Our Best No-Bake Desserts
The weather is getting warmer, and in a few months, the last thing you'll want to do is stand in front of a scorching hot oven. These no-cook and no-bake recipes won't just keep you cool. They're also easy and innovative. All you really need is patience and an appetite.
White Chocolate OREO Cookie Balls
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Mini Vegan Key Lime Icebox Pies
Mini Vegan Key Lime Icebox Pies RecipeThis “custard” has an insanely rich and silky mouthfeel born from a partnership between avocado (which also provides the natural green coloring) and tofu. The blend of fats released from the ground nuts and a bit of added coconut oil combined with the sugary moisture of the dates create not only a cohesive crust, but one that is deep in flavor and wonderfully crisp once chilled.
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Mango-Lemon-Buttermilk Icebox Pie with Baked Saltine Cracker Crust
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No-Bake Samoa Pie
Save a stash of Samoas (or Caramel DeLights) in order to make an epic pie that looks, and tastes, just like the classic Girl Scout cookie. Use the back of a measuring cup to press the crust into the pie plate and add heavy cream to the caramel when melting for a smoother, drizzle-with-ease consistency. Serve chilled, as you would a coconut creme pie.
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No-Bake Strawberry Nutella Cheesecake
No-Bake Strawberry Nutella Cheesecake Recipe
Strawberry season is an indicator of two things; it means the sun is out and the oven is off. Take a break from a hot kitchen to make this easy, fresh and stress-free no-bake Nutella flavored cheesecake. The hazelnut spread not only gives the cheesecake a velvety texture and chocolatey taste, but it also helps stabilize the pie to set up a creamy yet firm consistency when chilled. The addition of condensed milk adds a touch of milky sweetness and the lemon juice creates a mellow, zesty flavor that balances the cheesecake’s sweetness. You can prepare the crust a day ahead and also chill cheesecake overnight. This cheesecake will be a hit at any summer event, and it’s a great way to use up the season’s favorite berry.
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Million Dollar Pie
Don't be fooled by the name, this Million Dollar Pie is actually quite inexpensive to make—but it tastes like a million bucks. Plus, it couldn't be simpler to toss together and requires no baking. Whip it up for a holiday meal or spur-of-the-moment party.
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Lime In Coconut Cheesecake
Lime In Coconut Cheesecake Recipe
This no-bake key lime cheesecake is served in a halved, fresh coconut for a light, fresh, and fun twist on dessert. If you have trouble finding coconut whipped topping, you can use dairy whipped topping with a drop of coconut extract mixed in.
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Bourbon Balls
These rich bourbon balls are a festive holiday dessert. The bourbon flavor gets mellower with time, so make these at least one week ahead.
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No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake
No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake Recipe
Make this easy dessert a day before serving, as you'll have to refrigerate it overnight.
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Black Sesame Ice Cream
Dark, chic, intense, and intensely decadent… this black sesame ice cream is everything rainbow-smattered foods aren’t. Offering deep toasty richness from ground black sesame seeds, this ice cream recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again. And there’s really nothing stopping you from doing just that; being that it’s no-cook and no-churn (i.e. doesn’t require an ice cream maker), this lusciously creamy recipe couldn’t be easier to whip up. While we opted to amplify the dark color using black food coloring, you can leave it out if you’d prefer. However, if you’re not food coloring adverse, add a few drops to your favorite waffle cone recipe for an exceptionally striking presentation when you serve the ice cream.
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Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake Recipe
Strawberries add brightness to this fun take on banana pudding. Instead of the usual vanilla wafers, use graham crackers, which make neater slices. An instant hit with your family and guests, this recipe makes delicious use of the fresh strawberries you pick up at the local farmers’ market.
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Butterfinger Pie
For an easy dessert that’s sure to please, look no further than our decadent Butterfinger Pie. Although it takes only 15 minutes to whip up, this candy bar-inspired treat is the peanut butter pie upgrade you won’t soon forget.
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Unicorn Snack Bars
These sweet unicorn treats are adorable enough to serve at a birthday party, but easy enough to throw together for after-school snacks during the week. Adding almonds and apple chips into the mix make these snack bars more substantial and flavorful than a plain rice cereal treat, but these ingredients are easily swapped to accommodate your favorite mix-ins or nut allergies. We added a touch of food coloring to give the bars a cheerful pink hue, but it’s A-OK to leave it out if you would prefer.
