Top 10 Easy 3-Ingredient Desserts Anyone Can Make

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Subtitle: Simple, quick and budget-friendly 3-ingredient desserts that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Excerpt: Craving something sweet but don’t want a long ingredient list or complicated steps? These top 10 three-ingredient desserts are perfect for busy days, lazy evenings and beginners who want big flavor with almost zero effort.

Complicated desserts are nice, but most days you just want something quick, comforting and sweet without dirtying half the kitchen.
The good news: you don’t need a long shopping list to make great dessert.
In this guide, you’ll find 10 easy 3-ingredient desserts that work perfectly for late-night cravings, quick treats for guests, or simple snacks for the family.

All of these recipes use only three main ingredients, are beginner-friendly and can be customized with toppings if you want to take them to the next level.

1. Creamy 3-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
• 2–3 tablespoons milk (any type)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)

Instructions

1. Slice the bananas and freeze them for at least 2–3 hours or overnight.
2. Add frozen banana slices, milk and vanilla to a blender or food processor.
3. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if needed.
4. Serve immediately as soft-serve or freeze for 30–60 minutes for a firmer texture.

Tip: Add cocoa powder or peanut butter for a chocolatey or nutty version.

2. Rich Chocolate Ganache Dip

Ingredients

• 150 g dark or milk chocolate, chopped
• 100 ml heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

1. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it is hot but not boiling.
2. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
3. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
4. Stir in the butter until fully melted.

Serving ideas: Use as a dip for fruit, drizzle over cake or pancakes, or chill slightly and spread on brownies.

3. Classic 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Mix peanut butter, sugar and egg in a bowl until smooth.
3. Roll the dough into small balls and place them on the tray.
4. Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
5. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.

Tip: Let the cookies cool completely before moving them; they firm up as they cool.

4. Fluffy 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients

• 150 g dark chocolate
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate gently in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until slightly pale.
3. Stir the yolk mixture into the melted chocolate until smooth.
4. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
5. Fold the egg whites gently into the chocolate mixture in 2–3 additions.
6. Spoon into serving glasses and chill for at least 1 hour.

Optional: Top with whipped cream or berries before serving.

5. Overnight Vanilla Chia Pudding

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions

1. Add chia seeds, milk and sweetener to a jar or bowl.
2. Stir very well to prevent clumps.
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes, stir again, then cover.
4. Refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours or overnight until thick and pudding-like.

Serving ideas: Top with fruit, nuts or granola right before serving.

6. Cozy 3-Ingredient Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1–2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

1. Whisk milk, cocoa powder and sugar together in a small saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low, whisking until smooth and hot (do not boil).
3. Pour into a mug and enjoy warm.

Optional: Add cinnamon, vanilla or a sprinkle of sea salt to level up the flavor.

7. Simple Yogurt & Berry Dessert Parfait

Ingredients

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup fresh or frozen berries

Instructions

1. In a glass or bowl, add a layer of yogurt.
2. Drizzle with honey, then add a layer of berries.
3. Repeat the layers until the glass is full.

Tip: Use granola instead of berries for a crunchy version.

8. Basic 3-Ingredient Crêpes

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Whisk flour, milk and egg together until smooth and lump-free.
2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and lightly grease if needed.
3. Pour a small amount of batter into the pan and swirl to coat the surface thinly.
4. Cook for about 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden.

Serving ideas: Fill with jam, chocolate spread, fruit or even the chocolate ganache from recipe #2.

9. Banana & Date Energy Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 cup milk
• 2–3 pitted dates

Instructions

1. Add banana, milk and dates to a blender.
2. Blend until completely smooth.
3. Serve immediately over ice if desired.

Tip: Use frozen banana for a thicker, milkshake-like texture.

10. Simple Natural Fruit Juice Jelly Cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup 100% fruit juice
• 1 tablespoon gelatin powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, depending on juice sweetness)

Instructions

1. Warm half of the juice in a small saucepan (do not boil).
2. Sprinkle gelatin over the warm juice and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Stir in the remaining juice and sugar if needed.
4. Pour into small cups or molds and chill in the fridge for at least 3–4 hours.

Tip: Add small fruit pieces to the molds before pouring in the liquid for extra texture.

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