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60 No-Bake Desserts For When You've Run Out Of Oven Space

Chill out with these no-bake desserts.

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nobake buckeye cheesecake barspinterest
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: RILEY WOFFORD

Sometimes, turning the oven on in order to make a sweet treat is our last straw. Sound familiar? Because we can name more than a few reasons why we might be avoiding our ovens these days, but that shouldn't mean you have to skip dessert time. Maybe your oven isn’t working quite right or is stacked with other, more important things (like oven-baked ribs or whole roast chicken). Maybe you’re cooking with kids and don’t want them going in and out of a hot oven. Maybe it’s just too dang hot out (or inside your apartment, radiator heat’ll get ya!), and you want to avoid turning on the oven at all costs. Whatever the reason we've got 60 clever no-bake desserts that mean you get to keep your cool AND satisfy your sweet tooth all at the same time!

Some dessert recipes are inherently no-bake, like truffles, ice cream, or fudge, and we’ve included a number of our favorites here. Others are easy shortcuts to more complicated desserts, and that’s where the meaning of no-bake really shines. Love cheesecake, but hate water baths? Yeah, us too. Make our no-bake blackberry cheesecake bars, our no-bake whipped ricotta cheesecake, our lemon-blueberry mini cheesecakes, or our banana pudding cheesecake bars instead. More of a cake or pie fan? Try our éclair cake, our chocolate fluffernutter pie, our lemon icebox cake, or our mint chocolate chip pie.

While these are no-bake, that doesn’t necessarily mean no-cook. We’ve included some recipes here that are cooked on the stove or involve minor heating up of ingredients (more power to you to melt your chocolate in the microwave). Some, like our buckeyes, our no-bake oatmeal cookies, or our chocolate-covered strawberries, are still crazy easy to make. Others, like our peanut brittle, halva, or chocolate almond toffee take a little bit more finesse (and sometimes a candy thermometer). Even so, we think they’re the kind of recipes you should have in your dessert arsenal and make a great addition to any dessert table, year-round.

1

No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

nobake buckeye cheesecake bars
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: RILEY WOFFORD

Buckeyes are a beloved truffle made of a rich peanut butter filling and dipped in chocolate. It’s similar to a homemade Reese’s in the easiest way possible. This no-bake cheesecake might be even easier. The cheesecake is lighter and creamier than the truffle, but still has all of the peanut butter and chocolate elements you love.

Get the No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars recipe.

2

No-Churn Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream

no churn ice cream with apple pie chunks and caramel swirls
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Dessert leftovers might get overlooked, but you’ll want to save a few slices of your holiday pie to make this easy no-churn caramel apple pie ice cream. This fresh, rich ice cream is a simplified alternative to using an ice cream maker and is maybe too easy to eat and make!

Get the No-Churn Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream recipe.

3

Raspberry Tiramisu

raspberry tiramisu
Joel goldberg

We love a classic tiramisu and couldn’t imagine it getting much better—until raspberries entered the picture. We use a little orange liqueur instead of rum to amplify the bright flavors.

Get the Raspberry Tiramisu recipe.

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4

Fantasy Fudge

slab of fantasy fudge filled with marshmallow fluff, oreos, and pecans
JOEL GOLDBERG

Fantasy fudge is a shortcut fudge that is just as good as the real thing. Our two favorite things about it are that 1) it's quick to make and 2) it's totally customizable! Not only can you use any chocolate you like, but you can also choose whatever mix-ins you want.

Get the Fantasy Fudge recipe.

5

Classic Tiramisu

ladyfingers soaked in coffee layered with cream topped with a dusting of cocoa powder
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Filled with so many flavors, tiramisu still somehow tastes light, with soaked ladyfingers that practically melt in your mouth upon the first bite. The best part of this decadent treat? Make this no-bake dessert the day before and let the flavors mix and meld together for a flavor-packed dessert guaranteed to make nonna proud.

Get the Classic Tiramisu recipe.

6

Triple-Chocolate Trifle

triple chocolate trifle topped with kit kats
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

By putting our own spin on the classic, decadent chocolate dessert, we turned this triple-chocolate trifle into a serious showstopper. It’s a great make-ahead, no-bake dessert for larger celebrations and dinner parties, because it's guaranteed to satisfy everyone, whether they’re chocolate skeptics or full-blown lovers.

Get the Triple-Chocolate Trifle recipe.

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7

No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars

no bake blackberry cheesecake bars with graham cracker crust and blackberry topping
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These no-bake cheesecake bars get a stunning, swirly topping of blackberries that looks more like art than dessert. Bonus: The cheesecake itself is tart and fluffy with the creamiest texture.

