Food trends generally catch on quickly in Singapore, particularly with social media providing the ultimate platform for hipster cafes to showcase their finest creations. Some of the trending eats that have emerged recently include red velvet desserts, salted caramel (Barack Obama is apparently a fan) and charcoal-based flavourings. The newest food fad to have reached the island is the no-bake dessert. What’s not to love about this one? It’s quick, easy, almost hassle-free and tastes just as good without the need of an oven. Here we look at some of the best no-bake desserts in Singapore.
1 | Hazelnut Brownies
Generously covered in chocolate with hazelnuts and caramel, these delicious Brownies are a credit to the name and the proud tradition. The brownie has been with us since at least the late 19th century when they became popular as a more portable replacement for cake.
What you’ll need:
- Vanilla wafers
- Chocolate graham crackers
- Caramel sauce
- Plain dark bittersweet chocolate
- Chopped hazelnuts
How to make them:
- Crush a bag of plain vanilla wafers and chocolate graham crackers in a food processor.
- Add a 3/4 cup of caramel sauce, 8 ounces of melted bittersweet chocolate and 1/4 cup of chopped toasted hazelnuts.
- Pulse until smooth.
- Press into a buttered, foil-lined baking tray.
- Place more nuts on top of the mixture.
- Chill until firm, then cut into squares before serving.
2 | Nutella Bars
Universally known and almost-as-universally loved by millions as a sandwich spread, Italian-originating Nutella can also be used to make a sweet dessert even sweeter. The hazelnut and chocolate combined with vanilla and butter makes this a delicious gooey treat. Try it with a cup of coffee.
What you’ll need:
- Nutella
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Vanilla essence
How to make them:
- Mix nutella, butter, sugar and a few drops of vanilla essence together till it forms a creamy and smooth thick paste.
- In a separate mixture, melt some butter and chocolate chips in a microwave for about 30 seconds with stirring in between.
- Line a pan with baking paper and press the nutella mixture down evenly.
- Pour the chocolate over the nutella mixture and refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving.
3 | Blueberry Cheesecake
And now onto the healthy dessert option. Yes, it’s true. Blueberries contain vitamin C, antioxidants and may help fight off cancer and heart disease. All of these benefits more than make up for any calories that the cheesecake may have (at least that’s what we’ll tell ourselves when tucking into our second slice).
What you’ll need:
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Whipped cream
- Pie crust crumbs
- Blueberries
How to make them:
- Mix cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth.
- Gently stir in whipped cream topping.
- Spoon into pie crust and spread to the edge of crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Top with canned blueberries or jam and serve.
4 | S’mores Dip
Prepare some toasted marshmallows, cover them with melted chocolate and butter. Serve on crackers. A simple concept, pioneered around American campfires. This dessert requires very little preparation, but is sure to be a hit at any house party or as an after dinner treat.
What you’ll need:
- Butter
- White chocolate chips
- Marshmallows
- Plain crackers
How to make them:
- Microwave a baking tray for a few minutes and coat the surface with non-stick butter.
- Cover the bottom of the tray with either white chocolate chips or Reese’s peanut butter cups if you’re feeling more frisky than usual.
- Line marshmallows on top of your base carefully till the entire pan is filled.
- Place tray back in the microwave and heat for 3 minutes. Use your discretion here and be careful not to leave it for too long as marshmallows burn easily!
- Let Dip set before getting the crackers out and dipping them into gooey, chocolatey molten goodness.
5 | White Chocolate Cake Batter Fudge
Absolutely ‘decadent’. A word often applied erroneously to foods, but one that is absolutely suitable here. What do you expect from a dessert that basically combines all the heaviest, sweetest confections around? (cake, chocolate, batter and fudge).
What you’ll need:
- Sweetened condensed milk
- White chocolate
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
How to make them
- Pour a can of sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat for 2-3 minutes, or until white chocolate is almost completely melted.
- Stir until completely smooth with no chunks.
- Add vanilla and almond extract and mix thoroughly.
- Transfer to an aluminum-foil lined or buttered baking tray.
- Let it sit for a few minutes in the fridge or room temperature. Cut into squares and serve.
Check out foodpanda’s fantastic selection of desserts for many more sweet treats to order online!
Hailing from the South-West of England, David is passionate about writing and despite his country’s reputation for culinary ineptitude, also enjoys cooking and feasting. He spends his free time climbing up rocks, drinking scrumpy cider from a pint glass, kicking a ball around a pitch and screwing pieces of wood together (making furniture).