5 Quick And Easy Dessert Recipes For Seniors – Graying With Grace (2024)

1. Peach And Yogurt Surprise

This is one of the simplest, healthiest desserts for seniors and a firm favorite. The recipe below serves 3-4 people but can easily be adjusted to a single serving as the measurement don’t have to be exact. In fact, you can add or detract from any of the ingredients to personalize the dessert to your taste.

What You Need:

• 1 Can of peaches
• 2 Cups of plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons of soft, brown sugar

How to Make it:

Strain the canned peaches to remove all the syrup. Then layer them at the bottom of a dish. Spoon the yogurt on top of the layer of peaches. Sprinkle the sugar over the yogurt. Allow the dessert to stand for 15-30 minutes to let the sugar melt over the yogurt. The brown sugar changes into a yummy, caramel syrup to sweeten the dessert.

You can substitute the canned peaches with other canned or fresh fruit or even create a fruit medley. However, it is recommended to avoid fruit that is too sweet. The sour flavor of the yogurt compliments the sweetness of the sugar which in turn should compliment the tartness of the fruit.

2. No Bake Cheese Cake

This is another firm favorite for most people including seniors and is really easy to make. The greatest benefit of this dessert is that you can choose a fruity flavor that you prefer or you can enjoy the dessert plain. The recipe should take no more than 20 minutes to complete from start to finish.

What You Need:

The Crust

• 2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup Soft brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Salted butter

The Filling

• 1 and 1/4 cups (300ml) Heavy cream
• 3 8 Oz Blocks of cream cheese (use a soon to soften the cream cheese)
• 1/2 cup White, granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 Sour cream, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How to Make It:

The Crust

Place the Graham crackers in a sealable plastic bag and crush those biscuits. You can use any method you like – beating them gently with a rolling pin is extremely satisfying. Melt the butter in a saucepan on a low heat and stir in the crushed crackers and sugar. Allow to cool and press tightly into the bottom and along the sides of a high pie dish or baking tin that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Place in the freezer.

The Filling

Whip the heavy cream (use a hand or stand mixer with whisk attachment) until stiff peaks form. Place in the refrigerator. Beat the cream cheese and white sugar together until smooth (make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese). Add the sour cream, confectioner’s sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat with a mixer until combined.

Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture gently using a spatula. Remove the crust from the freezer and spoon the filling into the crust. Refrigerate for 6-12 hours before serving.

You can substitute the lemon juice with lime juice, strawberry syrup, blueberry or granadilla pulp to change up the flavor. Decorate with fruit and cream as desired. Check out the full recipe here.

RELATED: Easy Snacks for Seniors

3. Jello And Custard

Although Jello and custard may be reminiscent of hospital or convalescent stays, the dessert is still one of the most popular among people of all ages. Plus it is really easy to make!

What You Need:

• A packet of instant mix gelatin
• Custard powder

How to Make It:

Simply follow the instructions on the Jello packet and custard powder container. You can choose to make your custard as firm or liquid as you like. Refrigerate the Jello until firm and allow the custard to cool to room temperature or refrigerate. Serve your Jello with a good dollop of custard or pour over the top. You can decorate your dessert with fresh fruit and some whipped cream.

There are as many variations of this dessert as there are gelatin flavors available on the market. And if you are really in a rush, you can purchase ready-made custard instead of making it. Alternatively, if you have time on your hands and feel like a bit of a challenge, you can make your custard from scratch. It’s easier than you think and you can find a simple recipe here.

4. Simple Tiramisu

This creamy, tasty Italian dessert has been popular for a couple of centuries. Of course, making the dessert from scratch according to the original recipe can take 2 to 3 days. This simplified version is much quicker and easier to make and just as tasty. If you have never tried this dessert before, it is definitely worth it.

What You Need:

• 9 Oz Fat free sour cream
• 9 Oz Low fat cream cheese
• 1/2 Cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons skim milk
• 1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 Oz Light frozen whipped topping
• 1 Cup brewed coffee
• 10 1/2 Oz ladyfinger cookies
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

How To Make It:

Place the sour cream and cream cheese in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar, milk and vanilla extract while mixing. Gently fold the whipped topping into the mixture. Dip the ladyfinger cookies in the coffee and layer in a dish – alternating between the creamy mix and the biscuits. Dust with cocoa powder and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours. The longer it stays in the refrigerator, the better.

You can serve the Tiramisu with fresh berries or add a sprig of mint to freshen up this creamy treat. For the full, detailed recipe, click here.

RELATED: Soft Snacks for Seniors

5. Chocolate Cupcake In A Mug

This one is for all the chocolate lovers out there. Although this isn’t necessarily the healthiest dessert, it is quick and easy and will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth. There are different variations of cupcakes in a mug if you prefer not to go with chocolate:

What You Need:

• 3 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• Drop of vanilla extract, optional
• 3 Tablespoons dark chocolate chips

How To Make It:

Place all the dry ingredients in a mug and mix together with a fork. Make sure that the mug is microwave safe and that it is large enough to compensate for the rising of the cupcake (about 12 Oz should be sufficient).

Add all the wet ingredients a little at a time and mix with a fork until the mixture is smooth. If there is a little lump here and there, don’t be too concerned. Last, but by no means least, stir in those chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the mixture. You can use less chocolate chips if you prefer.

Place the mug in the microwave and cook on the highest setting for just 90 seconds. It is very important not to overcook the cupcake in a mug because it will turn out rubbery and tough. A little gooey center is always preferable.

Allow the mug and the cupcake to cool entirely before serving. You can eat it warm but be careful not to burn yourself. Add a dollop of heavy cream or a little frosting to finish the dessert off if you like.

This is the ideal dessert to make for an individual or to serve to multiple people. However, it is recommended to bake each cupcake in a mug individually for the best results.

What are your favorite quick and easy dessert recipes that seniors should try? Tell us about them in the comments below.