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  6. 16 Quick and Delicious Desserts You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

16 Quick and Delicious Desserts You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

By Lynn Andriani Updated September 12, 2022
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peanut butter oat drop cookies
Credit: Lennart Weibull

There are days when we have no problem going all-in on dessert, rolling up our sleeves and spending hours making a complicated cake or batch of cookies. Then again, sometimes the best desserts are the ones that come together in a flash. These quick desserts are almost like a double gift: you get the sweet without the sweat.

A few of the speedy treats we're sharing here will be familiar, but that doesn't mean they're boring. Our chocolate-covered strawberries get a little crunch from chopped pistachios. And if you keep a package of crispy, elegant waffle cookies around to pair with either ice cream and lemon curd or creamy mascarpone cheese, you've got dessert sandwiches in no time at all. 

There are some more unexpected suggestions in this recipe collection, as well. Cereal plays a lead role in Chocolate-Cherry Clusters—which calls for cornflakes—and in Puffed-Rice Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Another fantastic secret weapon: frozen phyllo dough, which makes a delicious vessel in which to serve espresso whipped cream. All these quick dessert recipes prove that a speedy, sweet meal ender is well within reach, whenever the mood strikes.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

<p>So simple and so tasty. Chopped pistachios are a nice touch, especially if you want some crunch.</p>
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So simple and so tasty. Chopped pistachios are a nice touch, especially if you want some crunch.

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Phyllo Cups with Cappuccino Cream

<p>Frozen phyllo dough is a great thing to keep on hand for last-minute cravings. To make this quick dessert, simply press pieces of the dough into a muffin pan, bake, then fill with espresso-spiked whipped cream.</p>
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Frozen phyllo dough is a great thing to keep on hand for last-minute cravings. To make this quick dessert, simply press pieces of the dough into a muffin pan, bake, then fill with espresso-spiked whipped cream.

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Peanut-Butter-Oat Drop Cookies with Jam

peanut butter oat drop cookies
Credit: Lennart Weibull
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These chewy treats are reminiscent of a PB&J and are a cinch to make. You just need to plan ahead by softening some butter and heating up the oven. 

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Boozy Melon Three Ways

<p>Although the active time for this dessert is 35 minutes, we just had to include it here: It's the ultimate easy, boozy summer treat. It's actually 3 recipes in one, but the gist involves making an alcoholic syrup, pouring it over melon, and refrigerating it to allow the flavors to mingle. The result is a wonderful, grown-up frozen dessert. </p>
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Although the active time for this dessert is 35 minutes, we just had to include it here: It's the ultimate easy, boozy summer treat. It's actually 3 recipes in one, but the gist involves making an alcoholic syrup, pouring it over melon, and refrigerating it to allow the flavors to mingle. The result is a wonderful, grown-up frozen dessert. 

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Avocado-Chocolate Pudding

avocado chocolate pudding recipe
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You may have heard about this no-cook vegan chocolate pudding that uses avocados, and we can confirm: Yes, it works, and yes, it's wonderful. 

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Puffed-Rice Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

puff rice bars
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These peanut-packed cookie bars spread with melted chocolate take out-of-the-box rice cereal to the next level.

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Strawberries with Creme Fraiche and Sugar

strawberries with creme
Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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It doesn't get much easier than this: rinse your strawberries, pat them dry, swirl them in creme fraîche, and dust with confectioner's sugar. The sweet berry and cream combination is a classic that's hard to beat.

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Lemony Ice Cream Sandwiches

ice cream sandwiches
Credit: Paola + Murray
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Crispy, elegant waffle cookies are the perfect packaging for pistachio, strawberry, or coffee ice cream drizzled with a bright pop of homemade lemon curd in these next level (but simple) ice-cream sandwiches.

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Hot Fudge Sundaes

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Homemade hot fudge is within reach. All you need to do is pour hot heavy cream over chopped semi-sweet chocolate, stir, and add some corn syrup. It makes an amazing topping for ice cream—and definitely don't skimp on the whipped cream and cherry. 

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Bananas Foster

bananas foster
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This old-school dessert is surprisingly easy to make, and brings drama to any meal. Ice cream, warmed bananas, and a buttery, rum-soaked caramel sauce? Yes, please.

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Fruit Salad with Cinnamon-Honey Yogurt

fruit salad with cinnamon honey yogurt
Credit: Nico Schinco
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Whether you eat this for breakfast or for dessert or anytime in between, it's delicious. Tossing bananas, blueberries, and strawberries with yogurt that's been sweetened with honey and cinnamon helps coat each piece of fruit.

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Maple Taffy

<p>On a winter day, you can't do better than this creative treat. To make it, you boil and then pour maple syrup into rows on a snow-lined tray. Roll the frozen syrup into sticks and you've got a chewy, irresistible candy. </p>
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On a winter day, you can't do better than this creative treat. To make it, you boil and then pour maple syrup into rows on a snow-lined tray. Roll the frozen syrup into sticks and you've got a chewy, irresistible candy. 

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Chocolate-Cherry Clusters

chocolate cherry clusters
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With just three ingredients—cornflakes, dried cherries and melted chocolate—you can make these no-bake cookies in about 15 minutes.

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Butter-Waffle Cookies and Mascarpone

butter waffle cookies
Credit: Linda Pugliese
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You make these delicious sandwiches up to two hours before serving; just refrigerate them until you're ready to eat. The best part: All you'll need to make them are creamy mascarpone cheese and store-bought butter-waffle cookies.

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Green Fruit Salad with Lime and Honey

<p>Here's an unexpected fruit salad that would make a lovely end to a summer meal. Crisp cucumber and fresh mint and basil add a welcome herbal note.</p>
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Here's an unexpected fruit salad that would make a lovely end to a summer meal. Crisp cucumber and fresh mint and basil add a welcome herbal note.

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Orange-Vanilla Shake

orange peel milkshake
Credit: Nico Schinco
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This sunny citrus smoothie blends two peeled oranges with milk and vanilla. The result is a frothy, Orange Julius-like treat. 

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    1 of 16 Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
    2 of 16 Phyllo Cups with Cappuccino Cream
    3 of 16 Peanut-Butter-Oat Drop Cookies with Jam
    4 of 16 Boozy Melon Three Ways
    5 of 16 Avocado-Chocolate Pudding
    6 of 16 Puffed-Rice Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate
    7 of 16 Strawberries with Creme Fraiche and Sugar
    8 of 16 Lemony Ice Cream Sandwiches
    9 of 16 Hot Fudge Sundaes
    10 of 16 Bananas Foster
    11 of 16 Fruit Salad with Cinnamon-Honey Yogurt
    12 of 16 Maple Taffy
    13 of 16 Chocolate-Cherry Clusters
    14 of 16 Butter-Waffle Cookies and Mascarpone
    15 of 16 Green Fruit Salad with Lime and Honey
    16 of 16 Orange-Vanilla Shake

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    16 Quick and Delicious Desserts You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
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