Get the No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.

8

Bourbon Balls

bourbon balls
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER

Made with finely chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and of course, bourbon, these no-bake cookie truffles highlight the flavor of the bourbon while taming its typical burn. Warning: You won’t be able to stop at one!

Get the Bourbon Balls recipe.

9

No-Bake Banana Caramel Pecan Pie

nobake banana caramel pecan pie
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

When it comes to old-school desserts, banana cream pie and pecan pie are always at the top of the list. If you’re torn between which to make, why not combine them?

Get the No-Bake Banana Caramel Pecan Pie recipe.

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10

Mason Jar Ice Cream

mason jar ice cream
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

We’ve got lots of magic shortcuts for you, from no-churn options to ice cream made in a bag, and now this recipe, ice cream in a mason jar. It really is as easy as it sounds: Simply put heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt into a jar, then shake it!

Get the Mason Jar Ice Cream recipe.

11

Buckeyes

buckeyes
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER

Loaded with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate, these buckeyes are basically a homemade Reese’s peanut butter cup in truffle form. They’re easy to make and great for taking to parties—although if you do, you should probably attach a warning label to the plate. You won’t be able to have just one.

Get the Buckeyes recipe.

12

Hot Chocolate Fudge

hot chocolate fudge topped with mini marshmallows
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

All you need for this hot chocolate-inspired fudge is four ingredients, a microwave, and a fridge. The biggest challenge is finding micro marshmallows, like the kind that come in hot chocolate mixes. Once you have these babies in your life, don't be surprised if you add a dash to every dessert.

Get the Hot Chocolate Fudge recipe.

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13

Brigadeiros

brigadeiros covered in chocolate and rainbow sprinkles, pistachios, and almonds
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

Chocolate sprinkles are traditional for these Brazilian chewy truffles, but you can use anything from nonpareils to your favorite nuts.

Get the Brigadeiros recipe.

14

Puppy Chow

chex mix tossed in peanut butter and powdered sugar
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you've never had Puppy Chow (otherwise known as Muddy Buddies), you're in for a treat. The names are somewhat bewildering, but don't let that stop you—this Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar snack mix is INCREDIBLE.

Get the Puppy Chow recipe.

15

No-Bake Whipped Ricotta Cheesecake

no baked whipped ricotta cheesecake with vanilla bean and biscoff lemon cookie crust
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

"No-bake" and "whipped" in the same recipe name as "cheesecake"? Sure! The whipped ricotta and mascarpone combination lightened with whipped cream atop a Biscoff cookie spread is quite dreamy.

Get the No-Bake Whipped Ricotta Cheesecake recipe.

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16

Chocolate-Covered Graham Crackers

chocolatecovered graham crackers
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Show friends and family you care by making your own graham crackers, then covering them in white or milk chocolate, or both! Feel free to get creative with your decorations (we think drawing little trees on these would be adorable).

Get the Chocolate-Covered Graham Crackers recipe.

17

Orange Creamsicle Bars

orange creamsicle bars with a graham cracker crust
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These triple-layered orange bars have us feeling all nostalgic for the classic frozen Popsicle treat that inspired them. But we won’t linger on it for too long because, just like their inspiration, these bars are irresistibly good. They’re creamy, dreamy, and the perfect blend of citrusy orange and vanilla bean flavor paired with a graham cracker crust.

Get the Orange Creamsicle Bars recipe.

18

Halo-Halo

halo halo delish
Andrew bui

Halo-halo is a traditional Filipino shaved ice dessert that's topped with a rainbow of delicious ingredients. The beauty of halo-halo is how easy it is to assemble. You'll start by arranging the shaved ice in bowls or a tall glass, then go crazy with the toppings, from kaong (sugar palm fruit in syrup) to sweet chickpeas to ube ice cream.

Get the Halo-Halo recipe.

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19

Drumstick Pie

ice cream pie with chocolate ganache, waffle cones and peanuts
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Sugar cone fans—get ready to meet your new fave dessert. We use sugar cones not only for the topping in this no-bake dessert, but also in the homemade crust. Layered with vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache, and crumbled peanuts for a sweet-salty, topping, this "pie" truly has something for everyone.

Get the Drumstick Pie recipe.

20

Raspberry Tiramisu

trifle dish of raspberry tiramisu
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON

We love a classic tiramisu and couldn’t imagine it getting much better—until raspberries entered the picture. We use a little orange liqueur instead of rum to amplify the bright flavors.

Get the Raspberry Tiramisu recipe.

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