No bake desserts are a great option in many dinner situations. Running short on time, as there is too much other stuff to cook? Most of these recipes only need a short assembly time. Ovens tied up with your starters and mains? Assemble these and leave them in the fridge to set – no oven required! Too many other things going on, and you’re worried about timings and being ready to serve when people are ready to eat? Well just pull these desserts out of the fridge whenever they’re required – they’re ready when you are!
Easy Ambrosia Recipe
The first featured recipe is really easy, and a real crowd favourite – our Easy Ambrosia Recipe. This is the quickest of our desserts to assemble if you go for the “family style” option and assemble it in a large bowl. Even if you go for the fancier option – plating in individual bowls or glasses – it doesn’t take too long.
This dessert just needs a few hours in the fridge, to help it set somewhat and to soften the marshmallows a bit. We find that if you can get sweeter, riper strawberries it makes for a better ambrosia, as the cream and yoghurt is not that sweet by itself.
Banoffee Pie
This one has a special place in a lot of people’s hearts – the British classic, Banoffee Pie! Most people think this recipe is from the USA, bit it originated in England.
This recipe uses a few pre-made ingredients to speed things up and keep things consistently tasty – the only “cooking” required is to melt some butter to mix with the biscuit crumbs to make the base. We think this still definitely counts as a no bake dessert.
Easy Trifle Recipe
Trifle is a classic NZ recipe – it reminds me of summer, probably because its full of fruit, and my family traditionally eats this at Christmas time!
If you must bake your own sponge, this dessert is much more complicated, but we’ve always made this with pre-made sponge which tastes just as good in this trifle recipe. This recipe shows you how to make your own custard from custard powder, but if you really didn’t want to cook anything up there are some great pre-made custards you can buy to speed up the process.
This NZ style trifle recipe really benefits from lots of time in the fridge for the flavours to combine, so do it in the morning before the meal, or even the night before.
Chocolate Fudge Slice
Our last no bake wonder is the classic Chocolate Fudge Slice. This one is so easy – just 10 minutes of prep time, assemble and leave for a few hours in the fridge and its ready to go.
Its a great simple dessert option, but also shines for afternoon tea or a sweet treat snack.