31 Dessert Shortcuts That Taste Totally Homemade
These shortcut desserts may be quick to make, but they deliver full-on homemade flavor. From pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese frosting to gooey cherry dump cake and warm apple cobbler, every bite feels like fall in a dish. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or just need a sweet fix on a weeknight, these easy recipes bring big flavor with barely any effort. Trust us—no one will guess they started with a box.
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Made from Cake Mix)

This pumpkin spice cake made from cake mix is a quick, cozy fall dessert perfect for sharing. It’s simple to prepare and fills your kitchen with the warm, comforting aroma of autumn spices.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Made from Cake Mix)
Cozy Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix Topping

This easy apple cobbler with cake mix is a warm and inviting fall dessert that’s perfect for gatherings. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients and delivers classic apple flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix Topping
Quick Bisquick Peach Cobbler – Just 10 Minutes to Prep

Bisquick Peach Cobbler is a golden, buttery dessert that’s easy enough for weeknights and impressive enough for company. Serve it warm with ice cream for the perfect finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Quick Bisquick Peach Cobbler – Just 10 Minutes to Prep
4-Ingredient Lemon Cool Whip Cookies

Cool Whip Lemon Cookies are soft, citrusy, and made with just four ingredients for a quick, cheerful treat. They’re perfect for spring events, bake sales, or a light dessert any time of year.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Lemon Cool Whip Cookies
Simple Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies

Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies are chewy, easy, and made with five pantry staples. They’re great for last-minute treats, lunchbox snacks, or storing in the freezer for future cravings.
Get the Recipe: Simple Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
Funfetti Cookies Made with Cake Mix

Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies come together fast with festive flavor and soft, chewy texture. This shortcut recipe is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or when you want a fun dessert in 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Funfetti Cookies Made with Cake Mix
Classic Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake

Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake is a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert made with flaky biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. It’s ideal for summer entertaining or weeknight indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Classic Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake
Quick Carrot Cake Cookies from Cake Mix

Carrot Cake Cookies from cake mix are spiced just right and topped with cream cheese frosting, giving you all the flavor of carrot cake in a handheld treat. They’re simple to make and full of cozy charm.
Get the Recipe: Quick Carrot Cake Cookies from Cake Mix
Festive Grinch Cake Mix Cookies for the Holidays

Grinch Cake Mix Cookies are soft, bright green treats inspired by holiday movie nights. Fun and festive, they’re perfect for Christmas baking with kids or adding a whimsical touch to your cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Festive Grinch Cake Mix Cookies for the Holidays
Buttery Lemon Bars Made with Cake Mix

Cake Mix Lemon Bars are a bright, sweet dessert made with just a few ingredients. These cheerful bars are easy to bake and perfect for sharing a little sunshine with others.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Lemon Bars Made with Cake Mix
Pineapple Upside Down Cake the Easy Way (with Cake Mix)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake with cake mix is a classic dessert with caramelized fruit and buttery cake. Quick and foolproof, it’s ideal for potlucks, holidays, or family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake the Easy Way (with Cake Mix)
Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix

Crock Pot Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix is an effortless dessert with juicy peaches and a golden topping. It’s perfect for warm-weather potlucks, ice cream pairings, or low-stress entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix
Easy Strawberry Cookies Using Cake Mix

Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies are soft, crinkly treats made with just five simple ingredients. They’re a fun, fruity option for spring parties or baking with kids.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Cookies Using Cake Mix
Quick Banana Bread with Cake Mix

Banana Bread with cake mix is a soft, sweet loaf made with ripe bananas and pantry staples. It’s great for quick breakfasts, snacks, or freezing for later.
Get the Recipe: Quick Banana Bread with Cake Mix
Lemon Poke Cake with Jello and Cool Whip

Lemon Poke Cake is a zesty, refreshing dessert with layers of vanilla cake, lemon Jell-O, and Cool Whip topping. Garnished with fresh mint and lemon slices, it’s perfect for warm-weather celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poke Cake with Jello and Cool Whip
Easy Christmas Cake Mix Cookies with 4 Ingredients

