Easy No Bake Dessert Recipes

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
• 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.

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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!

Toffee Dream Pie

This Toffee Dream Pie recipe is a family heirloom; my mom has been making this marshmallow and candy dessert since 1967. It’s super rich and delicious!

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

Lemon Meringue Sundae

An easy lemon meringue sundae you can easily whip up for your family!

Check out this recipe

Triple Chocolate Sundaes

Three forms of chocolate: brownie, ice cream, and syrup, come together for a delicious Valentine’s treat: Triple Chocolate Sundaes.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

Peach Yogurt Popsicles

Cool off this summer with homemade layered fruit and yogurt popsicles. Layer yogurt and peach puree in these tasty ice pops.

Check out this recipe

Homemade Plum Ice Pops

Don’t pay the price for commercial popsicles. Turn fresh fruit and honey into easy homemade ice pops. 

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

Apricot Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Want to make an easy and delicious frozen dessert? Try out this apricot ice cream studded with chocolate.

Check out this recipe

Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

Simple Vanilla Ice Cream is a delight. Made with only four ingredients, it tastes so much better than store-bought.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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!

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Dessert Board

One of the easiest desserts you can serve is a Chocolate Dessert Board. Set out an array of chocolates, fruits, nuts, and popcorn for an elegant and simple sweet touch to your evening.

Check out this recipe

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!

Check out this recipe

Mocha Chocolate Syrup

Just 4 ingredients to make this homemade chocolate syrup to serve over ice-cream!

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

This post was originally published on June 3, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.