19 Heavenly Desserts You Can Make With Just Five Ingredients

Who says you need a pantry full of ingredients to whip up something sweet and delicious?

Sometimes the best treats come from the simplest recipes, using just a handful of items you probably already have at home.

Whether you want to impress guests or satisfy a sudden craving, minimal-ingredient desserts save time without sacrificing flavor.

1. Chocolate Mousse

This classic French dessert uses dark chocolate, eggs, sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Whip them together to create a light, chocolatey treat in minutes.

Whipping the egg whites gives mousse its signature fluffy texture, while melted chocolate adds decadence. Chill it for a few hours, and you have an elegant treat that tastes like it came from a bakery.

2. Peanut Butter Cookies

Craving something nutty and sweet? Mix peanut butter, sugar, an egg, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then bake until golden.

Press a fork on top before baking to create that iconic crisscross pattern everyone loves. Soft on the inside with slightly crisp edges, each bite delivers pure peanut butter bliss that disappears faster than you can say cookie jar.

3. Lemon Bars

Bright, tangy, and wonderfully sweet, lemon bars bring sunshine to any table. You only need flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and fresh lemon juice to make the buttery crust and zesty filling.

Bake until the top sets with a slight jiggle, then dust generously with powdered sugar. Every square delivers a perfect balance of tart and sweet that refreshes your palate instantly.

4. Coconut Macaroons

If you love tropical flavors, grab shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, egg whites, vanilla, and a dash of salt. Mix everything together, scoop onto a baking sheet, and watch them turn golden.

Crispy on the outside and chewy inside, macaroons are naturally gluten-free and irresistibly satisfying. Dip the bottoms in melted chocolate if you want extra indulgence!

5. Nutella Brownies

Calling all chocolate-hazelnut lovers! Combine Nutella, eggs, flour, and a bit of cocoa powder for brownies that are fudgy beyond belief.

No butter or oil needed because Nutella brings all the richness. Bake until just set, and you get gooey, decadent squares that taste like pure heaven. Warning: one piece is never enough once you start munching on brownies this good.

6. Vanilla Panna Cotta

Italian elegance meets effortless simplicity in this creamy, jiggly dessert. Heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, gelatin, and a splash of milk come together to create smooth perfection.

Heat, stir, pour into molds, and refrigerate until set. Top with fresh fruit or caramel sauce, and suddenly you have a restaurant-quality dessert that impresses everyone without breaking a sweat.

7. Strawberry Shortcake

Summer in dessert form starts with biscuits, fresh strawberries, sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla. Bake simple biscuits, whip the cream, and macerate the berries with a little sugar to release their juices.

Layer everything together, and you get a classic treat bursting with fruity sweetness. Each bite combines buttery biscuit, fluffy cream, and juicy berries in pure harmony.

8. Cheesecake Bites

Want cheesecake without the fuss? Cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and graham cracker crumbs make adorable mini versions perfect for parties.

Press crumbs into muffin tins, fill with the creamy mixture, and bake until set. Bite-sized and endlessly customizable with fruit or chocolate toppings, each little cake delivers big flavor. Pop one in your mouth and savor creamy, tangy perfection instantly.

9. Banana Ice Cream

Believe it or not, frozen bananas transform into creamy ice cream with just a blender. Add a splash of milk, vanilla, honey, and a pinch of salt for extra flavor.

Blend until smooth and creamy, then enjoy immediately or freeze for a firmer texture. Naturally sweet and dairy-free, this guilt-free treat satisfies your ice cream cravings without any complicated steps.

10. Fudge Squares

Fudge combines chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Melt the mixture, pour into a pan, and chill until set.

Cutting into squares reveals glossy, smooth chocolate that melts on your tongue. Perfect for gifting or keeping all to yourself, fudge delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort every single time.

11. Chocolate Truffles

Truffles require only heavy cream, chocolate, butter, vanilla, and cocoa powder for rolling. Heat the cream, pour over chopped chocolate, stir until smooth, then chill.

Roll into balls and coat with cocoa powder for a sophisticated finish. Each truffle melts in your mouth, releasing intense chocolate flavor that rivals any fancy candy shop creation.

12. Apple Crisp

Warm, comforting, and bursting with cinnamon-spiced apples, this dessert needs sliced apples, oats, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon, top with an oat mixture, then bake until bubbly.

Serve warm with ice cream for the ultimate cozy treat. Crispy topping meets tender apples in every spoonful, making it impossible to resist seconds.

13. Oreo Truffles

Cookies meet candy in this no-bake wonder made from crushed Oreos, cream cheese, and melted chocolate for coating. Mix crushed cookies with softened cream cheese, roll into balls, and dip in melted chocolate.

Chill until the coating hardens, and you have bite-sized treats that disappear at parties. Sweet, creamy, and crunchy all at once, Oreo truffles are pure crowd-pleasing magic.

14. Rice Krispies Treats

Childhood nostalgia comes alive with just Rice Krispies cereal, marshmallows, butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Melt marshmallows and butter together, stir in cereal, press into a pan, and let cool.

Chewy, crispy, and impossibly easy, each square brings back memories while satisfying your sweet tooth. Cut into shapes or add food coloring for fun variations that kids absolutely adore.

15. Meringue Cookies

Airy as clouds and sweet as candy, meringues use only egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form, pipe onto baking sheets, and bake low and slow.

Crisp on the outside with a slightly chewy center, meringues dissolve on your tongue like sugary dreams. Add food coloring or cocoa powder for creative twists.

16. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Fresh strawberries meet melted chocolate, butter for sheen, and a touch of vanilla in this simple dessert. Melt the chocolate with butter, dip each berry, and let the coating set on parchment paper.

Beautiful enough for special occasions yet simple enough for weeknights, chocolate-covered strawberries deliver sophistication in every bite. Sweet fruit meets rich chocolate in perfect harmony always.

17. Peanut Butter Fudge

Smooth, creamy, and packed with peanut butter flavor, this fudge uses peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Melt butter and peanut butter together, stir in powdered sugar, spread into a pan, and chill.

Slice into squares for a melt-in-your-mouth treat that peanut butter fans dream about. Ridiculously easy yet impressively delicious every single time you make it.

18. Mocha Mug Cake

When cravings strike immediately, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, instant coffee, and milk right in a mug. Microwave for about a minute, and watch it rise into a fluffy, warm cake.

Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully, creating a personal-sized dessert ready in minutes. Top with whipped cream or ice cream, and indulge in instant satisfaction without dirtying a single pan.

19. Coconut Ice Cream

Tropical vibes meet frozen perfection with coconut milk, sugar, shredded coconut, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together, churn in an ice cream maker or freeze with occasional stirring until creamy.

Dairy-free and bursting with coconut flavor, each scoop transports you to a beach paradise. Smooth, refreshing, and naturally sweet, coconut ice cream beats store-bought versions hands down.