Quick Desserts Ready in 30 Minutes (or Less) When You Need a Sweet Fast

Easy Spiced Pastries
Photo: Kritsada Panichgul

End your day on a sweet note with these quick and easy 30-minute dessert recipes. Our collection of quick and easy desserts includes creamy shakes, quick-bake cookies, fruit parfaits, and more quick dessert ideas—all of them ready in 30 minutes or less!

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Sweet Ricotta and Strawberry Parfaits

Sweet Ricotta and Strawberry Parfaits
Kritsada Panichgul

Gluten-free and oh, so good, this quick easy dessert gains bright flavor from seasonal berries, fresh mint, and shredded lemon peel. Layer the parfait with vanilla and agave nectar-infused ricotta for a low-calorie dessert that's (almost) too pretty to eat.

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Vanilla Bean Shake

Vanilla Bean Shake
Andy Lyons

Dessert purists, this one's for you. Simply blend one vanilla bean, ice cream, and half-and-half for vanilla shake perfection. Amp it up with a crumbled meringue cookie topping for a fast and easy dessert that's sure to be a winner every time.

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Chocolate Raspberry Drop Cookies

Chocolate-Raspberry Drops on parchment paper
Brie Passano

Put a creative twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie with frozen raspberries. Keeping the raspberries frozen will stop them from mixing into the batter and result in tangy raspberry bursts throughout the cookie. When you are short on time, this makes for a great 30-minute dessert idea.

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Strawberry and Rhubarb with Cheesecake Cream

Strawberry and Rhubarb with Cheesecake Cream
Andy Lyons

Reimagine the classic combination of strawberry and rhubarb by stacking it with luscious cheesecake cream. For a potluck-perfect take on strawberry shortcake, serve this 30-minute dessert (it'll likely take you only 20!) with shortbread cookies.

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French Toasted Angel Food Cake

French Toasted Angel Food Cake
Greg Scheidemann

Make breakfast for dessert in just 20 minutes by cooking thick slices of angel food cake French toast-style for this quick and easy dessert. Top the masterpiece with a pile of fluffy whipped cream, fresh berries, and sugary-sweet syrup.

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Grilled Banana Bites

Grilled Banana Bites
Jacob Fox

For a sweet summer treat that's ready in minutes, toss juicy banana slices onto the grill, then stack them with butter cookies and a chocolate-hazelnut spread. Not a banana fan? Swap in your favorite fruit and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Either way you slice it, it's a quick and easy dessert perfect for any BBQ.

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Mocha Cream Shake

Mocha Cream Shake
Jason Donnelly

This quick and easy 10-minute dessert features the dynamic duo of coffee and chocolate swirled into a satisfying shake. For a gourmet finish, top each treat with grated dark chocolate.

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Can-Do Cannoli

Can-Do Cannoli
Kritsada Panichgul

A plastic bag makes easy work of piping luscious ricotta filling into purchased cannoli shells. Garnish them with fresh fruit and chocolate chips for an attractive and tasty finish. Your guests will hardly believe this was such a fast and easy dessert.

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Easy Spiced Pastry

Easy Spiced Pastries
Kritsada Panichgul

These crisp and sweet pastries are a snap to make thanks to store-bought piecrust. Serve the spiced squares alongside your favorite ice cream for an easy post-dinner indulgence.

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Grilled Pineapple Sundaes

Grilled Pineapple circles with scoop of ice cream on gray background
Jason Donnelly

Want to bring out the naturally sweet flavor in any fruit? Try throwing it on the grill. Grilled fruit is delicious on its own or with ice cream like in this quick and easy pineapple sundae. It's not only an easy dessert but also healthy with frozen Greek yogurt. Throw a little za'atar, honey, and toasted almonds on top for an extra special treat.

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Jumbo Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Jumbo Apple-Oatmeal Cookies on white and pink stripe background
Dera Burreson

If you are looking for desserts made in 30 minutes, these giant cookies are a must. The rolled oats add great texture with just the right hint of sweetness from applesauce and brown sugar. Want things even sweeter? Combine powdered sugar and milk and drizzle on top of the baked cookies.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Chewy Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Latte Chewy Sugar Cookies on marble background
Carson Downing

Nothing says fall like pumpkin spice lattes and now you can have them year-round in cookie form from this 30-minute dessert. Espresso powder, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin spice give that familiar taste and smell you'll usually find in your coffee cup.

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Affogato Trifles

Affogato Trifles
Andy Lyons

All it takes is 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients to make this quick and easy dessert based on an Italian classic. Prepare as is or put your twist on it with different toppings like graham crackers and mini marshmallows for a S'mores version, or coffee liquor to spike it up.

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