We all have those days. You know THOSE days, when you desperately need a sweet treat to comfort you but even five-ingredient recipes feel like too much effort. When life just smacks your right in the face, you need a homemade dessert that’s just as easy as it is comforting. And now you can quickly find one using our extensive list of simple, 3-ingredient dessert recipes.

Classic Fudge

Easy desserts

Photo by Heather Feibleman

Let’s start off nice and simple. Just grab some chocolate, a can of condensed milk, and the mix-in of your choice, and you’ve got the simplest fudge you could ever imagine. 

Oreo Fudge

Easy desserts

Photo by Elizabeth Philip

The best part of fudge? It can be easily adapted. You can use white instead of semi-sweet chocolate and add in some Oreos to create the cookies and cream flavor of your dreams. 

Peanut Butter Fudge

Easy desserts

Photo by Sarah Lossing

If you don’t feel like splurging on sweetened condensed milk, you can also make an easy, customizable fudge out of peanut butter and vanilla frosting. If you’re allergic to peanuts, no worries. Nutella works just as well (if not better). 

Nutella Brownies

Easy desserts

Photo by Steven Shaltiel

Speaking of Nutella, why not turn it in to a brownie? This dangerously simple dessert only requires flour, eggs, and (obviously) Nutella. 

Nutella Souffle

Easy desserts

Photo by Alex Furuya

No flour on hand? No worries. To make this soufflé, you only need eggs and Nutella. Seriously, you can make a soufflé with only two ingredients. That’s magic right there. 

Braided Nutella Bread

Easy desserts

Photo by Eileen Wang

Even counting the powdered sugar garnish, this super simple braided bread only requires three measly ingredients: pre-made crescent roll dough and Nutella. And, sure, you could use whatever sweet spread you like, but I highly recommend Nutella. 

Nutella-Stuffed Waffles

Easy desserts

Photo by May Sullivan

If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of Nutella, but I swear I’m done after this. I just couldn’t resist mentioning a waffle made out of biscuit dough. Absolute genius. And if you’re really sick of me talking about Nutella, then stuff your waffle with something else

Two-Ingredient Crepes

Easy desserts

Photo by Jennifer Cao

If breakfast for dessert is your jam, then try this recipe for crepes sake. But lay the cheesy puns aside, and pick up some cream cheese (and eggs) instead. That’s all you need to these basic crepes. Top them with whatever you enjoy, like fruit. Or Nutella. 

Banana Pancakes

Easy desserts

Photo by Caty Schnak

First crepes, now pancakes. Who knew you could make multiple classic breakfast foods with so few ingredients? (I did. Because I’ve made and love both recipes).

Just mix a mashed banana with a couple of eggs, and cook it like you would a pancake. If you’re really intent on adding in a third ingredient, mix in some baking powder for extra fluffiness, vanilla for extra flavor, or chocolate chips for extra comfort. 

Chocolate Mug Cake

Easy desserts

Photo by Stephanie Schoenster

If you don’t have time to be messing around with the stove, take the same banana/egg mixture, add some cocoa powder, and cook it in a mug in the microwave instead. Voila, your pancake just turned in to a mug cake.

Banana Ice Cream

Easy desserts

Photo by Katherine Carroll

If you like your banana desserts chilled instead, puree a frozen banana in a food processor to make the simplest (and healthiest) homemade ice cream ever. You can also mix in almond milk to make the ice cream smoother or add chocolate chips because no dessert should be that simple. 

Greek Yogurt Banana Poppers

Easy desserts

Photo by Abigail Wilkins

Even without a food processor, you can enjoy frozen bananas for dessert. Step up their sweetness by dipping your banana slices in greek yogurt before freezing them. That leaves you an extra ingredient, so you can top your poppers with chocolate, coconut, or nuts. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pops

Easy desserts

Photo by Hannah Lin

If this string of overly healthy desserts is starting to get on your nerves, then here’s something slightly more decadent for you. This recipe steps up the classic chocolate dipped banana by mixing in peanut butter for an extra level of decadent deliciousness. 

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Easy desserts

PHoto by Sristi Pradhan

You can’t talk about chocolate covered fruit without mentioning strawberries. This is by far the easiest (and most common) dessert to make your valentine’s date. If you want to get a little bit more creative, try making chocolate-dipped apricots instead. 

Pineapple S’mores

Easy desserts

Photo by Sarah Silbiger

You don’t have to top your fruit with chocolate. In fact, why not use use your fruit to replace the chocolate? By swapping the Hershey’s bar with pineapple, this s’mores recipe allows even the chocolate haters amongst us to enjoy everyone’s favorite campfire dessert.  

