30 Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes Guaranteed to Delight

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Photo: Con Poulos

No celebration is complete without a sweet treat, but when it's hot outside even the keenest baker would prefer not to turn on the oven. Our recommendation: Keep the kitchen cool by making one of our no-bake treats, such as the No-Bake Chocolate-Crust Cheesecake that's pictured here. You'll find that once you master a delicious dessert you can make without the use of your oven, you'll reach for the recipes time and time again. And they're certainly not just for summer: Whether your holiday dinner is monopolizing all of the precious cooking space or you're simply not in the mood to bake on a Saturday night in, these no-oven-required recipes are easy and tempting any time of the year.

01 of 29

Strawberries and Cream Stack Cake

strawberries-and-cream stack cake topped with fresh strawberries
Chris Simpson

This treat may stand tall, but you can whip it up in short order. Simply whisk mascarpone and heavy cream into glossy peaks, soak store-bought ladyfingers in a quick caramel, and layer both with sliced fresh strawberries.

02 of 29

Coconut Water Granita

strawberry-coconut granita recipe
Kirsten Francis

Just two ingredients—coconut water and sugar—are all you need to make this refreshing granita. After freezing, top it with strawberries and toasted coconut.

03 of 29

Crispy Cereal Treats

full grid of crispy rice cereal treats
Kirsten Francis

We've given this kid-friendly treat an upgrade with four flavorful variations. Learn how to make the basic recipe, then try our riffs such as freeze-dried raspberries and white chocolate, or cocktail peanuts and semisweet chocolate.

04 of 29

No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

no-bake key lime cheesecake
Armando Rafael

This recipe is an easy route to cheesecake. The zest and juice of key lime give this luscious dessert plenty of citrus flavor.

05 of 29

Berries with Buttermilk and Honey

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Hans Gissinger

Here's a simply delicious way to highlight fresh summer berries. Served with a frothy blend of buttermilk, honey, and a garnish of fresh mint, this easy presentation will wow.

06 of 29

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake
Johnny Miller

Using store-bought pound cake makes the prep work for this cake a breeze. And the chocolate-raspberry flavor combination is fabulous.

07 of 29

Slow-Cooker Triple Chocolate Brownies

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The slow cooker is good for so much more than pulled pork and stew. You can make brownies in it, too! This decadent recipe uses two kinds of chips for a gooey, chocolate-packed result.

08 of 29

No-Bake Espresso Crème Brûlée

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Joseph De Leo

If you love drinking mocha lattes, then this crème brûlée is meant for you. A combination of white chocolate and instant espresso powder creates an elegant taste reminiscent of the favorite coffee shop drink.

09 of 29

No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

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Chewy and satisfying, these no-bake bar cookies use crunchy and creamy peanut butter, oats, and a bottom layer of finely ground chocolate wafers. Melted semisweet chocolate covers the top; drizzles of melted peanut butter and milk chocolate make decorative garnishes.

10 of 29

No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake for a Crowd

no-bake ricotta blueberry cheesecake
Alpha Smoot

We love this simple (it's made in just three steps!) sheet-cake-like take on creamy cheesecake that will serve a crowd. Top it off with a combination of fresh blueberries and a jammy blueberry mixture for a burst of summer sweetness.

11 of 29

Frozen Chocolate-Mousse Trifles

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No bake and make-ahead? Yes, please! When layered with crumbled chocolate angel food cake, a simple chocolate mousse is no mere trifle—it's an indulgent, crowd-pleasing treat.

12 of 29

Chocolate-Candy Icebox Bars

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If you're looking for a rich no-bake treat that's easy to make and comes with a super sweet payoff, this is it. You'll need to stock up on candy to make them, but these bars are well worth a trip to the supermarket.

13 of 29

No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

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David Prince

This is no ordinary cheesecake. In addition to cream cheese, this recipe calls for sour cream, mascarpone, and goat cheese, giving added depth and creamy flavor to the filling. Top it off with plump cherries and plenty of syrup.

