25 Stellar No-Bake Holiday Dessert Recipes (2024)

Cadbury Creme Eggs Rocky Road Bar

This rocky road-inspired candy bar made with creme eggs is as colorful, gooey, chocolatey, and creamy as they come. (via Brit + Co)

Easter Chocolate Bark

You can use any Easter candy you want to create this treat. Just make sure it's chocolate on chocolate on chocolate. (via Brit + Co)

Peeps S'mores

Turn regular ol' s'mores into brightly-colored dessert sandwiches with chocolate-dipped graham crackers, and a pastel gooey marshmallow center – no campfire necessary. (via Brit + Co)

Caramel Candy-Apple Nachos

Who needs chips and queso when you have leftover Easter candy recipes that include apples, caramel, and Heath bars? Pile on a crumbled Heath Bar and some walnuts over the top of these dessert nachos and instantly ease that sweet tooth. (via Brit + Co)

Cadbury co*cktail

After all the Easter festivities, you deserve a drink. This is the perfect libation that uses leftover Easter candy: a smooth and sweet combination of vanilla vodka, milk of your choice, and the best part of a Cadbury Egg (the insides, obviously)! (via Brit + Co)

Cadbury Creme Egg Pop Tarts

Creations like these pastries make for the best leftover Easter candy recipes. Stuff these pastry pockets full of Cadbury eggs, and boom, you've got dessert. (via Brit + Co)

Giant Cadbury Creme Egg Cheesecake Dip

This decadent entertaining dessert would also be excellent for an Easter brunch! (via Brit + Co)

Candylicious Junkyard Cookies

This cookie recipe is all about cleaning out your candy jar. Sure, it calls for specific candies like M&M's and Kit Kat bars, but you can throw in whatever chocolate-based candy you have on hand. Trust us: your cookie will come out equally delicious. (via A Zesty Bite)

BRACH's Jelly Bean Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1⁄4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cups BRACH’S® Classic Jelly Beans plus 1⁄2 cup as toppings
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
3. Mix in BRACH’S® Classic Jelly Beans.
4. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.
5. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1⁄4 cup for each pancake. Flip and brown on both sides.
6. Once cooked through, remove from griddle. Let cool. Top with whipped cream and extra BRACH’S®Jelly Beans and enjoy!

(via BRACH's)

Jelly Bean Donuts

Finally, a socially-acceptable way to eat jelly beans for breakfast! If you don't have a donut pan handy, that's okay. You can also make jelly bean muffins! (via Melanie Makes)

Chocolate Cadbury Egg Cookies

Chocolate lovers will go wild for these Easter-y cookies. For starters, the cookie base is chocolate. What's even better is the Cadbury eggs are five times as big as chocolate chips. That's more chocolate per inch of cookie! (via Tastes Better from Scratch)

Candy Bar Pie

Put your leftover pie crust and leftover Easter candy to good use with this pie. Sure, this is more like a giant cookie in the shape of a pie, but we're still in heaven. (via Crazy for Crust)

Marbled Jelly Bean Bark

Why should peppermint bark get all the glory? Jelly beans liven up white chocolate bark with spring colors in this delish treat. Bonus: this leftover Easter candy recipe only requires *three* ingredients. (via A Pumpkin & A Princess)

Bunny Chow

Dress up puppy chow for some bunny in your life. Though this recipe needs only four ingredients, feel free to add more candy or your favorite nuts to this sweet, crunchy snack mix. (via Something Swanky)

Peeps Candy Bars

It's a fact: food becomes irresistible when it's brightly colored and pretty — also if it's topped with sugar coated marshmallows! Okay, so that might not be a statistic yet, but based on these Peeps candy bars, we can vouch for it. (via The Domestic Rebel)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Nests

This leftover Easter candy dessert is a work of art, both in your mouth and to the naked eye. It's an adorable bird's nest that you can eat! Chocolate, peanut butter, and pretzels are a dream team that don't get enough credit. (via Dessert Now Dinner Later)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Peeps Skillet S'mores

