31 Best 3 Ingredient Desserts For a Sweet and Simple Treat

This item features a simple recipe for a gooey chocolate mug cake made with just three ingredients: an egg, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. It demonstrates how to quickly mix and microwave these ingredients to create a warm, rich dessert in under a minute.

The mug cake rises while cooking and then settles, resulting in a soft, chocolatey treat perfect for immediate enjoyment. It offers an easy, budget-friendly way to satisfy chocolate cravings without the need for an oven or extensive preparation.

This gooey chocolate mug cake uses just three simple ingredients: an egg, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. It comes together quickly in a single mug and cooks in the microwave in under a minute, offering a warm, rich dessert with minimal effort.

The cake rises while microwaving and then settles into a soft, fudgy texture perfect for spooning straight from the mug. It’s an easy treat for satisfying chocolate cravings without the need for an oven or complicated steps.

This item demonstrates how to create a classic sponge cake using only three ingredients: eggs, sugar, and flour. It highlights the importance of whipping the eggs and sugar to the right consistency to achieve a light, airy texture that holds its shape during baking.

The description also explains common challenges like cake deflation, dense texture, and crumbling when slicing, offering practical solutions to avoid these issues. It emphasizes careful mixing, proper baking timing, and resting the cake before cutting to ensure a moist, tender, and stable result.

This Frozen Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie combines a pre-made Oreo crust with softened mint chocolate chip ice cream and whipped topping, creating a simple yet delicious dessert.

After mixing the ice cream with Cool Whip, the pie is spread into the crust and frozen for several hours until firm.

Optional toppings like chocolate sauce or crushed Oreos can be added for extra flavor and texture. The recipe is flexible, allowing substitution of the ice cream flavor to suit different tastes while keeping preparation quick and easy.

This item features a simple, three-ingredient Nutella mug cake that is flourless and quick to prepare. It combines Nutella, an egg, and cocoa powder to create a rich, dense, and chocolatey dessert that cooks in just over a minute in the microwave.

The cake rises during cooking and then condenses as it cools, making it ideal for serving in smaller mugs or plates. It offers a slightly bittersweet chocolate flavor and can be enhanced with toppings like powdered sugar or chocolate syrup for added sweetness.

This flourless chocolate cake is rich, fudgy, and naturally gluten-free, made with just three simple ingredients: eggs, butter, and chocolate. The recipe creates a dense yet light texture by whipping eggs until doubled in volume and gently folding them into melted chocolate and butter.

Baking the cake in a water bath wrapped with heavy-duty foil ensures even cooking and prevents water from seeping into the batter. The cake is best served chilled after cooling completely, with options to customize the flavor by adding espresso powder, cinnamon, or bourbon for a unique twist.

This simple pumpkin spice cake requires only three ingredients: a boxed spice cake mix, canned pumpkin puree, and eggs. It combines these in one bowl for quick mixing, then bakes into a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for fall gatherings or weeknight treats.

The cake’s warm spices and subtle pumpkin taste create a cozy aroma while keeping preparation and cleanup minimal. It can be served plain or topped with cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, or caramel sauce, and stores well in the fridge or freezer for convenient enjoyment later.

This item features a simple, three-ingredient peanut butter mug cake that requires no flour and is ready in about five minutes using a microwave. It combines peanut butter, sugar, and an egg to create a light and fluffy dessert that is both gluten-free and easy to prepare.

The recipe is designed for a single serving, making it perfect for a quick treat without any complicated steps. It offers a straightforward way to enjoy a sweet, protein-rich snack with minimal ingredients and effort.

This recipe combines sweet cherry pie filling with rich chocolate cake mix to create a simple yet delicious dessert. The ingredients are layered and baked until bubbly and golden, resulting in a warm, gooey cake perfect for any occasion.

The cake is easy to prepare with only three main ingredients and requires minimal effort, making it ideal for both weekday treats and special celebrations. Serving it with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping enhances the flavors and adds a creamy contrast to the warm cake.

This apple cake combines just three simple ingredients: spice cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs. The batter is mixed and baked into a moist, flavorful cake with chunks of apple throughout.

A rich brown sugar cinnamon frosting can be whipped up separately and spread on top to add extra sweetness and warmth. The cake can also be enjoyed plain or with whipped topping for a quick, easy fall dessert.

This Peach Dump Cake combines canned peaches, yellow cake mix, and butter to create a warm, gooey dessert with minimal prep time. The ingredients are layered in a baking dish and baked until golden and bubbly, resulting in a simple yet flavorful treat.

The recipe can be customized by adding oats for a crispier texture or using fresh peaches instead of canned. It can also be made in a slow cooker, offering flexibility for different cooking preferences and occasions.

This Oreo Icebox Cake is a simple no-bake dessert made by layering Oreos and whipped cream, then chilling it until set. The cake combines creamy sweetness with the crunch of cookies, creating a rich and satisfying treat that requires minimal ingredients and effort.

The preparation involves whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar and alternating layers of cookies and cream in a dish. After refrigerating for several hours, the dessert becomes firm and ready to serve, making it a perfect make-ahead snack or after-school treat.

This slow cooker apple spice cake combines just three simple ingredients to create a warm, comforting dessert perfect for fall. The apple pie filling forms a sweet base, topped with spice cake mix and butter, then cooked slowly to develop rich flavors and a tender texture.

The cake can be served straight from the crockpot, making it an easy option for busy evenings or holiday gatherings. It also adapts well to gluten-free diets by substituting the cake mix, and pairs nicely with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.

