When the oven breaks or the temps heat up, you can’t or don’t want to bake. That’s when you can rely on easy no bake dessert recipes. These are them!
From Strawberry Icebox Cakes to ice cream pie, Triple Chocolate Sundaes to Salted Caramel Affogatos, I’ve got you covered for sweet treats you can enjoy without baking.
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Ready for fun summer nights? I know that our house, the evening is not complete without a bite of something sweet. We are, admittedly, dessert people.
And I don’t really see anything wrong with that.
It’s important to consider hot weather meal planning, and that includes planning some cool and easy desserts!
Why It Matters
It’s a great way to entertain. Who doesn’t love ending a fun evening with a sweet treat? Send your guests home with smiles thanks to these easy no bake dessert recipes.
You can stay cool. Whether you’re trying to avoid Summer Baking or just avoid the hassle of the kitchen, prepping sweet treats without baking is a great way to go.
Save money! Making your own desserts is a great way to save money over more expensive restaurant or bakery options.
Ingredients to Keep on Hand
When you think of no bake dessert ideas, you want to be able to just assemble it, cook it on the stovetop, or buy it already prepared. Think simple and easy!
Keep these ingredients in mind as you plan your special occasions as well as shop for impromptu events:
- fresh fruit – think about what’s seasonal (therefore affordable) as well as easy to serve
- assorted cookies and sweeter crackers, like graham or Digestives
- candies and chocolates, including chocolate chips
- cereals like rice krispies or millet for Coconut-Millet Snack Bars
- popcorn or kettle corn
- marshmallows and the makings of Oven Smores
- nuts, granola, and other fun toppings like Maple Spiced Pepitas
- whipped cream – either in the can or for making homemade whipped cream
- half and half/whipping cream – for making homemade ice cream
- chocolate syrup or ingredients to make Homemade Mocha Chocolate Syrup
- caramel sauce and other ice cream toppings – remember you can make your own Chocolate Magic Shell or Caramel Sauce.
- jam and nut butters
- frozen fruit for smoothies and for making your own sauces, like Raspberry Sauce
- ice cream and sorbet, remember some dairy-free or plant-based options for guests
- sodas, juices, and ciders as well as hot and cold coffee
Types
There are some general categories of no bake desserts that are super easy to serve. Consider the following ideas. Many require no recipe; you can just throw them together!
- icebox cakes – Layered whipped cream and cookies or crackers with a fruit, sauce, or pudding to add flavor and texture.
- ice cream pies – Make a graham cracker crust or buy one at the store and layer softened ice creams and sorbets with your favorite sauces.
- parfaits and trifles – Layer crumbled cake, cookies, or granola with pudding, whipped cream, or yogurt. Add in fresh fruit if you like!
- sundaes – Take ice cream over the top with special sauces, whipped cream, chopped cookies, candies, nuts, or fruit.
- popsicles – Freeze your favorite fruits, juices, yogurts, and ice creams in molds for homemade popsicles.
- floats or Italian sodas – Float scoops of ice cream, sorbet, or gelato in your favorite flat or soft drinks. Think outside the box and include coffee (hot or cold!) and cider or juice as well as the typical root beer and other sodas.
- cereal bars and no bake cookies – You can stir up a pot of Scotcharoo Bars or Rice Krispie Treats or even make no-bake cookies.
- dessert boards – Assemble a variety of fruits, nuts, popcorn, and chocolates for an elegant and incredibly easy dessert.
Recommended Recipes
Check out these 30+ easy dessert recipes that require no-baking. You’re bound to find a winner — or five — to dish up this season.
Sherbet Punch
Sherbet, juice, and club soda combine for a refreshing sherbet punch, perfect for showers and other special occasions. Mix and match the elements for your favorite colors and flavor combinations.
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Jello 123 Layered Dessert Cups
This copycat of Jello 123 is easy to make with just three ingredients. It comes together easily and tastes delicious. Customize it to suit whatever color and flavor gelatin you prefer.
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Lemon Icebox Cake
No need to bake with this easy lemon icebox cake. Instead layer pizelle cookies, whipped cream, and lemon curd for a deliciously cool, five-ingredient, no-bake dessert.
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Strawberry and Chocolate Icebox Cakes
Want a most delicious summer dessert without heating the oven? Make these Strawberry and Chocolate Icebox Cakes for one of the easiest treats under the sun.
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Salted Caramel Mocha Icebox Cake
This icebox cake mimics the flavors of the Salted Caramel Mocha Frap, making it a must-do for any season. It’s super easy to prepare, so there’s no reason not to!
Marshmallow Pie
This Easy Marshmallow Pie is a no-bake dream with a crunchy nut crust and a marshmallow creme, whipped cream, and toffee candy filling. This dessert is a delicious freezer pie, perfect for the holidays!
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Coconut Crunch Pie
Mix up this quick and easy coconut crunch pie. It only takes about fifteen minutes. You will wow your guests!
Sorbet & Ice Cream Pie with Chocolate Ganache
Blood orange sorbet, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate ganache come together so nicely in this easy and delicious ice cream pie.
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Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Homemade chocolate pudding comes together in just a few minutes. Rich in chocolatey flavor, it makes a deliciously elegant dessert to serve to friends and family.
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Chocolate Parfaits
Chocolate Cream Pie gets morphed into a dessert in a jar, a Chocolate Parfait, to be exact. Perfect for your next game day dessert or holiday get-together.
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Yogurt-Berry Parfait
A Yogurt Berry Parfait makes for a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert. It feels indulgent, but can actually be quite good for you.
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Lemon Meringue Sundae
An easy lemon meringue sundae you can easily whip up for your family!
