Dessert Recipes You Can Make Without a Mixer

9 Desserts You Can Make Without a Mixer

Published on May 7, 2021

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies — Photo: Bridget Hallinan

A stand mixer or a hand mixer can definitely come in handy when you're making cakes, cookies, or other desserts, but if you don't own one or it isn't handy, don't worry. There are plenty of recipes that don't require anything more than a bowl, a spoon, and some elbow grease. Look for recipes that have melted butter or use oil instead of butter—often these will skip the step of creaming butter and sugar together, which is where a mixer (or stop determination with a whisk) are crucial.

01 of 09

Salted Caramel Brownies

These Vallery Lomas brownies are a legend in the Food & Wine test kitchen because they are truly just that delicious. The salted caramel means that these are more knife and fork brownies than pick up and eat, but it's beyond worth it.

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02 of 09

Banana–Chocolate Chip Snack Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting

Snacking cakes are a category of desserts that are just as delicious and casual as their name would suggest. Though the cake itself requires no mixer, the frosting does. Not a problem! Simply swap it out for your favorite glaze, or use a whisk and some serious elbow grease.

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03 of 09

Grapefruit Cornmeal Cake

This lightly sweet, citrus-y cake has an optional poppyseed glaze. It makes an excellent dessert, but it's equally as nice served with coffee or eta as a mid-day snack, or as breakfast.

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04 of 09

Olive Oil Cake With Blackberries

Danny Meyer's elegant olive oil cake comes together quickly and is he perfect vehicle for seasonal fruit.

05 of 09

Breton Butter Cake

This version of a kouign amman, the classic laminated Bretton pastry, is made using pizza dough folded around layers of butter and sugar. ill

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06 of 09

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies

Not only do these peanut butter cookies not require a mixer, they don't need flour, making them perfect as a gluten-free option.

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07 of 09

Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This lemon cake is made in just one bowl, harnessing the flavors of honey and olive oil to enhance the tartness of the citrus. The cream cheese icing does require a mixer—or some real work with a whisk—but it's just as delicious without it, or with a glaze of your choice.

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08 of 09

Maple-Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake

Got an overripe banana? Convert it to this delicious, sticky maple-bourbon treat. The best part might be the sauce it creates for itself at the bottom.

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09 of 09

Brown Sugar Cake with Ricotta and Blueberries

This dense, chewy cake is closer to a blondie than a traditional layer cake, making it an excellent vehicle for ice cream, whipped cream, or sweetened ricotta and berries.

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