Chill out.
With how hot it is outside, turning the oven on in order to make a sweet treat is 100% a no-go. But while we can name more than a few reasons why we might be avoiding our ovens these days, it shouldn't mean you have to skip dessert. Maybe your oven isn’t working quite right or is stacked with other, more important things (like oven-baked ribs or a whole roast chicken). Maybe you’re cooking with kids and don’t want them going in and out of a hot oven. Maybe it’s just too dang hot out, and you want to avoid turning on the oven at all costs. Whatever the reason we've got 70 clever no-bake desserts that mean you get to keep your cool AND satisfy your sweet tooth all at the same time!
Some dessert recipes are inherently no-bake, like truffles, ice cream, or fudge, and we’ve included a number of our favorites here. Others are easy shortcuts to more complicated desserts, and that’s where the meaning of no-bake really shines. Love cheesecake, but hate water baths? Yeah, us too. Make our raspberry cheesecake lasagna, our no-bake whipped ricotta cheesecake, our lemon-blueberry mini cheesecakes, or our cheesecake pops instead. More of a cake or pie fan? Try our drumstick pie, our chocolate fluffernutter pie, our lemon icebox cake, or our no-bake blackberry Oreo tart.
While these are no-bake, that doesn’t necessarily mean no-cook. We’ve included some recipes here that are cooked on the stove or involve minor heating up of ingredients (more power to you to melt your chocolate in the microwave). Some, like our buckeyes, our no-bake oatmeal cookies, or our chocolate-covered strawberries, are still crazy easy to make. Others, like our Greek yogurt panna cotta, our crêpe cake, or our copycat Klondike bars take a little bit more finesse (and sometimes a candy thermometer). Even so, we think they’re the kind of recipes you should have in your dessert arsenal and make a great addition to any dessert table, year-round.
1
Ice Cream In A Bag
Yup, you can make delicious homemade ice cream without any special gadget or crazy ingredients. All you need is a plastic baggie and 15 minutes (no seriously, that's it!). Scoop directly out of the bag (or place it in an airtight container in the freezer before serving if you like yours a little firmer), and enjoy your favorite customizable homemade ice cream recipe in less time than it takes to run out and grab a pint.
Get the Ice Cream In A Bag recipe.
2
Strawberries & Cream Semifreddo
Semifreddo—meaning “half frozen”—is a classic Italian summer dessert. Made up of eggs, sugar, and cream, this no-bake, frozen stunner is like the creamiest ice cream you’ve ever had, in a unique decorate-able, sliceable package that’s perfect for sharing. Think ice cream cake, without all that assembly, or icebox cake, but elevated.
Get the .
3
Milk 'N' Cookies Icebox Cake
All you need to make this show-stopper no-bake dessert are 4 ingredients—cookies, heavy cream, cream cheese and powdered sugar—and a couple hours. The beautiful thing about using Chips Ahoy, besides their nostalgic taste, is their magical absorption powers. While they're crunchy on their own, the second they hit milk ... BOOM! Chips Ahoy absorb liquid like a sponge while still maintaining their structure, which is ideal for an icebox cake.
Get the Milk 'N' Cookies Icebox Cake recipe.
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4
Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches
If you’ve ever felt there was never enough chocolate chip cookie dough in the namesake ice cream, then these ice cream sandwiches are for you. You’re guaranteed cookie dough in every single bite. And yes, the edible cookie dough is easy to make and safe to eat! It’s important to heat your flour to kill off any bacteria; it only takes a minute in the microwave, hardly adding any time (or heat in your kitchen).
Get the Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe.
5
Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake
When it’s hot outside, a no-bake dessert like this blueberry cheesecake icebox cake is an ace up your sleeve. Layers of blueberry jam, whipped cream cheese, and graham crackers are stacked together for a no-fuss cool and creamy masterpiece that looks like you spent hours crafting it—when all you did was shove it in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. No oven required.
Get the Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake recipe.
6
Drumstick Pie
Sugar cone fans—get ready to meet your new fave dessert. We use sugar cones not only for the topping in this no-bake dessert, but also in the homemade crust. Layered with vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache, and crumbled peanuts for a sweet-salty, topping, this "pie" truly has something for everyone.
Get the Drumstick Pie recipe.
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7
Dunkaroos No-Churn Ice Cream
This easy-to-make Dunkaroos-inspired no-churn ice cream will bring you back to the '90s! Using sweetened condensed milk along with whipped cream creates a smooth and light texture without the hassle of churning your own ice cream. This easy dessert recipe is not too sweet, deliciously creamy, and the perfect treat for your next throwback party. Or just to keep in the freezer for the kids at home…either way, everyone will enjoy this cool treat.
Get the Dunkaroos No-Churn Ice Cream recipe.
8
Green & Red Grape Sorbet
If you’re looking for something sweet and light during the hot summer, look no further. This easy sorbet is the perfect treat when grapes are at the peak of their season. We also love this recipe because it’s so simple to make. You only need a few ingredients and a food processor to make this super refreshing dessert.
Get the .
9
Banana Split
Topped with fruit syrups, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry, few desserts are as recognizable as an ice cream sundae, and this recipe will help you make the ultimate version. The truly classic banana split features strawberry and pineapple syrup as well as chocolate sauce, so we've got it all for you here.
Get the Banana Split recipe.
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10
Peach Melba
There is nothing better than seasonal fruit for dessert, especially when it’s paired with ice cream! This take on peach melba continues the tradition of pairing peaches with a fresh tart-and-sweet raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream. In just half an hour, you’ll have a tasty, memorable, kid-friendly dessert that will please everyone post-dinner.
Get the Peach Melba recipe.
11
Limoncello Tiramisu
Tiramisu lovers, prepare to take your favorite coffee-soaked dessert to a world of lemon. Limoncello, lemon curd, and lemonade take full rein of this dessert, turning it into a summertime dream.
Get the Limoncello Tiramisu recipe.
12
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream—is there anything better? Sure, you could buy it in a pint or trek to a scoop shop, but ice cream made in your own kitchen not only tastes better, it has a bit of magic to it. All this one requires is an electric mixer and a bowl, plus some time in the freezer to let the mixture set up.
Get the Cookies and Cream Ice Cream recipe.
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13
Crêpe Cake
If you love sky-high, showstopping desserts, prepare to meet your new obsession. Crêpe cake is a cool, lofty masterpiece composed of layers of crêpes and lightened vanilla pastry cream, all topped with a billowing cloud of whipped cream and a crown of fresh berries. It’s light, creamy, and absolutely irresistible.
Get the Crêpe Cake recipe.
14
No-Bake Blackberry Oreo Tart
Blackberries are that “side” berry we kind of forget about. But when Oreos come knocking, there is something special to be said about their lovely pairing. And the title of “no-bake” anything should be relieving, especially in the summertime.
Get the No-Bake Blackberry Oreo Tart recipe.
15
Raspberry Cheesecake Lasagna
Summer is all about big pans of fruity no-bake cheesecake, and this cheesecake lasagna is giving all that and more. Fresh raspberry filling sits atop layers of crunchy graham cracker crust and silky whipped cream cheese for a cool, creamy dessert that’s equally simple to make and impressive to serve.
Get the Raspberry Cheesecake Lasagna recipe.
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16
Puppy Chow
If you've never had Puppy Chow (otherwise known as Muddy Buddies), you're in for a treat. The names are somewhat bewildering, but don't let that stop you—this Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar snack mix is INCREDIBLE.
Get the Puppy Chow recipe.
17
Copycat Klondike Bars
Klondike Bars are a freezer case staple, but what if we told you that it’s easy to make a homemade version with a simple no-churn ice cream and a two-ingredient DIY chocolate topping? IT'S TRUE.
Get the Copycat Klondike Bars recipe.
18
Brigadeiros
Chocolate sprinkles are traditional for these Brazilian chewy truffles, but you can use anything from nonpareils to your favorite nuts.
Get the Brigadeiros recipe.
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19
Mason Jar Ice Cream
We’ve got lots of magic shortcuts for you, from no-churn options to ice cream made in a bag, and now this recipe, ice cream in a mason jar. It really is as easy as it sounds: Simply put heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt into a jar, then shake it!
Get the Mason Jar Ice Cream recipe.
20
Piña Colada Lasagna
This easy no-bake piña colada-inspired "lasagna" has a base of toasted coconut and crushed graham cracker, layered with a smooth and velvety coconut cream cheese, buttery shortbread cookies, and juicy pineapple Jell-O. Topped with a cloud of whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut, this dessert will take center stage.
Get the Piña Colada Lasagna recipe.