14 of 29

Peach Melba Spoom

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David Prince

Maybe you know Peach Melba, but have you had a spoom before? This a magical, light dessert has a texture of fruit sorbet meets Italian meringue. Try this version, bursting with sweet peach and raspberry flavors.

15 of 29

No-Bake Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

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Swap out traditional graham cracker crumbs for spicy gingersnaps in this super rich cake. It has an unexpected kick of cinnamon and nutmeg that lingers after each cool, creamy bite.

16 of 29

Chocolate-Banana Pudding

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Creamy pudding, soft banana slices, and chocolate wafers are layered to create a luscious mix of textures in this pudding. Make it up to a day in advance for an easy-to-please, party-ready dessert.

17 of 29

Peanut Butter Tart

peanut butter tart on white plate

Chocolate and peanut butter is the ultimate combination in our book. This light-as-air pie requires just five ingredients to achieve its dreamy consistency.

18 of 29

Black-and-White Ice Cream Tart

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Use this recipe as a starting point for your ice cream tart explorations. Start with the classic vanilla and chocolate, then try butter-pecan ice cream with a gingersnap crust or green tea ice cream with honey graham crackers. The possibilities are endless.

19 of 29

Chocolate, Banana, and Graham Cracker Icebox Cake

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David Prince

Layers of creamy chocolate pudding, sweet bananas, and crunchy graham crackers are a delicious combination in this frozen treat. Don't forget the whipped cream!

20 of 29

No-Bake Fudge Brownies

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David Prince

Chocolate, coconut, and cocktail peanuts amp up the texture in this chewy, egg-free take on the chocolate brownie.

21 of 29

Easy Tiramisu

classic tiramisu served with espresso
Lennart Weibull

You can't beat this airy, rich Italian dessert. Instead of making ladyfingers, use the store-bought kind so you can focus on the good stuff (like spreading the silky mascarpone and marsala filling over every layer).

22 of 29

Marshmallow Cookie Sandwiches

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Is there anything better than a giant bite of marshmallow? We don't think so, which is why we created this chocolate-dipped marshmallow cookie sandwich. Our version is inspired by the classic 20th century moon pie.

23 of 29

Tangy Raspberry Fool

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A fool is a traditional English dessert made by folding puréed fruit into sweet custard. It takes just 10 minutes to prep and is best served immediately. In an ideal world, you can whip it together while the rest of the crowd helps with clean-up duty.

24 of 29

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Icebox Cake

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Whether it's for a celebratory dinner, a birthday party, or just because, this easy-to-make icebox cake—which calls for just four ingredients and can be made ahead—should be your go-to treat. It needs sit for at least eight hours in the refrigerator so the cookies soften for an easy, creamy scoop—and waiting might be the hardest part of making this dessert!

25 of 29

Crispy Chocolate-Marshmallow Treats

Crispy Chocolate-Marshmallow Treats

These are the classic puffed cereal treats you know and love with the addition of rich chocolate—and we don't imagine anyone will complaining about that! Kids can help by mixing the ingredients together, then pressing it all down into a pan to shape the bars.

26 of 29

Waffle-and-Strawberry Trifle

waffle strawberry trifle
Johnny Miller

A luscious take on strawberries and cream, this summery trifle feeds up to 10 people. That means it's the perfect dessert for backyard barbecues and potluck parties. Buy strawberries from a farm to support local while you're at it.

27 of 29

Individual No-Bake Cheesecakes

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Using a muffin tin makes individual cheesecakes a snap. This recipe calls for pomegranate jelly as the bright red topping, but feel free to use any seasonal fruit as a garnish.

28 of 29

No-Bake Chocolate-Almond Oat Bars

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Con Poulos

These gluten-free bars get body and flavor from almond butter. It melts when heated on the stove, which makes it easier to mix in the chocolate chips, toasted almonds, raisins, and oats.

29 of 29

No-Bake Chocolate-Eggnog Crème Brûlée

No-Bake Chocolate-Eggnog Crème Brûlée
Lennart Weibull

Think of this as the best ever crème brûlée, streamlined. No oven necessary! A pinch of sugar and spice and a splash of brandy give this classic dessert plenty of holiday spirit whether for Thanksgiving or Christmas in July.

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