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142 recipes tagged with no-bake.
About 1 ½ pounds Marzipan is often molded into elaborate shapes such as fruits, flowers, and animals. Humble disks, balls, and logs of flavored marzipan…
About 2 cups When poured over ice cream, this chocolate sauce hardens into a shell that can be broken with the back of a spoon into tasty chocolate shards.
Creamy vanilla ice cream layered with ribbons of rich fudge sauce, creating a classic fudge swirl. A simple, indulgent frozen dessert.
A creamy cheese filling made with ricotta, cream cheese, and golden raisins, flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon. Perfect for pastries, cakes, or coffee…
A guide to adding fruits, nuts, or marshmallows to a prepared gelatin dessert. Chill the gelatin until syrupy, fold in up to 1 1/2 cups of additions, then…
Creamy chocolate pudding pops made with Dutch-process cocoa, milk, cream, and melted chocolate. A rich frozen treat for warm days.
Homemade marshmallows are extra fluffy with an almost creamy texture. They can be made in a host of different flavors and are perfect for floating in…
About 1 ¼ pounds; 80 pieces When buying glycerin, make sure the bottle does not say “for external use only”; you want edible glycerin, which can be found…
One 9- or 10-inch crust To make this crust in a food processor, combine all the ingredients and pulse until the nuts are finely chopped.
About sixty 1-inch balls Many of our readers don’t think it’s Christmas without this cherished classic. These get even better as they age.
About 1 pound; about 24 cups One of our favorite chocolate candies. Stir the peanut butter before using if the oil has separated. Have ready two 11- or…
A frozen Italian dessert made with toasted hazelnuts, creamy custard, and whipped cream. It is chilled until firm and served in individual goblets.
Sixty-four 1-inch squares Packed with the bright flavor of fruit, these jewel-colored candies are a welcome change from chocolate. Almost any fresh or…
About 45 pieces Named after its resemblance to the nuts of the buckeye, Ohio’s state tree. Tempering the dipping chocolate will make for a prettier…
Fresh apples on skewers dipped in a smooth, buttery caramel coating. A classic fall treat that sets quickly and can be garnished as desired.
About 1 pound; about 40 pieces These are like the little old-fashioned mint cushions that melt in your mouth.
A rich vanilla ice cream infused with dark rum and studded with rum-soaked raisins. A classic grown-up frozen dessert.
About 1 ¼ pounds The easiest chocolate candy to make is also infinitely variable. Pair the type of chocolate with compatible fruits and nuts. For…
Butterscotch caramels made with brown sugar, dark corn syrup, and butter. A rich, chewy candy with deep butterscotch flavor.
A sweet nut filling made with ground toasted nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, bound with egg and thinned with milk or cream. Enough to fill one 9-inch…
A rich chocolate mousse made with cooked eggs and a touch of liqueur or coffee. Light, fluffy, and perfect for a make-ahead dessert.
A savory cheese ball made with sharp Cheddar, cream cheese, and crisp bacon, rolled in toasted walnuts or pecans. A classic party appetizer.
About 2 cups Stir in chopped roasted peanuts to taste, or sprinkle them over the finished cake, if desired. This is excellent with chocolate cake.
6 servings This simple pudding is made by curdling cream with citrus juice. The absence of eggs or starches makes for a surprisingly light, bright-tasting…
Fresh strawberries dipped in tempered semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, then chilled until set. A simple, elegant dessert or snack.
6 servings When stiffened with a small amount of gelatin, chocolate mousse can be set in a mold and unmolded or used as a filling for a chocolate…
Homemade peppermint patties made with creamy fondant flavored with peppermint and coated in chocolate. They are refreshing candies that taste especially…
A versatile ice cream pie that can be made with various crusts, ice creams, and toppings. Choose from meringue, crumb, or nut crusts and fill with your…
About 1 pound Before beginning, you may want to polish your molds with a cotton cloth; this will lower the incidence of air bubbles and produce glossy…
A frozen berry mousse made from Bavarian Berry Cream with extra sugar, set in a mold or parfait glasses. Topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.
A creamy frozen granita made with espresso, sugar, and whole milk. A refreshing Italian-style coffee dessert or afternoon treat.
About 1 quart There is perhaps no better way to showcase the flavor of a really good olive oil than this savory-sweet ice cream. We recommend using a…
Edible flowers, petals, or mint leaves are brushed with a thin egg-white paste, coated in sugar, and dried until crisp. The crystallized blossoms make an…
Coconut-and-almond-filled milk chocolate squares inspired by a popular candy. They require no dipping and are cut into neat 1-inch pieces.
A rich, frozen Italian dessert made with a light egg foam, melted dark chocolate, and whipped cream. Served in slices or scoops, it's a make-ahead treat…
6 servings Named for the British boarding school Eton College where it originated, this is an unruly, summery dessert of crushed meringues and berries…
A no-bake dessert with layers of graham crackers, vanilla pudding, and chocolate frosting. Easy to make and perfect for a crowd.
4 to 6 servings This is one of the stranger recipes in the book but also one of the most delicious. For brûléed citrus fruit, see Broiled Grapefruit.
Twelve 2 × 2 ¾-inch bars These “energy” bars are easy to make. Vary the flavor to your taste by substituting ½ cup dried cherries or raisins for an equal…
A chilled berry cream dessert made with fresh strawberries or raspberries, sugar, gelatin, and whipped cream. Served with a fresh berry coulis.
8 to 10 servings For even more banana flavor, puree 2 very ripe bananas with the milk before making the pudding, and use ¼ cup cornstarch. For individual…
A creamy cheese ball made with cream cheese, Parmesan, and vegetables, coated in toasted nuts. Perfect for parties and snacking.
A simple, nostalgic dessert made by mixing fresh snow with cream, sugar, and vanilla. Serve immediately for a frosty treat.
One 9-inch crust This crust pairs nicely with citrusy fillings, like the one for Lemon Meringue Pie, or use Lemon Curd and whipped cream.
A chewy nougat candy filled with toasted almonds, pistachios, and dried cherries or candied orange peel. This simplified version avoids complex sugar…
6 servings The director of a boys’ camp in Maine once told us about the crestfallen faces in the dining room when it turned out that the “moose” promised…
8 to 10 servings Authentic Italian spumone is essentially an unmolded bombe, below, usually with a center of soft semifreddo or pastry cream, often…
1 ½ to 2 pounds Cream cheese is a white, soft, unripened cheese made from rich cow’s milk. This homemade version has the tang of store-bought cream cheese…
A sweet and nutty filling mixture with chocolate, dried fruit, and warm spices, suitable for filling a 9-inch ring.
15 servings An icebox “cake” is a no-bake dessert made from thin wafer cookies, such as graham crackers, whipped cream, and fruit. It’s about as easy as…
One 9-inch single-crust pie This is a pie for the hottest of summer days, when firing up the oven is the last thing you want to do.
A refreshing gelatin dessert flavored with lemon or lime juice and zest, served with whipped cream or crème anglaise.
A classic banana split dessert featuring three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) topped with various sauces, whipped cream, nuts, and…
About 1 ½ pounds; 64 pieces If using tahini, stir it well to incorporate any oil that has separated out. For another fudge-like tahini candy, see Sesame…
About 3 cups Ice milk is less creamy than ice cream, but it is also more refreshing.
About 3 cups A classic Italian dessert, served with unsweetened whipped cream. Very strong brewed coffee may be used in place of the espresso.
A quick, uncooked fondant that is easy to make and shape. It has a clay-like texture and can be flavored or colored. Optionally dip in chocolate for a…
About 3 cups This refreshing sorbet makes a fine ending to a rich meal, or scoop the sorbet into glasses and pour more sparkling wine over it for an adult…
6 servings Italian panna cotta is a rich but light, smooth gelatin cream. For a panna cotta with little flecks of vanilla bean dispersed throughout…
A simple fruit gelatin dessert made with fruit juice and fresh fruit, set in a mold or individual cups. Serve with cream if desired.
12 servings These old-fashioned Italian desserts get their almond flavor from amaretti cookies, which are traditionally made from apricot kernels.
About 3 ½ cups This frosting has an appealing mousse-like texture. Try it between layers of any angel food cake, a moist sponge cake, or Devil’s Food Cake…
About 1 quart This is an exceedingly delicious, lightly tangy take on vanilla ice cream.
4 to 6 servings We are partial to old-fashioned recipes that combine fruit with whipped cream or rich custard. If using cream, serve within 2 hours…
Fruit ice pops made with pureed fruit, orange juice, and sugar, frozen until solid. A refreshing summer treat.
6 servings This simple, not-too-sweet mousse is adapted from Joy’s 1963 edition. If using pasteurized eggs, they will require more whipping to form stiff…
A classic hot fudge sundae with ice cream, hot fudge sauce, marshmallow sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry.