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Triple Chocolate Sundaes
Three forms of chocolate: brownie, ice cream, and syrup, come together for a delicious Valentine’s treat: Triple Chocolate Sundaes.
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Homemade Chocolate Magic Shell Recipe
Cool off with a sundae party. Check out these recipes for homemade ice cream and toppings as well as this easy, two-minute Homemade Chocolate Magic Shell Recipe.
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How to Make Frozen Chocolate Bananas
Creamy, frozen banana coated in chocolate and rolled in your favorite toppings? What's not to love. Learn how to make frozen chocolate bananas for a fun treat.
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Peach Yogurt Popsicles
Cool off this summer with homemade layered fruit and yogurt popsicles. Layer yogurt and peach puree in these tasty ice pops.
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Homemade Plum Ice Pops
Don’t pay the price for commercial popsicles. Turn fresh fruit and honey into easy homemade ice pops.
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Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Enjoy the ice cream shop experience with this homemade Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream made with just a few whole ingredients.
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Apricot Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Want to make an easy and delicious frozen dessert? Try out this apricot ice cream studded with chocolate.
Simple Vanilla Ice Cream
Simple Vanilla Ice Cream is a delight. Made with only four ingredients, it tastes so much better than store-bought.
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Salted Caramel Affogato Recipe
Affogato is just a fancy word for coffee float. This one is made with strong coffee, vanilla ice cream, and topped with caramel sauce and coarse salt for a delicious treat.
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Sparkling Apple Cider Floats
Looking for a fun dessert that you can make in just a matter of minutes? These Sparkling Apple Cider Floats are just the thing!
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Mamabars (DIY Larabar Recipe)
Make your own dried fruit and nut bars as an inexpensive alternative to Larabars. They are a delicious gluten-free dessert or snack.
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Scotcharoo Bars
Scotcharoo Bars are crunchy and sweet and chocolatey, perfect for dessert or afterschool snacks. They are a delicious, gluten-free dessert that is practically addicting.
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Crockpot Chocolate Fondue with Fruit and Poundcake
Crockpot Chocolate Fondue couldn't be easier when it's made in the slow cooker with just two ingredients! Evaporated milk and chocolate chips make a great sauce for fruit and poundcake.
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Chocolate Charcuterie Board Ideas
One of the easiest desserts you can serve is a dessert charcuterie board. Set out an array of chocolates, fruits, nuts, and popcorn for an elegant and simple sweet touch to your evening.
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Cherries Jubilee
A classic dessert from the last century, Cherries Jubilee is a delicious dish of flaming cherries served over vanilla ice cream. The combo of temperatures is just amazingly delicious!
Mocha Chocolate Syrup
Just 4 ingredients to make this homemade chocolate syrup to serve over ice-cream!
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Apple Slices with Caramel
Apple slices with caramel are a fun and healthier alternative to traditional caramel apples. Serve them for a fun, no-bake dessert for the whole family.
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Berry Salad Recipe
Enjoy in-season berries in this deliciously simple Berry Salad topped with nuts and coconut flakes. Made in just minutes, it's the perfect no-bake dessert to serve all spring and summer.
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Raspberry Sauce Recipe
Enjoy this quick and easy raspberry sauce with pancakes, waffles, and a number of desserts. It comes together in a flash, making it a great last-minute dessert.
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Winter Fruit Tray
Dessert will be fresh and easy when you serve a Winter Fruit Tray, laden with seasonal fruit. Follow these serving tips to make it simple for your guests.
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This post was originally published on June 3, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Maria Stefanova
These look delicious. I will be trying a couple this summer.
Thank you for sharing,
Maria
Melissa
Any of the no churn ice cream recipes that are on Pinterest right now!
Jessica Fisher
Have you tried any of them?
Melissa
YES! I not a huge ice cream person, I’d much prefer a cheesecake or brownie. These recipes are amazing. My first and favorite is Nigella Lawson’s coffe recipe. We add crushed Oreos to it and it’s amazing. We’ve made chocolate peanut butter cup as well. Our family lives them all!
Stephanie M.
My favorite no bake dessert in the summer is Raspberry Trifle.
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1 3.75 oz. instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
5 TBS. orange juice
1 10-oz. prepared angel food cake (found in the bakery section on your supermarket) cut into bite size pieces
1 can (29 oz.)peach halves
1/2 cup seedless raspberry preserves
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
In a large bowl, combine evaporated milk and 1 1/2 cups water. Add pudding mix; beat until blended. Chill 5 minutes.
Whip cream to stiff peaks. Fold whipped cream and 1 TBS. orange juice into pudding mixture.
Place 4 cups cake cubes into a 16 cup trifle bowl. Sprinkle with 2 TBS. of orange juice. Drain and slice peaches; place half over cake. Top with 1/4 cup of the preserves (see note) and half of the pudding mixture. Sprinkle with a few almonds. Repeat layering. Garnish top with remaining nuts. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
NOTE: For easier drizzling, place preserves in a squeeze bottle or pastry bag and squeeze into trifle.
Jessica Fisher
This sounds great. I’m wondering what would be a good substitute for the pudding. Any ideas? Could you just make whipped cream?
Stephanie M.
Hi Jessica! 🙂
All trifles are a combination of either sponge cake or pound cake or lady finger cookies, pudding or custard and whipped cream and some kind of fruit. Without the custard or pudding, I’m not sure it could be called a trifle and I believe it would be missed in this dessert. I don’t know what a good substitute for that would be. If no one in your family is allergic to anything in pudding and one day you just feel like eating something really cool and refreshing as a summer dessert, perhaps when you have company because it makes a lot, I would go for it, forget about how sinful it is and enjoy!
Joshua Hampton
I’m positively drooling over this rundown of dessert recipes. They all look fabulous.