The last thing you want to do when a sweets craving strikes is have to wait for the oven to preheat—let alone the 30-plus minutes it takes for your brownies or cupcakes to actually bake. Plus, in the summertime, even the thought of firing up the oven can make you sweat like you're in hot yoga.
What's a gal with a sweet tooth to do? No-bake desserts, that's what.
“You don't need an oven to enjoy some pretty nutritious and fun treats," says dietitian Maggie Michalczyk, RD. With the right ingredients, you can whip up no-bake desserts like cheesecakes, edible cookie dough, cookies, and insanely fudgy brownies without so much as turning on the oven.
Don't have baking powder or baking soda? No prob; you won't need 'em. In many cases, you can transform whole, good-for-you foods—like dates, nuts, and cocoa powder—into all sorts of desserts without the usual baking must-haves.
The result: Many no-bake desserts contain fewer ingredients—and are more nutritious—than actual baked goods, says Michalczyk. (Score.)
Whether you're craving crunchy, sweet rice crispy treats, peanut butter pie, or even DIY peppermint patties, these 50 no-bake dessert recipes come in clutch. In fact, you may never rely on the oven to help you satisfy your sweet tooth ever again.
Oh, and did I mention lots of them are low-carb (and even keto-friendly)? You can thank me after you sink your teeth into these.