With big/little week just around the corner, the panic among sophomores and juniors over what treats to get for a new little is quickly settling in. If you're in that boat this year, maybe you've thought about baking cookies or brownies, but you don't have access to an oven or a pan to bake them in. Or maybe you just don't want to buy a whole bag of flour and sugar for one batch—and the packaged varieties feel like too much of a cop out.
No need to stress. There are tons of few-ingredient, no-bake treats that you can easily make in your dorm, with no utilities necessary (except for maybe a fridge and a microwave). And with seven delicious desserts for seven days (that is, if your big/little week lasts the full week!), you'll be whipping up gourmet-looking treats all week long. And who's to say you can't make a double batch to save some for yourself?
1. Rolo, M&M and Pretzel Bites
I cannot stress enough how easy these are to make. Sometimes, they're made with Hershey's kisses instead of Rolos, but when you taste the caramel that oozes out with each bite in the Rolo version, it'll be clear which candy is superior.
Ingredients: square pretzels, Rolos and M&Ms
Total time: 15 minutes
Directions: Place the pretzels 1-2 inches apart on a cookie sheet, add a Rolo on top of each pretzel, and bake at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Once the Rolos are soft, push an M&M on top of each one and let cool.
Dorm-friendly substitution: If you don't have access to an oven, you can also just microwave the Rolos on top of the pretzels for 20-30 seconds.
2. Oreo Cheesecake Truffles
These three-ingredient truffles are truly a dream come true. They are easy on a budget, super fun to make, and are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of dessert eaters.
Ingredients: Oreos, cream cheese and chocolate chips
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Directions: Crush the Oreos in a plastic bag, mix the crumbs with the cream cheese until smooth, and mold this mix into 1-inch balls. Then, melt the chocolate chips in a small pot on the stove and roll each truffle in the smooth chocolate dip. Refrigerate for 45 minutes, and you're good to go.
Dorm-friendly substitution: If you don't have a stove, you can also just melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 second-intervals, stirring in between until soft.
3. Cranberry Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark
This dark chocolate bark looks so fancy, while still being incredibly simple to make. And hey, your little should probably fit in a few fruits this week somehow, right?
Ingredients: chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit and dark chocolate
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Directions: Microwave the chocolate at 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Pour this mix onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, sprinkle on the toppings and refrigerate for 50 minutes. Break into chunks however big you'd like.
4. Chocolate-Covered Candy Pretzels
These pretzel rods look absolutely delicious as they are, but they'll also make a cute aesthetic for a gift if you stand them all up in a glass jar or container.
Ingredients: pretzel rods, white chocolate almond bark, milk chocolate almond bark and candy of your choice
Total time: 15 minutes
Directions: Chop the candy into small cubes. Melt the almond bark in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between until soft. Dip the pretzel rods in the melted chocolate, and throw the candy on before the chocolate hardens.
Dorm-friendly substitution: In case you don't have any spare almond bark lying around, plain chocolate chips also work just fine here.
5. Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Bars
This three-ingredient Rice Krispie recipe strays from traditional Rice Krispie bars by using both marshmallows and Pumpkin Spice Cookie Butter from Trader Joe's to glue all the pieces together. Satisfy both your little's sweet tooth and win some serious points for creativity with this Rice Krispie version of a PSL.
Ingredients: Rice Krispies cereal, Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Cookie Butter and marshmallows
Total time: 15 minutes
Directions: Microwave the marshmallows with the Pumpkin Spice Cookie Butter for 2-minute intervals until smooth. Mix the cereal into the marshmallow fluff and press firmly into the container. Wait 45-60 minutes for it to harden, then cut it up into squares.
6. Hot Chocolate Mason Jar Kit
No heat required! Hot chocolate mason jars make for incredibly easy, affordable gifts that are also cute and cozy. Pair the ingredients with a winter-themed jar and some holiday twine to seal the deal.
Ingredients: hot chocolate mix, candy canes, chocolate chips and marshmallows
Total time: 5 minutes
Directions: The original recipe lists multiple different mason jars you can make, all with different hot chocolate ingredients. The basic gist for all of them is to layer the ingredients in the jar, however you please.
Dorm-friendly substitution: If any of the options in the original recipe linked above call for more ingredients than you feel necessary (for example, when would you ever use non-fat milk powder again?), then feel free to use just the ingredients I've listed here for a perfectly kick-ass hot chocolate.
7. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Popcorn
This funky popcorn recipe spices up some boring popcorn kernels with loads of sweetness. Throw the finished product in a cute jar, and you'll have a glassy, gourmet gift in no time.
Ingredients: popcorn, butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter and salt
Total time: 1-2 hours
Directions: Pop the kernels over a stove top, and toss the popcorn with melted butter and salt. Microwave the semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter for 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Microwave the white chocolate chips separately. Drizzle both mixtures onto the popcorn and let harden.
Dorm-friendly substitution: Instead of stove-popping the popcorn, you can also just use Skinny Pop or any store-bought, microwaveable popcorn variety.
You'll have enough to do during big/little week that long, time-consuming recipes are basically out of the question. These quick, easy treats will more than satisfy any little's sweet tooth, while still winning you big points for making them yourself.