Summer Desserts to Beat the Heat

Living the Sweet Summer Life

There’s nothing better than a good meal after a long summer day full of fun in the sun. And no summer meal is complete without a great dessert. But not all sweets and treats fare well in warm weather. Fortunately, we’ve got inspiration – and summer-ready recipes – to keep your celebrations cool and delicious all season long.

Keep it Classic with Summer Favorites

There’s no school like the old school when it comes to summer desserts. These tried-and-true favorites became classics for a reason: They’re big on flavor, they look great even on a paper plate and they have no problem dealing with a little sun and heat at serving time.

Classic Apple Pie is always a welcome addition to a summer spread, but we like a fun twist on it – Applesauce Pie – just as well. If berries are more your style, why not bake up a Lemon Berry Upside Down Cake for a colorful and delicious option. And for your summer holiday needs, a Berry Patriotic Poke Cake is another simple option your guests will love.

No-bake Desserts Keep it Easy

One way to ensure your summer desserts beat the heat is choosing recipes that don’t require any baking at all. No-bake desserts can give great results, and often require a little bit less prep than other recipes.

Don’t know where to start? How about with a pan of no-bake bars, like summer-ready No-bake Almond Bars, No-bake Orange Creamsicle Bars or OREO No-bake Margarita Bars. Each recipe requires time to chill or freeze, but otherwise won’t feel a hint of heat until it’s time to serve on the patio or picnic table. And for a vegan and gluten-free option, we love No-bake Almond Butter Bars.

No-bake cheesecakes are another popular option, and we’ve got a couple of winning recipes to share. Individual Chocolate Chip No-bake Cheesecakes and No-bake Keto-friendly Cheesecake Jars are ready to go for your summer party, and they’re individually portioned for easy serving. If you’re serving up summer desserts for a group and don’t mind a bit of slicing, try Red, White and Blue No-Bake Cheesecake for a perfectly patriotic finish to any summer holiday get-together.

Keep it Cool with Ice Cream Desserts

We love ice cream at the end of a summer day, but if you’re picnicking, breaking out the bowls and spoons can be a bit of a to-do and lead to more cleanup. That’s why this year, we’re all about the ice cream sandwich – a classic treat that just needs a free hand (you can use the other one to grab a napkin, as needed).

For colorful options, we love the look of Rainbow Ice Cream Sandwiches and Festive Ice Cream Sandwiches. Use your favorite sprinkles or toppings to get colorful and creative. Or, add a nutty crunch, like this recipe for Nutty Ice Cream Sandwiches. If you’ve never tried ice cream sandwiches with freshbaked cookies, then you’re in for twice the treat. Try it for yourself with The Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe. Or, if you want to go super simple, we’ve got you covered with 2-ingredient Slice ‘O Ice Cream Cookies.

Of course, ice cream sandwiches are just 1 way to serve up a summer favorite. If your hunger for ice cream inspiration is seeking something a little more unusual, why not try Strawberries, Ice Cream and Balsamic for an Italian-inspired flavor combination that delights. Or, channel your favorite country fair with Fried Ice Cream…yes, you read that right. And it’s delicious.

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