Need s'more s'mores? We got you with this gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery dip, topped with golden brown leftover Peeps. Grab a graham cracker, and dig in. (via How Sweet Eats)

Leftover Candy Stuffed Brownies

This delicious brownie recipe is filled with all your favorite Easter candy (or whatever candy you happen to have on hand). Swap out butter for coconut oil for a slightly healthier twist. By that logic, we'll have two, please. (via Leelalicious)

Cadbury Brownie Bites

You could always hide your leftover Easter candy, or you can just hide them inside these delicious brownie bites! (via Deliciously Sprinkled)

BRACH's Jelly Bean Cinnabunnies

Ingredients:

• BRACH’S® Classic Jelly Beans
• Store-bought jumbo-size cinnamon rolls
• White frosting

Directions:

1. Unwrap the first layer of dough from the outside of each cinnamon roll. Remove and set aside.
2. Place the dough that is still rolled on your baking sheet, widely spaced; these will be your bunny heads.
3. Tear the removed outer layers into two smaller pieces, about 2.5” each.
4. Loosely fold each 2.5” piece in half and pinch the ends together to form the bunny’s ears.
5. Take two folded pieces and lightly press the bases together onto a roll to form the full bunny.
6. Bake according to package instructions. Decorate with frosting and jelly beans once cooled!

(via BRACH's)

Spring Krispie Cake With M&M's and Candy Drizzle

This Rice Krispies cake doubles as a colorful center piece for your Easter table spread. Melt down some Peeps and mix with the famed cereal. If you're using Peeps of varying colors, melt each color down separately, and mix cereal in portions for a tie-dye effect. (via Delightful E Made)

See Also

Christmas Cookie Recipes That're Beyond Easy to Make

Easter Candy Popcorn

Put a spin on sweet and salty popcorn with a butter marshmallow sauce. It's like a more indulgent version of kettle corn that coats your popcorn in a sticky, sweet, and buttery sauce. Add Easter M&M's and candy-coated chocolate eggs to make this the perfect post-Easter snack! (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Leftover Easter Candy Mug Cake

This single serving of cake is just the emergency sweet treat you keep on-hand when you need a little “me time." Just toss in a handful of Easter M&M's into a mug along with flour, milk, and baking powder. Voila! Your sweet tooth is satisfied in under five minutes using ingredients you already had in your pantry. (via Kirbie's Cravings)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Kit Kat Crunch Bars

This leftover Easter candy recipe looks too good to be true! We love these crunchy homemade candy bars topped with our favorite twin chocolate wafer bars. (via Averie Cooks)

Twix Cheesecake Bars

Creamy cheesecake + crunchy Twix Bars = the ultimate Easter dessert. Drizzle the top with chocolate and caramel right before serving to complete this masterpiece. (via Domestic Superhero)

About The Recipe Critic

Photo by Erin Thunell

The Recipe Critic started out as a small blog that Alyssa created after moving cross-country from Utah to North Carolina. Though she was far away, the blog connected her Utahn friends and family members to her most-loved recipes.

“Interestingly enough, growing up, I didn't come from a cooking background,” she says. “It really wasn't until I had to learn for myself and cook for myself and for my family. That's when the love for cooking started for me.”

And after her efforts with The Recipe Critic started showing monetary returns, Alyssa was so excited about its potential – she lets that feeling guide her even today.

“Honestly, if you would have told me when I started it that I would be here today and have one of the world's largest food blogs, there is no way I would have ever believed it,” she says. “I try to go back to how amazing it felt in the very beginning when I realized that I could contribute something for my family.”

The Best Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Photo by Alyssa Rivers

“[Swedish Meatballs] is always a favorite,” Alyssa says. “Every time I make it, I truly believe that it’s one of the best Swedish meatball recipes. The creamy sauce on it is just so good and I could just serve it over noodles for my family.”

For a quick recipe hack, you can substitute making your own meatballs for frozen meatballs, Alyssa says.

“It honestly tastes like it’s from a restaurant, and you can ‘wow’ your family thinking it was a lot more complicated than it is.”

Let’s get into the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1lb (450g) ground beef
• 1⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1⁄4 tsp ground allspice
• 1⁄4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1⁄8 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, parsley, allspice, nutmeg, white or yellow onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and egg.
2. Portion the beef mixture into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs, and roll into shape.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs in batches, and cook, turning continuously, for 5 to 8 minutes or until brown on every side and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, cover with foil, and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
4. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the all-purpose flour to the skillet, and whisk for 2 or 3 minutes or until it turns brown. Slowly stir in the beef broth and heavy cream. Add the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Add the meatballs to the skillet, simmer for 1 or 2 minutes, and serve.

Get Even More Recipes From The Recipe Critic

The Tried & True Cookbook: 150 Quick and Easy Recipes for Busy Families

Sweet Potato Soup With Nutmeg Crème Fraîche

Silky sweet potato soup is the type of meal that warms you from the inside out. Top it with a dollop of cool, nutmeg-spiced crème fraîche for an added rich flavor. (via Flirting With Flavor)

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast

This one-dish meal seems fancy, but it only takes five ingredients to put it together. The best part is the creamy sauce that’s made right in the pan before serving. (via Green Healthy Cooking)

Savory German Onion Tart

Buttery and rich, this savory onion and bacon tart can be served at brunch, lunch, or dinner. Just pair it with a peppery arugula salad and dry glass of white wine, and you’ll feel like you’re dining in Europe. (via Foodal)

Lemony Asparagus Pasta

Fresh asparagus, lemon, and peas make for a creamy pasta that takes just 15 minutes to cook. (via The Millenial Cook)

Crème Fraîche Vanilla Ice Cream

The subtle tang of crème fraîche makes ice cream even more appealing. It keeps things from tasting too sweet, and lets the flavor of the vanilla bean shine. (via Baking Sense)

Spring Vegetable Risotto With Creamy Pesto

Crisp-tender vegetables are the perfect textural counterpoint to the luscious risotto in this recipe. Pesto, enriched with crème fraîche, tops off your plate. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)

Moldovan Chicken in Cream Sauce

Simple chicken can be made into an elegant meal with the right sauce. This one is ultra smooth and creamy, and topped with parsley and dill for a hint of fresh flavor. (via Where Is My Spoon)

Crème Fraîche Salmon Dip

As a party dish or appetizer, it’s hard to go wrong with this salmon and crème fraîche dip. (via Platings and Pairings)

Pancakes With Simmered Peaches

Pancakes from a mix taste even better when paired with an unexpected topping like simmered peaches. (via A Pleasant Little Kitchen)

Crispy Potato Bites

Topped with pancetta and chives, these little potato hors d’oeuvres are like a refined, miniaturized version of a loaded spud. A dollop of crème fraîche adds a cool creaminess that pops in your mouth when you take a bite. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Strawberry and Crème Fraîche Parfaits

This easy homemade strawberry sauce is a building block for making other desserts. Use it in parfaits, spoon over pound cake, or use as a topping for homemade ice cream. (via Jill Hough)

Ingredients For Our Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Photo by Antonio Filigno / PEXELS

• 1 (10 oz) package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 oz) can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Image via StableDiffusion

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well until combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish, and spread it out evenly.
4. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
5. Once baked, remove the dip from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor!
6. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crispy bread slices, or vegetables for dipping!

Notes For This Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Image via StableDiffusion

• Using frozen spinach and canned artichokes makes this recipe easier and quicker. You have the option to use fresh ingredients, if you want to!
• Add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes if you want the spinach artichoke dip to have a kick of spice.
• Keep an eye on the dip while it bakes, making sure it doesn't bubble over. If you're struggling to get that golden brown layer on the top, broil the dip for a few minutes at the end of its baking time.
• You aren't totally limited to Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Though these cheeses make for the most traditional flavor, you can throw in some different kinds of cheeses to amp up the taste.