"I wanted to do an easy, light dessert to round off the meal - not everyone likes Irish coffee," he said.

One of the easiest desserts (and an easy one to remember if you are putting a meal together at the last minute) is pears stewed in Armagnac and sugar.

This quick and easy dessert is a light way to finish off a South-east Asian meal.

Need an easy dessert?

Enjoy a quick and easy dessert that can be made in under half an hour and put in the oven just before you sit down to eat your main course.

The baci di ricotta - perfect kisses, hot, soft and melting - are a surprisingly easy dessert if there aren't too many of you eating.

A quick stop at a supermarket for staples and some croissants - "I'm going to make a really easy dessert with these," he said - and he headed back to the kitchen.

One dessert, easy and luscious, is made from puréed chestnuts, maple syrup and heavy cream.

Her idea of a "fun and easy" dessert is a pear stuffed with chocolate chips, swaddled in puff pastry, anchored to the plate with caramel and then drizzled with fudge sauce.

It is a remarkably easy dessert.