You know when you get that craving for just a little something sweet after the dinner dishes are cleared, but don't have anything to nibble? That can be a desperate moment. Personally, I always turn to chocolate chip cookies -- I always have chocolate chips in the cupboard, so hot cookies are only 20 minutes away. When desperation hits, pantry and fridge staples like chocolate chips, oats, cream cheese, and even frozen bananas can be a total life saver.
Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Skillet Blondies
Let's talk about what makes a "quick-fix" dessert. For me, I want something made with a few handy ingredients and that's ready in about thirty minutes. I also want minimal hassle so that I'm not filling up the kitchen with a bunch of mixing bowls or trying to do something complicated when all I want is a sweet reward.
And a note about those handy ingredients -- your pantry staples might be a little different from mine, or maybe they shift depending on the season or your whims. That's where you get to exercise a little creative license. Don't have hazelnuts for those Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Skillet Blondies? Sub in some walnuts. Or don't have blackberries in season for the Toasted Oat and Walnut Whisky Trifle? Chop up some apples or bananas instead. It's your Make It Work Moment: Sweets Edition.
What are your favorite quick and easy weeknight desserts?
TOP ROW
• 1 Hot Baked Nutella and Cream Cheese Sandwich
• 2 How to Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient
• 3 Toasted Oat and Walnut Whiskey Trifle
• 4 Grown-Up Almond Joy Milkshakes
• 5 Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Skillet Blondies
MIDDLE ROW
• 6 How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies (Without a Mixer!)
• 7 No-Bake Coconut Snowballs
• 8 Peanut Butter Oatmeal Monster Cookies
• 9 Oatmeal Brown Sugar Baked Apples
• 10 Maple Pecan Blondies with Maple Butter Glaze
How to Make Creamy Ice Cream with One Ingredient
BOTTOM ROW
• 11 Super Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies
• 12 Malted Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Squares
• 13 Cornmeal Lime Cookies
• 14 Coconut Macaroons Dipped in Chocolate
• 15 Caramel Popcorn
Related: Ten Delicious Gluten-Free Desserts
(Images: See linked recipes for full image credits)
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I love Nutella sandwiches!!! Too bad I can't add the cream cheese as I'm lactose intolerant ;-(
Here's another one....Eton Mess...
http://www.thekitchn.com/seasonal-recipe-eton-mess-85676
It can be a pantry recipe if you have access to a Trader Joes or other store that carries shelf stable cream and ready made meringue 'cookies.' These along with frozen berries equal a ridiculously easy and insanely delicious dessert.
The ONE drawback is leftovers are awful. So, I would advise not making an entire batch if you are only one or two people...unless you plan on eating the whole thing. This is not a difficult thing to accomplish, by any means, just not exactly the best thing to do ....very often.
@Lisa, doesn't nutella have milk powder on the ingredient list?
I make a giant oatmeal cookie for an easy treat to share:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookie-pizza-recipe
I'll bake it either on the pizza stone or in a pie dish. Works great!
I love a simple fruit crisp or crumble. It can be thrown together in minutes, can be made with fresh or frozen fruit, and can easily be made for one or eight. Here's one of my favorite versions: http://www.neighborfoodblog.com/2011/07/peachberry-crumble-for-2.html
Our favorite winter pantry treat is my no campfire s'mores. http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2012/07/no-campfire-smores/s'mores
I always have graham crackers on hand, some marshmallows and we love using Ghirardelli dark chocolate caramels. You just top the graham cracker with the chocolate and then the marshmallow. Put it on a baking sheet under the broiler and just wait for the marshmallow to brown up and the chocolate to melt a bit. It's an awesome way to enjoy s'more's in the winter.
Rice krispie treats! All you need is marshmallows, butter, and rice krispie cereal.
I don't know if this counts as a "dessert" but when I am ready to tear the refrigerator door off, a slice or two of cinnamon toast fills the void. Best in the toaster oven where you get a wee bit of carmelization. I'm sure you could cut it into fancy shape and add a dollop of creme fraiche or ice cream and call it dessert.
My grandma (and I) make a chocolate pudding upside-down cake that only requires cocoa powder and a cup of coffee in addition to pantry staples. When you put it in the oven, it looks like you have made a terrible mistake, but through the magic of leavening , you end up with a beautiful layer of cake floating on a delicious base of pudding.