S’mores Panini

Easy desserts

Photo by Tarika Narain

You can also mix up your s’mores game by replacing the graham crackers with bread. It can be made inside and is five times larger than your average S’more. What more could you possibly want?

Peanut Butter and Jelly Panini

Easy desserts

Photo by Tarika Narain

Most people don’t think of a PB&J as dessert, but by using cinnamon swirl bread, this recipe pushes everyone’s favorite lunch into the realm of sweet treats. 

Single Serve Microwaveable Rice Krispie Treat

Easy desserts

Photo by Rebecca Black

That PB&J has me feeling all nostalgic, so let’s talk about everyone’s favorite childhood dessert: Rice Krispie Treats. You don’t need a stove. Or someone to share with. Or even rice krispie cereal. You just need one minute and a love of all things sugary.  

Dulce de Leche Rice Krispies

Easy desserts

Photo by Alex Furuya

If you have extra time or need more rice krispies, then try this spin on the original. It may sound fancier than your classic rice krispie, but it actually requires fewer ingredients and less effort. Just mix some cereal with some melted dulce de leche and wait for that baby to set. 

French Hot Chocolate

Easy desserts

Photo by Natsuka Mazany

Not all French desserts require years of pastry experience. If you know how to heat milk, stir chocolate, and scoop brown sugar, then you have every skill that you need to make this classic French hot chocolate.

Chocolate Mousse

Easy desserts

Photo by Jeanne Kessira

Maybe you like your chocolate more solid. That’s chill. Make a cold, creamy chocolate mousse. You seriously only need chocolate for this recipe (and water, but that doesn’t really count). If you can’t handle that level of simplicity, you can also add salt or cinnamon for extra flavor. 

Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Easy desserts

Photo by Dylan Barth

Maybe you like your chocolate completely solid. Don’t just eat a handful of chocolate chips. With only two kinds of chocolate, a few candy canes, and the will to do some melting, you could make a pretty peppermint bark. 

Cranberry Pistachio Bark

Barks are seriously the best three ingredient desserts, because you seriously only need chocolate and whatever mix-ins you desire. Although this recipe calls for dark chocolate, you could also use white chocolate. The saltiness from the pistachios will help offset the sweetness. 

Chocolate Bacon Bark

Easy desserts

Photo by Analiese Trimber

If nuts just aren’t quite enough for you, then add in some bacon as well. The salt from the almonds combines with the umami flavor from the bacon and then encased in rich chocolate to create a flavor bomb that will blow your mind. 

Rolo and Ritz Sandwiches

Easy desserts

Photo by Holly Birchfield

Vegetarians don’t have to miss out on simple sweet and salty desserts. Toast some Ritz crackers and then sandwich a Rolo between two of them. The heat from the crackers will melt the Rolos, making a super cute sandwich. There’s no better dessert than the one you can eat with your fingers. 

Chocolate-Covered Candy Pretzels

Easy desserts

Photo by Isabelle Langheim

While we’re on the topic of simple sweet and salty desserts that you can eat with your hands, we might as well discuss chocolate-covered pretzels. Better yet, we could actually go make them. And then roll them in candy. 

DIY Butterfingers

Easy desserts

Photo by Jennifer Prechtl

Instead of dipping pretzels in candy, you could just try making your own. Candy making doesn’t have to be a complicated process. This recipe owes its simplicity to one odd ingredient: candy corn. You might love it. You might hate it. But I can guarantee you will enjoy these homemade butterfingers. 

Homemade Mallomars

Easy desserts

Photo by Addison Skaggs

With all these simple DIY recipes, you’ll never have to go to the store again. These simple bite sized s’mores will leave you wondering why you ever bothered with the mess of toasting marshmallows over the campfire.

Homemade Thin Mints

Easy desserts

Photo by Meghan Morris

Yes, you can even make Thin Mints at home. Use Ritz crackers to achieve the crunch and mint chocolate to get the flavor. You’ll never have to buy from another girl scout again (unless, of course, you’re actually a good person).

Thin Mint Cookie Truffles

Easy desserts

Photo by Morgan Weinstein

If you already bought your Thin Mints, they don’t have to go to waste. With some cream cheese and chocolate, you can easily turn them in to truffles. They may sound sophisticated, but truffles actually require very few ingredients to make.

Gingerbread Cookie Truffles

Easy desserts

Photo by Elizabeth Philip

You don’t need Thin Mints to make cookie truffles. Replace the thin mints with gingersnaps for a whole different flavor profile. 

Oreo Cheesecake Truffles

Easy desserts

Photo by Christine Pritula

This variation of cookie truffles calls for Oreos. The true genius of this recipe comes from its name. Throwing cheesecake in the title makes it sound far more difficult and time consuming than it actually is. 

