Simple Baking Treats Using Just 5 Ingredients or Less

These easy baking recipes prove you don’t need complicated ingredient lists to create delicious desserts. Each recipe uses five ingredients or fewer to deliver maximum flavor.

From classic cookies to fruity cobblers, these simple treats work perfectly for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings when you need something sweet fast.

01. Simple Apple Pie Cake Mix Dessert

This version uses yellow cake mix, apple pie filling, and butter for an effortless crowd-pleasing dessert. The cake mix creates a tender base while apples add fruity sweetness.

The simple method involves layering ingredients and letting the oven do the work. No mixing bowls or complicated techniques required for perfect results.

Perfect for beginner bakers who want impressive results without stress. Takes less than an hour from start to finish.

02. Quick Peach Pastry Cups with Glaze

These elegant tartlets use puff pastry, fresh peaches, and apricot preserves for a bakery-style treat. The pastry puffs up golden while peaches caramelize beautifully.

The apricot glaze brushed on top creates a glossy, professional finish. You can swap peaches for any seasonal fruit you have available.

This method works great for impressing guests with minimal effort. Ready in under thirty minutes for last-minute entertaining.

03. Classic Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

This traditional recipe uses just peanut butter, sugar, and one egg to create chewy, rich cookies. The natural oils in peanut butter replace butter completely.

The simple mixing method works even by hand without electric mixers. Fork marks on top create the classic crosshatch pattern everyone recognizes.

Perfect for satisfying sudden cookie cravings since you likely have these ingredients on hand. Mix to baked in twenty minutes.

04. Easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Squares

This version combines cookie dough, cream cheese, sugar, and eggs for gooey, decadent bars. The cookie base stays chewy while cheesecake layer sets creamy.

The simple layering technique creates distinct textures in every bite. No water bath or complicated cheesecake methods needed here.

Great for potlucks since these bars travel well and please everyone. Takes more time to bake but minimal hands-on effort.

05. Sweet Meyer Lemon Custard Pie

This bright dessert uses Meyer lemon juice, eggs, sugar, butter, and pie crust for tangy-sweet perfection. Meyer lemons provide gentler acidity than regular lemons.

The custard filling sets smooth and creamy during baking. The natural sweetness of Meyer lemons means less sugar needed overall.

Perfect for showcasing special citrus when you find it. This method highlights the unique Meyer lemon flavor beautifully.

06. Summer Blackberry Oat Crisp

Fresh blackberries get topped with brown sugar, oats, flour, and butter for this rustic summer dessert. The fruit bubbles while oat topping turns golden.

The brown sugar creates caramel notes that complement tart berries perfectly. You can substitute any berry variety you prefer.

This version works great for using up abundant summer fruit. Ready in under an hour with ingredients you probably have.

07. Protein-Rich Black Bean Brownies

This surprising recipe uses brownie mix, black beans, eggs, and oil for fudgy, moist brownies. The beans add protein and fiber without affecting chocolate flavor.

The black beans replace some fat while keeping brownies incredibly moist. Mini muffin versions work perfectly for portion control.

Great for sneaking nutrition into dessert without anyone knowing. Takes same time as regular brownies but healthier results.

08. Floral Honey Lavender Cookies

These unique cookies combine flour, butter, honey, lavender, and sugar for sophisticated flavor. Culinary lavender adds delicate floral notes without overpowering.

The honey provides natural sweetness while keeping cookies tender. Floral honey works even if you skip the lavender completely.

Perfect for special occasions when you want something different. This method creates elegant cookies that impress every time.

09. Powdered Sugar Shortbread Balls

Traditional shortbread dough gets shaped into balls and rolled in powdered sugar for elegant presentation. The buttery cookies melt in your mouth.

The powdered sugar coating creates a sweet shell while keeping cookies moist inside. Rolling while warm helps sugar stick better.

This version works great for weddings, showers, or holiday parties. Simple ingredients create surprisingly sophisticated results.

10. Year-Round Frozen Fruit Pie

This practical recipe uses frozen raspberries and peaches with pie crust, sugar, and cornstarch. Frozen fruit means making this dessert any season.

The cornstarch thickens fruit juices perfectly during baking. No need to thaw fruit first – bake directly from frozen.

Great for using frozen fruit stash and making quick pies. Takes more baking time but saves prep work completely.

11. Crowd-Pleasing Cookie Brittle Bars

This easy method uses butter, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, and chocolate chips spread thin and baked crispy. The result breaks into irregular pieces like peanut brittle.

The thin layer bakes quickly and creates satisfying crunch. Much easier than dropping individual cookies when feeding groups.

Perfect for potlucks since you can make huge batches easily. Takes less time than regular cookies with better results.

12. Golden Coconut Macaroons

These chewy treats use shredded coconut, egg whites, sugar, and almond extract for intense coconut flavor. The outside turns golden while inside stays soft.

The almond extract enhances coconut flavor without competing. Whipping egg whites first creates lighter texture than mixing everything together.

This method works great for coconut lovers and gluten-free needs. Double batches disappear quickly during holiday season.

13. Fun Brownie Ice Cream Cones

This kid-friendly dessert bakes brownie batter directly in ice cream cones using brownie mix, eggs, oil, and water. The cones stay crispy while brownies bake inside.

The novelty presentation makes regular brownies exciting for children. Let kids add their own toppings for interactive fun.

Perfect for birthday parties or summer treats. Takes slightly longer baking time but creates memorable dessert experience.

14. Classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

These beloved cookies use peanut butter, sugar, egg, and flour topped with chocolate candy kisses. The warm cookies soften chocolate for perfect adhesion.

The chocolate kiss pressed into warm cookies creates the signature look. Let cookies firm up on baking sheets before moving.

