Home Recipes Meal Types Desserts
ByLisa Kaminski
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Apr. 10, 2024
On warm days—or days when you just don't feel like much fuss—no-bake desserts fit the bill.
When it’s too hot to turn on the oven, but you said you’re bringing dessert to the barbecue, it’s time to whip up some no-bake desserts.
These cool and fuss-free treats—including icebox cakes, no-bake fruit desserts and ice cream pies—are just the thing you want to dig into on a warm day. You can explore some no-bake Thanksgiving desserts and make your preparations a bit less complicated. So make room in the fridge and whip up a few of these desserts while the temps soar.
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Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake
Scratch-made cheesecakes can be time-consuming and challenging to create. But this no-bake version makes cheesecake so easy! Don’t forget to top this one with plenty of fresh fruit.
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2/49
Luscious Lime Angel Squares
A store-bought angel food cake becomes the crust for this creamy lime dessert. Be sure to let this treat chill out in the fridge for a few hours (or even overnight) before enjoying.
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3/49
Peanut Butter Mousse
Are you the type to enjoy a spoonful of peanut butter right out of the jar? Then this mousse is for you! It’s lush, velvety and packed with peanutty flavor. Want to take this easy no-bake dessert to the next level? Top with chocolate curls or chocolate chips.
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4/49
Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
This old-fashioned banana cream pie recipe is full of flavor. Because it uses instant pudding, this easy no-bake dessert is ready in just minutes.
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5/49
Icebox Cake
This icebox cake has been a classic for decades. Use classic chocolate wafer cookies or swap in your favorite crispy store-bought cookie. Our Test Kitchen loves these packaged chocolate chip cookies.
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6/49
Yummy Cracker Snacks
Need a reason to pop open a box of Ritz crackers? This easy no-bake recipe is it! Add marshmallow creme between the crackers and then coat in chocolate. They’re super simple but so delicious!
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7/49
Pineapple Crunch
Cornflakes form the base of this cruchy-meets-creamy pineapple dessert. Remember to use all the pineapple juice from the can in this recipe for a fuller fruity flavor.
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8/49
Raspberry Coconut Balls
These no-bake treats take inspiration from Hostess Zingers. Be sure to roll in plenty of shredded coconut!
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9/49
Chocolate Scotcheroos
These no-bake cereal bars are one of our favorite iconic Midwest desserts. They combine peanut butter, butterscotch and chocolate for a treat that’s perfectly sticky and sweet.
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10/49
Rich and Creamy Tiramisu
That’s right! Tiramisu falls into the no-bake desserts category when you start with a package of store-bought ladyfingers. This version gets extra pep thanks to coffee and espresso.
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11/49
Cherry Delight Dessert
Love a cherry-topped cheesecake but don’t have the time? Easy no-bake desserts like this one make it possible! Use homemade cherry pie filling or dress up a can of cherry pie filling.
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12/49
Peanut Butter Pudding Pie
A chocolate drizzle over this easy no-bake pie takes it over the top! You can also drizzle with honey or caramel for a different riff on this sweet treat.
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13/49
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
What’s better than ice cream sandwiches? Ice cream sandwiches turned into a no-bake cake! This treat gets amped up thanks to caramel, chocolate and, of course, a cherry on top.
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14/49
Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool
Make the most of summer’s sweetest cherry with this fool—a custard-y British dessert. Crumbled amaretti cookies add crunch—don’t forget to include them on this easy no-bake dessert.
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15/49
Banana Crumb Pudding
A classic banana pudding is always a good idea! It’s also one of our favorite easy no-bake desserts to bring to backyard barbecues, family reunions and patio parties.
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16/49
7-Layer Gelatin Salad
This layered Jell-O salad takes a little time to make, but it’s wonderfully simple! Be sure to layer the gelatin in a clear dish so you can appreciate the array of colors.
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17/49
Creamy Pina Colada Pie
Turn one of summer’s best co*cktails into a pie! This easy no-bake dessert starts with a bottle of pina colada mix and layers on more flavor with shredded coconut.
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18/49
Butterscotch No-Bake Cookies
What happens when you cross a cookie with a candy? You get these bite-sized butterscotch treats!
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19/49
Blueberry Lemon Trifle
Got leftover cake? Or a cake hanging out in the freezer? Cube it up and layer with refreshing lemon filling and blueberries to make this summery trifle.
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20/49
Possum Pie
We’ll admit it: When it comes to easy no-bake desserts, this one has a pretty wild name. But this Alabama treat is darn tasty thanks to pecans and cream cheese nestled into a shortbread-style crust.
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21/49
Lemon Icebox Cake
Grab a box of graham crackers! This easy icebox cake uses them as the cake component layered between lemon pudding and plenty of lemon zest.
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22/49
Cathedral Cookies
These retro cookies make frequent appearances on Christmas cookie platters, but they’re tasty enough to enjoy any time of year. Plus, since they don’t require any baking, they’re perfect for stirring up when you don’t feel like switching on the oven.
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23/49
Fancy Fuss-Free Torte
Thanks to frozen pound cake and a can of pie filling, this torte’s easy to make. If layers slide, keep them in place with toothpicks around the edges as you build. Just remove before serving.
