Are you over having your oven running all day long? Or do you simply require the oven space to roast your main course? If any of these dilemmas relate to you, then no-bake treats are your best solution!
Getting a dessert on the table for your next family gathering or party should come easy when no baking is required. You certainly don’t have to be an expert baker in order to whip up the tasty crowd-pleasers we’ve listed below.
Here are five simple no-bake recipes that will be perfect for the festivities ahead and that includes Thanksgiving and Christmas. From a simple rice pudding to a more decadent chocolate cheesecake, there’s truly something for everyone here.
Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is a classic yet wildly underrated dessert. Simply made from rice mixed with added water or milk, this dessert may not be over-the-top but is delicious nonetheless. Top this with toasted nuts or a fresh fruit compote for the perfect finish! And if you happen to be vegan or lactose intolerant, you can use coconut milk as an alternative.
(Serves 6, takes about an hour to make)
Ingredients:
- 5 ½ cups of whole milk (or any other alternative you prefer)
- ½ cups of light brown sugar
- ½ tsp of salt
- ½ cup of jasmine rice
- 1 tbsp of butter
- 2 tbsp of pure vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon (or any other garnish you fancy)
Steps:
- Combine 5 cups of milk, sugar and salt in a large saucepan and heat the mixture over a medium fire.
- For precise baking, use the Levoons scrape level measuring spoon. This is no regular measuring spoon as you can squeeze their handles to swipe off excess ingredients, giving you a perfectly level and accurate measurement.
- When the mixture is boiling, add rice and reduce to a simmer.
- Be sure to stir the mixture occasionally for about 45 to 50 minutes until it produces a rather thick consistency.
- When the rice looks tender, remove the mixture from the heat and stir in butter, vanilla and ½ a cup of milk.
- You can either serve this hot from the pot or chill this in the refrigerator if you want to serve it cold.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon over as a garnish or use any other topping you fancy. Toasted nuts or a fresh fruit compote makes for an equally delicious combination!
Gingerbread Fudge
With only five ingredients, it seems this might be easier to make in comparison to the rice pudding. If you’re a fan of the cookie dough consistency, you’re really going to enjoy this sweet treat. Smooth, creamy and filled with all sorts of aromatic spices including cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, this is a step up from your usual gingerbread cookie!
(Good for 6, takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes)
Ingredients:
- 12 oz of melted white chocolate
- 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp of ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp of ground ginger
Steps:
- Mix the white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk together in a large bowl.
- Add cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to the mixture and stir until combined.
- Using a spatula, transfer the fudge into a parchment-lined baking dish and smooth over the top.
- Let it sit for an hour or so until it becomes firm.
- Once done, transfer to the refrigerator to cool it down.
- Cut into squares and enjoy.
Nutella Cheesecake
There really isn’t a better combination than Nutella and cream cheese put together as the two just blend seamlessly to form an indulgent cheesecake. This decadent and creamy confection may look difficult to make, but it is relatively simple to create and quite perfect for any get-together. With its light and fluffy mousse-like texture, this dessert is sure to be polished in a matter of minutes!
(Serves 8, takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes)
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup of whipped cream
- 12 oz of softened cream cheese
- ½ cup of sugar
- ½ cup of Nutella (add more if you please!)
- Digestive biscuits for the crust
Steps:
- Combine the whipped cream and softened cream cheese with sugar and stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Fold in the Nutella using a hand mixer like the MultiMix 3 which will make it easier for you to yield a smooth and consistent texture. All you have to do is place the motor directly over the attachments and the weight of the electric whisk will be directed into the bowl away from your hand so it requires less effort to mix.
- Subsequently, pour the mixture into the prepared crust and smooth over the top with a spatula.
- Cover the cake with cling film and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours.
- Don’t forget to drizzle more Nutella over before you serve it!
Oreo Cookie Balls
Are you an Oreo lover? If so, this might just be your new favourite dessert! Stuffed with cream cheese, these chocolate-covered cookie balls are essentially truffles that are fuss-free to make and consume. Who needs a cookie platter when you can have these?
(Makes 24, takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes)
Ingredients:
- 1 (14oz) packet of Oreos
- 1 (8oz) package of softened cream cheese
- 1 (12oz) package of melted chocolate chips
- A pinch of salt
Steps:
- Firstly, crush up the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor such as Braun’s Tribute Collection. The old Ziploc bag and rolling pin trick may work just as well but having a food processor with a high efficiency motor and pre-set speed function, will get you the best immediate results with no effort at all on your part.
- Add all but 2 tablespoons of crushed cookie crumbs into a bowl and stir in cream cheese with a pinch of salt until everything is evenly mixed.
- Next, use a small scoop to form the mixture into small balls before transferring them onto a baking sheet.
- Freeze the cookie balls for about 30 minutes until they are slightly hardened.
- Once that is done, dip the cookie balls into melted chocolate before placing them back into the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs onto the balls and freeze again for about 15 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
Zesty Lemon Curd
This last one is more of a dessert topping for any plain muffins and cakes you might have lying around at home. The citrusy flavours from this curd are sure to invigorate you on any given day!
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups of sugar
- ¾ cup of lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest
- 1 cup of butter
Steps:
- Before you begin, make sure you ready yourself with some lemon juice. Instead of doing it the old fashioned way, perhaps try the Lemoniere Lemon Juicer! Resembling a mini watering can, this juicer will allow you to squeeze your lemons with ease and once you’re done, simply transfer the juice over by pouring it out of the can.
- Next, whisk the eggs with sugar, lemon juice and zest until they are blended well.
- Add butter to this mixture on a saucepan and cook it over medium heat.
- Be sure to whisk the mixture constantly until it forms a thick consistency.
- Remove from the heat before it begins to boil and transfer the curd to a bowl, leaving it to cool.
- Wrap the bowl with cling film and refrigerate until it is chilled.
- After that’s done, feel free to spread this on any cakes, crumpets or muffins that need a little sprucing up!
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