22 Easy Dessert Recipes With 3 Ingredients or Less

If you have a sweet tooth, you're going to want to save these easy recipes.

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 April 27, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
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

I can't start getting ready for bed until I've had a little something sweet. It might be as simple as a squidgy, caramel-y date or a little piece of dark chocolate, but when I want something a bit more special—but not too involved—these recipes fit the bill.

Every recipe below can be made with just 2 or 3 ingredients and is incredibly easy to make, and many of them are freezer-friendly so you can keep them stocked for any late-night or midday cravings. You can thank me later!

  • 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 Ghirardelli 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

  • 2-Ingredient Chocolate-Dipped Orange Segments

    Overhead view of a small gray plate of four orange slices that have been dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with salt

    Simply Recipes / Molly Adams

    "I add a little olive oil to the melted chocolate to keep the coating shiny and also to thin it out a bit. I like the coating to be thick enough to evenly coat the orange but thin enough that it doesn't overwhelm the base flavor of the Sumo." —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer

  • 2-Ingredient Cherry Cobbler

    verhead shot of a baking dish with cherry cobbler, with a portion of the cobbler scooped into a bowl

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    "Use apple pie filling or blueberry pie filling for a different-flavored cobbler. Apple works especially well for fall and winter, and blueberry really brings spring vibes." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

  • 2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge

    Over head shot of peanut butter fudge squares on a black and brown ceramic plate

    Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

    "While you can customize your fudge by adding chopped nuts or trying another flavor of frosting, I recommend sticking to a creamy, no-stir brand peanut butter. Jif, Skippy, and Peter Pan all work." —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 22 below

  • 3-Ingredient Chocolate-Peanut Butter Spooons

    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

    "It’s basically a homemade peanut butter cup, but ten times easier than using a muffin tin since you eat it directly out of the spoon. They’re the perfect no-bake dessert to store in your fridge when you need an afternoon pick-me-up or post-dinner treat. Kids will love these, too!" —Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer

  • 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, you can simply watch the sugar transform under a broiler. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and broil on high, 3 to 4 minutes." —Emily Weinberger, Recipe Developer

  • 2-Ingredient Chocolate 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

  • 2-Ingredient Ice Cream Sandwiches

    2-Ingredient Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches Stacked on a Plate Next to Colorful Single Use Napkins

    Simply Recipes/ Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

    "For the ice cream flavors, I recommend mint chocolate chip, black raspberry, coffee, salted caramel, peanut butter, and green tea." —Laura Manzano, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 22 below

  • 3-Ingredient Lemon Curd Tart

    Lemon curd tart cut into squares, each topped with whipped cream.

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    "Not only does this recipe require just three ingredients, it’s done in four steps. Score the pastry, brush it with beaten egg, bake, and spread on some lemon curd. Done!" —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

  • 2-Ingredient Ice Cream Bread

    ice cream bread slices on a wire rack, and in the surroundings, a jar with sprinkles on the counter

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Korzaric Sebrek

    "To melt the ice cream for use in the recipe, let it sit out to thaw or microwave it (in a microwave-safe bowl) at 50% power, stopping every two minutes to stir, until melted but still cool to the touch." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • 2-Ingredient Chocolate-Rice Mousse

    bowl of 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse with a spoon full of the mousse hovering above it

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "There are no fancy techniques or ingredients here, just a quick and easy treat that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. Blend it up and chill it in coupes (like I did) or ramekins. Before serving, add a dusting of cocoa powder on top and you’re done. You’d never guess there’s rice in there." —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer

  • 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset

    Easy Lemon Pudding in three cups topped with berries
    Sally Vargas

    "I’ve called for fresh lemon juice, but almost any citrus juice in equal parts will work. Note that if you use a less acidic citrus juice, the custard may not set as firmly. A mix of citrus juices like lemon and lime or orange and lemon will also work." —Stephanie Loo, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 13 of 22 below

  • 2-Ingredient 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

    "If you want to upgrade these a bit with one more ingredient, add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips, poking a few extra into the tops of each quickie before baking." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • 3-Ingredient Banana Nice Cream

    Three Scoops of Banana Nice Cream in a Bowl With a Spoon, and on the Counter, a Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "There is really only one challenge, and that’s making a smooth puree before the bananas thaw. To make this easier, make sure to slice the bananas thinly before freezing. That means the blender or food processor can blast through more quickly, without as much heat-creating friction." —Robin Asbel, Recipe Developer

  • 3-Ingredient Nutella Brownies

    Closeup side view of two brownies on a small plate on a marble countertop with a blurred background

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "For easier mixing, make sure your Nutella is at room temperature." —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer

  • 2-Ingredient Jam Bars

    Top view of 2-ingredient jam bar squares on a white surface

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "My favorite jam to use for this recipe (and a favorite in general) is raspberry jam. I like to use a flavorful, tart jam to act as a counterpoint to the sweet cookie dough. I recommend using jam or preserves as opposed to jelly, but any will work." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

    Continue to 17 of 22 below

  • 3-Ingredient Skillet Apple Crisp

    Bowl of 3-ingredient apple crisp with a dollop of yogurt next to a cast iron skillet with more apple crisp, a purple kitchen towel, and a bowl

    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

  • 3-Ingredient Italian Nut Cake

    3-ingredient cake

    Simply Recipes / Devan Grimsrud

    "For this recipe, it's important to separate the eggs properly. The key is to avoid breaking the yolks. You want absolutely no egg yolks in the egg whites—you'll have to start your egg whites over because they won't become stiff." —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

  • 3-Ingredient 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

    "This recipe is for a confetti version of cake mix cookies because sprinkles make everything a little bit more fun (plus, this is my family’s current favorite cake flavor). However, you can make cake mix cookies with any flavor of cake mix in the 15-ounce size range." —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 21 of 22 below

  • 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 setting time of the mousse will depend on the serving dish—the larger the dish the longer the setting time—so plan accordingly." —Annika Panikker, Recipe Developer

  • 3-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons

    Overhead view of a cooling rack of twenty four macaroon cookies on a wooden table background

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "Not only are macaroons easy to make, they’re naturally free of many allergens. Being gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and tree nut-free, nearly everyone can enjoy them." —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

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