Five Minute Gourmet Desserts

Dessert is the grand finale of a good meal. With working it can be difficult and time consuming to bake or prepare dessert. Over the years I've discovered quick and easy ways to prepare tasty, gourmet style desserts. With just a few ingredients and lots of ingenuity, you too can impress family and friends with simple delicious treats. Try a few of these recipes and then build on them to create your own.

Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwich

You'll Need:

4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
Whipped Cream
Almonds

Preparation:

Place ice cream sandwich on a dish. Top with whipped cream, other toppings and lastly nuts. Serve with a small fork for easy eating. Serves 4.

Variations: In place of vanilla, consider going with a cookies and cream, mint grasshopper or other flavored sandwich. Choose a complimentary and unique topping such as chocolate sprinkles, Andes mints or Reese's peanut butter cups.

Strawberry Moon Pie

You'll Need:

4 Moon Pies
Strawberry Sauce
Fresh Strawberries
Vanilla Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
Chopped Walnuts

Preparation:

Warm strawberry sauce. Place moon pies on dish, top with a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle with warm (not hot) strawberry sauce, top with fresh strawberries and walnuts. Serves 4.

Variations: For a double chocolate delight, use fudge sauce in lieu of a strawberry sauce.

Easy Banana Pudding

You'll Need:

8 Banana Twins Cakes
4 Vanilla Pudding Snacks
2 Sliced Bananas
Whipped Cream

Preparation:

Cool vanilla pudding snacks in refrigerator. Place two banana twins cake on dessert plate. Top with two heaping tablespoons of vanilla pudding. Add slices of bananas. Finish with a scoop of whipped cream and more banana slices. Serves 4.

Variations: Prepare an instant banana pudding in advance for more of a banana flavor.

Waffle Cheesecake Dessert

You'll Need:

4 Frozen Waffles
1 Can of Pie Filling (Apple, Blueberry or Strawberry are delicious)
1 8oz. Tub of Whipped or Spreadable Cream Cheese
Whipped Cream
Chopped Walnuts

Preparation:

Warm pie filling and toast frozen waffles. Place frozen waffles on dessert dish. Spread cream cheese on waffle evenly. Top with your favorite pie filling. Finish treat with a healthy scoop of whipped cream and a handful of walnuts. Serves 4.

Variations: Use yogurt or ice cream in place of whipped cream. Garnish with candy sprinkles, cinnamon or lemon zest.