At Home With Pink Willow

If you’re looking for simple dessert recipes that actually turn out good, you’re in the right place. These four desserts are easy to make, use basic ingredients, and are perfect for family nights, holidays, or when you just want something sweet without the hassle.

1. Classic Banana Pudding (No-Bake Dessert)

Ingredients:

• 1 box vanilla wafers
• 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 (5 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until it thickens.
2. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Fold in the whipped topping until fully combined.
4. In a serving dish, layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture.
5. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with pudding on top.
6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) before serving.

---

2. Chocolate Lasagna (No-Bake Layered Dessert)

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 36 Oreo cookies, crushed
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

Layers:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping
• 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk

Instructions:

1. Mix crushed Oreos with melted butter and press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form a crust. Chill for 10 minutes.
2. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
4. In another bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk until thickened.
5. Spread the pudding layer over the cream cheese layer.
6. Top with the remaining whipped topping.
7. Refrigerate for at least 4–6 hours before serving.

---

3. Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Let cool before cutting into bars.

---

4. Strawberry Dump Cake (3-Step Dessert)

Ingredients:

• 1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• ½ cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly in the bottom of a baking dish.
3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top (do not mix).
4. Drizzle melted butter over the cake mix.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
6. Let cool slightly before serving.

---

Final Thoughts

These recipes prove that you don’t need complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something delicious. Whether you want a no-bake dessert, a quick baked treat, or something super simple, these options have you covered.

Start with one recipe this week—and you’ll probably end up making all four.

Shop my favorite baking tools here

---

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.