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Chocolate Cookie Butter Cheese Ball
Chocolate Cookie Butter Cheese Ball Recipe
For an easy, no-bake treat that everyone will love, look no further than this decadent and chocolatey dessert cheese ball. Serve with dippers like strawberries, apple slices, and pretzels. It’s like an easy-to-make (and easy-to-share) “deconstructed” take on chocolate cheesecake.
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Strawberry Yogurt Cream Pie with Cereal Crust
Strawberry Yogurt Cream Pie with Cereal Crust Recipe
Made with a fiber cereal-crusted pie shell, this strawberry yogurt cream pie is the ultimate no-bake dessert. With a fruity, rich filling (made even more digestive-friendly with the addition of Greek yogurt and berries *you’re welcome*), this breakfast-inspired treat is everything you want in a (somewhat) guilt-free dessert. It’s ultra-satisfying with just the right amount of sweetness, without sending you over the edge.
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Horchata Icebox Cake with Spiced Mango
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No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie
No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie Recipe
With its creamy filling and crispy crust, this frozen peanut butter pie is made for summer cookouts. Nothing cools you down in the summertime like a slice of a creamy, frozen pie. A secret to keeping the pie neat is to use a hot knife for slicing each serving. Dip the blade in a glass of very hot water, then wipe it off before slicing into the pie. Repeat before cutting each new slice.
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4-Ingredient No-Bake Funfetti Breakfast Bars
4-Ingredient No-Bake Funfetti Breakfast Bars Recipe
You don’t need permission to eat cake for breakfast. You’re an adult who deserves to treat yo' self occasionally (and your kids—if you have any—just because they love sugar and they’re cute sometimes). Think of these breakfast bars as a no-bake cheesecake that doubles as breakfast and dessert, so you can have the best of both worlds. Prepare the no-bake breakfast bars before bed and you’re all set for sweet indulgence when you wake up. Of course, because this is a funfetti recipe, sprinkles are involved. And sure, these kid-friendly funfetti breakfast bars get a bit messy, but that’s half the fun.
No-Bake Funfetti Breakfast Bars
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Mint Oreo Icebox Cake
This decadent Oreo icebox cake is incredibly easy to make and requires only six ingredients. It’s a perfect dessert for kids birthday parties that doesn’t require heating up the kitchen. As is, this cooling cake offers a delightful mint-chocolate flavor profile, but feel free to switch things up by using your favorite Oreo cookie flavor (and leaving out the fresh mint).
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Oreo Cookie Pie
Oreos on Oreos on Oreos. This Oreo pie recipe is super easy and a must-make for any fan of Milk's Favorite Cookie.
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Sour Cream Ice Cream
This fabulous 5-ingredient, no-cook ice cream has everything going for it: It couldn’t be easier to make, it’s insanely rich and smooth, and has a element of intrigue (sour cream!) that lends a delicate, something-special factor to the flavor and texture. Now, the key to getting away with skipping the stovetop cooking and pouring your ice cream base mixture right into you ice cream maker is using pasteurized eggs. So even if that’s not your usual egg of choice, pick up a carton if you’re planning to make this recipe. Note: For the smoothest texture, allow the base mixture to chill in your refrigerator overnight before freezing.
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Vegan Mini Peanut Butter Pies
Vegan Mini Peanut Butter Pies Recipe
Love peanut butter cups? This is the treat for you. With a rich, chocolatey crust and a deep, nutty, creamy inside, this dessert is for all the peanut butter and chocolate lovers, whether you're vegan or not. Silken tofu acts as a smooth, thickening component for the filling, as well as canned coconut cream. This easy, no-bake dessert packs all the indulgent flavors of your favorite candy bar, yet it's still dairy-free, gluten-free, and made with natural sweeteners.
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Pink Lemonade Icebox Cake
Pink Lemonade Icebox Cake Recipe
Delicate, thin purchased cookies are the secret to this stunning no-cook dessert. Look for options from Murray or Uncle Al's.
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Oreo Icebox Cake
This decadent Oreo icebox cake is incredibly easy to make and requires only six ingredients. It’s a perfect dessert for kids birthday parties that doesn’t require heating up the kitchen. As is, this cooling cake offers a delightful cookies-n-cream flavor profile, but feel free to switch things up by using your favorite Oreo cookie flavor.