These are our go-to easy dessert recipes for when you want something sweet without a big production. Most use pantry stuff you’ve probably already got, and a few don’t even need the oven.
Got 20 minutes? Start with the no-bake ones. Got an hour and some sad bananas? Banana bread. Here’s the lot.
Table of Contents
No oven needed
Chocolate Crackles
Rice Bubbles, cocoa, coconut and copha. The birthday party classic. Kids can basically make these on their own.
Tim Tam Slice
A crushed Tim Tam base, a creamy filling and a chocolate top. Mix it, chill it, cut it. Done.
Mars Bar Slice
Melted Mars Bars and Rice Bubbles with a milk chocolate top. Chewy, sweet and gone in about 10 minutes once it hits the table.
Slices and squares
A tray of slice cuts into heaps of pieces, so it’s great for morning tea, lunchboxes or taking to someone’s place.
Caramel Slice
Coconut biscuit base, thick golden caramel and a chocolate layer that snaps clean. The bakery favourite.
Fudgy Brownies
Dense, fudgy and crackly on top, all mixed by hand in two bowls. Pull them out with a wobble in the middle.
Vanilla Slice
Puff pastry, thick custard and icing. Bit more work than the others, but still way easier than it looks.
Easy baking
Banana Bread
The best use for those black bananas on the bench. One bowl, no mixer, and it’s even better the next day.
ANZAC Biscuits
Oats, coconut and golden syrup. No eggs, and they keep for a couple of weeks in a tin.
Jam Drops
Soft buttery biscuits with a blob of jam in the middle. Simple, cheap and everyone loves them.
Honey Joys
Corn Flakes, butter, honey and sugar, baked for about 10 minutes. Crunchy little party treats.
Chocolate Sponge Cake
Two light chocolate layers with whipped cream in the middle. Takes a bit of whisking, but the method is simple.
Pick one fast
| Dessert | Hands-on time | Oven? | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate crackles | 15 min | No | Kids’ parties |
| Tim Tam slice | 30 min | No | Make ahead |
| Mars Bar slice | 15 min | No | Bake sales |
| Caramel slice | 30 min | Yes | Morning tea |
| Brownies | 20 min | Yes | Chocolate lovers |
| Vanilla slice | 40 min | Yes | Something special |
| Banana bread | 15 min | Yes | Using up bananas |
| ANZAC biscuits | 15 min | Yes | Lunchboxes |
| Jam drops | 20 min | Yes | Baking with kids |
| Honey joys | 10 min | Yes | Parties |
| Chocolate sponge | 20 min | Yes | Birthdays |
Tips for easy desserts
- Line the tin with baking paper and leave some hanging over the sides. Lifting a slice out is so much easier.
- Chill slices properly before cutting. Rushing it is the main reason they fall apart.
- Use a hot knife for anything with a chocolate top. Dip it in hot water and wipe it dry between cuts.
- Read the whole recipe first. Sounds obvious, but it saves finding out halfway that something needs 2 hours in the fridge.
Want more ideas? The dessert world is huge, but honestly these eleven cover most nights. Planning for Christmas? Check out our Christmas dessert recipes instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest dessert to make?
Chocolate crackles and Mars Bar slice are the easiest. No oven, a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes of work.
What easy dessert recipes don’t need an oven?
Chocolate crackles, Tim Tam slice and Mars Bar slice all set in the fridge with no baking.
What’s a good easy dessert for kids to make?
Chocolate crackles, honey joys and jam drops are great for kids, with an adult around for the hot bits.
Which easy desserts can I make ahead?
Slices, brownies, banana bread and ANZAC biscuits all keep well for several days, and most freeze too.
What dessert can I make with pantry ingredients?
ANZAC biscuits and jam drops use basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, oats and jam.
Pick one of these easy dessert recipes tonight. Start simple, and before you know it you’ll be the one everyone asks to bring dessert.
Happy baking,
Ella x