Chocolate Truffles

Easy desserts

Photo by Mimi Takano

Even truffle recipes that aren’t made from cookies can be quite simple. This recipe only calls for chocolate, heavy cream, butter, and optional coatings, such as nuts or cocoa powder.

Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles

Easy desserts

Photo by Emily Hu

Truffles don’t have to be that decadent. This recipe calls for avocados, which makes the truffles extra creamy and provides you with lots of essential vitamins.

Vegan Energy Balls

Easy desserts

Photo by Becky Hughes

More proof that ball-shaped desserts can actually be good for you. The dates and chocolate give these bitesized goodies their sweet flavor, while the almonds make them crunchy and a good source of protein. 

Chocolate Quinoa Squares

Easy desserts

Photo by Lily Lou

This good-for-you dessert also relies on dates for a natural and healthy source of sugar, but it uses quinoa instead of almonds to give you that protein-punch.

“Honey Bear” Dip

Easy desserts

Photo by Kathryn Stouffer

You can also sneak protein in to your dessert using greek yogurt. Flavor it with some honey and peanut butter to make it sweet enough to call a dessert. 

Cookies N’ Creme Spread

Easy desserts

Photo by Jayna Goldstein

To make a more indulgent dessert dip, use cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Oreos instead. Technically, you’re supposed to smear this spread on to bagels, but that would be a fourth ingredient. So we’re just going to pretend that it’s a dip. 

Dunakroo Dip

Easy desserts

Photo by Aarthi Chezian

If you haven’t heard of Dunkaroos, you had no childhood. This snack pack of cinnamon cookies and vanilla frosting dip made its way in to quite a few lunch boxes throughout the 90’s, and now you can enjoy it at home. Just mix some Funfetti cake mix, greek yogurt, and cool whip to bring back all of your favorite childhood memories. 

Boozy Brunch Muffins

Easy desserts

Photo by Catherine Ku

For days when you’re in a more adult mood, ditch the Dunakroos and pick up the booze. The carbonation from the beer turns pancakes into muffins without the need for oil or eggs. It’s perfect recipe for those Sunday mornings when you’re feel too lazy and hungover to make a real brunch. 

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Easy desserts

Photo by Katherine Carroll

Even if you don’t have beer on hand, you can still make super simple muffins using cake mix. By adding pumpkin and applesauce, you can easily turn your cake mix into extra flavorful and super moist muffins. 

Pumpkin Cookies

Easy desserts

Photo by Catherine Ku

No muffin tin available? Just ditch the applesauce in the above recipe and turn it in to a cookie instead. Just as good. Just as easy. 

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Cookies

Easy desserts

Photo by Jamie Cantor

For those of you who don’t dig pumpkin or can’t handle the gluten, we have the cookie recipe that you need. For this recipe, you only need peanut butter, eggs, and brown sugar. 

Gluten-free and Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

Easy desserts

Photo by Kelly Logan

If you’re allergic to gluten AND you’re vegan, you may think you’re straight out of luck. But even you can enjoy simple, three-ingredient desserts. Mix some bananas, oats, and peanut butter, and after 10 minutes in the oven, you’ve got yourself one hell of a cookie. 

Coconut Macaroons

Easy desserts

Photo by Gabby Phi

I included these to make sure to cover all dietary restrictions. Let’s say you can’t eat gluten or peanut butter. Meet the coconut macaroon, the naturally gluten-free cookie that only requires coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate. Even people without any allergies love these things. 

Cake Mix Cookies

Easy desserts

Photo by Maggie Lees

When you’re short on time and supplies, you can also make cookies by using cake mix. You can easily customize this recipe by using the cake mix flavor of your choice and adding in your favorite goodies (like chocolate chips or nuts).

No-Bake Cake

Sometimes, even baking cake mix cookies is too much effort. For those days, this recipe makes cake mix even easier. You just need some soda and a microwave. Sounds weird. Tastes great. 

Cake Batter Milkshake

Easy desserts

Photo by Andrea Kang

Let’s say you don’t even have access to a microwave. You can still turn cake mix into a perfectly delicious frozen dessert by mixing it in to a milkshake. 

Icebox Cake

Easy desserts

Photo by Kaitlyn Thayer

Icebox cakes serve as yet another way to get your cake and ice cream fix all in one. Well, technically it’s just layers of chocolate (or vanilla) cookies and whipped cream, but it is frozen and called cake. 

Matcha Frozen Yogurt Pops

Easy desserts

Photo by Sam Cicatello

Frozen treats don’t have to be bad for you. Almond milk, yogurt, and matcha powder make a perfectly creamy and sweet popsicle that can cool you down and boost your immune system all at once.