Diva Magenta at the Dollar Stretcher has some great ideas for those days when company unexpectedly drops in (or the days when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend any money). Much in the same way as you can make meals from pantry items, you can utilize some creativity by making pantry desserts when you’re in a pinch. Take a look at some ideas that you can play around with:

• Cake: you should be able to make a cake without buying a boxed mix. Most of them are made from flour, sugar, milk and butter, and you can make a simple frosting out of powdered sugar, butter, a bit of vanilla and milk.
• Rice or Bread Pudding: using milk, eggs, sugar and some bread or rice, you can make a simple, comfort food dessert. Add in extras like raisins to jazz them up if you likie.
• Sweet Breads or Muffins: you can make a nice loaf of bread or a pan of muffins by using a can of pumpkin, bananas that are just turning brown, applesauce, carrots or zucchini mixed with flour, sugar, eggs, oil and spices.

Check out more great ideas at My Story: Easy Desserts from Your Pantry.