19 Easy Desserts With 4 Ingredients or Less

Satisfy your sweet tooth in short order.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published October 09, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
short-cut apple pie in a bowl with a spoon (close-up)

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

I look forward every fall to those warming, spiced bakes that fill the kitchen with a comforting and cozy smell. But I also know what a busy a time of year it is with the back to school season and prep for the holidays. Finding time to make a batch of cinnamon rolls or apple cider donuts can be a challenge. That's where this collection comes in of our favorite fall dessert recipes made with just four ingredients—or less! From a cozy apple pie shortcut to plenty of pumpkin sweets, there's no excuse not to treat yourself (and your family and friends) with one—or more—of these desserts. You might even already have the ingredients you need in your pantry!

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  • 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Mousse

    Overhead shot: 2-ingredient pumpkin mousse topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice, all in a sherbert glass. On the counter, a spoonful of mousse

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    "The mousse is excellent on its own, but a little presentation makes it look more enticing. Add more whipped cream on the top, a dusting of cinnamon, a few toasted pumpkin seeds, a sprinkle of sea salt flakes, and/or some crushed biscuits."—Annika Panikker, Recipe Developer

  • No-Bake German Hedgehog Slice (Kalter Hund)

    A slice of chocolate biscuit cake on a plate with a fork

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "For a slightly more fall-friendly flavor, swap the plain butter cookies for Biscoff cookies or graham crackers."—Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

  • Pumpkin Quickies

    Pumpkin quickies on a cooling rack (some are plain and some were upgraded using demerera sugar and chocolate chips

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "This recipe has a lot of things going for it. First, it requires just two ingredients that are affordable and shelf-stable. This means you can whip up a batch any time the mood strikes. Second, they live up to their name—they are super quick to make. They’re hard to screw up, too, and a good baking project for kids."—Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • 3-Ingredient Skillet Apple Crisp

    3-ingredient skillet apple crisp in a cast iron skillet and a serving in a bowl with a spoon, both next to a bowl with utensils and a purple kitchen towel

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "For a mix of flavors and textures, I like to pair a sweet variety (Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Jonagold) with a tart one (Pink Lady, Winesap, or Granny Smith). I also prefer to bake with medium to large apples, simply because they’re less tedious to peel."—Grace Elkus, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 19 below

  • 4-Ingredient Condensed Milk Cake

    A slice of cake on a plate with a fork, with a cup of coffee and more cake visible in the background

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "I have experimented with the recipe a lot and love it most baked as a snack cake. I cut it into squares and take it on picnics and road trips, as it is very travel-friendly. This cake can also be dressed up as a fancier dessert, served warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce or layered with your favorite chocolate frosting."—Annika Panikker, Recipe Developer

  • Chocolate-Peanut Butter Spoons

    Closeup overhead shot of spoons with chocoalte and sea salt covered peanut butter, with a bite take out of one of the spoons

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "While I love natural peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt, I’m sad to report that it won’t work well in this recipe. It’s important to use a thicker, no-stir peanut butter that won’t drip out of the spoon."—Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer

  • Mocha Mousse

    Mocha mousse in a bowl with whipped topping, a portion scooped out

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "However sweet you like your chocolate desserts determines what kind of chocolate you should use. I prefer a slightly less sweet chocolate with more of a bitter note, so semisweet and bittersweet chocolates are my faves. Milk chocolate is also great and usually something everyone around the table will enjoy."—Danielle Campbell, Recipe Developer

  • Easy 3-Ingredient Crème Brûlée

    Overhead Shot: Multiple Ramekins Filled with 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée Sitting on a Plate Next to Two Spoons, a Table Napkin, and Another Ramekin with More Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "If you don’t own a torch, get the sugar crust with a broiler. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and broil on high, 3 to 4 minutes."—Emily Weinberger, Recipe Developer

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  • Coconut Milk Pudding

    Coconut milk-based dessert squares coated with shredded coconut, arranged on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

    "When making this recipe, keep the heat low—coconut milk can break if it boils."—Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer

  • 2-Ingredient Ice Cream Bread

    sliced ice cream bread on a wire rack, and in the surroundings, a jar of sprinkles and a jar of milk

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Korzaric Sebrek

    "One easy way to customize the flavor is by changing the ice cream flavor. Note that the flavor tends to be subtle in the final bread, so I like to add an extra ingredient to emphasize it. For example, if you use chocolate ice cream, add 1/2 cup or so of chocolate chips for a perfectly sweet loaf."—Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Easy Biko (Filipino Sticky Rice Cake)

    slice of biko (Filipino sticky rice cake) on a plate with a bit on a fork

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "Look for short-grained white rice labeled as sweet rice, sticky rice, and/or glutinous rice. On the package, there will often be suggestions for how to use the rice. If the packaging indicates the rice is good for rice cakes, then it will work well for this recipe."—Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Recipe Developer

  • 3-Ingredient Brownie Cookies

    stack of 3-ingredient brownie cookies

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "Any standard brownie mix will work for this recipe, but not all brownie mixes are created equal. All of my fellow brownie lovers know that Ghiradelli makes some of the best brownie mixes out there. I like to use any of their mixes that say “includes chocolate chips” on the front, such as the Double Chocolate, Triple Chocolate, and Ultimate Chocolate varieties."—Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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  • Easy Lemon Mousse

    Overhead view of several small white bowls of lemon mousse next to a spoon and plate of lemon slices all on an orange surface

    Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

    "You can prepare this mousse in minutes and enjoy it right away. However, the texture improves with chilling time in the fridge. That means this is also an excellent dessert for gatherings because you can prepare it days ahead of time."—Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

  • Tahini-Chocolate Dates

    Tahini-Chocolate Dates in a small bowl

    Simply Recipes / Shayma Saadat

    "My son prefers to enjoy his dates straight from the freezer, which gives them a firm, candy-like texture. But if you prefer yours softer, you can store them in the refrigerator instead."—Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer

  • 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies

    Cake Mix Cookies (3 Ingredients) on a cooling rack

    Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder

    "These three-ingredient cookies are an ideal hack for an easy bake sale or classroom treat and are infinitely adaptable to whatever cake mix and baking extras you have on hand."—Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

  • Chocolate Yogurt Pudding

    2-Ingredient Chocolate Pudding in a bowl topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder, spoon on the side

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "Whole-milk Greek yogurt makes a rich, sweet pudding, or you can go lean and mean with fat-free yogurt."—Robin Asbell, Recipe Developer

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  • Confetti Yogurt Frosting

    Bowl of frosting with colorful sprinkles and a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "For the best flavor and texture, I use whole-milk Greek yogurt here. Choose your favorite super-smooth Greek yogurt—Chobani, Fage, and Trader Joe’s brands all work really well."—Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

  • Nutella Brownies

    Overhead view of a white baking dish of brownies on parchment paper, sliced into squares with one slice removed

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "If you don't already have a kitchen scale, let this recipe be your sign to invest in one. It's much more accurate and will save you loads of time and hassle cleaning—not just for this recipe but for all baking recipes in general."—Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer

  • Shortcut Apple Pie Dessert

    short-cut apple pie in a bowl with a spoon (close-up)

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "I love apples, but any fruit will also work with this recipe. Cherry pie filling is delicious, as is peach."—Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

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