When you need a dessert—and fast—it’s helpful to have a go-to list of well-tested and trusted quick recipes. Here are 30+ Quick Dessert Recipes that are ready in 1 hour or less, including soft-baked monster cookies, a gluten free no-bake fruit tart, and fancy (but easy!) chocolate soufflé. Grab your forks and spoons… dessert is *almost* ready!
It’s no secret that I adore a challenging baking project. I love rolling up my sleeves and tackling a peach pie with from-scratch pie crust, a batch of laminated croissants, or a dozens of decorated sugar cookies. But as a busy parent and business owner, I know what it’s like to be strapped for time while also needing a special dessert for visitors, parties, last-minute get togethers, or just because!
We Selected the Best Quick Dessert Recipes
My team & I went through all of my 800+ dessert recipes and selected my favorite 30+ Quick Dessert Recipes that are ready in an hour or less. Keep this list handy for the next time you need dessert in a snap.
While my chewy chocolate chip cookies will always reign supreme, they do require a bit of planning. Sometimes we don’t have several hours to wait for our dough to chill, so try these giant chocolate chip cookies or chocolate chip cookie pizza instead. (Great for a crowd!)
If you’re referring to this list in the summer months, consider a fruit crisp to use your summer produce. They’re quick, but they don’t sacrifice flavor. Peach crisp and strawberry vanilla crisp are prime choices. Or go with apple crisp during the cooler months.
And for the most intense chocolate cravings, these chocolate fudge cakes for 2 are ready in 30 minutes.
Happy (speedy) baking!
30+ Quick Dessert Recipes (1 Hour or Less)
Date Night Chocolate Fudge Cakes for 2
Two individually portioned chocolate fudge cakes so rich, they put all other chocolate desserts to shame. This is a 30-minute small-batch recipe, and is perfect for when you don’t need to feed a crowd.
6 Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies
When you need a chocolate chip cookie fix but are in a time crunch, look no further. No chilling required for these extra soft and thick giant cookies.
Soft & Thick Snickerdoodles
These reader-favorite soft-baked snickerdoodle cookies only require about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Perfect Peach Crisp
Summertime dessert doesn’t get much better—or easier—than this! Showcasing sweet and juicy peaches bubbling beneath a toasted pecan oat streusel, peach crisp takes less than half the time and effort required for peach pie.
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Sweet biscuits are simply perfect for holding juicy strawberries and fresh whipped cream. Only 1 hour stands between you and delicious homemade strawberry shortcake.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cakes
Each rich, fudgy, and warm chocolate cake is filled with melty peanut butter and topped with vanilla ice cream. You’ll be surprised at how quickly this indulgent dessert comes together!
Shortbread Cookies Recipe
This classic shortbread recipe doesn’t require any dough chilling, and you don’t have to worry about over-spreading because they’re conveniently baked in round cake pans. Keep them vanilla-flavored or try the optional add-ins.
Pistachio Drop Cookies
Get ready for a cookie flavor explosion with only 6 easy ingredients—including real pistachios—1 mixing bowl, and only 30 minutes of chill time. The brown butter icing on top seals the deal!
Classic Apple Crisp
Pure and simple apple crisp is anything but basic. With its exceptional flavors and textures, this comfort food is quicker than traditional pie and ready in about an hour.
Almond Poppy Seed Tea Cakes
These almond poppy seed tea cakes are buttery and light with a crunchy crackly exterior. Baked in a muffin pan, the delicate tea cakes are simple but taste extra fancy.
Cookies & Cream Puppy Chow
Puppy chow is as easy to make as it is irresistible. Just grab some Chex cereal, Oreos, and chocolate, and you’ll be snacking in no time.
Lemon Coconut Drop Shortbread Cookies
Think of snowball cookies but with a summery lemon coconut flavor and a light glaze rather than confectioners’ sugar coating. These cookies are extra buttery, tender yet crumbly, and ready in an hour.
How to Make Chocolate Soufflé (GF)
While chocolate soufflé may look intimidating, the great news is that it’s a quick recipe and you only need 7 basic ingredients. My video, instructions, and success tips set you up for soufflé success.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping
This incredibly moist and flavorful spiced pumpkin coffee cake is piled high with a crumb topping and finished with vanilla icing. Perfectly acceptable as a breakfast treat, with afternoon tea, or as dessert.
Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Give the oven a break! I make these family-favorite 8 ingredient peanut butter chocolate no-bake cookies more than any other cookie recipe on my website.
Easy Lace Cookies (GF)
Made from only 6 ingredients, these lace cookies are ready in 30 minutes and they taste like sweet brown butter and caramel. Sandwich with a little chocolate for an extra special treat.
Baked Apples Recipe (GF)
Like an individually portioned apple crisp, this quick dessert comes together with a buttery brown sugar crumble and fresh apples. Recipe can be halved or doubled.
No-Bake Greek Yogurt Fruit Tart (GF)
This wholesome Greek yogurt fruit tart comes together with a simple 3-ingredient crust, protein-packed Greek yogurt, and all your favorite seasonal fresh fruits. Ready (and gone!) in a matter of minutes.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza
Chocolate chip cookie pizza is perfect when the whole family needs a quick, indulgent treat. It’s easier than rolling individual cookies and there is no dough chilling required.
Blackberry Peach Skillet Cornmeal Cake
If you’re looking for a unique dessert, this blackberry peach skillet cornmeal cake has a lovely texture while remaining impeccably moist. The icing on top of the cake? Brown butter icing, of course.
Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce (5 Minutes)
Homemade hot fudge sauce comes together in just 5 minutes on the stove, and you can use it on ice cream or serve it as a dip for fruit… or simply savor a spoonful of it all on its own!
Strawberry Vanilla Crisp
Although sweet strawberries are the star here, vanilla bean seeds add fanciful flavor and depth, while the lightly cinnamon-spiced brown sugar oat topping is pure comfort food. This summer staple is ready in an hour.
Coconut Macaroons (GF)
These quick and easy coconut macaroons are naturally gluten free and dairy free. They’re sweet, moist, and chewy on the inside with a delightfully crisp exterior that everyone loves.
Soft-Baked Monster Cookies
Hands down the best monster cookies to ever grace our kitchens. They’re positively packed with peanut butter, oats, M&Ms, and chocolate chips, and there’s no dough chilling required.
Individual Apple Crumbles
If you’re looking for an easy no-fuss dessert, try these 7-ingredient individual apple crumbles. Prep is uncomplicated and quick and as long as you have oven-safe ramekins, the crumbles bake in just over 30 minutes.
Maple Vanilla Baked Pears (GF)
You only need 4 ingredients for these simple maple vanilla baked pears. They’re cooked until warm and soft, infused with maple and vanilla, and topped with a delightful crunchy granola.
Super Soft Pumpkin Cookies
These are always one of my most-baked cookies during pumpkin season. They’re thick with a soft and cakey texture, and since the dough doesn’t require chilling, you’ll be enjoying these perfectly spiced cookies in no time.
Almond Butter Coconut Macaroons (GF)
Made from only 6 base ingredients, these naturally gluten free almond butter coconut macaroons are soft and moist in the centers with extra chewy edges. I love them with chocolate and sea salt on top.
Ultimate Skillet Brownie
A rich, dense, fudgy brownie made completely from scratch and baked in a skillet—need I say more? Unlike when making brownies in a regular pan, no need to wait for this giant brownie to cool before digging in.
Dark Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
These vanilla blondies are wonderfully dense and chewy, and I make them with plenty of dark chocolate and dried cranberries, plus a hint of fresh orange zest. Lots of flavor packed into every bite!
More Resources
- For even more recipe inspiration, you’ll love these lists of 20+ healthy dessert recipes and 40+ kid-friendly baking recipes.
- If you need a gluten-free treat, here are 40+ gluten-free dessert recipes everyone loves.
- I also have a collection of 80+ recipes with 8 ingredients or fewer.
Looking for ultimate recipe for family reunion. Make ahead if possible. Dessert preferably maybe even cinnamon rolls Your thoughts???
Hi Debbie, do you have a specific type of dessert in mind? Cookies or brownies/bars are always popular choices for serving larger crowds and are easy to serve.
Grateful for this as I’m struggling with brain fade (it’s my age) and sweet treats are a personal craving 🙂