58 Freaky Good 15-Minute Desserts

You worked hard on dinner—you deserve a break for dessert. These simple 15-minute desserts allow for just that. Make 'em ahead so they have enough time to set or be refrigerated overnight.

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Grilled Banana Brownie Sundaes

My niece Amanda Jean and I have a lot of fun in the kitchen creating different dishes. One of us will start with a recipe idea and it just grows from there—and so does the mess. In this case, the happy result was our Grilled Banana Brownie Sundae. —Carol Farnsworth, Greenwood, Indiana

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Chocolate Hazelnut Pudding Torte

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is a busy mom's twist on a favorite dessert—tiramisu. The dish is simple to assemble and perfect to make the day before you want to serve it. The hardest thing about this recipe is waiting for it to chill so you can eat it! —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland
3/57

Fruity No-Bake Cookies

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Keep your kitchen cool with these freezer cookies made with fruity cereal. They're extra sweet and even more fun for kids to help make.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4/57

Cheesecake Berry Parfaits

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 parfaits
From the Recipe Creator: The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
5/57

Frito Candy

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Yep, they’re made with corn chips, but don’t let that fool you. These salty sweets were a staple after meetings at the quilt guild I once belonged to. —Carol Tramp, Wynot, Nebraska
6/57

Sour Cream Bavarian

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings (1-1/4 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator: Are you ‘sweet on’ someone who’s counting calories? Show them you care with this light and refreshing dessert. It’s sinfully creamy and so pretty with the tart raspberry sauce. No one would ever guess that it’s fat-free! —Judi Janczewski, Berwyn, Illinois
7/57

No-Bake Peanut Butter Treats

Total Time 10 min
Servings 15 treats
From the Recipe Creator: Perfect for road trips, these peanut butter oatmeal balls won’t stick to your hands. Keep them in the refrigerator for portable snacks. —Sonia Rohda, Waverly, Nebraska
8/57

Strawberry Banana Popsicles

Total Time 10 min
Servings 12 pops
From the Recipe Creator: These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Fancy Fuss-Free Torte

Total Time 15 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Thanks to frozen pound cake and a can of pie filling, this torte is easy to make. If layers slide, keep them in place with toothpicks around the edges as you build. Just remove them before serving. —Joan Causey, Greenwood, Arkansas
10/57

White Chocolate Cereal Bars

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: A friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

11/57

Cherry Crisp Recipe

Total Time 45 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The very first time that I made Cherry Crisp, my brother happened to be visiting. He is an ice cream lover—but he passed up the scoops of vanilla that he tops most desserts with so he could taste the cherries better! Wheat, soybeans and milo are the main crops on our farm. We also have three small cherry trees. I apportion all of that harvest for this recipe. My husband's is the manager of a coop. I work part-time as a church secretary...teach piano in our home...and enjoy making clothes for myself and our 3-year-old daughter. Cross-stitch is one of my favorite hobbies.

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Pizzelle Cookies

Total Time 20 min
Servings about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida

13/57

Rosey Raspberry Salad

Total Time 15 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Whenever I make this pretty raspberry salad, people talk! It's a festive side dish that works well for celebrations throughout the year. —Jane Vanderground, Macedonia, Ohio

14/57

Apple Brown Betty Recipe

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it's big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois

15/57

S’mores Bars

Total Time 15 min
Servings 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: One night my husband had some friends over to play poker and he requested these s'mores bars. They polished off the pan and asked for more! I shared the recipe, and now their families make them, too. —Rebecca Shipp, Beebe, Arkansas
16/57

Cookies ‘n’ Cream Berry Desserts

Total Time 10 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This sweet berry dessert makes an especially pretty final course in the spring. With berries, a creamy topping and a sprinkle of meringue cookies, it always earns praise. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Coconut Creme Chocolates

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I'm a proud wife, mom of three and grandma of many. I've cooked many things over the years, including these marshmallowy chocolates. —Dolores Wilder, Texas City, Texas
18/57

Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls

Total Time 15 min
Servings 10 pops
From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
19/57

