50 Easy Desserts to Make with What’s in Your Pantry

Read Time: 16 mins

50 Easy Desserts to Make with What’s in Your Pantry2/50 Icebox Cookies 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Icebox Cookies Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 7 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cookie recipe from my 91-year-old grandmother was my grandfather’s favorite. She still makes them and sends us home with the dough so that we can make more whenever we want, I love to make a fresh batch when company drops in. —Chris Paulsen, Glendale, Arizona 3/50 Chocolate Chip Brownies 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate

Chip Brownies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: People love these rich chocolate chip brownies so much that I never take them anywhere without bringing along several copies of the recipe to hand out. The treats are wonderful to take on a picnic because you don’t have to worry about melted frosting. —Brenda Kelly, Ashburn, Virginia 4/50 Marshmallow Puffs 11 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows,

They’re perfect for the holidays when time is so precious

these treats were very popular with our three kids as they were growing up—and now I make them for our two grandchildren. They’re perfect for the holidays when time is so precious. —Dody Cagenello, Simsbury, Connecticut 5/50 Rice Pudding 94 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grandma’s Rice Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sisters and I always loved the recipe for rice pudding our grandma made. After she passed away, I took it upon myself to try and find the secret to her rice pudding.

It took quite a bit of experimentation, but I finally got it right!

It took quite a bit of experimentation, but I finally got it right! And I’m glad to share this easy recipe here. —Margaret DeChant, Newberry, Michigan 6/50 Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have to be super careful when cooking for my daughter because of food sensitivities, so I make these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars with certified gluten-free oats. Everyone loves these bars when we go to picnics or potlucks,

and I know there will be a dessert for my daughter! —

and I know there will be a dessert for my daughter! —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas 7/50 Peanut Butter Fudge Cups 12 Reviews Peanut Butter Fudge Cups Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband often travels during the week, and this fast-to-fix microwave peanut butter fudge recipe is perfect for just my 2-year-old and me. —Lori Brow, Manhattan, Illinois. 8/50 Raspberry Almond Strips 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Raspberry Almond Strips Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 32 cookies Go to

—Taste of HomeTest Kitchen 9/50

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Get ready to pour yourself a cup of tea, because you won’t be able to resist sampling one of these cookies. Almonds add taste and texture to the simple strips that are dressed up with raspberry pie filling. —Taste of HomeTest Kitchen 9/50 Tapioca Pudding 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Old-Fashioned Tapioca Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 40 min Servings 18 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves traditional tapioca, but I don’t always have time to make it. So I came up with this simple

recipe that lets us enjoy one of our favorites without all the hands-on time

recipe that lets us enjoy one of our favorites without all the hands-on time. —Ruth Peters, Bel Air, Maryland 10/50 Cashew Clusters 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cashew Clusters Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings about 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this recipe for many bake sales at the local community college where I work. They are always the first to sell out.—Betsy Grantier, Charlottesville, Virginia 11/50 Chocolate Bread Pudding 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time

It’s a rich, comforting dessert

45 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a fun recipe because the chocolate makes it different from traditional bread pudding. It’s a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas 12/50 Crisp Sugar Cookies 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crisp Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to

share with friends

share with friends. —Evelyn Poteet, Hancock, Maryland 13/50 Fudgy Brownie Recipe 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ultimate Fudgy Brownies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Coffee granules enhance the chocolate flavor in these amazingly fudgy brownies. Add chocolate chips to the batter and you’ve got some seriously irresistible treats. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin 14/50 Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding 64 Reviews Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This comforting

dessert is a wonderful way to end any meal

dessert is a wonderful way to end any meal. As a girl, I always waited eagerly for the first heavenly bite. Today, my husband likes to top his with a scoop of ice cream. —Sandra Melnychenko, Grandview, Manitoba 15/50 Saltine Cracker Candy with Toasted Pecans 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings about 2 pounds Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My kids and grandchildren love this saltine cracker candy recipe. The neighbor kids rush right over when they find out I have them. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario 16/50 Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies 60 Reviews Test

But since then I’ve never had a failure, and I make them all the time!

Kitchen Approved Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my mother (who’s now a great-grandmother) gave me this recipe for no-flour peanut butter cookies about 15 years ago, I was skeptical, because it calls for only three ingredients (and no flour). But since then I’ve never had a failure, and I make them all the time! —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 17/50 Potato Chip Clusters 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Just three

offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat

offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma 18/50 Russian Tea Cakes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Russian Tea Cakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile this fresh-baked Russian tea cakes recipe on pretty plates that I buy throughout the

year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends

year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa 19/50 Chewy Pecan Pie Bars 21 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This treat is one of my husband’s favorites. I’ve been making these bars for many years, and we still can’t get enough. I never mind making this recipe—it’s about as easy as baking can be! —Judy Taylor, Shreveport, Louisiana 20/50 Fudge 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Triple Chocolate Fudge Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

This recipe makes more than enough to share with family and friends

Time 45 min Servings 6-3/4 pounds (19-1/2 dozen pieces) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe makes more than enough to share with family and friends. It’s the ultimate fudge! —Linette Shepherd, Williamston, Michigan 21/50 Creamy Rice Pudding 10 Reviews Creamy Rice Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was fortunate to grow up around fabulous cooks. My mother and grandmother taught me to experiment with recipes, and we tried a lot of variations on this one. No matter how we chose to

embellish it, it was always tasty

embellish it, it was always tasty. When I make this, it brings fond memories to mind. —Laura German, North Brookfield, Massachusetts 22/50 Orange Crispies 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Orange Crispies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Add a splash of little sunshine to your cookie jar with this recipe. When I want to spread some cheer, I’ll bake up a double batch to share. —Ruth Gladstone, Brunswick, Maryland 23/50 Apple Brown Betty Recipe 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple Brown Betty Recipe photo by Taste

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⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

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