Simple Desserts You Can Make: Panna Cotta

6 Simple Desserts to Make That Always Impress

From tarts to sundaes, here are some surprisingly simple desserts you can make for your next dinner party — or as a treat for yourself!

So, you’ve got a dinner party coming up and you want to dazzle. The menu is set with delicious appetizers and a showstopping main course. But… what do you do about the dessert? If you’ve ever hosted a dinner party before, you know how much time you can spend on preparations. From table settings to decor, the list can become very long. Worrying about a fancy dessert in the midst of it all can easily go from a delight to a burden. However, there are actually some pretty impressive desserts that don’t take much time and effort to make. These simple desserts go beyond cake and other pastries to dreamy sweets that are sure to be a hit. (A store-bought cake would be fine, but isn’t it more fun to make it yourself?)

Check out these surprisingly painless desserts you can make for your next dinner party or as a treat for yourself. Happy (effortless) baking!

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Cannoli

This Sicilian food star is a satisfying treat. Based on this classic cannoli recipe, it’s pretty easy to whip up a batch too. It’s fair to say that these crispy, tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with a rich, creamy filling of sweetened ricotta cheese are nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top — maybe throw in some pistachios — and voila! You have a dessert that sings symphonies of sweetness with every bite.

Chocolate Fondue

Want a dessert that’s fun to eat and takes virtually no effort at all? A chocolate fondue is sure to bring everyone to the table in the spirit of fun. Simply melt some good-quality chocolate and serve it in a fondue pot. Around it, you can include an assortment of dippers like strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, and chunks of pound cake. It’s interactive, delightful, and lets everyone customize their sweet ending to the meal.

Panna Cotta

Next in line is another Italian treasure: Panna Cotta. This creamy, jelly-like dessert is incredibly simple to prepare and offers a canvas to play with flavors and toppings. Whether you garnish it with a vibrant berry compote or a drizzle of salted caramel, Panna Cotta stands as a testament to the beauty of simplicity in the dessert world. More importantly, it never fails to delight and satisfy the tastebuds.

Fresh Fruit Tart

For those who love refreshing desserts, a fruit tart is an unbeatable choice. Start with a crunchy tart shell, fill it with a silky pastry cream, and top it with an array of vibrant, fresh fruits. It’s not just a treat for the palate but a visual feast, too! Best of all, none of your guests will know just how little time you actually spent preparing it. 

Zesty Lemon Bars

If your taste buds are yearning for something tangy and sweet, lemon bars are here to save the day. A buttery crust topped with a zesty lemon filling makes for a dessert that’s a beautiful balance of flavors. It’s sure to brighten up any meal, and you can put the bars together in a matter of minutes once you have a good recipe to work from.

Brownie Sundae

Brownie sundaes are timeless. Warm, gooey brownies topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge sauce create a dessert that’s comforting and utterly indulgent. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you feel like a kid again, filled with joy and sprinkled with nostalgia.

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