This version simplifies the classic recipe without losing flavor. Great for cookie exchanges and holiday baking marathons.

15. Individual Oreo Cheesecake Cups

These mini cheesecakes use Oreo cookies, cream cheese, sugar, and eggs baked in muffin cups. Each serving has built-in portion control.

The Oreo crust eliminates need for graham crackers and butter. Individual sizes mean no slicing or messy serving required.

Perfect for parties since everyone gets their own perfect portion. Make double batches because these disappear incredibly fast.

16. Traditional Peach Cobbler

This old-fashioned dessert uses canned peaches, flour, sugar, butter, and milk for comforting results. The batter rises around fruit during baking.

The simple batter method requires no rolling or complicated techniques. Fruit juices create natural sauce while cobbler bakes.

Great for beginners who want pie flavor without pastry skills. Ready in under an hour using everyday ingredients.

17. Hand-Mixed Scottish Shortbread

Authentic shortbread uses just butter, flour, sugar, and salt mixed by hand for tender texture. Cold butter pieces create flaky, melt-in-mouth results.

The hand-mixing method keeps butter from overworking while maintaining traditional texture. Small butter pieces throughout make perfect shortbread.

This traditional approach creates better results than electric mixers. Takes patience but delivers authentic Scottish cookie experience.

18. Layered Apple Cobbler Dessert

Sliced apples and pastry-like dough layer together using apples, flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. The layers create elegant presentation despite simple method.

The layering technique makes this look more complicated than it actually is. Apples soften while dough bakes golden and tender.

Perfect for impressing guests with minimal skills required. This method transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality dessert.

19. Three-Step Chocolate Pretzel Bites

Square pretzels, chocolate candy kisses, and colorful candies create these salty-sweet treats. The warm chocolate acts like glue for final candy topping.

The simple assembly method works perfectly for kids to help make. Just arrange, bake briefly, then press final candy piece.

Great for holiday cookie platters or quick party treats. Takes minimal time but creates impressive variety on dessert tables.

20. Banana Nutella Pastry Cups

Crescent roll dough forms cups filled with sliced bananas and hazelnut spread for easy individual desserts. The pastry puffs while filling warms perfectly.

The muffin tin method creates perfect portion sizes automatically. Teenagers can make these independently with great results.

Perfect for quick breakfast treats or after-school snacks. Takes less than thirty minutes from start to finish.

21. No-Fuss Peach Dump Cake

Canned peaches and yellow cake mix create this effortless dessert using the dump method. Just layer ingredients and let oven do all work.

The cake mix absorbs fruit juices while creating tender topping. This technique works with virtually any canned fruit you prefer.

Great for weeknight baking when you want dessert without effort. Substitute any fruit for different seasonal variations.

22. Quick Almond Thin Wafers

These crispy cookies use almond flour, egg whites, sugar, vanilla, and salt for delicate, elegant results. The thin spreading creates lacy, delicate texture.

The almond flour makes these naturally paleo-friendly while providing rich nutty flavor. Baking time is very short for thin cookies.

Perfect for tea time or when you crave something light. This method uses ingredients you likely have available always.

23. Almond-Enhanced Shortbread Cookies

Traditional shortbread gets upgraded with almond extract, butter, flour, and sugar for enhanced flavor. The almond adds sophistication to classic recipe.

The almond flavoring complements butter beautifully without overpowering the delicate shortbread base. A little extract goes very far.

This version provides welcome change from plain shortbread. Perfect for cookie exchanges when you want something slightly different.

24. Foolproof Blueberry Cobbler

Fresh or frozen blueberries work perfectly with flour, sugar, butter, and milk for reliable results. The berries burst while batter rises golden.

This no-fail method works every single time regardless of baking experience. Frozen berries need no thawing before using.

Great for using abundant blueberry harvests or frozen stash. Simple enough for beginners but delicious enough for everyone.

25. Birthday Cake Funfetti Cookies

Cake mix, oil, eggs, and colorful sprinkles create soft cookies that taste like birthday cake. The sprinkles add festive color and slight crunch.

The cake mix base keeps cookies incredibly soft and tender. Much easier than making birthday cake when you want that flavor.

Perfect for birthday celebrations or anytime you want party vibes. Kids love helping add sprinkles to cookie dough.

26. Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

These guilt-free cookies use peanut butter, cocoa powder, honey, egg, and vanilla for healthy indulgence. Natural sweeteners replace refined sugar completely.

The combination satisfies chocolate and peanut butter cravings without compromising dietary goals. High protein content makes these surprisingly filling.

Great for various dietary restrictions including keto and gluten-free. Takes minutes to make when you want healthy treats.

27. Graham Cracker Toffee Squares

Graham crackers get topped with butter-sugar mixture and chocolate for easy toffee-like treats. The crackers provide perfect crunchy base layer.

The toffee mixture caramelizes beautifully over graham crackers during baking. Add nuts after pouring toffee for best texture results.

Perfect for gift-giving since these pack well in tins. Sturdy enough to ship but elegant enough for special occasions.

28. Basic Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

This streamlined version uses flour, butter, brown sugar, egg, and chocolate chips for classic results. Fewer ingredients mean simpler mixing and better flavor focus.

The brown sugar creates chewier texture while butter provides rich flavor base. Semi-sweet chips balance sweetness perfectly.

Great for frequent cookie baking since ingredients stay stocked easily. No excuse not to make fresh cookies whenever cravings hit.

Final Thoughts

These simple recipes prove that amazing baked goods don’t require lengthy ingredient lists or complicated techniques. With just a few quality ingredients, you can create impressive desserts.

Keep these basic ingredients stocked and you’ll always be ready to whip up something sweet for any occasion that calls for homemade treats.