2 to 2 ½ cups This recipe gives you the option of sweetening the whipped cream or not. Unsweetened whipped cream is excellent on very sweet desserts where…
About 1 pound This crisp, light candy is an architectural masterpiece of crunchy candy honeycombed with air bubbles. We have also made this candy with…
About 2 cups With a little more complexity than plain whipped cream, this lightly tangy version is excellent served with everything from fresh fruit…
About 1 pound The high proportion of nuts to sugar makes this paste a good choice for flavoring cake batters (see Marzipan Cake) and for the centers of…
A refreshing citrus granita made with lemon, lime, or pink grapefruit juice and zest. Simple to prepare and perfect for a light dessert.
2 to 2 ½ pounds This is one of the simplest cheeses to make at home, and the result is a soft, spreadable, lightly tangy cheese that can be enjoyed as is…
About 1 quart Fresh lemon juice and strips of lemon zest are essential for this recipe. If you have access to Meyer lemons, this sorbet will highlight…
10 to 12 servings Tiramisù is Italian for “pick me up”—and how could ladyfingers soaked in espresso and brandy and slathered with Marsala-laced mascarpone…
About 1 ½ pounds; about 80 pieces Truffles are one of the easiest chocolate candies to make. Named whimsically after the savory black truffle, these…
8 servings Think of this as a barely sweet, crustless, no-bake cheesecake; a perfect, creamy pedestal for ripe, seasonal fruit. If you have the…
A rich, glossy chocolate frosting made with melted chocolate and sour cream. Perfect for filling and frosting chocolate butter cakes.
6 servings Gelatin desserts are not just for children.
Fresh strawberries macerated in Grand Marnier and sugar, served with a light vanilla ice cream and whipped cream topping.
Frozen banana halves are dipped in chocolate and optionally coated with peanuts, sprinkles, or toffee bits for a simple, fun dessert.
Affogato is a simple dessert, but one that hits all the right notes: It is creamy and sweet, but with a good dose of bitterness from the espresso. It is…
Twenty-four 2 ¼ × 1 ½-inch bars Nanaimo is a small town in British Columbia best known for these rich bars (and an annual bathtub race). Preheat the oven…
A simple Vermont maple candy with a fudge-like texture, made from just maple syrup and a bit of butter or oil.
These chocolate clusters combine melted semisweet or bittersweet chocolate with dried fruit and toasted nuts. They are easy to make and perfect for a…
A refreshing orange sorbet made with fresh orange juice, lemon juice, and orange zest, sweetened with sugar and optionally spiked with Grand Marnier or…
About 1 ½ pounds; 64 pieces The batches of fudge our grandmothers made were lighter on the chocolate than this smooth and creamy recipe. Personally, we…
About 3 cups Chocolate sorbet is a bit of a head trip. The rich chocolate flavor will have your brain screaming “ice cream!” even though there’s not a…
A creamy and sweet frosting made with cream cheese, butter, and confectioners' sugar. Perfect for cakes and cupcakes.
6 servings Using whipped cream instead of eggs highlights the flavors of these lighter chocolates. Because white and milk chocolate are much more prone to…
About one hundred 1-inch pieces Halvah was originally a generic Arabic term for “sweetmeat.” There are many types of halvah, but the one we know the best…
A creamy fruit milkshake made with vanilla ice cream, milk, and your choice of ripe bananas, peaches, or strawberries. Blend until smooth for a refreshing…
About 1 ½ cups To infuse this mixture with mint, coffee, and other ingredients, follow the instructions in Flavored Ganache, using half the amounts listed.
About 5 cups Serve these with ice cream; use any leftover syrup in cocktails.
About 1 ½ pounds; 64 pieces This is the easiest fudge we know. It requires no thermometer or special cooling technique; just melt everything together…
One 10-inch single-crust pie This rich but mousse-like pie is a great favorite with children and the grown-ups who cook for them.
A rich, fluffy sauce made with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and brandy or rum. Perfect for topping desserts like bread pudding or gingerbread.
About 3 cups This is a light-colored but rich and creamy chocolate filling. This fills a 17 ½ × 11 ½-inch jelly-roll generously. If you whip it until it…
Crunchy saltine crackers coated in a spicy ranch oil mixture. A quick and easy snack for parties or anytime.
A vegan twist on traditional kulfi, this frozen loaf combines plant-based cream and condensed milk with mango purée and cardamom. Layered and swirled with…
A no-bake dessert inspired by Key lime pie, featuring a buttery biscuit base, whipped cream, and a sweet-tart pineapple topping with a hint of chili.
A rich and creamy chocolate mousse made with avocado and coconut whipping cream instead of heavy cream. Sweetened with agave and coconut sugar, this…
A decadent dessert featuring layers of chocolate chip cookies and three flavors of ice cream, topped with chocolate sauce. Perfect for impressing guests.
