, mix Nutella, eggs, and flour until smooth.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

4. Easy Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing:

• Ingredients:
  • Assorted fresh fruits (berries, melon, grapes, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Juice of 1 lime
• Instructions:
  1. Wash and chop the fruits.
  2. In a bowl, mix honey and lime juice to create the dressing.
  3. Pour the dressing over the fruit and toss gently.

5. Mug Cake:

• Ingredients:
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Splash of vanilla extract
• Instructions:
  1. In a mug, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, milk, oil, and vanilla.
  2. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until the cake rises and sets.
  3. Top with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.

6. Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a donut pan.
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together milk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
  5. Spoon the batter into the donut pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Tips for Easy Dessert Preparation:

• Keep it Simple: Opt for recipes with fewer ingredients and uncomplicated steps.
• Prep in Advance: Prepare components ahead of time, such as chopping fruit or measuring dry ingredients.
• Use Convenience Items: Utilize pre-made pie crusts, cookie dough, or whipped topping to save time.
• Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations using basic ingredients.

Easy Dessert Recipes & Ideas

So if you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, try these easy desserts tonight. From classic chocolate chip cookies to dreamy peanut butter cups, they’re ready in a flash.

1. Easy Dark Chocolate Billionaires: Making bite-sized candies is a lovely way to serve up something sweet without having to create extra dishes. Served in mini-cupcake liners, they just need a nice plate or platter, and your guests can have as many as they like. Combining melted caramels with Rice Krispies and pecans makes for a sweet and crunchy filling. Finish it off with a little sea salt topping for a nice flavor contrast.

2. Easy Homemade Caramel Corn: You may have made caramel in the past and wondered how that thick sauce could cover popcorn without making a mess. The trick to this easy recipe is to use baking soda toward the end of cooking. The caramel will bubble up as it aerates, making it easier to mix through the popcorn.

3. Quick and Easy Baklava Squares: If you’ve ever made Baklava, you know it can be messy and time-consuming. There are fewer layers with this easy recipe, and you don’t need to worry about making sugar syrups. Simply butter your pastry and fill it with a nut and honey mixture for all the same flavors with half of the work.

4. Icebox Cookies: Be sure to have this cookie dough in the freezer at all times – it’s ideal for those late-night cravings! These icebox cookies are super easy, using pantry staples you surely have at home already. Just bake the cookies you need, roll the rest of the dough, & freeze for up to three months. When the mood strikes, pull your dough out, slice a few rounds, and bake in a cookie tray.

5. Reese’s Heavenly Peanut Butter Trifle Recipe: With layers of fruit, custard, sponge, and jelly, trifle might not come to mind when thinking of easy desserts. Well, this recipe is still super impressive and delicious. It just uses a few nice little shortcuts. Boxed brownies, instant pudding, and Cool Whip are used to cut your prep time down to just 20 minutes. When the layers come together, your dessert will look like a fancy delight that took hours to make.

6. Cake Mix Cookie Bars: Using cake mix as a shortcut is my favorite little cheat, even when I’m not in a rush. It contains everything you would need anyway and makes for super moist cookie bars. They’re ideal for a mid-week snack, served warm after dinner with ice cream, or just when you need dessert in a pinch.

7. Pink Lemonade Popsicles: Calling for just 4 ingredients, you can make up a batch of these sweet and refreshing homemade popsicles any day. Using a simple syrup will help cut through the sour notes from the raspberries, but you can cut that back a little if you like the tartness. This easy dessert would be great with chunks of fresh raspberry dotted inside. 

8. Apple Brown Betty: This recipe is like apple crisp. The main difference is the lack of oats in the topping. Once baked, it’s more like a spiced shortbread crumb. It might seem a little involved, but it’s pretty straightforward. The topping can be made with a pastry cutter or butter knife. You need not worry about lumps. They will melt into the apples during the bake. 

