10 quick desserts ready in under 30 minutes

Try these quick dessert recipes, then find more inspiration for dessert recipes, including easy pudding recipes and individual dessert recipes.

Whether you're hosting a dinner party and want to finish on a high, or simply fancy something sweet, these effortless desserts deliver maximum impact with minimal fuss. They look impressive, taste incredible and come together in no time – no one will guess just how easy they were to make. Your secret’s safe with us.

10 quick dessert recipes

Classic no-bake cheesecake

This no-bake cheesecake is a brilliant all-rounder – perfect for dressing up with whatever fruit is in season. It serves up to eight, making it ideal for a dinner party centrepiece, but it also keeps well for up to five days so that you can enjoy a slice (or two) throughout the week.

Honey and lime ice cream

Turn the last of your honey jar into something special with this five-ingredient honey and lime ice cream. The set honey gives it a second life, adding natural sweetness and a subtle floral flavour that’s too good to waste.

Lemon fool

This five-ingredient lemon fool is as simple as it is elegant. Whip double cream with sugar, then fold through greek yogurt and lemon curd for a light, zesty finish. Spoon into glasses and serve with buttery shortbread for an easy yet impressive dessert – everyone will be glad they’ve got their own.

Chocolate affogato

Give ice cream an upgrade with this quick homemade affogato. Our chocolate twist combines dark chocolate, espresso and good-quality chocolate gelato for a rich, sophisticated finish. Ready in just five minutes it’s ideal for a quick sweet hit or to impress your partner at the end of a romantic meal.

Chocolate pudding with passion fruit

Round off your dinner party with this rich chocolate pudding topped with fresh passion fruit. The sharp, tangy fruit cuts through the creamy chocolate for a perfectly balanced finish that feels luxurious.

Spiced Christmas biscuits

Get the family together for a bit of festive baking with these spiced Christmas biscuits. They’re quick to make – just 25 minutes to bake and ice – and simple enough to keep things fun. Enjoy them with a cuppa once cooled, or thread with ribbon and hang on the tree for a homemade touch.

Raspberry, malt and milk chocolate cheesecake pots

Serve up this creamy, no-cook dessert layered with malt, milk chocolate and fresh raspberries. Ready in just 15 minutes, it can be easily scaled up or down to suit your guests. Keep things interesting by switching up the biscuit base – try digestives, bourbons or Hobnobs for your own twist.

Black forest trifle

Impress your guests with this luxurious chocolate cherry trifle, made using a shop-bought swiss roll and your favourite biscuits for ease. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, yet it looks like you’ve gone to much more effort. Prefer a classic touch? Swap the cherry jam for a layer of jelly and chill until set.

Oreo mug cake

Did you know that heating Oreos with milk creates a rich, fudgy mug cake in just three minutes? It tastes just like a chocolate fudge cake – soft, gooey and ultra-satisfying. The perfect single-serve treat for when you need a quick pick-me-up.

Marmalade and ginger fool

These marmalade and ginger fools make a brilliant 15-minute dessert, full of comforting winter flavours from orange and gingernut biscuits. Using shop-bought marmalade and biscuits keeps things simple, but if you fancy taking it up a notch, try making your own marmalade and ginger shortbread for an extra-special touch.