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24/49
Coconut Pistachio Pie
You’ve seen graham cracker crusts before, but what about coconut? Toasted coconut is the base of this delightful pistachio pie—one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite easy no-bake desserts.
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25/49
Refrigerator Lime Cheesecake
Ladyfingers wrap around the zesty lime filling of this simple cheesecake. With fresh lime juice and zest, it’s one of our favorite easy no-bake desserts.
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26/49
No-Bake Apple Pie
A handful of apples and pudding mix form the decadent and creamy base of this pie. Need help choosing apples? These are the best apples for baking, according to our pros.
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27/49
Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks
Who knew that a can of chow mein noodles could transform into a sweet and crunchy candy? Toss them with chocolate and butterscotch chips to make these simple tumbleweed treats.
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28/49
Creamy Strawberry Icebox Cake
Use strawberries at the peak of ripeness in this icebox cake. Layer all ingredients into a loaf pan and freeze. When you’re ready to serve, just turn the treat out of the pan.
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29/49
Lime Cheesecake Pie
Key lime pie, meet cheesecake for two easy no-bake desserts in one. If you want this pie to look lime-forward, add a few drops of green food coloring to the batter before pouring into the crumb crust.
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30/49
Oreo Mousse Cake
Oreo mousse cake is so simple to put together, but it tastes as decadent as fancy restaurant desserts. Have fun garnishing it as you like using crushed or whole Oreos, additional whipped cream rosettes or chocolate shavings.
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31/49
No-Bake Pudding Cheesecake
Instant lemon pudding forms the base of this easy no-bake dessert. However, you can use any flavor you like in this versatile recipe! Try it with pistachio and raspberries, chocolate and fresh strawberries, or even vanilla and peaches.
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32/49
No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
These look like the peanut butter kiss cookies you make during the holidays, but they’re even easier to stir up. The base is a cereal treat made with cookie butter—yum!
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33/49
Coconut Milk Strawberry-Banana Pops
With coconut milk and fresh strawberries, these homemade popsicles taste an awful lot like Starbucks’ signature pink drink. Want to skip the line? Try our Test Kitchen’s copycat pink drink.
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34/49
No-Bake Lemon Pie
Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to the filling of this easy no-bake pie to amp up the lemony appearance.
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35/49
Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert
Pretzels form the base of this easy no-bake treat. With the strawberry ice cream filling, you get that perfect sweet-and-salty combo everyone loves.
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36/49
Coconut-Layered Pound Cake
If you love chocolate, almonds and coconut, this cake is for you. It comes together in a flash thanks to a store-bought pound cake. You may want to keep a spare in the freezer so you can layer up this easy no-bake recipe any time cravings hit.
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37/49
Five-Minute Blueberry Pie
All you need to bake this simple sweet is a store-bought graham cracker crust and five minutes of time. If you want to go above and beyond, serve a la mode.
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38/49
Tangerine Chocolate Semifreddo
Semifreddo is the fancier Italian version of pudding. This recipe adds a hint of tangerine, but feel free to sub in orange!
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39/49
Chocolate Rum Balls
Roll these truffle-like rum balls in crushed Oreos to get just the right amount of crunch. You can make these no-bake treats in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer.
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40/49
Key Lime Cream Pie
Key lime pie gets a mile-high makeover with this easy no-bake recipe! Shortbread cookies form the crust and toasted coconut adds a bit of crunch when sprinkled over the whipped cream topping.
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Fresh Raspberry Icebox Cake
Use thin ginger cookies in this icebox cake. The hint of spice pairs well with the creamy filling and tart raspberries.
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Peanut-Cashew Marshmallow Pie
This pie appeals to kids and adults alike! The chocolate crust and caramel topping make it feel extra decadent.
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Italian Pineapple Trifle
Pineapple and lemon pie filling come together to create this tart and tropical trifle. Use crisp ladyfingers for best results. And we don’t blame you if you serve this with a sip of homemade limoncello.
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Chocolate-Raspberry Rice Krispies Treats
Say see ya! to plain ol’ cereal treats. This version uses mini chocolate chips and freeze-dried raspberries to amp up the flavor.
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Peach Crisp Parfait Pops
The secret to the cobbler-like texture in these pops? Granola! It adds that crunch and toasty flavor that we all love about cobbler.
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Chocolate Eclair Squares
This recipe was originally found on Jell-O pudding packages and it’s definitely one of those back-of-the-box recipes that’s stood the test of time. When layered between whipped topping and pudding, the graham crackers take on an eclair-like texture no one will be able to resist.
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47/49
Coconut Joys
Love Almond Joy? Then these no-bake cookies are the just-right snack for you. Keep these bite-sized treats in the fridge for when you’re craving something sweet.
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Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form.
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Oreo Icebox Cake
Can you believe it only takes three ingredients to make this people-pleasing dessert? Snag a package of Oreos, some confectioners’ sugar and whipping cream. And if you really love cookies and cream, try these other no-bake Oreo desserts.
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Originally Published: September 16, 2018
Author
Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, yo...
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