9. Easy Homemade Fudgesicles: You’ll be making what is a pudding, though there are no tempering eggs to worry about! Just mix everything in a pot and stir until thick. The worst part is waiting for them to cool!

10. Lemon Icebox Cake: This super simple icebox cake is made up of layers of Lorna Doone cookies and lemon pudding. The pudding is lightened up with Cool Whip, making it creamy and easier to spread.

11. Cookiedilla: This monster cookie is the dessert you make on a Friday night. It’s the end of the week, and you deserve a sweet treat! Bake two large disks of store-bought dough (you can press it into a baking dish if you want it nicely round). When it’s lovely and golden, top one half with marshmallow cream & chocolate sauce. Press the discs to make a sandwich and be careful with the drips!

12. Lemon Drop Cookies: These shortbread-style cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good. It’s easy, too, simply beat the ingredients until well blended, careful not to overwork the batter. If you like yours with a crunch, bake for 11 minutes until the edges start to turn brown. For a shorter crumb, take it out before the edges start to color – around nine minutes, depending on your oven. 

13. Root Beer Float Cupcakes: The root beer flavor is unmistakable in this recipe. With root beer extract and root beer in the cake batter and frosting, there’s no escaping it. The soda will make the cupcakes light as air and wonderfully flavored. Use the root beer as you would milk for the frosting. Add it a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

14. Simple Oatmeal Cookie Jam Bars: I make this recipe at least once a month. I’m eating a shortbread & raspberry jam bar with my coffee as I type! The crumb mix is a combination of brown sugar, oats, and flour. Press the base into a firm bottom, reserving the rest to sprinkle over the jam.

15. Easy Buckeye Recipe: Crazy easy and packed with flavor, these little bites are perfect sweet delights. They’re sort of like mini-peanut butter dough balls, just made without the flour. They’re also covered in dark chocolate, creating a sweet snack similar to Reese’s. You only need a few ingredients and a few minutes to make this easy Buckeye recipe.  These classic candies are partially cloaked with a snappy chocolate shell around a creamy peanut butter center. Mine also includes a special secret ingredient!

Buckeyes are among the easiest candies out there. They call for only a handful of ingredients, require no oven, stovetop, or candy thermometer, and request a modest 15 minutes of chilling before you can coat the creamy peanut butter centers in dark chocolate.

Why You’ll Love This Buckeye Recipe

• Quick & easy.
• No fancy ingredients or equipment are needed.
• Sweet, but not too sweet; satisfies any sweet tooth craving.
• My recipe is extra special and flavorful, thanks to a subtle secret ingredient!

16. Disney Dole Whip Recipe: Disney did lockdown right by posting all those easy dessert recipes we all love! Did you try the grilled cheese?? Anyway, recreating this pineapple soft serve at home couldn’t be easier. You can make this any day. Just blend vanilla ice cream with frozen pineapple and pineapple juice until smooth. 

17. Cherry-Chocolate Pudgy Pie: Sometimes, dessert can be as simple as a grilled sandwich. Have you ever tried an Elvis Sandwich? It’s to die for! This version of a sweet grilled sandwich uses canned fruit filling, chopped almonds, and chocolate chips. This recipe uses a cherry filling, but you could use your favorite. I think a blueberry filling would be amazing. These dessert ideas are not only delicious but also require minimal effort, making them perfect for satisfying sweet cravings without spending hours in the kitchen.

18. Microwave Peanut Brittle: Peanut brittle can be made in the microwave! No need for any fancy equipment or candy thermometers here. Just make sure you have your oven mitts handy – the bowl will get very hot. Microwave the sugar & corn syrup for 4 minutes before adding the peanuts. After 3 more minutes, stir in the baking soda. When you are pouring it, make sure you have your tray prepared beforehand and spread it thin. 

19. Samoa Dessert Lasagna: Although this dessert is made up of four different layers, none of them are too complicated, and the whole thing comes together in around 25 minutes. Start with a Nilla Wafer and coconut crust. Top with caramel, pudding, faux cheesecake, and some extra caramel sauce. So, You don’t even have to make the caramel! Buy pre-made in the store to save time. 

