The best summer desserts are those that leave the oven off or barely on, no-bake icebox cakes, ice cream and sundae, and easy fruit cobblers and one-cookie cakes for a crowd. Summer baking has its rules, and the key is to let the fruit take over.
This is my current list of things I want to do between June and September, sorted by your mood. No-bake treats for the hottest days, berry desserts for market season and easy cakes to feed a crowd.
Consider this your summer dessert headquarters. Grab a cold drink and let’s get into it.
The best summer dessert recipes at a glance
No-bake and frozen treats
For those days when the oven is absolutely not invited.
Strawberry Malt Icebox Cake
Layers of malted whipped cream and fresh strawberries, frozen until sliced like a dream. No oven, and it’s even better if you make it the day before.
Roasted Strawberry and Toasted Coconut Candles
Creamy coconut and roasted strawberry concoctions that taste like a little tropical vacation. Roasting the berries first intensifies the flavor, then you just mix, pour and freeze. Keep on hold all summer long.
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
The thick cheesecake ice cream is filled with jammy blueberries and the cream cheese base gives that cheesecake flavor without turning on the oven. Rich, cold, just what August calls for.
Fruit desserts of berries and stones
The market season is short. Bake accordingly.
My favorite blueberry cobbler
Blueberries (and a handful of blackberries) bubble beneath the soft cookie top. The one I make the second good berries appear. Hot, with ice cream, obviously.
Peach Blueberry Pie
Sweet peach and jammy blueberry in one layer crust. It tastes great all season long, so let it cool completely to firm up before slicing.
Peach and Raspberry Crumble
Juicy peaches and tart raspberries crumble under buttery oats. Forgiving, quick and best with a scoop of ice cream melting on top.
Bright citrus dessert
A little tart, a little sunny, never heavy.
My favorite classic lemon bars
A buttery, subtly spiced cookie under a dense, tart lemon layer. The little black dress of summer dessert. Cool before cutting clean edges.
Lemon cake filled with lemon
A delicate lemon cake dipped in lemon syrup for double the citrus. Soft, gooey, sunny and somehow even better on day two.
Easy Cakes for a Crowd!
One pan, minimal noise, enough for everyone on the terrace.
My favorite super easy strawberry sheet cake
My desire is to feed the crowd without losing my mind. Starts in a box, tastes like a party, and it’s pink.
Big Berry birthday cake
A holiday cake filled with all sorts of berries. Perfect for a summer birthday or any day that needs a little candy.
More summer recaps!
Want to dive deeper into something? Start here.
My Best Strawberry Dessert Recipes!
Pies, cookies, brownies, and no-bake strawberry ideas all built around peak-season strawberries in one place.
General questions
What are the best summer party desserts?
Sheet cakes, bars and icebox cakes are your best friends. They feed a crowd, travel well, and most can be made ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
What are the best no-bake summer desserts?
Icebox cakes, ice creams and sundaes keep everything cool. Strawberry Malt Icebox Cake and Toasted Strawberry Coconut Scones are two of my favorites for really hot days.
What fruit is best for summer baking?
Peak season berries, stone fruits like peaches, and citrus are all shining right now. Use what’s best on the market and let it be the star, that’s the whole secret of summer baking.
How do I keep summer desserts fresh in the heat?
Freeze anything with custard, custard or fruit filling and keep frozen treats in the fridge until the last second. Bars and cobblers are best stored at room temperature.
More summer sweetness. My Best Strawberry Dessert Recipes!
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