These 5-Ingredient Desserts Are Made for Hot Summer Days

Our favorites include strawberry shortcake, a classic British sundae, and creamy no-churn mango ice cream.

By
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Associate Editor
Yasmine is an Associate Editor at Serious Eats. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health and on L’Officiel USA, and she recently graduated from New York University with a master's in journalism. You can find her at Bleecker Street Pizza on any given weekend.
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The Serious Eats Team
The Serious Eats Team
At Serious Eats, we’re a team of self-proclaimed food nerds who are ever-curious about the “why” behind cooking. The staff has worked in restaurants, test kitchens, bakeries, and other notable publications, bringing extensive culinary and editorial expertise to the table.
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Published July 20, 2025
No-churn mango ice cream in bowls.

Serious Eats / Qi Ai

I can eat desserts as if it were my full-time job. Whether it’s ice cream, pistachio baklava, or carrot cake, my day isn’t complete until I’ve had a dose of sweetness. Making dessert from scratch can be daunting, though, especially if there’s a long list of ingredients or special equipment involved. The good news? Not all homemade desserts require numerous ingredients. In fact, there are plenty of recipes that call for five ingredients or fewer. 

With just a few staples like flour, sugar, butter, milk, and cream on hand, plus some fruit and a pint or two of ice cream, you can whip up impressive, delicious desserts without even having to dash to the grocery store. Fancy a chocolate mousse? How about a classic British sundae or a no-churn mango ice cream? Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite sweet-as-can-be summer dessert recipes that require fewer than five ingredients. The only question left is: Which one will you be making on repeat?

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