Summer and desserts go hand in hand: a big scoop of ice cream after a day at the beach, a gooey s’more around a campfire, and a fruity treat made with goodies from the farmers market. Treating myself to something sweet after a long, hot day in the sun is one of my favorite parts of summer, and there are so many delicious summer dessert recipes that feel just right for the season. Whether you’re looking for an easy no-bake dessert to avoid turning on the oven, a refreshing frozen treat to cool off, or a fruit-filled dessert that makes the most of summer produce, there’s no shortage of tempting options. So go ahead and throw it back to childhood with a nostalgic dessert you used to love as a kid, romanticize a random weeknight with a little baking sesh, or whip up something sweet to share at a backyard cookout, picnic, or pool party. Summer is truly the only excuse you need to indulge in something sweet.
Below, I’ve rounded up the best summer dessert recipes for every occasion, including no-bake recipes, frozen treats, fruit-filled bakes, and nostalgic sweets that’ll take you straight back to childhood. Whether you’re hosting friends, bringing a dessert to a summer cookout, or just in the mood for something sweet to end the day, these summer dessert recipes taste like the very best parts of the season:
1. Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is one of the best summer dessert recipes to bring to a backyard cookout or pool party this summer. With a sugar cookie crust covered in cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit, it’s almost guaranteed to disappear at any gathering. Plus, it’s easy to throw together and endlessly customizable with all your favorite summer produce.
2. No Churn Ice Cream
You don’t need a fancy ice cream maker to whip up this creamy, dreamy frozen summer treat. This no-churn ice cream recipe starts with just four main ingredients (sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt), but you can easily customize the base with different mix-ins to create your own custom flavor. The secret to achieving that perfectly smooth, creamy texture? Use a metal bowl and pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes before you start whipping your heavy cream.
3. Berry Galette
If baking your own pie from scratch feels too intimidating, this summer fruit dessert recipe is for you. A galette is essentially a less polished, more rustic version of a pie, which means it’s much more forgiving for beginner bakers. After making and chilling the dough, simply load the berry filling into the center of the crust and fold over the edges in a roughly circular shape. Once baked, it’ll still taste absolutely delicious, even if the shape is a little wonky.
4. Mango Lime Popsicles
If you want an easy summer dessert that doubles as a fun nostalgic activity, try making these mango lime popsicles. To do this recipe justice, you’ll need some popsicle molds, which are easy to find on Amazon or any store that sells kitchenware. After that, all you have to do is toss your ingredients in a blender, pour the mixture into your molds, and freeze until solid. The hardest part is waiting for the mixture to freeze before digging in!
5. Peach Cobbler
Peaches are at their freshest and juiciest in the summer, and this recipe is one of the best ways to enjoy them. It’s so easy to throw together, and the combo of warm, juicy peaches and buttery, crumbly topping just works. Serve it with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer dessert.
6. Frozen Yogurt Bark
When it comes to frozen summer desserts, it doesn’t get easier than this. Simply spread some vanilla yogurt onto a baking sheet, add whatever toppings you like (this recipe suggests a mix of berries and granola), and freeze until solid. Cut the frozen bark into pieces for a refreshing snack any time of the day. Tip: Be sure to use full-fat yogurt so the texture remains nice and smooth once frozen.
7. Lemon Olive Oil Cake
I made this recipe last summer for an outdoor dinner party, and it was a huge hit. The cake turns out beautifully moist and full of tart lemony flavor, and there’s nothing complicated about the prep either. It tastes like something you’d eat while on vacation in the Mediterranean, so it’s perfect for times when you want to impress (without actually putting in too much effort).
8. Berry Crisp
Toss together this easy berry crisp recipe when you want a summer dessert that tastes bright, fresh, and deliciously comforting. It’s a perfect way to use up a few cartons of fruit from the farmers market (or that bag of frozen mixed berries in your freezer).
9. Gooey Baked S’mores Bars
S’mores are the dessert of summer, and you can’t change my mind. The combo of gooey marshmallow, crunchy graham cracker, and melty chocolate is just unmatched, and with this recipe, you don’t even need the bonfire to enjoy it. The graham cracker crust is layered with chocolate chips, marshmallow creme, and mini marshmallows for a mess-free, make-ahead version of this classic summer treat.