20. Cake Balls: Ever since they exploded onto the scene, I’ve had a deep love of all things cake pops! Soft and sweet, they are effortless and delicious. These balls are just cake pops without the pop. They’re more like little candy truffles made with crumbled cake and frosting. Switch things up with any cake and frosting combination, and add different sprinkles for a fun treat for the family.

Why do people like desserts?

People are drawn to desserts for a variety of reasons, and the enjoyment of these sweet treats is deeply rooted in cultural, psychological, and biological factors. Here are some reasons why people have a natural inclination for desserts:

1. Evolutionary Biology: Humans have evolved to seek out sweet and high-calorie foods as they often indicate a good source of energy. In ancestral times, sweetness was associated with ripe fruits and energy-rich foods that were crucial for survival.

2. Reward Mechanism: Consuming sweets triggers the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine—the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. This positive reinforcement strengthens the desire for sweet foods.

3. Cultural and Social Factors: Desserts are often associated with celebrations, social gatherings, and special occasions. Sharing and enjoying desserts can create a sense of community and joy.

4. Comfort and Emotional Well-Being: Many people turn to desserts for comfort during times of stress, sadness, or celebration. The indulgence in sweet treats is linked to positive emotions and a sense of well-being.

5. Variety of Flavors and Textures: Desserts often offer a combination of flavors, textures, and temperatures, providing a sensory experience that appeals to the palate. The diversity of tastes, from sweet and creamy to crunchy and fruity, adds to the enjoyment.

6. Culinary Creativity: Desserts showcase the creativity of chefs and home bakers alike. The combination of ingredients and techniques in dessert preparation allows for a wide range of imaginative and artistic creations.

7. Cultural Traditions: Many cultures have unique and traditional desserts that play a significant role in their culinary heritage. People may have a strong affinity for desserts that are part of their cultural identity.

8. Psychological Association: Desserts are often linked to positive memories, celebrations, and special moments in people’s lives. The mere sight or smell of a favorite dessert can evoke happy and nostalgic feelings.

9. Sensory Pleasure: The sensory pleasure derived from the taste, aroma, and visual appeal of desserts contributes to their popularity. The combination of sweet, savory, and sometimes salty or tart flavors adds complexity to the experience.

FAQ:

What is the simplest type of dessert?

The simplest dessert and one of the best are fruits because they are nutritious, appetizing, and easy to prepare and serve. Baked and soft custards vary in so many ways. Creamy, delicate, baked custards may be served in their baking cups or maybe unmolded and served with fruit garnishes or with dessert sauces.

What is the common type of dessert?

The term dessert can apply to many sweets, such as biscuits, cakes, cookies, custards, gelatins, ice creams, pastries, pies, puddings, macaroons, sweet soups, tarts, and fruit salad (fruit is commonly found in dessert courses because of its naturally occurring sweetness).

What is a good dessert to eat?

• Tiramisu.
• Chocolate mousse in minutes.
• Angel food cake.
• ‘Not so fried’ ice cream.
• Roasted strawberry crumble.
• Apple and butterscotch pie.
• Almond and date cake.
• Apple cinnamon custard cake.

Can I eat dessert every day?

Dessert can fit into a balanced diet. Zooming out and being mindful of your overall eating pattern is more important than hyperfocusing on one food. Allowing yourself to eat the dessert without guilt can help improve your relationship with food and keep you feeling satisfied.

Determining the “most delicious” dessert in the world is highly subjective, as taste preferences vary widely among individuals. Different cultures and regions have their own iconic and beloved desserts. However, a few desserts are widely celebrated for their deliciousness and have gained international acclaim. Ultimately, the “most delicious” dessert is a matter of personal preference, and what one person finds irresistible, another may not. Exploring desserts from different cultures and regions allows for a diverse and delightful culinary experience.