Easy Fruit Desserts: 20 Simple Recipes for Any Fruit & Season
The easiest fruit desserts are cobblers, crisps and crumbles — baked fruit under a simple topping, no mixer or pastry skills required. They work with whatever fruit you have, fresh or frozen, and they’re nearly impossible to mess up. Here are 20 easy fruit desserts for every fruit and season, starting with one foolproof crumble that works with anything.
The Quick Version
- Easiest of all: a fruit crumble — toss fruit, add an oat topping, bake.
- Any fruit works, fresh or frozen. Frozen needs a little extra cornstarch.
- Cobbler vs crisp vs crumble? Just different toppings — all beginner-proof.
- Let it cool 15 minutes so the juices set instead of running.
Baked fruit desserts (the easiest)
- Any-fruit crumble — the full foolproof recipe is below.
- Peach cobbler — summer’s classic, with a soft biscuit top.
- Apple crisp — the fall favorite, buttery and cinnamon-spiced.
- Blueberry & mixed berry crumble — use any berries, fresh or frozen.
- Cherry & blackberry crumbles — same method, different fruit.
No-bake & chilled fruit desserts
Too hot for the oven? See our no-bake summer desserts.
- Strawberry shortcake — berries, cream and a soft biscuit.
- Fruit pizza — a cookie crust topped with cream and fresh fruit.
- Berry trifle — layered fruit, cream and cake.
- No-bake fruit tart — set in the fridge.
Fruit desserts by season
- Summer: berries, peaches, plums, cherries — at their best now.
- Fall: apples and pears — crisps and crumbles shine.
- Winter: frozen fruit and citrus carry you through.
- Spring: strawberries and rhubarb.
Foolproof recipe: Easy Any-Fruit Crumble
Memorize this one and you’ll never be stuck for dessert. It works with whatever’s in your fridge or freezer.
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss 6 cups fruit with ⅓ cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp lemon juice; spread in a buttered 9-inch dish.
- Stir 1 cup oats, ¾ cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup melted butter, a pinch of salt and cinnamon into clumps.
- Scatter the topping over the fruit.
- Bake 38–45 minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges. Cool 15 minutes.
Foolproof tip: the cornstarch is what keeps it from being watery — don’t skip it, and add an extra teaspoon if you’re using frozen fruit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest fruit dessert to make?
A crumble or crisp — toss fruit with sugar and cornstarch, add a buttery oat topping, and bake. No mixer, no pastry, no chilling, and it works with almost any fruit, fresh or frozen.
Can I use frozen fruit in fruit desserts?
Yes — frozen fruit works great in cobblers, crisps and crumbles with no thawing. Add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch for the extra liquid and a few more minutes of baking.
What is the difference between a cobbler, crisp and crumble?
A cobbler has a biscuit topping, a crisp has an oat topping, and a crumble has a flour-butter-sugar topping. All are baked fruit desserts and all are beginner-friendly.
Easy Any-Fruit Crumble
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F (175C). Toss the fruit with granulated sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice, then spread in a buttered 9-inch baking dish.
- Stir the oats, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, salt and cinnamon into clumps.
- Scatter the topping over the fruit.
- Bake 38-45 minutes, until the topping is golden and the fruit bubbles at the edges. Cool 15 minutes before serving.
More easy ideas
Beat the heat with no-bake summer desserts, or if you’re new to baking start with our easy recipes for beginners. Browse all our baking ideas.
