Some desserts are worth memorizing—not because they’re complicated, but because they’re so easy, so reliable, and so satisfying that you’ll want them in your back pocket for every occasion. These 15 sweet treats require just five ingredients or fewer, making them perfect for last-minute cravings, weeknight desserts, or impromptu dinner parties.
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Éclair Cake
Allrecipes/Kim Shupe
“This éclair cake is a very quick and simple no-bake dessert. It uses graham crackers and a pudding mixture. It tastes just like an éclair, but there is enough for a crowd! It is a great recipe for children who are learning to cook since there is no baking involved or any power kitchen tools. Just a bowl and a spoon!” —Cathy Gordon
Easy Tomato Spice Cake
Yoly
This spice cake is so moist and flavorful, no one ever guesses the secret ingredient is condensed tomato soup. “No changes at all,” says reviewer mimistuff, “A wonderful cake that everyone in my family enjoys.I just tell everyone that it is a spice cake. No details unless they want the recipe. Then the shock sets in. TOMATO SOUP! ! ARE U KIDDING ME!”
Watergate Salad
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
This American classic combines instant pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, chopped walnuts, and frozen whipped topping to produce a nostalgic addition to any dinner or potluck spread.
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake
Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg
Strawberry shortcake ice cream bar fans, rejoice: This recipe is a delicious showstopper. Just be sure to whip up a batch of Copycat Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Topping in advance.
German Chocolate Cake Cookies
Jason Donnelly / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali
“I made double the amount of these cookies because as the second batch was in the oven the first lot had gone lol!!! They’re absolutely delicious….” —GILLYWOMBAT
Easy Blueberry Cobbler
Buckwheat Queen
“Used frozen blueberries instead of fresh blueberries. Delicious. Thank you for the recipe.” —patriciadickerson59
Banana Lumpia
Lumpia are a type of spring roll from Filipino and Indonesian cuisines. They’re made with thin pastry wrappers stuffed with savory or sweet ingredients—in this case, fresh bananas. “I made this recipe as written and it was great!!” says reviewer Dnm4345. You have to buy the lumpia (spring roll) wrappers from an Asian store for this to work really well.”
Simple Crème Brûlée Dessert
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Easy and totally delicious! I loved hearing my guests banging their spoons against the ramekins trying to get the very last bite! I have a torch but preferred the broiler b/c we like the top very crystalized and the custard slightly warm. Topped with sugared berries! Viola!” —Gina Hanson
Banoffee Pie
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Banoffee pie is the kind of dessert that has people genuinely asking for the recipe at a potluck. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser, combining the rich, complex notes of dulce de leche with the mild sweetness and velvety texture of fresh sliced bananas.” —Catherine Jessee
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Preethi Venkatram/Allrecipes
“Ladies and gentlemen get your cold glasses of milk ready! Super easy and super delicious. This whips up-even by hand- in no time. I even used 3/4 cup of sugar and they were awesome. I weighed each cookie before baking (25 grams each) and it yielded 18 cookies (using 3/4 cup of sugar).” —Buckwheat Queen
Quesillo (Venezuelan Flan)
imgoingbananas
“I’ve tried to make flan and failed on more than one occasion. This recipe was easy to follow and delicious. For the sugar I cooked on med-high heat and constantly stirred, and it turned into [caramel] in exactly 7-10 min. I didn’t have a flan pan so I used an oven safe pot with an 8in radius and tightly secured the lid with aluminum foil and it worked out perfectly. Will definitely be making again.” —HoMichelinStars
Air Fryer Oreos
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“I used Bisquick—these were really, really good. And so very quick to make! Will definitely make again as my whole family enjoyed them.” —Swati
Cocoa Powder Chocolate Mousse
Peyton Beckwith
“I made this when I was bored, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised! The whisking took longer than I thought (although my mixer is not that fast), but when I tried it, the chocolaty flavor was so good! I served it to my family and it was literally gone in minutes. I think I could use this as frosting/filler for multi-layer cakes, as I am a total chocolate lover. I haven’t tried any alterations, but I might some day!” —Dee-Dee
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
Ramona Cruz-Peters
“Had a ton of peaches from the orchard so this was perfect to use them before they went bad! Love an easy dessert!” —RachelAnn
Chocolate Dump Cake
Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo
“This cake is delicious. First time making a dump cake and I just knew that my cake was going to stick to the pan. And I was wrong! My cake was perfectly baked at the the 35 minute mark. Such an easy recipe with items that I always have on hand. Thank you for sharing your recipe.” —Yoly