Nutella Pie

Total Time 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I've always been a big fan of peanut butter. Then I found chocolaty Nutella hazelnut spread and I was hooked! I even changed one of my all-time favorite pie recipes by substituting that ingredient. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
20/57

Cannoli Dip

Total Time 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Ricotta is one of my family's favorite ingredients. I made up the cannoli filling and broke up some ice cream waffle shells to use as "chips and dip"—it was an instant hit! It's also good served slightly warm. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
21/57

Trail Mix Slices

Total Time 15 min
Servings about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With big handfuls of dried apricots and cherries, almonds and pistachios, we make dozens of treats you can take anywhere.—Donna Pochoday-Stelmach, Morristown, New Jersey
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Rosemary Citrus Sorbet

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This pretty pastel dessert bursts with the fresh flavors of grapefruit, lime and rosemary. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Blueberry Graham Dessert

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When you're short on time but long for cheesecake, try this fruity dessert. Ricotta and cream cheeses give every bit as much flavor as cheesecake without the effort. Instead of making individual servings, you could layer the ingredients in a glass serving bowl. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Rocky Road Freezer Pie

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Whip up this simple chocolaty pie the day before and you’ll feel just like a champ when you serve it on party day. —Addrenne Roth, Donna, Texas
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Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Seeds

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2 dozen (about 1 pound)
From the Recipe Creator: I dunk pomegranate seeds in chocolate to get these easy little treats friends and family love. —Jim Javorsky, Havre de Grace, Maryland
26/57

Bananas Foster Sundaes

Total Time 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina

27/57

Creamy Blueberry Gelatin Salad

Total Time 30 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Plump blueberries and a fluffy topping star in this pretty, refreshing salad that was my mother's recipe. It was served at every holiday and celebration, and now my grandchildren look forward to sampling it at holidays. —Sharon Hoefert, Greendale, Wisconsin

28/57

Frozen Mocha Marbled Loaf

Total Time 15 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This showstopping marbled dessert seems fancy, but it's really simple to prepare ahead of time and pop in the freezer. Frosty slices have a creamy blend of chocolate and coffee that's delightful anytime of year. —Cheryl Martinetto, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
29/57

Blueberry Lemon Trifle

Total Time 15 min
Servings 14 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
30/57

Peanut Butter Cream Pie

Total Time 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: During the warm months, it's nice to have this fluffy, no-bake peanut butter pie that's a snap to make. Packed with flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy

Total Time 10 min
Servings about 2-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator: With only three ingredients, these chocolate-swirl treats take just moments to whip up! If you have little ones visiting for the holidays, have them help you with the stirring. —Holly Demers, Abbotsford, British Columbia
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Root Beer Float Pie

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don't even need to use an oven! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

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Coconut Pound Cake

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: “This cake is easy to make and is always a big hit,” writes Lisa Varner from Charleston, South Carolina. “I like to serve it with ice cream for a double-dose treat!”

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Chocolate Cinnamon Toast

Total Time 10 min
Servings 1 slice
From the Recipe Creator: You might want to sit down for this one. Cinnamon bread gets topped with chocolate and fresh berries, then toasted in a skillet. That's real love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Blueberry Angel Dessert

Total Time 10 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Make the most of angel food cake, pie filling and whipped topping by creating this light impressive dessert that doesn't keep you in the kitchen for hours. It's the perfect way to end a summer meal. —Carol Johnson, Tyler, Texas
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Marshmallow Puffs

Total Time 10 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows, these treats were very popular with our three kids as they were growing up—and now I make them for our two grandchildren. They're perfect for the holidays when time is so precious. —Dody Cagenello, Simsbury, Connecticut
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Apple Yogurt Parfaits

Total Time 10 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Get the morning started right with this super simple four-ingredient parfait. Try chunky or flavored applesauce for an easy variation. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Total Time 15 min
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My secret to these rich no-bake bites? Pretzels in the crust. They add a salty crunch to the classic peanut butter and chocolate pairing. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

39/57

Sauteed Apples

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a sweet side dish my family loves. You can use it to top pancakes or French toast, but it’s wonderful with pork or chicken too. —Shirley Heston, Pickerington, Ohio