These Easy Christmas Cookies come together with just four ingredients and minimal prep time. Perfect for last-minute holiday baking or filling a cookie tray in a pinch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Christmas Cake Mix Cookies with 4 Ingredients
Quick Spiced Pumpkin Bread from Cake Mix

Spiced Pumpkin Bread with cake mix is a quick and easy fall favorite that’s ready in minutes. Just mix, bake, and enjoy the warm, inviting aroma of pumpkin spice throughout your home.
Get the Recipe: Quick Spiced Pumpkin Bread from Cake Mix
No-Bake Strawberry Angel Food Dessert

Strawberry Angel Food Cake is a light and fruity no-bake dessert with Jell-O, whipped topping, and fresh strawberries. It’s a refreshing treat for summer parties or easy hosting.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Angel Food Dessert
Chewy Pistachio and Cranberry Cookies

Pistachio Cranberry Cookies are soft, nutty, and accented with tart cranberries. They’re a festive and flavorful option for gifting, holiday trays, or cozy afternoons with tea.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Pistachio and Cranberry Cookies
Simple Cherry Dump Cake Dessert

Cherry Dump Cake is a rich, easy dessert with layers of cherry pie filling, cream cheese, and golden cake. It’s like a cobbler and cheesecake in one, best served with ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Simple Cherry Dump Cake Dessert
No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie

No Bake Pumpkin Pie is a creamy, fall-inspired dessert made with instant pudding and Cool Whip in a graham crust. It’s perfect for make-ahead gatherings and cozy autumn meals.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie
Easy Twix Ice Cream Cake

Twix Ice Cream Cake is a layered no-bake dessert with creamy ice cream, Twix bars, and a crunchy cookie crust drizzled with caramel and chocolate. A guaranteed hit for celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Easy Twix Ice Cream Cake
Quick S’mores Brownies with Boxed Mix

S’mores Brownies are a fun, easy treat made with brownie mix, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows. They bring campfire flavor indoors—perfect for gatherings or casual desserts.
Get the Recipe: Quick S’mores Brownies with Boxed Mix
Soft Lemon Blueberry Cookies from Cake Mix

Lemon Blueberry Cake Cookies are soft, fruity treats with a tangy glaze. Made from cake mix and fresh berries, they’re perfect for brunches, baby showers, or springtime baking.
Get the Recipe: Soft Lemon Blueberry Cookies from Cake Mix
Classic Strawberry Shortcake with Bisquick

Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake is a timeless favorite made with fluffy biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. A quick, heartwarming dessert that’s always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Classic Strawberry Shortcake with Bisquick
No-Bake Black Forest Jello Cherry Pie

Black Forest Jell-O Pie is a refreshing twist on the classic cake, combining chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream in a simple, chilled dessert. Ideal for easy holiday hosting.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Black Forest Jello Cherry Pie
Creamy No-Bake Orange Jello Pie

Orange Jell-O Pie is a creamy, no-bake dessert with a graham cracker crust and a bright citrus flavor. It’s ideal for summer parties or when you need a quick, refreshing treat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy No-Bake Orange Jello Pie
Banana Pudding Brownies with Vanilla Wafers

Banana Pudding Brownies blend the flavors of classic banana pudding into a hand-held dessert. With layers of banana bread, vanilla wafers, and creamy pudding, they’re fun and nostalgic.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Brownies with Vanilla Wafers
Easy No-Bake Millionaire Pie

Millionaire Pie is a no-bake tropical dessert made with pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, and Cool Whip in a graham crust. It’s quick to prep and perfect for make-ahead entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Easy No-Bake Millionaire Pie
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Jello Pie (No Bake)

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Jell-O Pie is a no-bake dessert that captures the flavor of dipped strawberries in a creamy, chocolate crust. It’s rich, fruity, and sure to be a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Jello Pie (No Bake)
3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies with Butter

These bakery-style cookies come together in just 30 minutes using cake mix, flour, and butter. With endless flavor variations, they’re a quick and customizable treat perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies with Butter
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