When the oven feels like too much, dessert doesn’t have to wait. These easy recipes skip the baking and still bring plenty of flavor. Whether you want something creamy, crunchy, or frozen, each treat keeps things simple and sweet. Too hot to bake? These 27 desserts do the job without turning on the oven.
Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Cake. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Banana Boats
Pick your toppings and turn a banana into a fun and sweet dessert without much effort. You can fill them with anything from marshmallows to chocolate chips, then chill until firm. These are great when you’re craving something playful that doesn’t require a single baking step.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Strawberry Curd
Spoon this smooth and tangy curd onto toast, cake, or anything that needs a pop of flavor. It cooks fast and sets up in the fridge, so there’s no oven time or hassle involved. Keep this one on hand for when you want a dessert that’s bright, fruity, and simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Curd
Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies
Stack up graham crackers, melted chocolate, and marshmallow for a treat that tastes like campfire s’mores without the smoke. These cookies set in the fridge and come together in minutes with no baking at all. They’re a fun way to get that gooey flavor when the oven stays off.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Girl Scout S’mores Cookies
Copycat Shamrock Shake
Blend this minty shake at home for a cool treat that tastes just like the one from the drive-thru. It takes only a few ingredients and doesn’t need any stovetop or oven to make it happen. This one’s perfect when you want something sweet and fast with zero cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Shamrock Shake
Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip Truffles
These truffles are soft, rich, and packed with chocolate chips that make every bite feel like a treat. You can roll them in minutes and chill them until you’re ready to snack. Try this recipe when you want something sweet that doesn’t take over your whole evening.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip Truffles
Mango Pie
Whisk together fresh mango and creamy filling for a pie that sets perfectly in the fridge. There’s no need to turn on the oven or deal with complicated steps to get something that feels special. This pie works well when you want something fruity, cool, and worth slicing.
Get the Recipe: Mango Pie
White Chocolate Party Mix
Mix together salty pretzels, dried fruit, and cereal before tossing everything in smooth white chocolate. It sets fast and makes a snack that works for movie nights, parties, or just munching by the handful. This one’s great when you want something crunchy and sweet without a mess.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Party Mix
Mango Custard
Blend up this mango custard for a dessert that’s smooth, rich, and packed with tropical flavor. It chills in the fridge and skips the oven, which makes it a go-to when time is short. This is one of those treats that tastes like it took more effort than it really did.
Get the Recipe: Mango Custard
Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Cake
Layer crackers, cream, and sweet strawberries for a chilled dessert that cuts like a dream. The filling softens everything into a cake that feels light but still rich. Make this when baking feels like too much, but you still want something that looks like a win.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Cake
Avocado Ice Cream
Blend ripe avocado with a few simple ingredients for a frozen dessert that’s smooth and mild. It sets up in the freezer and takes no baking, cooking, or fancy machines to make. This one is a great pick when you want something cool and different without all the work.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Ice Cream
Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Stir together caramel and cream for a frozen dessert that hits the sweet and salty balance just right. No ice cream maker is needed, and the freezer does all the work while you relax. This is a great way to treat yourself with something cold and creamy that feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Ice Cream
S’mores Cereal Bars
Mix marshmallows, graham cereal, and chocolate for a dessert bar that brings s’mores flavor into every bite. Press them into a pan and chill until they hold together, no baking at all. Make a batch when you want something sweet that comes together with barely any steps.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Cereal Bars
Brownie Batter Truffles
These rich chocolate bites taste just like licking the bowl, but you don’t need to bake a thing. You can mix, roll, and chill them in no time for something sweet and satisfying. They’re a smart pick for dessert when the oven is off limits, but cravings hit hard.
Get the Recipe: Brownie Batter Truffles
S’mores Bark
Melt chocolate, layer in marshmallows and graham crackers, and let it all harden into a sweet bark you can break apart. It takes less than ten minutes to prep and chills into something crunchy and fun. Keep this one around for nights when you want dessert without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Bark
S’mores Stuffed Strawberries
Hollow out strawberries and fill them with melty chocolate and mini marshmallows for a twist on a favorite treat. There’s no oven or fire needed, just a few minutes of prep and a chill in the fridge. These are perfect when you want something fun, fast, and filled with flavor.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Stuffed Strawberries
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cereal Bars
Mix two kinds of chocolate and crushed peppermint into a crisp cereal base that holds together in the fridge. The bars are rich, refreshing, and have just the right amount of crunch. This recipe is a smart option when you need something bold and cool without baking.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Peppermint Cereal Bars
Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
Whip up something creamy and rich with just a touch of Irish cream to make it feel extra special. It chills into a smooth dessert that works without baking or complicated steps. This one’s a good choice when you want a dessert that feels fancy but is secretly simple.
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Stir chocolate, cherries, and cereal together into a chewy dessert that sets up in the fridge. These bars come together in minutes and stay ready whenever you want a snack. Make a batch when you’re craving something sweet but want to keep it low-effort.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches
Slice bananas and freeze them between graham crackers for a treat that’s creamy and cool. These sandwiches store well and are easy to grab whenever a craving hits. They’re a smart choice when dessert sounds good but baking sounds like too much.
Get the Recipe: Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches
Mango Mousse
Blend mango and cream into a smooth mousse that sets up soft and fluffy in the fridge. There’s no oven, no stovetop, and barely any cleanup needed to make it. This is a sweet pick when you want something easy that still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Mango Mousse
Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Layer your favorite ice creams, cookies, or candy into a frozen cake that looks like it took way more work than it did. It sets in the freezer and skips the oven completely, making it simple to put together. This is a great pick for when dessert needs to feel fun without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Cake
No-Churn Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Stir together cherries, chocolate chips, and cream for a frozen treat that tastes better than store-bought. It takes just a few minutes to prep and freezes into something rich and scoopable. Make this when you want something cold and sweet that doesn’t require any machines.
Get the Recipe: No-Churn Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Caramel Hot Fudge Sauce
Heat a few ingredients on the stove and end up with a thick, sweet sauce that goes on just about anything. It makes even the simplest ice cream feel special without needing to bake a thing. Keep it in the fridge for those nights when dessert needs something extra.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Hot Fudge Sauce
Peach Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Blend sweet peaches and creamy coconut milk into a frozen dessert that’s smooth and easy to scoop. There’s no need for a machine or oven, just a freezer and a little time. It’s a great way to enjoy something fruity without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Peach Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Make a creamy frozen custard packed with sweet bites of cookie dough that don’t require any baking. It chills into a smooth dessert that feels rich and satisfying every time. This one’s perfect when you want something cold with a little bit of crunch.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Frozen Custard
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Truffles
Combine peanut butter and melted chocolate into soft truffles that set in the fridge. These bite-sized snacks are smooth, rich, and ready in no time. They’re a smart dessert option when you’re looking for something sweet but don’t feel like baking.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Truffles
Easy Banana Pudding
Layer cookies, banana slices, and pudding for a treat that’s creamy, soft, and full of flavor. It sets in the fridge with no oven or stovetop required. This dessert works well when you want something familiar, sweet, and ready without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Easy Banana Pudding