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Chunky Banana Cream Freeze

Total Time 15 min
Servings 6 servings (3 cups)
From the Recipe Creator: Everyone loves ice cream, but we all know it doesn't make a great after-school snack. Until this! With its sweet banana-almond flavor and chunky texture, this appealing banana peanut butter "ice cream" is a crowd-pleaser. People who ask me for the recipe can't believe how easy it is to make. —Kristen Bloom, Okinawa, Japan
41/57

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa

Total Time 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When I need dessert fast, I go with angel food cake. Mix fruit salsa ahead of time, and pop the cake on the grill. —Glorimar Jimenez, Indianapolis, Indiana
42/57

Easy Strawberry Lemonade Freezer Pie

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Three simple ingredients mixed together and spread into a graham cracker crust make magic while your freezer does all the work. Prep this pie ahead and freeze it overnight or even longer. Feel free to vary the fruit if you'd like! —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
43/57

Caramel Fluff & Toffee Trifle

Total Time 15 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The best part of this stunning dessert is that you need only five ingredients to put it together. —Daniel Anderson, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Frozen Banana Cereal Pops

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 pops
From the Recipe Creator: When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

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Raspberry Ice Cream

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 1-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator: "When our garden produces an abundance of raspberries, we know it's time to make this fruity frozen dessert," reports Diana Leskauskas of Chatham, New Jersey. "It's super in the summertime...and a treat throughout the year made with frozen raspberries." —Diana Leskauskas, Chatham, New Jersey

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S’mores on a Stick

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My kids love to take these for treats everywhere. That's lucky for me since they are so easy to make. Beside the sprinkles, try mini candies for toppings.—Ronda Weirich, Plains, Kansas

47/57

Lemon Curd Tartlets

Total Time 35 min
Servings 15 tartlets
From the Recipe Creator: This has been in my party recipe collection for over 30 years and never fails to satisfy my guests. I can always rely on these fancy treats to please even the fussiest in the crowd. —Jessica Feist, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

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Nuts-About-You Cookie Sticks

Total Time 10 min
Servings about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These cookies make a fancy meal finale that couldn’t be quicker to whip up. Start with purchased Pirouette cookies, dip in a rich creamy chocolate and peanut-butter coating, and dust with nuts or sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
49/57

Chocolate Hazelnut Soy Pops

Total Time 10 min
Servings 8 pops
From the Recipe Creator: I love Nutella, and I'm always looking for ways to use it. These pops are a great way to stay cool in the summer, but also make a cozy treat in the winter. —Bonita Suter, Lawrence, Michigan
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Watermelon Pie

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This simple pie is so refreshing that it never lasts long on warm summer days. Watermelon and a few convenience items make it a delightful dessert that doesn't take much effort. —Velma Beck, Carlinville, Illinois

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Lemon Cake

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia

52/57

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Total Time 15 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Our family loves dessert, and this chocolaty, layered treat is one of Mom's most-requested recipes. It's so easy to prepare this Oreo ice cream cake! —Kimberly Laabs, Hartford, Wisconsin
53/57

Blueberry Pie Recipe

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I've been making this blueberry pie recipe for decades since the ingredients for the filling are readily available in Michigan. Nothing says summer like a piece of fresh blueberry pie! —Linda Kernan, Mason, Michigan
54/57

Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Creme

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 pounds (64 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator: My sister shared the recipe for this unbelievably easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream. I prefer using creamy peanut butter for this mouthwatering dessert, but the chunky style works just as well. —Mary Jane Rummel, Linglestown, Pennsylvania
55/57

Mini Chocolate Wafer Cakes

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I first made these cakes for a friend when I lived in the dorms at college and had no access to appliances. Little did I know I would be making them 20 years later for my children! —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina
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Raspberry-Banana Soft Serve

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: When I make this ice cream, I mix and match bananas for their ripeness. Very ripe ones add more banana flavor. Less ripe ones have a fluffier texture. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
57/57

Banana Cream Pie with Pudding

Total Time 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This old-fashioned banana cream pie recipe is full of flavor. Because it uses instant pudding, the no-bake dessert is ready in just minutes. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington