13 No Bake Desserts That Save Your Oven Space This Holiday Season

Here is a little holiday secret: the oven is the most fought over spot in the house. The turkey needs it, the rolls need it, and the casserole is waiting in line. That is why no bake desserts are pure gold this time of year. They chill in the fridge while you handle everything else, and many of them can be made a day ahead. Kids can help with most of them too. Ready to keep your cool in the kitchen..

No Bake Desserts Start With Strawberry Cream Cups

These pretty cups are the kind of dessert that makes guests pull out their phones for a photo. Crunchy cookie crumbs on the bottom, a cloud of sweet cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberries layered in between. No oven, no stress, and they look like they came from a bakery case. This is how no bake desserts win the holidays. Would you use strawberries, raspberries or both?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp melted butter, 8 oz soft cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups sliced strawberries, whole strawberries and mint to garnish.

How to make it: 1. Mix the crumbs and melted butter. 2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. 3. Whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold it in. 4. Layer crumbs, cream and strawberries in 6 small glasses. 5. Repeat the layers once more. 6. Top each with a strawberry and mint and chill at least 1 hour.

Golden Oat Energy Bites in Ten Minutes

These little bites taste like a cookie but act like a snack. Oats, peanut butter, honey and a handful of mini chocolate chips get stirred in one bowl and rolled into balls. That is the whole job. They are one of the easiest no bake desserts for busy weeks, and they keep for a week in the fridge. Honest question: do you eat them before or after the workout?

You will need: 1 cup old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/4 cup ground flaxseed, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, 2 tbsp shredded coconut (optional).

How to make it: 1. Add everything to a large bowl. 2. Stir until the mix holds together. 3. Chill for 20 minutes so it is easier to roll. 4. Roll into 1 inch balls with damp hands. 5. Roll some in coconut or crushed nuts if you like. 6. Store in a covered container in the fridge for up to a week.

Berry and Cream Cheese Crispbread Bites

These crunchy bites are one of those no bake desserts that feel a little bit like a health win. Spread sweet whipped cream cheese on crispbread, then pile on blackberries, blueberries and juicy pomegranate seeds. A drizzle of honey and a few chopped nuts finish them off. They are ready in ten minutes and kids love building their own. Which topping wins: A) blackberries, B) blueberries, C) pomegranate, D) all three?

You will need: 8 crispbread crackers or graham crackers, 8 oz soft cream cheese, 2 tbsp honey plus more for drizzling, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup blackberries and blueberries, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, 2 tbsp chopped walnuts, a few rosemary or mint leaves.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese, honey and vanilla until fluffy. 2. Break the crispbread into squares if they are large. 3. Spread a thick layer of the cream cheese on each piece. 4. Top with berries and pomegranate seeds. 5. Sprinkle with walnuts and a few herb leaves. 6. Drizzle with honey and serve right away so they stay crisp.

No Bake Desserts Get Fancy With Berry Panna Cotta

Panna cotta sounds like restaurant food, but it is really just sweet cream set with a little gelatin. It takes ten minutes of work and the fridge does the rest. The texture is silky and soft, and a spoon of berry sauce on top makes it look like art. It is a great make ahead dessert for dinner parties. Have you ever tried it, or will this be your first time?

You will need: 2 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin, 3 tbsp cold water, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp vanilla. Sauce: 1 1/2 cups mixed berries, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp lemon juice.

How to make it: 1. Sprinkle gelatin over the cold water and let it bloom for 5 minutes. 2. Warm cream, milk and sugar until steaming, but do not boil. 3. Stir in the gelatin until dissolved, then add vanilla. 4. Pour into 6 bowls or glasses and chill 4 hours. 5. Simmer berries, sugar and lemon for 5 minutes. 6. Cool the sauce and spoon it over the set cream.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries for Easy Gifts

Few treats feel as special as a plump strawberry dipped in shiny chocolate. They are the classic Valentine treat, but they shine at Christmas parties too, especially with a white chocolate drizzle. The trick is drying the berries completely before dipping, or the chocolate will not stick. Pack them in a box with parchment and you have an easy homemade gift. Milk, dark or white chocolate for you?

You will need: 1 pound fresh strawberries with stems, 8 oz dark or milk chocolate, 2 oz white chocolate, 1 tsp coconut oil, sprinkles or crushed nuts (optional).

How to make it: 1. Wash the strawberries and dry them completely. 2. Line a tray with parchment. 3. Melt the dark chocolate with half the coconut oil in short bursts. 4. Dip each berry, let the extra drip off and set it on the tray. 5. Melt the white chocolate with the rest of the oil and drizzle over the top. 6. Chill 20 minutes until firm and serve the same day.

Silky No Bake Desserts Like Chocolate Mousse Cups

Chocolate mousse is pure comfort in a glass. It is light and airy but still deeply chocolatey, like eating a cloud made of cocoa. This version skips raw eggs and uses whipped cream instead, so it is easy and safe for everyone at the table. Spoon it into small glasses and top with shaved chocolate. Would you share yours, or is this a hide it in the back of the fridge situation?

You will need: 6 oz semisweet chocolate, 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream (divided), 2 tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, chocolate shavings for topping.

How to make it: 1. Heat 1/2 cup cream until steaming and pour it over the chopped chocolate. 2. Stir until smooth and let it cool to room temperature. 3. Whip the remaining cream with sugar, vanilla and salt to soft peaks. 4. Fold the cream into the chocolate in two parts. 5. Spoon into 4 to 6 glasses. 6. Chill 2 hours and top with chocolate shavings.

Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Cups

Banana pudding is one of the original no bake desserts and a Southern church supper legend. Soft vanilla wafers, creamy pudding and sweet banana slices melt together in the fridge into something truly special. Serving it in individual cups makes it party friendly and very cute. A drizzle of caramel on top is our little twist. Did your grandma make the big dish version, or do you remember it from a potluck?

You will need: 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, 2 cups cold milk, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (whipped), 3 ripe bananas, 1 box vanilla wafers, caramel sauce for drizzling.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. 2. Stir in the condensed milk and chill 10 minutes. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Layer wafers, banana slices and pudding in cups. 5. Repeat and finish with whipped cream and crushed wafers. 6. Chill at least 4 hours and drizzle with caramel before serving.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

If you grew up in the Midwest, you might call these buckeyes. Sweet peanut butter dough is rolled into little balls and dipped in chocolate. They taste like a homemade peanut butter cup, only better because you made them yourself. Make a big batch for cookie trays, because they go fast. Here is a poll: A) fully covered in chocolate, or B) a little peanut butter peeking out?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup soft butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 cups chocolate chips, 1 tbsp coconut oil.

How to make it: 1. Beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla. 2. Mix in the powdered sugar until a soft dough forms. 3. Roll into 1 inch balls and freeze 30 minutes. 4. Melt the chocolate with coconut oil. 5. Dip each ball with a toothpick and set on parchment. 6. Chill until firm and store in the fridge.

Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Desserts in a Cup

All the joy of strawberry shortcake without baking a single biscuit. Store bought pound cake cubes soak up juicy strawberries and get tucked between layers of fluffy cream. The cups look stunning lined up on a tray, and they come together in about fifteen minutes. Make them a few hours ahead so the cake gets soft and soaked. Who in your house would grab the first cup?

You will need: 1 store bought pound cake, 2 cups sliced strawberries, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, extra whole strawberries.

How to make it: 1. Toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and let them sit 10 minutes. 2. Cut the pound cake into small cubes. 3. Whip cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. 4. Layer cake, strawberries and cream in clear cups. 5. Repeat the layers. 6. Top with a whole strawberry and chill until serving.

Easy Cookies and Cream Truffle Balls

Just a few ingredients turn into truffles that taste like a fancy chocolate shop treat. Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and cream cheese become a soft, fudgy center, then get a coat of chocolate and a white drizzle. They are perfect for cookie swaps and holiday gift boxes. Love short ingredient lists? See our easy 5 ingredient desserts for more ideas.

You will need: 1 package (about 36) chocolate sandwich cookies, 8 oz soft cream cheese, 12 oz semisweet chocolate, 2 oz white chocolate for drizzle.

How to make it: 1. Crush the cookies into fine crumbs in a food processor. 2. Mix in the cream cheese until smooth. 3. Roll into 1 inch balls and freeze 20 minutes. 4. Melt the chocolate and dip each ball. 5. Set on parchment and drizzle with melted white chocolate. 6. Chill until set and keep in the fridge.

Coconut Snowballs That Look Like Winter

These snowy white no bake desserts are made for December. Sweet coconut, condensed milk and a hint of vanilla come together into soft, chewy balls, then get rolled in more coconut until they look like little snowballs. Hide an almond in the center for a surprise. They look beautiful on a cookie platter next to chocolate treats. Are you a coconut lover or a coconut skipper?

You will need: 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut (plus 1 cup for rolling), 1/2 can (7 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, whole almonds (optional).

How to make it: 1. Mix coconut, condensed milk, vanilla and salt. 2. Chill the mix for 30 minutes. 3. Scoop small spoonfuls and press an almond into each one if using. 4. Roll into balls. 5. Roll each ball in extra coconut. 6. Chill until firm and store covered for up to a week.

Chocolate Oat Cookies From Childhood

These might be the most nostalgic of all no bake desserts. They were on every lunchroom tray and church bake sale table. Butter, sugar, cocoa and milk boil for one minute, then oats and peanut butter go in, and you spoon them onto parchment. In half an hour they are set and fudgy. The one minute boil is the secret, so use a timer. Did your mom make these, or was it your grandma?

You will need: 1/2 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, 3 cups quick oats.

How to make it: 1. Line a tray with parchment. 2. Melt the butter in a pot, then add sugar, milk and cocoa. 3. Bring to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute. 4. Take off the heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla and salt. 5. Stir in the oats. 6. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment and let them set for 30 minutes.

End With No Bake Desserts Like Chocolate Berry Trifle Cups

We saved a showstopper for last. Chocolate pudding, whipped cream and dark berries layered in glasses look like something from a five star dessert menu. Use store bought brownies or chocolate cake for the base to save time. The berries add a fresh, juicy pop against the rich chocolate. So which of these no bake desserts are you making first? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: 2 cups crumbled brownies or chocolate cake, 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding, 2 cups cold milk, 1 1/2 cups whipped cream, 2 cups mixed berries, chocolate shavings.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes and chill 5 minutes. 2. Put a layer of brownie crumbs in each glass. 3. Add a layer of chocolate pudding. 4. Add whipped cream and a few berries. 5. Repeat the layers. 6. Top with berries and chocolate shavings and chill 1 hour.