17 Super-Quick Desserts for Almost-Instant Gratification

By Vanessa Greaves
April 09, 2020
Credit: France C

These quick and easy treats have got your back when your sweet tooth's craving dessert but time's not on your side. We mean it. You can have any one of these ready in under 30 minutes. Best of all, you'll find most of the ingredients right in your pantry.

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3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Credit: Buckwheat Queen
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You could stick to the 3-ingredient magic of this super simple cookie recipe, or follow the lead of several reviewers who added chocolate to the mix. Your cookie, your choice. It's all good.

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Edible Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Credit: Yoly
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You know how it is. Sometimes you just want to eat cookie dough. This safe-to-eat, eggless recipe is here to second that emotion.

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Southern Fried Apples

Credit: Melissa Goff
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Spooned over ice cream while they're still warm from the skillet, slices of fresh apple sautéed in butter and cinnamon sugar deliver the goodness of pie without all the baking. Add a splash of bourbon or brandy for a boozy finish, if you wish.

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Plantains in Butter Rum Sauce

Credit: lutzflcat
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If you've always wanted to try cooking plantains but didn't know where to start, use this simple recipe as your intro. You can substitute regular bananas if you can't find plantains; the flavor will be sweeter and the texture will be softer.

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3-Ingredient Rocky Road Fudge

Credit: JJRsMomma
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So easy. Just melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a saucepan, stir in marshmallows, pour into a pan, and cool.

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Pumpkin Cannoli

Credit: Kim's Cooking Now
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If you can whip cream, you can make this fall-flavored twist on traditional cannoli in just minutes. This recipe calls for piping the filling into pre-made cannoli shells, but home cook Valerie Riley used puff pastry cups and loved the results.

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Hasty Chocolate Pudding

Credit: House of Aqua
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Satisfy your chocolate comfort food cravings in mere minutes, thanks to your microwave. No microwave? Check out these tips from gwendolyn028 for cooking this on your stovetop.

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Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge (2-Ingredient)

Credit: Christina
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Okay, so this stretches the definition of fudge. But when you're jonesing for something quick and fudgy, this 2-ingredient treat just might do it for you.

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Rocky Road Popcorn Balls

Credit: Melody Almogabar Barr
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Popcorn attains dessert status when it's all balled up with chocolate, marshmallows, and peanuts. You can change up the nuts or leave them out altogether. Check out this video to see how to make them.

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Baked S'mores Dip

Credit: Lela
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No campfire? No problem. This s'mores dip comes to you straight from the oven. Bake it in a cast iron skillet if you want to give it an outdoorsy spin.

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Easy Lemon Cookies

Credit: fdb
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"These are delicious and so simple!! My grandmother, who bakes for everyone else but rarely eats her own goodies just loves these. Let them turn just golden on the edges and they turn out great," Christine Qarqat says.

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Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Credit: Cathy Van de Moortele
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"These were an excellent, easy and elegant dessert that we really loved. Like some others, I omitted the shortening and did not miss it," Sara says.

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Bananas Foster II

Credit: Nickel
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This New Orleans classic takes just 20 minutes to make. It's traditionally served with ice cream, but you can spoon it over pancakes, waffles, and French toast, as well.

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Amazing Healthy Dark Chocolate

Credit: Buckwheat Queen
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Don't confuse "healthy" for flavorless. This three-ingredient dark chocolate tastes rich and indulgent. 

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Short Cut Strawberry Short Cakes

Credit: AuntE
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"Been doing this for decades! But nothing beats a homemade shortcake," Melissa Gervais says of this 25-minute dessert.

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Aunt Betty's Banana Pudding

Credit: smlindsey
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"This is the best banana pudding I've ever eaten. It beats the old-fashioned cooked method by a mile, and it is so easy!" — Lake lady

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Quick Keto Chocolate Mousse

Credit: France C
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You don't have to follow the keto diet to enjoy this thick, decadent mousse. Lighten it up with fresh fruit, or create a mocha version with coffee extract, as home cook Deb McKasson recommends.

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By Vanessa Greaves