28 Low-Cost Desserts You’ll Regret Not Making Sooner

Desserts don’t have to break the bank to be completely satisfying and a joy to share. I’ve rounded up a collection of budget-friendly treats that are simple to make and big on flavor, proving you don’t need fancy ingredients to create something special. These recipes are perfect for anyone who loves a sweet ending to their day without the hefty price tag.

A scoop of vanilla ice cream beside a spoonful of warm peach cobbler in a white dish. — Single-Serving Peach Cobbler. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Soufflé Cheesecake

A ramekin of creamy, smooth cheesecake with a spoon resting beside it, taking out a scoop on a white background. — Soufflé Cheesecake. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This light and airy cheesecake is a great option when you want a rich-tasting dessert without spending too much. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, it’s perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. Its fluffy texture and creamy flavor make it feel special without a hefty cost.
Get the Recipe: Soufflé Cheesecake

Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Three cups of chocolate pudding with whipped cream and raspberries. — Chocolate Crème Brûlée. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chocolate crème brûlée is a decadent dessert that’s surprisingly budget-friendly. It’s an easy way to bring a touch of elegance to your table without fancy ingredients. The creamy chocolate base and caramelized top make this dish a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Brownie Bites

Close-up of a hand holding a half-eaten chocolate brownie with gooey chocolate chunks, with another partial brownie blurred in the background. — Brownie Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These brownie bites are a quick and affordable dessert for when you need a chocolate fix. They’re portioned just right for sharing or enjoying on your own. With pantry staples like cocoa and sugar, you can whip these up anytime without extra expense.
Get the Recipe: Brownie Bites

Air Fryer Biscoff Cream Cheese Muffins

A person holds a partially eaten, golden-brown muffin, showcasing its fluffy and moist texture. — Air Fryer Biscoff Cream Cheese Muffins. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These muffins combine the unique flavor of Biscoff with a creamy twist, making them a standout dessert. They’re quick to make in an air fryer and require minimal cleanup. Ideal for low-cost baking, they’re a treat you’ll want to add to your dessert rotation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Biscoff Cream Cheese Muffins

Mini Pound Cake

A mini pound cake is perfect when you want something sweet without the commitment of a full-size bake. It’s a cost-effective option that still feels special, making it great for gifting or enjoying at home. The rich flavor and compact size make it a winner for dessert lovers.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pound Cake

Baked Apple in Air Fryer

Baked apple on a white plate filled with oats, nuts, and cranberries, with cinnamon sprinkled around. A red checkered cloth is partially visible on the side. — Baked Apple in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This warm and comforting dessert is a fantastic low-cost option that’s packed with flavor. Using just a few ingredients, it’s an easy way to transform simple apples into something memorable. The air fryer makes it quick to prepare, ideal for last-minute cravings.
Get the Recipe: Baked Apple in Air Fryer

Small-Batch Sugar Cookies

A plate of sugar cookies with a mug of milk and a gray cloth in the background. — Small-Batch Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Small-batch sugar cookies are a practical way to enjoy fresh-baked dessert without overdoing it. They’re easy to prepare with ingredients you likely have on hand. Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth on a budget, they’re as versatile as they are convenient.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Sugar Cookies

Easy Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Lemon ricotta cookies on rack with icing bowl. — Easy Lemon Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These soft and tangy cookies are a refreshing dessert option that doesn’t cost much to make. The combination of lemon and ricotta creates a flavor that feels light yet satisfying. Quick to prepare, they’re ideal for tea time or as a simple treat after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Vegan and Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies

Two oatmeal cookies on a white plate, with a crumbly texture and visible oats, displayed on a light-colored tablecloth. — Vegan and Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These oatmeal cookies are a budget-friendly option for anyone looking for a wholesome dessert. Packed with ingredients like oats and natural sweeteners, they’re both simple and delicious. Great for those with dietary preferences, they don’t compromise on flavor or ease.
Get the Recipe: Vegan and Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies

Small-Batch Cinnamon Rolls

A person spreads white frosting on a freshly baked cinnamon roll in a tray with others nearby. — Small-Batch Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Small-batch cinnamon rolls are a great way to enjoy a bakery favorite without overspending. They’re warm, gooey, and just the right size for sharing or savoring solo. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they’re a low-cost option that still impresses.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Cinnamon Rolls

Single-Serving Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler with ice cream and peaches. — Single-Serving Peach Cobbler. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This single-serving peach cobbler is a fantastic way to enjoy a warm, comforting dessert without making a full dish. It’s quick to prepare and uses simple ingredients, making it budget-friendly. Whether for a weeknight treat or a cozy weekend snack, it’s always a great choice.
Get the Recipe: Single-Serving Peach Cobbler

Cream Cheese Danish

A pastry with berry filling and white drizzle on a white plate is accompanied by strawberry slices. A red and white checkered cloth, blueberries, and a bowl of strawberries are nearby. — Cream Cheese Danish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This cream cheese Danish is an easy and affordable way to enjoy a classic bakery item at home. With a flaky crust and creamy filling, it feels indulgent without the high cost. It’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a mid-day snack.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Danish

Lemon Loaf Starbucks Copycat

Slices of lemon loaf with icing on a white plate, with whole lemons in the background. — Lemon Loaf Starbucks Copycat. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This lemon loaf brings the café experience home at a fraction of the cost. Its moist texture and vibrant lemon flavor make it an irresistible dessert for any time of day. Simple to prepare, it’s a budget-friendly recipe that feels like a splurge.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Loaf Starbucks Copycat

