Quick, Delicious Dessert Recipes You Can Make in 15 Minutes or Less

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated February 24, 2020
There's no need to spend a long time in the kitchen making dessert; master these speedy recipes for a sweet treat any day of the week.
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When you're crunched for time but want to make something sweet and special for dessert, try these quick recipes. While some of these treats ahead need time to set up at room temperature or in the freezer, the hands-on prep work is guaranteed to take 15 minutes or less. Whether you just want to serve your family something light and bright and the end of dinner or you've received a last-minute invitation to a potluck party, these fast dessert recipes should help you whip up something delicious in a flash.

Are you looking to make something simple but guaranteed to wow? Our patriotic Firecracker Ice Pops, pictured here, fit the bill. Not only are they beautiful and kid-friendly, but they're also much more delicious and healthy than the store-bought variety. And they're tasty year-round, so don't feel like you have to save them for the summer. Another quick, refreshing, and crowd-pleasing dessert option is a batch of our Very Berry Ice Pops. Alternating layers of raspberry and blackberry purée are frozen into molds for this pink-hued treat.

Perhaps the fastest, easiest dessert out there is our Butter-Waffle Cookies and Mascarpone—all that's needed are two store-bought, ready-made ingredients. Simply spread one tablespoon of creamy mascarpone cheese on top of a butter waffle cookie, then sandwich it with another thin and crispy cookie—and repeat! We also recommend you try making our Popcorn on the Cob, a cute and crafty harvest-inspired recipe. Mix together popcorn, marshmallows, and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, then mold them into the shape of corn on the cob, and wrap tightly in parchment paper.

In no time at all, you can serve your family and friends something fun and delicious with these quick dessert recipes.

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Filled Fourth of July Strawberries

Julia Gartland
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Bring these berries to any patriotic party and you'll be the talk of the block. All you need to make this treat are strawberries, blueberries, cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla extract—and just 15 minutes of time. Simple, right?

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Tropical Banana Splits

Brett Stevens
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Who doesn't love a classic sundae? Grab a handful of spoons because everyone is going to want to dig into this totally tropical dessert. Instead of the usual ice cream, we've scooped mango, coconut, and raspberry sorbet for something a bit lighter.

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Butter-Waffle Cookies and Mascarpone

Linda Pugliese
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This two-ingredient cookie sandwich couldn't be easier to make. Layer mascarpone between two butter waffle cookies for a fast dessert when you're short on time, or throw them into your kid's lunchbox for a sweet surprise.

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Very Berry Ice Pops

Con Poulos
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Two-toned treats are all the rage, right? We think so—and you will, too, once you try these delicious fruity pops. Blend blackberries and raspberries separately with sugar and heavy cream, then fill ice molds with alternating layers of purée.

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Cara Cara Oranges with Toasted Honey Meringue

Marcus Nilsson
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Navel oranges are juicy and delicious on their own, but top them with a lightly sweetened meringue and they become something really special.

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Banana, Berry, and Buttermilk Popsicles

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Keep these pops on hand for whenever you or the kids need something a little sweet and totally refreshing. Just purée buttermilk, bananas, berries, and honey in a blender until smooth, then pour into molds and freeze.

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Bananas Foster Milkshake

Bryan Gardner
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We have a feeling you won't want to share this absolutely spectacular caramel, banana, and coffee sundae. It's a taste of a classic dessert—and boy is it sweet!

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Stewed Berries with Ice Cream

Luca Trovato
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Here's a fabulous taste of summer. Fresh raspberries and blueberries boil with sugar and water until they soften and release their juices. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy a truly melt-in-your-mouth experience.

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Popcorn on the Cob

Aaron Dyer
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Use these autumnal treats as a sweet finisher for everyone at your Thanksgiving table, or make them for a kid's Halloween party. They only require five ingredients—and you probably already have the majority of them on hand—plus, they're a breeze to assemble. Just allow time for them to harden and cool before taking a bite!

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By Kelly Vaughan