25 Best Quick Dessert Recipes (2024)

We're talking one-hour-or-less fast over here.

By Mackenzie Filson
25 Best Quick Dessert Recipes (1)

Here at Delish, we often find ourselves in situations where having a quick dessert recipe in our back pocket really saves the day. No matter if a last-minute party magically pops up on the calendar, or you just simply get a huge craving for a brownie at 4 p.m., we've got 25 super-fast dessert recipes that'll come together like that (imagine us snapping our fingers here). By fast, we mean an-hour-or-less fast, too, and no, you're not dreaming! All of these recipes (which include cakes, tarts, and cookies) are ready for digging in likely less than the time it takes to pre-heat your oven. 😉

Sure, there's a few key things that keep us from making our favorite desserts on the fly (looking at you, homemade ice cream and cheesecake). But just because it's a bit tricky to make those quickly, that doesn't mean we didn't try. Far from it! Take our recipe for sopapilla cheesecake, for instance. It's pillowy soft and covered in cinnamon sugar, with a creamy-tangy center that only takes 45 minutes total to bake. Ditto for our guide to making a killer banana split (with the best homemade syrups, whipped cream, and hot fudge you've ever had). Don't have time for something elaborate like cannoli? Our cannoli chips and dip are just the thing.

Heading out to a last-minute potluck-friendly dessert? Our super-speedy recipes for dirty chai blondies, chocolate chip cookie cake, and lemon-blueberry cheesecake bars will help you get out the door fast and make sure you stay on the invite list!

1

Dirty Chai Blondies

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Sure, you’ve had the 3 p.m. urge for a latte and a baked good, but have you ever thought about combining them? This blondie will solve all of your afternoon cravings. The chewy yet tender brown sugar base is swirled with chai spice and espresso-spiked caramel, then topped with a black tea glaze to create a decadent and satisfying snack.

Get the Dirty Chai Blondies recipe.

2

Key Lime Pie Mousse

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This take on Key lime pie has all of the refreshing tartness and buttery crumble of the classic dessert, but in an adorable, individual container. This just might be your new fave party dessert!

Get the Key Lime Pie Mousse recipe.

3

Caramel Apple Tart

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This four-ingredient dessert will look like it took you forever, when it's really ready in under an hour! Store-bought puff pastry is the secret behind this quick and easy tart, but don't fret, the pastry will be just as flaky and delicious as if it were homemade, in half the time.

Get the Caramel Apple Tart recipe.

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4

Magic Cookie Bars

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Though dump cakes might be the easiest dessert to make, these cookie bars are a close second. And we'd reckon that these are even more customizable and more delicious. We encourage you to find your ideal flavor and ingredient combinations to discover the true magic of these bars.

Get the Magic Cookie Bars recipe.

5

Espresso Cookies

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Adding instant coffee is one of our favorite hacks to add a boost of richness and something a lil extra to our chocolatey desserts. To get that flavorful boost and a stronger coffee taste in these soft and fudgy cookies, we added even more instant coffee to really get that chocolate and espresso taste.

Get the Espresso Cookies recipe.

6

Coconut Cream Cupcakes

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Inspired by the beloved coconut cream pie, these stuffed cupcakes have all the classic components of the original dessert, sans pie crust. You won't miss it though, because in its place are our soft and fluffy vanilla cupcakes. 😍

Get the Coconut Cream Cupcakes recipe.

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7

Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

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These lemon-blueberry cheesecake bars just SCREAM spring. And thanks to store-bought crescent roll dough, they're also so easy to make.

Get the Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.

8

Funfetti Dip

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It’s time to channel your inner big kid. Think white cake laced with confetti sprinkles that explode into colorful polka dots (just like in our perfect birthday cake). If you love it as much as we do, it’s time to switch it up and try a quicker, simpler version of Funfetti in dip form—because why not!

Get the Funfetti Dip recipe.

9

Honey & Peanut Butter Blondies

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These blondies are like a classic peanut butter & honey sandwich in dessert form. They're thick and chewy with all of the honey flavor shining through and will make you feel like a kid again. The peanuts add a great crunch to every bite, but are totally optional.

Get the .

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10

Peanut Butter & Strawberry Crisp

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This take on a fruit crisp tastes like eating a PB&J: The sweet, jammy strawberries taste so good against the crispy, slightly salty peanut butter topping. It’s also super-easy to throw together and is perfect for any potluck—don't forget the ice cream!

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11

Tiramisu Cookie Cups

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Tiramisu is one of our favorite desserts, but the process of making it the traditional way requires a lot of work. Hunting down ladyfingers (or making them ourselves), carefully making a custard filling, then all the wait time before you finally get to eat it. This version takes out all the extra work without sacrificing flavor. Another perk: These cup-shaped cookies make it even easier to share and eat.

Get the Tiramisu Cookie Cups recipe.

12

Carrot Cake Blondies

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Blondies are basically a brownie without the chocolate, but with lots of brown sugar. Sometimes you’ll have one with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, or walnuts. We decided to make this a collision of a fudgy blondie (that screams for chocolate) and fluffy spice cake will result in the sweet and savory dessert of your dreams.

Get the Carrot Cake Blondies recipe.

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13

Honey Cake

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The honey cake is an underestimated cake and perfect to bring along to Rosh Hashanah or any gathering. The trick here is to use really good honey. We used a wildflower honey, which is sweet and floral, and gives the cake lots of flavor. An orange blossom honey would also work well!

Get the Honey Cake recipe.

14

Banana Split

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Topped with fruit syrups, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry, few desserts are as recognizable as an ice cream sundae, and this recipe will help you make the ultimate version. The truly classic banana split features strawberry and pineapple syrup as well as chocolate sauce, so we've got it all for you here.

Get the Banana Split recipe.

15

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Reese's fans, we're about to introduce you to your new favorite cookie: The soft texture of a peanut butter cookie meets the rich bite of a chocolate chip here, making it the perfect balanced cookie to enjoy the classic combo.

Get the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

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16

Cannoli Chips & Dip

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A Sicilian favorite across the globe, cannoli will always be a dreamy delicacy. In this version, the classic dessert is transformed from a creamy ricotta-filled crispy shell to a shareable party dip. Not only will your chips not get soggy, but they’re completely gluten-free (so everyone can get a taste).

Get the .

17

Palmiers

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French palmiers, also known as elephant ears due to their shape, are delicious and so simple to make. Sugar is sprinkled on top of flaky layers of puff pastry and then rolled so that, when cut, the cookies look like little hearts. So cute!

Get the Easy Palmiers recipe.

18

Dole Pineapple Whip

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No need to fly all the way to Disney for this refreshing treat—you can make it in around 10 minutes from the comfort of your own home. Only three ingredients are required to create this smooth and creamy tropical dessert that makes every day feel like vacay.

Get the Dole Pineapple Whip recipe.

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19

Halo-Halo

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Halo-halo is a traditional Filipino shaved ice dessert that's topped with a rainbow of delicious ingredients. The beauty of halo-halo is how easy it is to assemble. You'll start by arranging the shaved ice in bowls or a tall glass, then go crazy with the toppings, from kaong (sugar palm fruit in syrup) to sweet chickpeas to ube ice cream.

Get the Halo-Halo recipe.

20

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

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Traditionally a pillow-shaped deep-fried dough, sopapillas are beignet-esque and often topped with cinnamon sugar. Naturally, it follows that sopapilla and cheesecake are a match made in heaven. The best part? We use store-bought crescent dough for the easiest dessert ever.

Get the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars recipe.

25 Best Quick Dessert Recipes (2024)
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