12 No-Bake Holiday Desserts (Seriously, Turn That Oven Off!)

Making a delicious dessert doesn’t have to mean hours spent over a hot stove or dealing with finicky oven temperatures.

In fact, for many of the season’s best treats, all you need is a little fridge space.

Are you tired of vying for oven time during your family holiday preparations? Just need a quick and easy dessert to bring to that work party? Here are 12 no-bake desserts to make your life easier:

1. Mini Cheesecakes

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Who doesn’t love a good cheesecake? They’re rich, delectable, and can be topped with just about any fruit or syrup for an extra zing of flavor. These little ones are easy, too. The crust is a simple graham cracker-butter mixture, while the cheesecake filling requires only a handful of ingredients. Add blueberries, strawberries, or even cranberries and mint leaves on top for a festive touch.

2. Cornflake Wreaths

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A throwback to the old Rice Krispie treats of our youth, these desserts are both festive and easy. You just need Cornflakes cereal, some marshmallows, and a little butter, and you’re on your way. Add green food coloring and some carefully placed red M&Ms to achieve the full look.

3. Toasted S’mores Pie

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Want to roast marshmallows but don’t have a fireplace? Enjoy s’mores another way, with this creative and easy s’mores pie. All it takes is chocolate-marshmallow mixture spread atop a homemade graham cracker crust, and this treat is done in just 30 minutes.

4. Eggnog Dip

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If you’re looking for a good finger food or appetizer, this one’s a quick and easy choice. It just takes four ingredients, a sleeve of ginger snap cookies, and a decent-sized bowl, and you’ve got your hands on a rich and creamy treat that just screams of the season. Prep time is a mere 10 minutes on this one.

5. Homemade Thin Mints

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Love those Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies? It may not be the Scouts’ cookie season just yet, but you can still feed that craving with this super easy, no-bake holiday recipe. You only need four ingredients (chocolate chips, shortening, peppermint extract, and Ritz crackers), and about 20 minutes of time. Double or triple the recipe and hand some out as gifts or party favors.

6. Caramel Apple Pudding

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This one’s like apple pie, but without all the work. A few peeled apples, some choice seasonings, and a little caramel sauce, and you’ve got a creamy, seasonal apple dessert in minutes. Chill overnight and top with graham cracker crumbs for best results.

7. Peppermint Fudge Bars

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Few things are as festive as a candy cane this time of year, and this recipe brings those little treats front and center. A delicious mix of peppermint candies, marshmallow fluff, and white chocolate, these desserts are a crowdpleaser at any holiday get-together.

8. Oreo Truffle Balls

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Truffles are always a great option for holiday desserts. They’re easy, they’re bite-sized, and they can be customized with all sorts of flavors, colors, and themes. These Oreo ones are just one variation of truffle you can try this season. All you need is cream cheese, a package of Oreos, and some white chocolate, and you’re minutes away from that seasonal treat. You can even try it with different flavors of Oreos (mint, maybe?)

9. Classic Peppermint Bark

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With just four ingredients and about 45 minutes, this delectable handheld holiday dessert is within reach. A mixture of white chocolate, semisweet chocolate, and candy canes, there’s nothing to this no-bake recipe. Just melt, stir, refrigerate, and enjoy.

10. Chocolate Mint Lasagna

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This is no ordinary lasagna. A festive mix of mint Oreos, whipped cream, and chocolate pudding, it’s as rich as they come. You’ll just need a large, deep-dish pan, a handful of ingredients, and at least four hours of chilling time in the refrigerator. Be sure to bring along a spatula for serving!

11. Chocolate Mousse

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You can’t go wrong with a good chocolate mousse. A rich, pie-like dessert, it’s got a chocolate cookie crust, a fluffy, creamy filling, and a rich, cocoa topping that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Once you’ve arranged it all, you only need about an hour in the fridge before digging in.

12. Pretzel Brownies

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Sweet, crunchy, and easy all in one, these pretzel-cracker brownies are a slam dunk when you’re in need of a quick treat. Just melt the chocolate, stir in some pretzels and cracker crumbs, spread it out, and stick it all in the fridge. The rest is history.

Get Help with those Holiday Costs

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