Strawberry Pound Cake Mini Loaf

Slices of strawberry pound cake on a white plate, with visible chunks of strawberry and a golden-brown crust. — Strawberry Pound Cake Mini Loaf. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This mini loaf combines the sweetness of strawberries with the richness of pound cake for a dessert that’s hard to resist. Its small size makes it practical for smaller households or portioned snacking. Affordable and easy to make, it’s a delightful way to enjoy fresh flavors.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pound Cake Mini Loaf

Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate oatmeal cookies on a white plate, one broken in half, showing a soft interior, with loose chocolate chips scattered around on a white surface. — Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cookies are a wonderful mix of hearty oats and sweet chocolate chips, made in a small batch to keep things simple. They’re budget-friendly and perfect for when you want fresh cookies without a big commitment. Easy to make, they’re a dessert you’ll come back to often.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Small-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

A plate with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, one cookie is broken in half to show the soft inside. — Small-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Small-batch chocolate chip cookies are ideal for when you need a quick treat without a lot of leftovers. Using common pantry ingredients, they’re affordable and easy to make. They’re just the right size to enjoy fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Easy Blueberry Cobbler

A spoon with blueberry cobbler with rest of cobbler in background. — Easy Blueberry Cobbler. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This cobbler is a fuss-free dessert that brings the comforting flavor of blueberries to your table. Made with simple, affordable ingredients, it’s great for when you need something sweet without a lot of effort. Perfect for serving warm with a scoop of ice cream or on its own.
Get the Recipe: Easy Blueberry Cobbler

Healthier Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

A large chocolate chip cookie with a piece broken off, next to a glass of milk and a bowl of chocolate chips on a white surface. — Healthier Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This single-serve cookie is perfect for when you want a sweet treat without overindulging. It’s easy to make and uses basic ingredients, making it a low-cost option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Great for satisfying chocolate cravings in a pinch.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One

A plate of apple crisp with chunks of apple, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an oat crumble topping. — Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This apple crisp is a wonderful single-serving dessert that’s quick to make in an air fryer. It’s warm, comforting, and uses budget-friendly ingredients like oats and apples. Perfect for cozy evenings or when you want something sweet without leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One

Mini Vegan Cheesecake

A hand holds a mini cheesecake topped with two blueberries, with more cheesecakes and berries on a plate in the background. — Mini Vegan Cheesecake. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This mini cheesecake is a great option for those who love rich desserts in a smaller size. Affordable and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. With its creamy texture and balanced sweetness, it’s a dessert worth trying.
Get the Recipe: Mini Vegan Cheesecake

Brown Sugar Cookies

Brown sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and a great way to enjoy a simple dessert with ingredients you likely have on hand. They’re quick to make and budget-friendly, making them perfect for last-minute baking. Great with a cup of tea or coffee, they’re a treat for any time of day.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Cookies

Single-Serve Apple Pie

Mini apple pie on cutting board. — Single-Serve Apple Pie. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This single-serve apple pie delivers all the flavor of the classic dessert in a perfectly portioned size. It’s an affordable way to enjoy a warm, comforting treat without the need for a full pie. Easy to make, it’s a great choice for weeknight desserts or special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Single-Serve Apple Pie

Chocolate Puff Pastry

Close-up of a flaky pastry cut open to reveal a filling of chocolate, with a visible crispy golden crust. — Chocolate Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This chocolate puff pastry combines rich chocolate with a flaky crust for a dessert that’s both simple and satisfying. It’s quick to prepare and requires just a few ingredients, making it a low-cost option. Perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own, it’s great for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Puff Pastry

Filipino Leche Flan

Leche flan caramel creme brulee on a plate with a spoon. — Filipino Leche Flan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Filipino leche flan is a creamy dessert with a caramel top that feels special without being expensive to make. It’s a great option for family gatherings or treating yourself at home. With its smooth texture and rich flavor, it’s sure to impress without breaking the budget.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Leche Flan

Mini Pavlova Nests

These mini pavlovas are a delicate dessert that’s both affordable and easy to customize with toppings like fruit or whipped cream. They’re great for entertaining or adding a touch of sweetness to any meal. The light, crisp meringue makes them a unique and enjoyable treat.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pavlova Nests

Mini Pecan Pies

Two pecan pie tarts placed on a striped cloth with scattered pecans around them. — Mini Pecan Pies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Mini pecan pies are a wonderful way to enjoy a classic dessert in a smaller, cost-effective portion. They’re easy to prepare and perfect for sharing or individual snacking. With their buttery crust and sweet filling, they’re always a hit at gatherings or quiet evenings in.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pecan Pies

Apple Pie Cookies

These apple pie cookies bring all the comforting flavors of apple pie into a convenient cookie format. Using simple, budget-friendly ingredients, they’re great for baking on a whim. Perfect for sharing with friends or keeping as a sweet dessert for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Cookies

Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies

A person dipping a peanut butter cookie into a glass of milk, with more stacked cookies on a plate in the background. — Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These peanut butter cookies are soft, rich, and a fantastic low-cost dessert option. Made without eggs, they’re quick and easy to whip up with just a few pantry staples. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies