19 Mind-Blowing Shortcut Desserts When You’re Short on Time

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19 Mind-Blowing Shortcut Desserts When You’re Short on Time

Whether you’re juggling work, wrangling kids, or just can’t be bothered to channel your inner pastry chef, these 19 clever dessert hacks are about to become your go-to for quick, delicious treats.

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Blueberry Pie Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chocolate Dump Cake

Chocolate dump cake topped with colorful M&Ms.
Chocolate Dump Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When time’s not on your side, this Chocolate Dump Cake is your trusty sidekick. Toss together a cake mix, chocolate chips, and M&M’s, bake, and a gooey chocolate wonder emerges.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Dump Cake

Lazy Peach Cobbler

Plate with peach cobbler and a blue napkin.
Lazy Peach Cobbler. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Lazy Peach Cobbler is a no-fuss, no-muss miracle. Whether your peaches are fresh off the tree, frozen, or from a can, just throw them in with some pantry items, and you’re halfway to cobbler town.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Peach Cobbler

Guinness Brownies

Stack of Guinness brownies with a bottle of Guinness in the background.
Guinness Brownies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Got Guinness and a brownie mix? Then you’ve got the makings of a St. Paddy’s Day feast (or any day, really). Combine, bake, and top with boozy ganache.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Brownies

Valentine Puff Pastry Cookies

5-ingredient heart shaped pastries with raspberries and chocolate.
Valentine Puff Pastry Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Unfold some puff pastry, sprinkle a little love (and sugar), and cut out some hearts for Valentine’s Day. These 5-ingredient puff pastry cookies bake up faster than you can say “be mine.” Romance has never been so efficient.
Get the Recipe: Valentine Puff Pastry Cookies

No Bake Brownie Bites

A bunch of chocolate truffles with sprinkles on a piece of paper.
No Bake Brownie Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

No oven, no problem with these No Bake Brownie Bites. Mix up three ingredients, roll into balls, and customize to your heart’s (or holiday’s) content. It’s like playing with edible Play-Doh that you can eat right away!
Get the Recipe: No Bake Brownie Bites

Cool Whip Cookies

Cool whip cookies on parchment with powdered sugar.
Cool Whip Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cool Whip Cookies to the rescue when you’re short on time. Just one bowl, three ingredients, and a quick mix – these soft cookies will be ready before your oven even preheats. It’s practically magic.
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Cake

Slice of chocolate cherry cake topped with cherry pie filling.
Chocolate Cherry Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chocolate Cherry Cake is the answer when you’re looking to impress but stressed for time. Mix a cake mix with cherry pie filling, bake, then drizzle with glaze for a dessert that’s easy and elegant.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Cake

Blueberry Pie Bites

A person holding a pastry with blueberry filling.
Blueberry Pie Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Blueberry Pie Bites are like little flavor fireworks that come together in a snap. Four simple ingredients and you’ve got a berry-licious treat that’s sure to burst in your mouth. It’s a blueberry bonanza without the baking effort!
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pie Bites

Air Fryer Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Air Fryer Donuts with chocolate glaze and sprinkles.
Air Fryer Donuts with Chocolate Glaze. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Craving donuts but could do without the hassle? Pop some biscuit dough in the air fryer, glaze, and you’ve got a donut shop in your kitchen. It’s a lot of fun with hardly any work!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Apple pie bites cut open to show the apple filling inside.
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites are like tiny bites of apple-cinnamon goodness. Wrap up some spiced apples in biscuit dough, air fry, and in minutes, you’re biting into bliss. Who needs a whole pie when you’ve got these?
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites

Haystack Cookies

No bake haystack cookies on a white cake stand.
Haystack Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Haystack Cookies are the no-bake wonders. Just melt, mix, and set these chocolate-peanut butter treats for a quick cookie fix. They’re the lazy person’s ticket to delicious cookies.
Get the Recipe: Haystack Cookies

Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts

Top view of chocolate donuts on a cooling rack.
Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts, you can say goodbye to doughnut shop lines. Grab your favorite cake mix, add a couple more ingredients, and decorate to match the season. It’s a donut delight without deep frying.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts

Bisquick Banana Bread

Sliced loaf of Bisquick banana bread on a cutting board with bananas in the background.
Bisquick Banana Bread. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bisquick Banana Bread is your shortcut to homemade without the hassle. Stir in some overripe bananas into the mix, and let the oven do the rest. It’s the quick path to delicious bread.
Get the Recipe: Bisquick Banana Bread

Icebox Cake

Icebox cake with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries on a pink plate.
Icebox Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Icebox Cake is a no-bake wonder that’s as easy as layer, chill, and serve. Graham crackers, berries, and whipped cream come together for a cool, creamy treat.
Get the Recipe: Icebox Cake

Air Fried Oreos

Biscuit stuffed with an oreo broken in half to show insides.
Air Fried Oreos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fried Oreos are what happens when fair food meets minimal effort. Wrap those cookies in biscuit dough, air fry, and enjoy a delicious dessert. It’s a two-ingredient ticket to simple desserts.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Oreos

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Slice of lemonade pie on a plate with lemonade in the background.
Frozen Lemonade Pie. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When life gives you lemons, make Frozen Lemonade Pie in just five minutes. Four ingredients and a freezer are all you need for a tart, sweet slice of chill. It’s like sunshine in a pie crust – no baking required.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Lemonade Pie

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Crescent Rolls

Peanut butter chocolate rolls cut open to show the filling.
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Crescent Rolls are the quick fix for your dessert cravings. Roll up some PB and chocolate in crescent dough, bake, and bam – dessert’s on the table. It’s a dessert hack that’s rolling in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Crescent Rolls

Bisquick Cookies

Bisquick chocolate chip cookies on a cooling rack.
Bisquick Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bisquick Cookies come together in no time. Six ingredients, less than 30 minutes, and you’ve got chewy cookies that taste like you worked way harder. It’s the cookie jar’s new best friend.
Get the Recipe: Bisquick Cookies

Apple Monkey Bread Muffins

Cinnamon sugar monkey bread muffin on a white plate.
Apple Monkey Bread Muffins. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform refrigerator biscuits into gooey Apple Monkey Bread Muffins with just six ingredients. It’s a pull-apart pleasure that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Caramelized apples? Check. Doughy goodness? Double check.
Get the Recipe: Apple Monkey Bread Muffins

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