These Grasshopper Bars feature a chocolate wafer crust topped with a minty marshmallow filling and a rich bittersweet chocolate ganache. A family-friendly…
Bourbon balls are a no-bake dessert made with crushed vanilla wafers, pecans, cocoa, and bourbon, rolled in powdered sugar. They are a sweet treat with a…
A classic homemade fudge made with cocoa, sugar, and milk, cooked to the soft-ball stage and beaten until creamy.
A simple no-bake cheesecake with fresh mango and orange purée, complemented by freshly grated nutmeg. The creamy filling sits on a buttery digestive…
A fusion dessert featuring chocolate-coated pani puri filled with passion fruit, pistachios, chocolate ganache, and spiced whipped cream. Developed for…
These Goan-inspired truffles combine dark chocolate with coffee, cardamom, and a hint of chili, coated in crushed pistachios. Ready in 30 minutes, they…
A vegan panna cotta made with creamy coconut milk, sweetened with maple syrup, and topped with passionfruit and toasted coconut. It's light, fresh, and…
A creamy cheese ball studded with dried beef and green onions, perfect for parties. Serve with crackers for a classic appetizer.
A creamy, nutrient-packed chia seed pudding made with coconut milk and cacao. Perfect for a make-ahead dessert or breakfast, it's keto-friendly and can be…
An Italian-inspired affogato with cardamom coffee poured over vanilla ice cream, garnished with rose petals and pistachios.
These no-bake granola bars combine oats, quinoa, chia seeds, almonds, dried cherries, and dark chocolate with a creamy almond butter and honey binder…
A refreshing bowl of coconut yogurt topped with blueberries, almond butter, and homemade rosewater bliss balls. The bliss balls are packed with nuts…
A light and creamy British dessert with vanilla, honey, and lemon, topped with crunchy pistachios. This modernized syllabub uses yogurt for a refreshing…
A frozen mocha ice cream pie with a crunchy biscotti crust, topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and toasted almonds. Perfect for coffee lovers.
A no-bake tart with a vanilla wafer crust, white chocolate mousse filling, and fresh blueberries. The blueberry preserves add extra berry flavor.
Crispy filo pastry layers with creamy vanilla yogurt and macerated strawberries, topped with walnuts and cinnamon. A quick and exotic dessert inspired by…
A simple, creamy dessert combining mango purée with whipped cream, yogurt, and mint. Sweet, refreshing, and perfect for summer.
A tropical parfait with coconut custard, fresh mango, and crumbled cookies, topped with whipped cream. Perfect for a casual backyard barbecue.
A creamy, tart key lime pie with a graham cracker crust, perfect for summer. This easy no-bake dessert is a favorite from Siesta Key, Florida.
A sophisticated rocky road with dark chocolate, spices, dried fruits, and marshmallows. It has a mulled spice edge from cardamom and cinnamon, making it…
A simple chocolate icing made with melted chocolate chips and sour cream. Perfect for cakes or cupcakes.
No-bake peanut butter balls coated in bittersweet chocolate, also known as buckeyes. An easy and delicious treat perfect for cookie swaps.
These decadent fudgy cookies stay chewy even when frozen, making them ideal for ice cream sandwiches. Simply sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream…
Creamy cheesecake bars with a chocolate wafer crust and a cranberry-raspberry swirl. No water bath needed for this easy dessert.
Millionaire shortbread is a classic Scottish cookie featuring a buttery shortbread base, gooey caramel center, and rich chocolate topping. A sprinkle of…
A stiff icing made with meringue powder, perfect for decorating cookies. Tint with gel food coloring as desired.
A velvety, rich no-bake dessert made with avocado, cocoa powder, and almond milk. It's dairy-free and perfect for anyone avoiding dairy.
Fresh citrus supremes over vanilla ice cream, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. A simple yet elegant winter dessert.
An ultra-simple sundae featuring a glazed doughnut topped with ice cream, maple hot fudge sauce, and your favorite toppings.
A stunning no-bake mille crêpe cake with layers of thin crepes and a creamy bananas Foster pudding, topped with caramelized bananas.
A creamy, coconutty chia seed pudding sweetened with honey and topped with toasted coconut and raspberries. Perfect as a dessert or breakfast.
A sweet and salty layered dessert with a pretzel crust, creamy filling, and raspberry Jello topping. Perfect for potlucks and holidays.
A layered dessert salad with orange gelatin, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and lemon pudding. It's a sweet and fruity treat perfect for potlucks.
This edible play dough is made from peanut butter, corn syrup, powdered sugar, and dry milk. It's a fun, no-bake snack that kids can help make and play…
These no-bake cookies are a quick and easy treat made with peanut butter, cocoa, and oats. They require no oven and set up firm after cooling.
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