There’s no need to stand over a stove for hours or spend a fortune on ingredients to make delicious desserts. Knowing a few simple recipes and clever shortcuts can help you achieve great results in a relatively short time, even if you have limited equipment or a tight budget. In fact, with the right recipe you can make most of your favorite sweet treats using just five ingredients or less. There are even ways to whip up irresistible desserts without a mixer or oven!
We’ve listed 12 of the most tempting and decadent dessert recipes that even beginners can tackle confidently, including no-bake options, gluten-free and vegan ideas. From showstoppers to classics, there’s a recipe on this list to satisfy any sweet tooth.
1. Quick Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate mousse is a surefire crowd-pleaser, but it can be tricky to achieve the right consistency using egg whites or gelatin as a setting agent. This incredibly easy chocolate mousse recipe from Kitchen Cents requires just three ingredients and takes five minutes to prepare.
The secret to making this simple chocolate mousse is chilled heavy whipping cream, which whips to a pleasantly airy and creamy texture. Adding icing sugar and cocoa powder gives the dessert a rich flavor that satisfies any chocolate craving. You can pipe the mixture into individual ramekins with a star nozzle to achieve an Instagram-worthy dessert.