8 Easy Desserts with 5 Ingredients (or Fewer)

A short ingredient list is the not-so-secret secret to the absolute easiest desserts. When you start with just a handful of pantry ingredients, you’re guaranteed a sweet treat in next to no time at all. The following desserts — ranging from brownies to Rice Krispies treats to ice cream — require just five ingredients or fewer, making them great contenders for any night of the week.

At this point, we consider a jar of Nutella a pantry staple in our kitchens. If you do too, then go ahead and measure out a cup and grab four eggs from the fridge. You’re halfway to Nutella brownie nirvana.

Starting with a box of cake mix not only makes these some of the fastest cookies we’ve ever made, but it also keeps the total ingredient list to a minimum. If you love ’em, we’ve got more: Check out all five of our shortcut cake mix cookies.

Often considered a fussy restaurant dessert, chocolate mousse is deceptively simple to make at home — and Chrissy’s version is as simple as it gets. If you have time, make the optional “crackle,” a crunchy combo of Rice Krispies and hazelnuts.

It doesn’t get much easier than a one-ingredient dessert. When blitzed in the food processor, frozen bananas magically transform into a smooth and creamy soft-serve that’s deliciously refreshing. Play around with tasty toppings, such as cocoa nibs or a dash of cinnamon, or scoop some into Popsicle molds for easy three-ingredient peanut butter and banana Popsicles.

The title of these cookies says it all. These Paleo, gluten-free, and vegan cookies come together with just almond flour, baking powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract — so if you’ve got those sitting in your pantry, go ahead and get baking. You won’t regret it.

A few smart techniques take this classic dessert to the next level. You’ll toast the cereal to bring out its nutty flavor, use mini marshmallows for faster melting, and add a pinch of salt, which further highlights the flavor of each of the ingredients.

The beauty of a dump cake is how it practically cooks itself. All you have to do is pour the ingredients into a slow cooker, then return in a few hours to a warm and gooey pie-cake hybrid. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

This sweet treat is endlessly customizable, and it’s the perfect late-night bite when you’re craving something sweet before bedtime. Plus, you don’t even need a special candy mold to make these. Just use an ice cube tray.

Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite five-ingredient dessert?