As the days start to cool down, it’s the perfect time to lean into cozy desserts that don’t ask much of you. That’s where these five-ingredient treats come in: They’re simple, sweet, and just right for fall baking.
These recipes deliver all the warm and cozy flavors without a long shopping list. Whether you’re craving chocolate, apples, pumpkin, or something nostalgic, these easy desserts prove you don’t need much to make something that feels special.
01 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
“Kalter Hund is a humble dessert that can be served and enjoyed as is, but is also fun and easy to decorate. It’s often served unwrapped on a large plate or cake server, topped with chocolate icing, and finished with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, fresh fruit, or coconut. You can also serve slices with a little ice cream or whipped cream to balance out the richness of the chocolate.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer
02 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
“You only need three ingredients and 20 minutes to make chewy, decadent chocolate cookies. It couldn’t be easier thanks to a clever shortcut ingredient. The trick is using a boxed brownie mix. Combined with an egg and some melted butter, it makes for an ideal cookie dough.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor
03 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
“The 1960s recipe calls for just two ingredients: spice cake mix and a whole can of pumpkin purée. You stir them together, dole them out with a cookie scoop, and bake them. That’s it. That’s the recipe. Since it doesn’t get much easier than that, I was in.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor
04 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
“This easy and delicious four-ingredient chocolate mousse has a delightful caffeine kick. It’s the dessert I ‘whip up’ (ha!) when company is coming over and I want to make something quick and satisfying. I usually have all of the ingredients for this recipe on hand in my pantry and fridge, so there’s no special trip to the store needed for a dessert that still feels fancy.” —Danielle Campbell, Recipe Developer
05 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
“Use a scale. I can’t emphasize this enough. If you don’t already have a scale, let this be your sign to invest in one. It’s much more accurate and will save you loads of time and hassle cleaning—not just for this recipe but for all baking recipes in general.” —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer
06 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
“This two-ingredient apple cobbler combines a can of store-bought cinnamon rolls and a can of apple pie filling that get baked together in a 9×13-inch baking dish in the oven.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
07 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
“Yes, they’re similar to buckeyes, but my family never called them that. They’re fully covered with chocolate and require fewer ingredients. We’ve always simply called them peanut butter balls, and they continue to live on as a family favorite recipe every year.” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer
08 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
“This apple tarte Tatin delivers on ease, with the benefit of making the entire dessert in a cake pan. No oven-safe skillet required! With just a few simple steps of prep and 45 minutes of baking time, you’ll end up with a buttery tarte Tatin with a crisp, caramelized crust dressed up with spiced, tender apples.” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer
09 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
“Texturally, these bars have everything you could ask for in a treat. They have a chewy, buttery crust layer, a gooey jam layer, and a bit of a crunch from the addition of a surprising ingredient: corn flakes. They are completely irresistible, and I guarantee everyone will ask you for the recipe.” —Jamie Anulewicz, Recipe Developer
10 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Ward / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall
“We like to add a generous sprinkle of flaky salt to balance out the sweetness, but it’s certainly optional. You could add colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or Heath Bar crumbles. Just be sure to add your topping while the chocolate is still melted so that everything adheres.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor
11 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer
“I actually allowed my four-year-old to do all the recipe testing here, which should tell you everything you need to know about the recipe. It could not be simpler.” —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer
12 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
“Here in reality, I make Cheater Churros: the same cozy, crispy-outside, soft-inside magic with just four ingredients. Store-bought puff pastry is cut into strips, baked, dunked in warm butter, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. No frying, no crying—just indulgence in 20 minutes flat.” —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer
13 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
“You can add extra flavors to the chocolate too, like some peppermint extract for peppermint chocolate fondue, or cinnamon and chile for a Mexican spin, or amaretto or Baileys Irish cream for a more grown-up version.” —Elise Bauer, Founder
14 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer
“For a mix of flavors and textures, I like to pair a sweet variety (Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Jonagold) with a tart one (Pink Lady, Winesap, or Granny Smith). I also prefer to bake with medium to large apples, simply because they’re less tedious to peel.” —Grace Elkus, Recipe Developer
15 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless
“This apple dump cake uses fresh apples, a bit of sugar and spice, white cake mix, and melted butter. With just five ingredients, you’ll have a comforting dessert in just over an hour.” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer
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