Some nights dessert needs to happen with what is already in the pantry, no grocery run, no mixer, no fuss. These five-ingredient desserts (not counting salt, water, or cooking spray) are the ones I actually make on those nights.
Five easy desserts with 5 ingredients or less
1. Chocolate covered strawberries
Melt chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each one, so it does not seize up and turn grainy.
2. Peanut butter cookies (flourless)
Peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. That is genuinely the whole recipe, and the texture holds together because natural peanut butter provides the structure flour usually would.
3. Microwave mug cake
Do not overmix once the wet and dry ingredients combine, or the texture turns dense and rubbery instead of soft.
4. No-bake chocolate oat bars
Let these set in the fridge for at least an hour before cutting, or they fall apart instead of holding a clean edge.
5. Baked cinnamon apples
Slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate. A splash of water in the bottom of the dish keeps them from drying out in the oven.
Frequently asked questions
Can I substitute natural peanut butter for regular in the flourless cookies?
Yes, though natural peanut butter with visible oil separation needs a good stir first, or the oil pools at the bottom of the dough.
How long do these desserts keep?
Cookies and bars keep about 5 days in a sealed container at room temperature. Chocolate covered strawberries are best within a day since the fruit releases moisture over time.