5 easy desserts to make at home

Delicious sweet treats are perfect for putting a smile on your family's faces and making your desserts from scratch can be satisfying and simple. These five desserts are easy to make at home with ingredients that many of us already have in our store cupboard, fridge, or freezer.

Quick and easy hot desserts

Microwave syrup sponge

This syrup sponge is sweet, satisfying, and nostalgic. With only six ingredients and cooked in the microwave, it couldn't be simpler.¹ Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 75g (3 oz) plain flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 100g (4 oz) caster sugar
• 100g (4 oz) butter, softened

Method:

1. Coat the inside of a 1-litre, microwave-safe mixing bowl with the golden syrup.
2. Beat together the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and then pour onto the golden syrup.
3. Cover with cling film and cook on high in the microwave for five to six minutes.

Don't worry if you don't have any eggs; this recipe can be adapted to be egg-free and still delicious! ²

Easy self-saucing chocolate dessert

With just five simple steps, you'll be amazed that you can bake this indulgent chocolate pudding in under an hour. Ingredients:

• 150g self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 75g caster sugar
• 50 g butter (melted)
• 250ml milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 100 g dark cooking chocolate (chopped into pieces)

For the topping:

• 75g cup brown sugar
• 375 cups boiling water
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder

Method: The main ingredients are folded together in stages, and the brown sugar topping incorporated before baking in the oven. ³ If you don't have chocolate at home, you can leave it out, and for a dairy-free version, just substitute milk and butter with suitable alternatives.

Store cupboard fruit crumble

If fresh fruit is in short supply, you can make this tasty family favourite with tinned fruit. The crumble topping uses ingredients that most of us have at home. Ingredients

• 2 x tins drained fruit (peaches, pears, cherries, apples)
• 90g of oats (or 2 x 45g packages instant oatmeal uncooked)
• 50g all-purpose flour
• 70g chopped and lightly toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts)
• 50g butter (melted)

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients and then stir in the melted butter until they turn into a crumble.
2. Add the fruit to a baking dish or pan and sprinkle over the topping.
3. Bake until golden and serve with your choice of custard, cream, or ice-cream!.⁴

No-bake cold desserts to make at home

These cold desserts are super-easy to make at home and require no cooking. The recipes are very flexible, so ingredients can change depending on what you have available or to suit tastes and intolerances.

Instant fruit sorbet

If you've bulk-bought fruit and stored some in the freezer, this refreshing dessert is so convenient to make at the end of a meal. Ingredients:

• 300g frozen berries, plus extra fresh fruit to serve
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 125ml fruit juice, yoghurt, or cream, or you could use part juice, part liqueur

Method:

1. Just add everything to a food blender and whizz it up.⁵

Dairy-free alternatives can also take the place of yoghurt or cream, as per your preference.

Chocolate fridge cake

Chocolate fridge cake is a real kids' favourite; one they can enjoy making with you too! Ingredients:

• 250g/8oz digestive biscuits
• 150g/5oz milk chocolate
• 150g/5oz dark chocolate
• 100g/3½oz unsalted butter
• 150g/5oz golden syrup
• 100g/3½oz dried apricots, chopped
• 75g/2½oz raisins
• 60g/2oz pecans, chopped (optional)

Method

1. The recipe is super-versatile. Just choose what fillings your family enjoy and add to the melted butter, chocolate, and syrup. Pour the mixture into a lined tin and leave to set for around two hours in the fridge. ⁶

Shop Food & Drink Last updated: 23 April 2020 Sources 1 http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/364/easy-syrup-sponge.aspx 2 http://aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2013/05/golden-syrup-cake/ 3  https://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes/chocolate-self-saucing-pudding-recipe/fh0g9pfy 4  https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-canned-fruit-crisp-recipe-304949 5  https://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/instant-frozen-berry-sorbet/ 6  https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolatefridgecake_74814