This souffle cheesecake is made with just three simple ingredients: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and eggs. It creates a light, airy texture similar to Japanese cotton cheesecake that melts in your mouth.

The recipe involves whipping egg whites to stiff peaks and folding them gently into the cream cheese mixture before baking in a water bath. Chilling the cake after baking helps it set perfectly, and it can be served plain or with various toppings like fresh fruit or sauces.

This no-bake pudding cake combines just three simple ingredients—instant pudding, Cool Whip, and graham crackers—to create a layered dessert that requires no oven time. The pudding and crackers form soft, creamy layers that set in the refrigerator, making it easy to prepare ahead and serve chilled.

The recipe is versatile, allowing for variations like chocolate pudding or added toppings such as sprinkles or syrup. It’s a convenient, budget-friendly option that travels well, making it ideal for potlucks or casual gatherings.

This recipe combines canned apple pie filling with refrigerated crescent rolls to create a simple, baked dessert. The mixture is spread in a dish and baked until the crescent dough is golden and tender, resulting in warm, fruity dumplings.

Serving suggestions include topping the dumplings with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of heavy cream for added richness. Optional additions like cinnamon or nuts can enhance the flavor and texture, making it a versatile treat for any occasion.

These peanut butter oat squares combine just three simple ingredients—peanut butter, honey, and rolled oats—to create a quick, no-bake snack. The mixture is melted together, pressed into a pan, chilled until firm, and then cut into squares for easy serving.

The bars offer a balance of fiber and protein, making them a convenient option for a grab-and-go breakfast or a satisfying snack. Variations like adding chocolate chips, seeds, or dried fruit can customize the flavor and texture to suit different tastes.

These peanut butter cookies are made with only three simple ingredients: peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. The dough is easy to mix and shape, then baked to create chewy, dense cookies with a classic criss-cross pattern on top.

The recipe allows for quick preparation, taking just minutes to assemble before baking for 12 minutes. Variations like adding vanilla or chocolate chips can customize the flavor, while the straightforward method makes it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, including kids.

These Scottish shortbread cookies are made with just three simple ingredients: flour, butter, and powdered sugar. The dough comes together quickly without the need for eggs, leavening agents, or chilling, allowing you to bake fresh cookies in under an hour.

The cookies have a rich, buttery flavor and a dense texture that pairs perfectly with hot beverages like coffee or cocoa. They can be cut into classic shapes or festive designs and decorated with icing and sprinkles for a seasonal touch.

These chocolate peanut butter bars combine just three simple ingredients to create a rich, layered dessert with a smooth chocolate base, a creamy peanut butter center, and a chocolate topping.

The bars offer a quick and satisfying treat that can be prepared in about 15 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute cravings or easy entertaining.

The recipe emphasizes using quality chocolate and adjusting powdered sugar to achieve the right peanut butter consistency for easy cutting and handling. Once set, the bars can be stored at room temperature and enjoyed without fuss, delivering a flavor reminiscent of a giant Reese’s candy bar.

These homemade cereal bars require only three simple ingredients: crispy cereal, almond butter, and a sticky sweetener like maple syrup. The mixture is combined, pressed into a pan, and chilled until firm, creating a quick and wholesome snack option.

The bars are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and customizable with different cereals or nut butters to suit personal taste. They store best in the refrigerator to maintain their crisp texture and can be frozen for longer shelf life.

These Caramel Snickerdoodles combine flaky, tender crescent dough with a gooey caramel center, all coated in cinnamon sugar for a warm, sweet treat. Each bite offers a melty caramel surprise wrapped in a soft, cinnamon-spiced shell that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying solo.

The recipe requires just three simple ingredients and minimal prep, making it quick to bake fresh, warm cookies anytime. They are best eaten right out of the oven or reheated briefly to restore their signature caramel ooze and tender texture.

These butter cookies are made with just three simple ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour. The dough creates a rich, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings quickly.

You can customize each cookie by adding toppings like sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, or jam before baking. The recipe is easy enough to make solo but also fun to share with others when decorating the cookies.

These Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies combine just three simple ingredients to create a soft, chewy treat with the rich flavor of red velvet cake. The dough comes together quickly with cake mix, eggs, and oil, then bakes into thick, moist cookies that stay tender and delicious.

Adding white chocolate chips is optional but adds a sweet contrast and visual appeal. These cookies can be enjoyed warm or cooled, and they can be customized with powdered sugar, frosting, or mix-ins like peppermint chips for festive variations.

These cake mix cookies require only three simple ingredients: cake mix, eggs, and oil. They create soft, tender, and chewy cookies with minimal effort, making them perfect for quick baking sessions.

The recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to customize the flavor by choosing different cake mixes and mixing in your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips or sprinkles.

Baking is straightforward—just mix, scoop, and bake—resulting in delicious cookies that hold their shape and texture well.

These lemon bars combine just two ingredients: angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling. The mixture creates a light, fluffy batter that bakes into a golden, tangy dessert perfect for quick preparation.

The bars can be baked in a standard 9×13 pan and cooled before slicing into squares. Optional toppings like powdered sugar or lemon zest add extra flavor, making this a simple yet tasty treat for any occasion.

These Strawberry Cool Whip Cookies combine strawberry cake mix, Cool Whip, and eggs to create soft, flavorful cookies with minimal effort. The dough is chilled, rolled in powdered sugar, and baked for a tender, slightly sweet treat that’s light and festive.

The recipe offers a simple way to enjoy a low-fat dessert that feels indulgent without the guilt. Variations with different cake mixes allow for customizable flavors, making it easy to adapt for any occasion or preference.