17+ Easy 3 Ingredient Desserts
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If you love dessert but don’t have time (or energy) for complicated recipes, these easy 3 ingredient desserts are for you! From quick fudge and dump cakes to no-bake desserts like pretzel hugs and s’mores dip, these 17+ recipes are made with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
Whether you’re baking last-minute, need a kid-friendly recipe, or just want something sweet with zero fuss, these easy, fast desserts have you covered. A few recipes even use just 2 ingredients, making dessert easier than ever.
These treats are seriously the easiest desserts to make at home. They are perfect for busy weeknights, holiday gifting, or anytime you’re craving something sweet without the mess. Let’s dig in!
Quick Tips
- Use quality ingredients. Simple recipes really shine when you start with good ingredients. Try brands like Ghirardelli chocolate, real butter, and pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Melt carefully. Whether you’re working with chocolate, marshmallows, or butter, melt low and slow to avoid burning or seizing. A microwave in short bursts or a double boiler works best.
- Get creative. These super easy dessert ideas are perfect for adding your own twist! Swap flavors, stir in crushed cookies or candies, or add sprinkles or a pinch of sea salt on things like fudge or cookies.
- Line your pans—even for no-bake treats. Parchment paper isn’t just for baking! It helps prevent sticking with no-bake treats like fudge and crockpot candy as well.
Easy 3 Ingredient Dessert Recipes
Click on any photo or button to take you to the individual recipe instructions.
2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
Decadent, creamy fudge made with just 2 ingredients! — No candy thermometer needed, you can make this easy treat right in the microwave in minutes.
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Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
Soft, chewy, and bursting with citrus flavor, these lemon cookies come together in minutes using just cake mix, eggs, and oil. Perfect for spring or any time you want a bright, simple treat.
Apple Dump Cake
All the cozy flavor of apple pie—without the fuss! This 3-ingredient dump cake uses pantry staples and bakes into a warm, gooey dessert you can top with ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
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S’mores Dip
Get all the gooey, melted chocolate and toasted marshmallow flavor of campfire s’mores—no fire required! Just 3 ingredients and your oven.
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Oreo Fudge
Cookies and cream lovers, this one’s for you! Creamy white chocolate fudge packed with crushed Oreos makes for the easiest decadent treat.
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Crockpot Candy
Melt, stir, and drop! Peanuts, chocolate, and almond bark come together for an easy, homemade treat perfect for gifting and nibbling!
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Peanut Butter Cookies
Soft and chewy cookies made with only peanut butter, sugar, and an egg — ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish. These cookies are a go-to for quick baking to satisfy your cookie cravings.
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Pineapple Angel Food Cake
Made with crushed pineapple and a boxed cake mix, this soft, moist cake loaded with pineapple flavor is actually made with just 2 ingredients!
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Ritz Cracker Thin Mints
Crispy Ritz crackers dipped in minty chocolate taste just like a homemade Thin Mint. So easy and surprisingly delicious!
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3 Ingredient Banana Bread
Replace your ingredients list with a boxed spice cake mix! Add bananas and eggs, and you've got an easy 3-ingredient banana bread. Great recipe for using up ripe bananas!
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Chocolaty, nutty, and all done in the microwave. Chocolate peanut butter fudge is the perfect edible gift for the holidays!
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Strawberry Dump Cake
This strawberry dump cake comes together with just pie filling, boxed cake mix, and butter for a fruity dessert that’s perfect with whipped cream.
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Candied Grapes
Juicy grapes coated in colorful jello powder for a tart, crunchy, candy-like treat that kids and adults will love.
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Peppermint Bark Muddy Buddies
Crispy cereal coated in peppermint-flavored almond bark coated in powdered sugar. A great shareable snack, but we get it if you eat it all yourself!
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2-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake
Craving a dessert full of Fall flavor but short on time? This easy 2‑ingredient pumpkin cake mixes boxed cake mix and pumpkin puree for a moist, cozy cake you’ll want all season long.
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Christmas Pretzel Hugs
Sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy, these bite-sized treats are easy to make, perfect for gifting, and exactly what you want to munch on for holiday movie night!
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Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Rich, fudgy chocolate meets sweet-tart cherry pie filling in this indulgent dump cake. It’s one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make.
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Andes Mint Fudge
This creamy fudge is made with Andes candies is perfect for the holidays or anytime you're craving mint chocolate.
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Strawberry Icebox Cake
Cool, creamy layers of whipped topping, graham crackers, and fresh strawberries make this no-bake dessert an instant crowd-pleaser.
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I hope you enjoy these easy 3-ingredient desserts as much as we do! Whether you’re making quick cookies, no-bake fudge, or sweet and simple candy, these recipes prove that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something delicious. Happy dessert-making!
