I will just lay it all out there. I have a major summer dessert problem. And by problem, I mean that I want to eat bright, fruity, tart, and sweet treats for every single meal.
If you are a lover of fresh berries and cooling ice creams, then gather round. This collection of 35 easy recipes is saving my life right now.
They are low maintenance, highly snackable, and 100% as refreshing as a summer dessert should be.
1. Margarita Cupcakes
Nothing says summer quite like a pitcher of margaritas and a seat by the beach.
To be honest, I drink margaritas all year round, but these cupcakes are still a great way to celebrate the warmer months.
The sponge is super soft and moist with lime zest spread throughout. And that zippy tequila infused frosting is the boozy cherry on top.
2. Strawberry Panna Cotta
Panna Cotta is a wonderfully simple, sweet, and delicious dessert. You add strawberries into the mix to create a perfectly pink variation with a fresh and smooth taste.
Just be sure to puree and then strain the seeds, and be careful not to heat the gelatin mixture too high.
I love the pink color in this dessert and I think whipped chocolate cream would be a great compliment.
3. Ice Cream Sandwiches
Believe it or not, you can make ice cream sandwiches at home with just a couple of pantry staples. Well, I guess I mean pantry and freezer staples.
You just grab some cookies and add a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Then you roll them in toasted coconut or sprinkles for a fun finish.
4. Watermelon Ice
Watermelon is such a sweet and easy treat on a hot day. And for this ice recipe, all you need is watermelon, lime juice and zest, and some time.
You blitz the melon with the lime and spread it onto a baking dish. From there you will just need to scrape it with a fork every now and then.
5. Creamy Pineapple Pie
If you thought key lime pie was easy, this one is going to knock your socks off.
The filling is effortless because you just mix condensed milk with crushed pineapple and its juice along with some Cool Whip.
It is creamy and sweetly tart. It is even better with toasted coconut on top and a drizzle of dark chocolate.
6. Passionfruit and Prosecco Jelly Cups
Jelly is not just a great treat for the kids. This grown-up version is made with sweetened passion fruit puree and Prosecco for a fruity and boozy little dessert.
And as if it wasn’t yummy enough, this gets served with a sweet and creamy mascarpone topping. Yum!
7. Swirled Meringues with Blueberry Sauce
This make-ahead summer dessert might look intimidating, but I promise it is worth the extra effort. Making meringues can be tricky on a hot day.
So the key here is the added cornstarch and cream of tartar. Once you have mastered those egg whites, you can top this with anything you like!
8. Fresh Fruit Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream
The next time you need summer desserts for a crowd, you should consider this gorgeous fresh fruit tart. You will make a super simple pastry dough and blind-bake it since the filling is no-bake.
From there it is filled with yummy pastry cream and topped with fresh strawberries, mangoes, kiwi, and fresh blueberries. You name it!
9. Orange Creamsicle Popsicles
Creamsicles were my go-to when I was a kid. And honestly I still love them.
But instead of buying them from the store, I have been making my own for years. All you need is cream, milk, honey, and vanilla plus the juice and zest of two oranges. Easy peasy!
10. S’mores Poke Brownies
S’mores and summer go hand in hand. But unfortunately we do not all have access to an open flame.
So while these brownies may not be traditional, they will give you all those great flavors with the added benefit of a fudge brownie.
You bake the batter on a Graham Cracker crust and top the whole thing with a ton of marshmallows. Delish!
11. No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cannoli Cheesecake
Cannoli filling is creamy and sweet, and the key to its success is finding the right kind of ricotta. If you skip the ricotta, it will taste great but not super great.
This cheesecake uses real cannoli shells crushed and mixed with melted butter and some Graham Cracker crumbs.
And that hint of citrus in the filling is just what you would expect from an authentic cannoli.
12. Key Lime Pie
The first time I had key lime pie was in a bar at sunset in Key West. So it holds a special place in my heart.
I love the addition of brown sugar into the Graham Cracker crust here for a deeper flavor. And the filling is just four ingredients!
Just be sure to get real key lime juice and you are all set.
13. Mocha Torte
As far as no-bake desserts goes, this frozen chocolate and coffee cheesecake is a winner. It uses an Oreo crust for plenty of chocolate flavor.
The filling is a creamy mixture of cream cheese, chocolate syrup, condensed milk, and coffee. Folding in whipped cream helps to incorporate air for a rich yet incredibly light texture.
14. Pina Colada Trifle
For something really special, you have to try this very grown-up trifle.
With all those layers of rum-soaked ladyfingers, pineapple jelly, oven-roasted pineapples, and coconut custard, it is impossible to resist.
Top it with caramelized pineapple and it will be devoured in a flash.
15. 3-Ingredient Homemade Mango Ice Cream
You do not need a fancy ice cream maker or Ninja Creami to make ice cream at home, ya know. And this 3-ingredient recipe is proof.
You just blend frozen mangos with coconut milk and maple syrup until it is thick and smooth.
16. Gin and Tonic Slice
There is nothing quite like a cool G&T on a hot day. And this recipe is definitely one for the grown-ups.
Between the cookie crumb, creamy lemon filling, and gin and tonic flavored jelly, you will need to keep the kids away.
It is light, zippy, and just a little boozy. What more could you want in your summer treats?
17. Refreshing Margarita Popsicles
Do you want something a bit boozier? I have got just the thing.
These margarita popsicles are cool, zesty, and loaded with tequila. Add a lime wheel and some sea salt to the top and they are about as good as it gets.
18. Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Did you grow up on Dairy Queen too? It is the best, isn’t it?
So if you are hunting down a bit of nostalgia (or just feel like something cold and sweet for dessert), you should try this ice cream cake recipe.
You get chocolate and vanilla plus that signature layer of chocolate crunchies. Yum!
19. Berry Parfait
You do not need special glass dishes or cute little mason jars for this dessert. Though mason jar desserts are undoubtedly adorable.
These super fast parfaits can be made with store-bought pound cake, whipped cream, and sweetened berries, all layered into wine glasses.
The key here is to marinate the berries in the agave syrup for maximum flavor.
20. Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
Icebox cakes are such incredible summer desserts. They are creamy, loaded with flavor, and oh so easy to whip up.
And while you can easily make them with fresh blueberries or other fruits, I think this peanut butter recipe is to die for.
And yes, there are Reese’s in the cake and on top!
21. Creamy Blackberry Basil Nice Cream
In case you are unfamiliar, nice cream is blended frozen bananas. It is sweet, fruity, vegan, and tastes just like real ice cream.
And it is so easy to jazz up! Take this recipe, for example. It is infused with blackberries and basil, making it berrylicious with just a bit of herbal goodness.
22. Mississippi Mud Pie
Nothing like the mud pies of your childhood, this pie is made with a pecan shortbread style crust.
The next layer is sweet cream cheese and white chocolate pudding delight followed by a layer of chocolate pudding and Cool Whip.
It will take about an hour to make and is worth every second.
23. Maple Grilled Peaches & Almond Cookie Crumb
Here is a terrific and refreshing treat for a hot summer day. And it is effortless to make for a party full of people.
You will need fresh ripe peaches (of course) plus a simple almond cookie crumb. Serve them with raspberry sorbet and a drizzle of caramel. Yum!
