30 Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes Guaranteed to Delight

From crowd-pleasing icebox cakes and cheesecakes to no-oven bar cookies—we've got you covered.

No bake ricotta cheesecake
Credit:

Alpha Smoot

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 desserts that are certainly not for summer alone—these no-oven recipes are easy and tempting any time of the year. You'll find that once you master a delicious dessert you can make without the use of your oven, you'll reach for these yummy treats again and again, no matter the weather.

01 of 30

Strawberries and Cream Stack Cake

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

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

02 of 30

Coconut Water Granita

strawberry-coconut granita recipe
Credit: 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 30

Crispy Cereal Treats

full grid of crispy rice cereal treats
Credit: 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 30

No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

no-bake key lime cheesecake
Credit: 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.

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Berries With Buttermilk and Honey

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Credit: 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 30

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake
Credit: 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 30

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.

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No-Bake Espresso Crème Brûlée

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Credit: 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 your favorite coffee shop drink.

09 of 30

No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cup Bars

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Credit: CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

Chewy and satisfying, these no-bake bar treats combine a flavor combo that's hard to beat: peanut butter and chocolate. Rich, decadent, and more importantly, oven-free!

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No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake for a Crowd

no-bake ricotta blueberry cheesecake
Credit: 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 on a hot summer day. Top it off with a combination of fresh blueberries and a jammy blueberry mixture for a burst of summer sweetness.

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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.

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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 30

No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

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Credit: 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.

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Raspberry Mousse Pie

Watch: Raspberry Mousse Pie

Ready in 30 minutes and with only a couple of hours to set, this make-ahead dessert is the definition of pretty in pink. The crust is graham crackers, while the raspberry mousse filling is simply made with a puree of fresh raspberries and sugar—you certainly can't beat the flavor and presentation.

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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 30

No-Bake Banana Split Cake

Banana split cake
Credit:

Alpha Smoot

This layered dessert creates a luscious mix of textures—soft, creamy, and incredibly sliceable. Make it up to a day in advance for an easy-to-please, party-ready dessert. A spin on the favorite American sundae everyone will love.

17 of 30

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

peanut butter no bake cookies served on a pink plate
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Honorable mention for these itty-bitty, gluten-free no-bake cookies, perfect to serve in your afternoon tea or to treat grown-ups and kids alike. They're protein-packed, thanks to the peanut butter and oats, and drizzled with dark chocolate. Easy yet delicious!

18 of 30

No-Bake Chocolate-Crust Cheesecake

no bake chocolate crust cheesecake
Credit: Julia Gartland

Chocolate wafer cookies, store-bought to make it easier, are the perfect base to switch things up on this classic no-bake cheesecake.

19 of 30

Chocolate, Banana, and Graham Cracker Icebox Cake

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Credit: 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!

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Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Various chocolate covered bananas
Credit:

Rachel Marek

Sometimes, the best desserts are often the simplest. Speedy, tasty, and totally customizable, these chocolate bananas are bound to become the perfect summer treat for the whole family.

21 of 30

Easy Tiramisu

classic tiramisu served with espresso
Credit: 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 30

Grand Raspberry Trifle

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Is there anything better than a giant bite of textures and flavors? Our take on the classic English trifle has raspberry everywhere—fruit and jam—plus juice-drenched pound cake and whipped cream.

23 of 30

Blackberry 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 30

Lemony Ice Cream Sandwiches

ice cream sandwiches
Credit: Paola + Murray

Ice cream sandwiches are the epitome of summer, and our version uses store-bought ice cream, waffle cookies, and homemade lemon curd for the brightest pop of color you've ever seen.

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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 complain about that! Kids can help by mixing the ingredients together, and then pressing it all down into a pan to shape the bars.

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Waffle-and-Strawberry Trifle

waffle strawberry trifle
Credit: 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.

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Lemon Trifle

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For small gatherings or speedy summer desserts, serve these individual lemon trifles, easily made with store-bought ladyfingers cookies, dollops of heavy cream, and lemon curd (that can also be swapped for raspberry curd or any other flavor of your choice).

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No-Bake Chocolate-Almond Oat Bars

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Credit: 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 30

No-Bake Chocolate-Eggnog Crème Brûlée

No-Bake Chocolate-Eggnog Crème Brûlée
Credit: 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.

30 of 30

Cherry-Vanilla Milk Shake With Root Beer Granita

cherry vanilla milk shake with root beer granita
Credit: Victoria Pearson

For a nostalgic spin, serve a traditional root beer float reinvented. Make a big batch, and right before dessert time, cap them with shards of frozen soda.

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