10. Cherry Pie Bars
Summer is peak cherry season, and what better way to celebrate than with a whole sheet pan of cherry pie bars? This summer dessert recipe is an easier take on the classic cherry pie (especially if you use store-bought pie crust), and it’s perfect for bringing to a cookout or party this season. The lattice crust on top may sound tricky to pull off, but honestly, you could arrange strips of pie crust in any pattern and it would still taste delicious.
11. Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Cake
For this yummy no-bake summer dessert, you’ll start by blitzing up pretzels and gingersnap cookies along with melted butter in a food processor. Press the mixture into the bottom of a pan, then layer ice cream, strawberry jam, and fresh strawberries on top. The only tricky part is making sure you freeze each layer before adding another one on top, so save this recipe for a lazy weekend day when you have some time to spare.
12. Key Lime Pie Bars
These key lime pie bars are bright, citrusy, and perfect for sharing. Plus, this recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of hands-on prep. What more could you want in a summer dessert?
13. Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ice cream sandwiches are another classic summer dessert, but this homemade version looks way better than anything I used to eat as a kid. The fudgy brownie layers make this treat extra indulgent, and you can easily customize the recipe with any flavor of ice cream you choose.
14. Grilled Peaches with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
The next time you fire up the grill, save some room to toss on a few halved peaches. Then grill the peaches for just a few minutes to allow the fruit to caramelize and get slightly charred. If you make the bourbon caramel sauce ahead of time, this easy summer dessert takes just minutes to throw together.
15. Easy Watermelon Granita
Of all the summer dessert recipes on this list, this one is by far the easiest. Requiring just three ingredients and a few hours in the freezer, this recipe recreates a classic Italian frozen treat with minimal effort. It’s perfect for when you want something light and refreshing to cool you off on a hot day.
16. Strawberry Shortcake
Picked up some fresh strawberries at the farmers market? Put them to good use with this strawberry shortcake recipe. It’s an absolutely classic summer dessert and actually pretty easy to make. Making your own homemade biscuits is a bit of a labor of love, but once they come out of the oven, all you have to do is slice and fill with strawberries and whipped cream.
17. Browned Butter Crispy Rice Treats
If you need something to bring to a backyard cookout this summer, these are almost guaranteed to be a hit. This recipe recreates Rice Krispies treats with browned butter and a sprinkling of flaky salt for a slightly more elevated take on a classic.
18. No-Bake Summer Fruit Tart
When the temperature outside regularly reaches 90 degrees, the likelihood of me turning on the oven decreases exponentially. Luckily, this gorgeous fruit tart comes together with no cooking whatsoever. The recipe calls for vegan cream cheese, but you could easily make it with the regular kind if you eat dairy. Top it with your favorite summer fruit for an easy, delicious dessert to share.
19. Strawberry Sorbet
If you are craving a frozen treat on a hot summer day but want something lighter than ice cream, this three-ingredient strawberry sorbet is the perfect thing to have in your freezer. No ice cream maker required for this recipe—all you have to do is blend frozen strawberries in a food processor or blender, add a little warm water to reach the right consistency, then sweeten with honey.
20. Lemon Bars
Lemons are a mainstay in my kitchen year-round, but they taste especially delicious on warm, sunny days. If you love that bright, refreshingly tart flavor, these lemon bars will be your new favorite summer dessert. The recipe calls for an entire cup of lemon juice for a healthy dose of tartness that’s beautifully balanced by the buttery shortbread crust.
21. Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes
These no-bake mini cheesecakes are perfect for when you want something creamy and decadent without having to turn on your oven. Made in a standard muffin pan, this recipe turns out perfectly portioned bites of graham cracker crust and creamy cheesecake filling. After they’ve set up in the fridge, top them with fresh berries, caramel sauce, or melty chocolate.
22. Raspberry Crumble Bars
Strawberries seem to get all the hype in the summertime, but raspberries are in season, too (and even better, IMO). Grab a carton of fresh ones from your farmers market or usual grocery store and whip up a batch of these crumble bars. The recipe makes a big batch, so they’re perfect for sharing.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
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