These Are The Perfect Desserts To Make When You’re Short On Time: Quick Sweet Recipes

Craving something sweet but don't have enough time for an elaborate preparation? Organising a party and the dessert planning got left to the last minute? Quick to make desserts are the answer to all your questions. These can be whipped up in a flash and will leave a lasting flavour. So here’s some dessert recipes for your consideration.

Microwave mug dessert cake

If you want something warm and comforting in the matter of a few minutes, bring out your favourite microwave-safe mug and brew a magical cake in it.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp self-raising flour
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil or sunflower oil
• a few drops of vanilla essence
• 2 tbsp chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins

Directions:

• Add self-raising flour, caster sugar and cocoa powder to the largest mug you have and mix.
• Add 1 medium egg and mix in as much as you can, but don't worry if there's still dry mix left.
• Add the milk, vegetable or sunflower oil and a few drops of vanilla essence and mix until smooth, before adding chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins, and mix again.
• Centre your mug in the middle of the microwave oven and cook on High for 1½ -2 mins, or until it has stopped rising and is firm to the touch.

No-bake cookies

Another super quick to make dessert is no-bake cookies, which can be whipped up in just a few minutes.

Ingredients:

• 113 gm salted butter
• 350 gm granulated sugar
• 32 gm unsweetened cocoa powder
• 120 ml milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 160 gm creamy peanut butter
• 275 gm quick oats

Directions:

• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or set out approximately 29 cupcake liners.
• In a medium saucepan combine butter, sugar, cocoa, and milk.
• Set over medium heat, and cook stirring frequently until it reaches a full boil.
• Allow the mixture to boil for 60 seconds without stirring.
• Remove from heat, immediately add in vanilla, peanut butter and quick oats.
• Stir mixture until well combined then, using a medium (2 tbsp) cookie scoop or two spoons drop mixture onto lined baking sheets or into cupcake liners.
• Allow to rest at room temperature until set, about 20 - 30 minutes.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Sticky toffee pudding

This pudding is surprisingly easy to make, using this shortcut recipe.

Ingredients:

• 4 large chocolate muffins, crumbled
• 50 gm large sultanas
• Small knob of butter, for greasing
• 50 gm light muscovado sugar
• 50 gm butter
• 75 ml double cream
• vanilla ice cream, to serve

Directions:

• Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.
• Mix the muffins with the sultanas. Divide between 4 buttered ramekins or one baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 8 mins until just warmed through.
• Meanwhile, place the sugar, butter and cream in a small pan and gently heat together, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Pour the sauce over the muffin mixture and serve warm with ice cream.

Banana pudding

This pudding is surprisingly easy to make and the banana taste stands out starkly.

Ingredients:

• 100 gm butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• 2 ripe bananas
• 100 gm light muscovado sugar
• 100 gm self-raising flour
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• icing sugar, toffee sauce and ice cream, to serve, if you like

Directions:

• Put the butter in a 1-litre baking dish and microwave on High for 30 secs-1 min until melted.
• Add 1½ bananas, mash into the melted butter, then add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, eggs and milk. Mix together well.
• Slice the remaining banana over the top, then return to the microwave and cook on High for 8 mins until cooked through and risen.
• Serve warm, dusted with icing sugar, if you like, with a drizzle of toffee sauce and a scoop of ice cream.

Cheesecake

This shortcut ensures all the deliciousness of cheesecake within minutes.

Ingredients:

• 4 shortbread biscuits
• 300 g tub soft cheese
• zest and juice of 1 lime
• 3 tbsp icing sugar
• ½ a 380g pack of frozen mixed berries, plus a few extra to serve

Directions:

• Put the shortbread biscuits into a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin until broken. Divide between two dessert glasses.
• Beat together the soft cheese with the zest of a lime and 2 tbsp icing sugar until smooth. Put this on top of each biscuit base and smooth out with the back of a spoon.
• Take the mixed frozen berries, defrost and blend half with 1 tbsp icing sugar and the juice of the lime. Pour this on top of each cheesecake and scatter with a few extra whole berries.
• Serve or sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving.