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19 Last-Minute Desserts When You Are Running Late and Forget You Agreed to Bring a Dessert

ByLeah Ingram

Forgot you promised dessert? These 19 last-minute desserts will save you when you need something and you’re running late. Many are no-bake recipes. All are quick, easy and impressive enough to make everyone think you planned ahead.

A slice of strawberry lemon pie with whipped cream, garnished with strawberry and lemon slices, on a white plate with blue rim on a red-checked tablecloth.
No Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse

Glass of parfait with creamy layers, raspberry swirls, and topped with raspberries and white chocolate flakes, surrounded by scattered raspberries on a gray surface.
White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse whips up creamy and light in minutes. It’s a quick dessert that feels fancy without the wait.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse

Root Beer Float Poke Cake with White Cake Mix

Slice of tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and a cherry, served on a plate with a glass of milk in the background.
Root Beer Float Poke Cake with White Cake Mix. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Root Beer Float Poke Cake with White Cake Mix turns simple cake mix into a fun, fizzy treat. It’s a fast way to wow guests at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Root Beer Float Poke Cake with White Cake Mix

Berry Cheesecake Parfait

Two dessert glasses filled with layers of whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and crumbly base, on a wooden surface with scattered berries and a striped cloth.
Berry Cheesecake Parfait. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Berry Cheesecake Parfait layers fresh berries and creamy no-bake cheesecake so you can make dessert fast. It’s a quick, no-fuss dessert that tastes like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Berry Cheesecake Parfait

Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

A slice of banana pudding is topped with whipped cream and a banana slice, served on a white plate.
Banana Pudding Icebox Cake. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Banana Pudding Icebox Cake stacks creamy instant pudding, vanilla wafers and bananas with no baking. It’s a fast, cool dessert perfect for last-minute plans.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

A plate of chocolate chip cookie bars stacked on a wooden board, next to a glass of milk and a bowl of white chocolate chips, with a red patterned cloth beneath.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Fudge. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Fudge mixes cookie dough and fudge flavors fast. It’s a rich dessert you can pull together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Fudge

No Bake Chocolate Icebox Cake

Close-up of a dessert bar with layers of cream and chocolate cookie pieces, topped with chocolate drizzle.
No Bake Chocolate Icebox Cake. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

No Bake Chocolate Icebox Cake layers chocolate and cream without heat. It’s a quick fix that feels like a treat when time is short.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Chocolate Icebox Cake

Diet Dr Pepper Pie with Cool Whip

Cream pie with a crumb crust, topped with whipped cream and cherries.
Diet Dr Pepper Pie with Cool Whip. Photo credit: On and Off Keto.

Diet Dr Pepper Pie with Cool Whip blends fizzy soda and creamy pie filling fast. It’s a fun dessert that comes together quickly and won’t blow your carb count for the day.
Get the Recipe: Diet Dr Pepper Pie with Cool Whip

No Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie

A slice of strawberry lemon cream pie topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and a lemon slice, served on a white plate with a blue rim.
No Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

No Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie mixes sweet and tart flavors fast. It’s a refreshing dessert that’s ready without baking. All it needs is a little time in the icebox.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie

Yellow Cake Mix Banana Bread

Two slices of banana bread on a red plate, with two ripe bananas and a glass of milk in the background.
Yellow Cake Mix Banana Bread. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Yellow Cake Mix Banana Bread bakes up moist and sweet in less time than traditional bread. It’s a quick way to satisfy banana cravings.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Cake Mix Banana Bread

Red White and Blue Trifle

A trifle dessert in a glass bowl, topped with strawberries and blueberries, layered with cream and cake pieces.
Red White and Blue Trifle. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Red White and Blue Trifle layers berries, cream and cake fast. It’s a colorful dessert that’s perfect when you need something last minute.
Get the Recipe: Red White and Blue Trifle

Honey Bun Recipe with Yellow Cake Mix

A slice of yellow cake with a white icing on top and a swirl of brown filling in the middle.
Honey Bun Recipe with Yellow Cake Mix. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Honey Bun Recipe with Yellow Cake Mix turns cake mix into a sticky sweet treat fast. It’s a quick fix for last minute dessert needs.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bun Recipe with Yellow Cake Mix

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Coconut Oil

Close-up of strawberries coated in chocolate and decorated with colorful sprinkles.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Coconut Oil. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Coconut Oil come together fast and look fancy. They’re a sweet fix when you’re pressed for time.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Coconut Oil

No Bake Dr. Pepper Pie

A Dr. Pepper pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and cherries, is displayed on a white surface.
No Bake Dr. Pepper Pie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

No Bake Dr. Pepper Pie skips the oven but keeps the flavor. It’s a smooth dessert that’s ready when you need it in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Dr. Pepper Pie

Pink Snowballs

A plate of three coconut and chocolate lamingtons with pink icing sits on a tablecloth, resembling snowball brownies, next to a mug and wooden spoon.
Pink Snowballs. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pink Snowballs start with a store-bought boxed brownie mix plus pink frosting. They’re a fun and fast dessert to whip up for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Pink Snowballs

Three Layer Easter Cake with Lemon

A slice of colorful Easter layer cake with pink, yellow, and blue layers, topped with yellow frosting and sprinkles. Decorated eggs and greenery surround the plate.
Three Layer Easter Cake with Lemon. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Three Layer Easter Cake with Lemon stacks bright lemon layers fast. It’s a fresh dessert that’s ready without a long wait if you’re running late to your family celebration.
Get the Recipe: Three Layer Easter Cake with Lemon

Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake

A rectangular baking dish with a golden-brown baked dessert, topped with whipped cream, sliced strawberry, and a mint sprig. Red sauce edges the dish.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake mixes berries and cream cheese with cake mix fast. It’s a simple dessert that tastes like you worked hard.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake

Two Ingredient Lemon Bars with Angel Food Cake Mix

A stack of lemon bars topped with whipped cream and a lemon slice on a white plate, placed on a blue striped cloth.
Two Ingredient Lemon Bars with Angel Food Cake Mix. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Two Ingredient Lemon Bars with Angel Food Cake Mix come together fast with just two ingredients. It’s a zippy dessert when you’re running late to a potluck.
Get the Recipe: Two Ingredient Lemon Bars with Angel Food Cake Mix

Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert

Three glass dessert cups filled with layers of pumpkin mousse, whipped cream, and sponge cake sit on a wooden surface, adorned with greenery and cinnamon sticks. A small white pumpkin is in the background.
Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

You don’t have to wait until fall to make this Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert, which blends pumpkin and coffee flavors in a snap. It’s a cozy and quick dessert when you need something special.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu Dessert

Low Carb Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake

A fork holds a bite of chocolate cake topped with powdered sugar, with a mug cake in the background.
Low Carb Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake. Photo credit: On and Off Keto.

Low Carb Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake cooks in minutes right in your mug. It’s a speedy dessert for when you want chocolate now or need to have a dessert made yesterday.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake