Photo: Thinkstock

It's happened to me: Seeking an after-dinner treat, I ransack the pantry to see if I have all the ingredients to make cookies, only to find I'm out of vanilla. Or I don't have eggs. Or I only have a half-stick of butter. Most of the time, when I'm in one of these must-bake-something-sweet-now moods, I'm not looking for the most elegant, wholesome dessert. I just want something easy and good. Enter two-ingredient baking. The concept hinges on using pre-packaged helpers like cake mix and ice cream to create something a little more special. So next time you're grocery shopping, stock up on a couple of these pairings from food bloggers, and you'll be ready when the urge to bake strikes.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
The magic two: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and an egg
What they make: Thin cookies that are crispy around the edges and chewy in the center, perfect for stacking.

Pumpkin Muffins
The magic two: Pumpkin puree and classic yellow cake mix
What they make: An incredibly moist muffin (really, who are we kidding? It's a cupcake) with a nice hit of earthy pumpkin.


Vanilla Muffins
The magic two: Self-rising flour and vanilla ice cream
What they make: A little treat that tastes more like a sweet biscuit than a muffin. Vanilla supposedly works best, but if you absolutely must try it with Rocky Road, don't let us stop you.

Whipping Cream Biscuits
The magic two: Heavy whipping cream and self-rising flour
What they make: A delightful vehicle for peach or blueberry jam.

Baked Alaska
The magic two: Ice cream and wonton wrappers
What they make: Baked in muffin tins, the pasta-like squares form a warm, crispy shell for chilly cream. Starbucks' Java Chip Frappuccino flavor is reportedly excellent.