15 Easy Dessert Recipes for Kids

Kids love sweets, and that’s an undeniable fact. It powers them with fuel, supplies them with calories, and makes their days so much brighter. If you dislike the processed foods industry and want to give your kids some healthy homemade options, you’ve come to the right place. Easy dessert recipes for kids can be both nutritious and delicious, using simple ingredients like fruits, yogurt, and whole grains. These treats are quick to prepare, making them perfect for busy parents and eager little helpers.

Don’t worry—even you will enjoy these recipes guilt-free and join in on the fun (er, tasting). From no-bake energy bites to fruity parfaits, there’s something for every sweet tooth. Plus, involving kids in the kitchen fosters creativity and healthy eating habits early on.

15 Quick Children’s Dessert Recipes

Here’s a list of our top 15 kid-friendly dessert recipes. Try these out and watch their faces light up once they have a bite!

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

These timeless, buttery cookies with melty chocolate chunks are perfectly chewy with crisp edges – an ideal first baking project for little chefs.

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Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup softened butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips

How to Make

1. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy (2–3 minutes). Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Refrigerate 30 minutes (for thicker cookies).
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough into balls; bake for 10–12 minutes.
6. Let cookies rest on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

2. Whole Wheat Halwa

Halwa is a traditional Indian dessert recipe and one of our favorites. Here’s how you make it.

Ingredients Needed

• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1⁄3 cup canola oil
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• 2 cups of water
• ¼ cup of raisins
• 2 tbsp fresh organic almonds (sliced)
• 1 tbsp pistachios (to garnish)
• ½ tsp ground cardamom powder

How to Make

1. Get a pan and boil the water and brown sugar on medium flame until the sugar dissolves. Set that aside and heat up the canola oil in a non-stick frying pan.
2. Add in the whole wheat flour and roast until it turns golden brown.
3. Add in the dissolved sugar and stir slowly. Make sure you see no lumps and after that. Add in the rest of the ingredients except the almonds and pistachios.
4. Stir until you are happy with the consistency, set aside, and let the mixture cool.
5. Garnish with almonds and pistachios and serve fresh.

3. Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Individual portions of fluffy biscuits layered with sweetened strawberries and pillowy whipped cream create a mess-free version of this beloved summer dessert.

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup diced strawberries
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 package (8 oz) pre-made biscuit dough (or homemade)

How to Make

1. Toss strawberries with sugar; let sit 15 minutes to release juices.
2. Separate biscuit dough into cups; bake per package instructions (or homemade recipe). Cool completely.
3. Split biscuits in half. Layer bottom halves with whipped cream and strawberries.
4. Replace biscuit tops; add more cream and berries.
5. Serve immediately (or refrigerate up to 1 hour).

4. Coconut Laddoos

Coconut laddoos are one of the few Indian vegan milk desserts for kids that are perfect for those who are lactose-intolerant. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 ½ cup freshly shredded coconut
• 1 cup coconut cream or coconut milk (low-fat)
• 1⁄3 cup jaggery powder
• Grounded cardamom powder
• A pinch of Himalayan pink salt

How to Make

1. Get a skillet and put it on medium flame. Add in the shredded coconut and cook until it turns golden brown. Mix in coconut cream and cook for another two minutes.
2. Stir in the salt and sugar now, eventually adding in cardamom powder.
3. Cook until the toasted coconut shreds soak in the milk an there is no creamy texture left when you press with a spoon.
4. Cool this blend at room temperature and shape up into balls for serving.
5. If you’re storing these laddoos in an airtight container inside the refrigerator, it will last a whole week.

5. No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

These energy-packed bars mimic the flavors of peanut butter cups with an oat-based crust, offering a healthier homemade alternative to store-bought candy.

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup peanut butter
• ½ cup honey
• 2 cups rolled oats
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make

1. Grease an 8×8″ baking dish or line with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and oats until sticky.
3. Firmly press the mixture into the pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
4. Refrigerate 2+ hours until set.
5. Cut into bars. Store in the fridge.

6. Orange Kheer

Orange kheer is a unique spin on the classic Indian kheer recipe. The vitamin C boost gives a great kick.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup orange segments (chopped and de-seeded)
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• ¼ cup cold milk (full-fat version)
• 4 ¼ cups milk (full-fat)
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

How to Make

1. Get a medium-sized bowl and blend the cold milk and cornflour well.
2. Set aside and boil the regular cups of milk on high heat for 6 to 7 minutes roughly.
3. Add in sugar to the boiled milk along with the cornflour and cold milk. Blend well and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring throughout.
4. Mix in the cardamom powder.
5. Let the resulting blend or mixture cool.
6. Add in the orange segments when cooled down and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
7. Serve chilled.

7. Microwave Brownie in a Mug

A single-serving chocolate indulgence ready in minutes, featuring a fudgy center and crackly top – perfect for sudden dessert cravings.

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Ingredients Needed

• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp chocolate chips

How to Make

1. In a mug, whisk flour, sugar, and cocoa powder.
2. Stir in the oil and milk until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Cook on high for 1 minute (check at 50 seconds—times vary).
4. Let it sit 1–2 minutes before eating (it firms up as it cools).

8. Sandesh With Pineapple

Sandesh is a traditional Bengali sweet, but when you spruce it up with pineapple, it becomes even more delicious!

Ingredients Needed

• 4 cups whole milk
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp refined sugar
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• 6 slices of canned pineapple
• 2 tbsp pistachios

How to Make

1. To make the paneer, mix in the milk and lime juice and bring them to a boil in a pan.
2. As the curd forms, the whey will come out. Drain that using a muslin cloth and wrap the curd in it.
3. Squeeze the curd to turn it into paneer after rinsing with cold water.
4. For the Sandesh, roll the paneer into a soft and smooth dough.
5. Add in sugar and cardamom powder, and start kneading it.
6. Your sandesh is ready – it’s time to add in the pineapples.
7. Dry the pineapple slices by patting with a towel and layer them on top of the sandesh evenly.
8. Use pistachios for garnish and refrigerate for an hour.
9. Serve chilled.

9. Homemade Fruit Popsicles

Customizable frozen treats bursting with real fruit flavors and creamy yogurt layers, offering a cool, nutritious alternative to store-bought ice pops.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup blended strawberries
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey

How to Make

1. Fill popsicle molds halfway with yogurt. Freeze for 30 minutes.
2. Pour blended strawberries mixed with honey on top.
3. Freeze 4+ hours or overnight.
4. Run warm water over molds to release popsicles.

10. Mango Panna Cotta

One of the best sweet recipes for kids, mango panna cotta is sure to hit the spot.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 can of fresh coconut milk
• ¼ cup refined sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tsp agar-agar powder
• 1 ½ cup mango puree
• 2 tsp lime juice
• ¼ cup sugar (for the mango layering)
• 1 ½ tsp agar-agar powder (for the mango layering)

How to Make

There are two elements to this recipe – the cream and the layer of mango topping.

1. For the cream, boil coconut milk and sugar for 3-4 minutes on medium flame. Dissolve the agar-agar powder in lukewarm water and add it into the milk, along with the vanilla essence. Let this boil for two minutes and stir until you see no lumps. Whisk the milk and transfer into another bowl, allowing it to sit for 25 minutes.
2. For the mango topping, blend the puree, sugar, and lime juice in a pan and boil for two to three minutes. Mix in agar-agar with lukewarm water and transfer that to the pulp. Boil for a few minutes until you find zero lumps. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk this mix for a while.
3. Pour this mango puree topping over the cream layer and refrigerate for 3 hours.
4. Slice it, if needed, into equal-sized portions, and serve chilled.

11. Cinnamon Apple Nachos

Sliced apples transformed into a fun, shareable dessert with drizzles of peanut butter and honey, topped with crunchy granola for texture contrast.

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Ingredients Needed

• 2 apples (thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsp peanut butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp honey
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp granola

How to Make

1. Spread slices on a plate in a single layer.
2. Warm peanut butter and honey; drizzle over apples.
3. Dust with cinnamon and granola.
4. Serve immediately (apples brown quickly).

12. Rainbow Jello Cups

Vibrant, jewel-toned layers of wobbly Jello create an eye-catching dessert that teaches kids about patience while building excitement with each colorful layer.

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Ingredients Needed

• 3-4 boxes of different flavored Jello (e.g., strawberry, lime, blueberry, orange)
• 1 cup boiling water per flavor
• 1 cup cold water per flavor
• Whipped cream (optional)

How to Make

1. Dissolve 1 Jello packet in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 cup cold water. Pour into clear cups (fill ¼ way). Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
2. Repeat with next flavor, gently pouring over the set layer. Chill each layer 1 hour before adding the next.
3. Top with whipped cream after all layers set (4+ hours total).
4. Serve chilled with spoons.

13. Mini Doughnut Hole Pops

Bite-sized baked doughnuts on sticks, dipped in chocolate and sprinkles – all the fun of fair food without the frying mess.

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Ingredients Needed

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup melted chocolate (for dipping)
• Sprinkles

How to Make

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl.
2. Stir in milk, egg, butter, and vanilla until just combined.
3. Scoop teaspoon-sized balls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Cool completely.
4. Dip tops in melted chocolate, add sprinkles, and insert lollipop sticks.
5. Let set on parchment paper (15 minutes).

14. Banana Split Bites

All the classic banana split flavors condensed into adorable skewered bites, combining chocolate-dipped bananas with cherry toppings for portion-controlled indulgence.

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Ingredients Needed

• 2 bananas (sliced into 1-inch chunks)
• ½ cup melted chocolate
• ¼ cup crushed peanuts
• 6 maraschino cherries (halved)
• Whipped cream

How to Make

1. Thread banana slices onto toothpicks.
2. Coat half of each banana in melted chocolate.
3. Roll chocolate-dipped ends in crushed peanuts.
4. Add a tiny dollop of whipped cream and a cherry half.
5. Freeze 10 minutes to set.

15. Magic 5-Minute Chocolate Pudding

Image Source : AI Generated Image

Rich, velvety homemade pudding that transforms basic pantry staples into a comforting dessert with far superior flavor to instant mixes.

Ingredients Needed

• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

How to Make

1. In a saucepan, mix cocoa, sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
3. Heat on medium, stirring constantly, until thick (4–5 minutes).
4. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
5. Pour into cups and refrigerate 1 hour (or eat warm!).

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen fruit straight from the freezer in no-bake desserts?

Yes! Frozen fruit (like berries or mango) can be blended directly into yogurt pops or smoothie bowls without thawing—it makes desserts colder faster. However, avoid using frozen fruit in recipes where excess moisture can ruin texture (e.g., no-bake bars).

2. How do I stop kids from over-mixing batters without making it complicated?

Over-mixing leads to tough desserts because it develops gluten. A simple trick is to let kids stir with a fork instead of a whisk to naturally slow them down. Another fun method is the “10-second rule” – have them mix only until the timer goes off, teaching them when to stop while keeping the batter light.

Try out these recipes at home and make dessert time more fun!

Also Read:

Simple and Easy Chocolate Recipes for Kids
Quick and Easy Cake Recipes for Children
Healthy and Easy Baking Recipes for Kids

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