Dinner has been served, the dishes are done and now the kids — and, let’s face it, you too — are craving a sweet treat to end the day. You search the house, but the freezer-burned remains of your favorite ice cream and the two stale store-bought cookies in the pantry just aren’t cutting it tonight.
Why not try one of these delicious, quick, and easy desserts instead? Your family will think you’re really spoiling them — and they’ll never guess how easy it was to make.
- Ultimate Deep-Dish Brownies
Got chocolate fans in the family? They won’t be able to resist this taste sensation created by Katie Moseman, a food blogger and recipe developer at Recipe for Perfection. “Once you’ve had these Ultimate Deep-Dish Brownies, you’ll never go back to regular brownies again. They’re incredibly decadent, yet very easy to make,” she says. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll be out of the kitchen and enjoying your treat in no time.
- Easy Blackberry Crumble
Feeling fruity? Your taste buds will thank you for trying out this recipe, also courtesy of Moseman. “Parents will love how this Easy Blackberry Crumble is ready for the oven in just minutes. Kids will love the sweet fruitiness and the bright purple color of the juices. And everyone will love topping it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!” she says.
- Chocolate Coconut Avocado Pudding
Looking for a sneaky way to make dessert healthy? Yes, that’s right — this deliciously creamy chocolate pudding is actually good for you! Toni Sicola, a certified wellness coach, nutrition expert and well-being blogger at Cultivated Wellbeing, says, “This pudding is silky smooth, rich and creamy — but it’s totally dairy-free and full of healthy fiber and fats from the avocado hiding inside! Even the little ones will love it. Simply throw everything into the food processor and mix until smooth. Couldn’t be simpler.” Prepare it in the kitchen so your kids don’t turn their noses up at the green stuff, and they’ll be none the wiser.
- Bloomin’ Apple
It doesn’t get much easier than this two-ingredient dessert recipe, which turns an ordinary apple into a special treat. Lisa Cain, author of “Snack Girl to the Rescue!” and founder of Snack Girl, created this healthier and easier-to-eat version of the caramel apple. “When my kids come home from school, they always demand cookies. The Bloomin’ Apple is a little bit of a treat and a whole apple [that] keeps them satisfied until dinner.” Tape the recipe to the fridge so babysitters can serve it as a snack anytime or for you to make as an after-dinner dessert the whole family will love.
- Gluten-Free Almond Cookies
With only four ingredients, these yummy almond cookies by Snack Girl are a breeze to make. Cain says, “These almond cookies are great if you have friends that are gluten-free. They are packed with nutrition and much more satisfying than cookies made with white flour.”
- Red Velvet Kiss Cookies
Craving a decadent red velvet cake? Save time by making this delicious cookie version dreamed up by Whitney Bond, author of the cookbook “Buffalo Style” and creator of Little Leopard Book. “I love having something sweet to snack on after a meal. Red Velvet Kiss Cookies are a sweet treat after a weeknight dinner.”
- Gluten-Free Nutella Strawberry Shortcake
Your family will thank you for this quick take on strawberry shortcake from Little Leopard Book. Bond says, “This Gluten-Free Nutella Strawberry Shortcake is the perfect way to finish off a delicious weekend dinner. It’s simple to whip up and sure to cure that sweet tooth!”
With these seven quick and easy desserts, you can leave the store-bought sweets where they belong — at the store — while still giving your family a tasty treat in no time. Seven nights in a week, seven easy recipes … coincidence?
Craving more sweet treat ideas? Try these 5 healthy desserts for kids.
Victoria Georgoff is a freelance writer and psychotherapist who enjoys writing about parenting, helping other parents and, of course, being a parent herself. Follow her on Twitter.
