25 Summer Desserts
When the heat kicks in, dessert cravings don’t slow down they just get cooler, creamier, and a whole lot more refreshing.
From chilled fruit treats to no-bake delights and frozen favorites, summer desserts are all about light flavors and easy prep.
This collection brings together 25 sweet ideas that are perfect for hot days.
Backyard get-togethers, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth without turning on the oven.
Summer Desserts
1. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is the queen of summer desserts for a reason.
It’s light, fresh, and ridiculously satisfying. The key is juicy, sweet strawberries, which are best when they’re in peak season.
Pair them with tender, buttery biscuits (or sponge cake if that’s your style) and a big dollop of whipped cream.
The textures play so well together crumbly biscuit, syrupy berries, and fluffy cream.
2. No-Bake Cheesecake Cups
When it’s too hot to bake, no-bake cheesecake cups come to the rescue.
You get all the creamy richness of cheesecake without turning on the oven.
These individual desserts are layered with crushed graham crackers, a smooth cream cheese filling, and a topping of fresh berries or fruit compote.
You can prep them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge, making them perfect for BBQs or last-minute guests.
3. Lemon Bars
Lemon bars are sunshine in dessert form. The crust is buttery and crisp, and the lemon filling is tart, sweet, and custardy.
They’re best served chilled, dusted with powdered sugar, and cut into small squares.
These little bars have a zingy citrus punch that’s just what you need to cool down in the summer heat.
Plus, they’re easy to pack for a picnic or potluck and always disappear quickly.
4. Peach Cobbler
Few things say summer like a bubbling peach cobbler straight from the oven.
The soft, warm peaches are naturally sweet and juicy, and the topping somewhere between a biscuit and cake is golden and crisp on top.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let it melt into the warm cobbler.
It’s pure comfort food and tastes like a Southern summer in a bowl. If you’ve got ripe peaches, this dessert is a must.
5. Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cool off with classic ice cream sandwiches made even better when homemade.
You can use soft chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or even waffles as your base, then sandwich in a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Roll the edges in sprinkles, crushed nuts, or mini chocolate chips for a fun finish.
These are great for kids, but honestly, adults love them just as much especially when they’re fresh from the freezer on a hot day.
6. Frozen Yogurt Bark
For something light and healthy-ish, frozen yogurt bark is a smart choice.
Just spread Greek yogurt on a tray, swirl in a little honey, and top it with berries, granola, coconut flakes, or nuts.
Once frozen, break it into shards like chocolate bark. It’s crunchy, creamy, fruity, and super refreshing.
It also stores well in the freezer, so you can grab a piece anytime you need a cold snack or quick dessert.
7. Watermelon Sorbet
Watermelon sorbet is as refreshing as it gets. All you need is ripe watermelon, a squeeze of lime, and a little sugar if your melon isn’t sweet enough.
Blend it up, freeze it, and you’ve got a smooth, icy treat that tastes like pure summer.
It’s light, hydrating, and perfect for those scorching days when you don’t want anything too heavy but still need something sweet.
8. Berry Trifle
Layered and beautiful, a berry trifle is both showstopping and easy to make.
Start with cubes of pound cake or angel food cake, then layer on whipped cream and fresh summer berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Repeat the layers until you fill your trifle dish or jars.
It’s light, fluffy, and loaded with flavor and color. Let it chill for a bit before serving so everything melds together perfectly.
9. Grilled Pineapple with Honey
Grilled pineapple is ridiculously simple but feels gourmet.
The heat caramelizes the sugars, making the pineapple even sweeter and juicier.
Add a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon or chili powder for a kick.
Serve it warm with ice cream or yogurt, or chill it and eat it as a snack.
10. Mango Sticky Rice
This creamy, tropical mango sticky rice is a traditional Thai dessert that hits just right on hot days.
Sticky rice is cooked with sweetened coconut milk until rich and tender, then topped with ripe, juicy mango slices.
A drizzle of extra coconut cream and a sprinkle of sesame seeds or mung beans adds texture and richness.
It’s comforting, not overly sweet, and incredibly satisfying with each spoonful.
11. Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is that cool, creamy dessert with a punch of tart citrus flavor that makes it perfect for summer.
The filling is silky smooth, made from key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, all poured into a buttery graham cracker crust.
Once chilled, it sets into a refreshing, melt-in-your-mouth dessert that tastes like a vacation in every bite.
Top it with a swirl of whipped cream and some lime zest for a little extra flair. It’s simple, light, and just the right amount of sweet and tangy.
12. Frozen Banana Pops
Frozen banana pops are a fun, no-fuss dessert that kids and adults both love.
Just slice bananas in half, stick a popsicle stick in, and freeze them.
Once firm, dip each one in melted chocolate and roll in toppings crushed peanuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, or mini chocolate chips.
They’re like ice cream bars but way healthier and just as satisfying.
13. No-Bake S’mores Bars
When you’re craving s’mores but don’t want to build a fire, no-bake s’mores bars are the answer.
You get all the nostalgic flavors graham crackers, chocolate, and gooey marshmallowwithout turning on the oven.
Crushed graham crackers are mixed with butter as the base, then layered with melted chocolate and marshmallow fluff.
Chill them in the fridge until firm, and slice into squares. They’re rich, sticky, and super satisfying, especially for late-night cravings or summer parties.
14. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Pineapple upside-down cake is a retro dessert that never goes out of style.
Slices of pineapple are caramelized in brown sugar and butter, then topped with cake batter and baked until golden.
When you flip it over, the fruit glistens and the syrup seeps into the soft, fluffy cake.
Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or let it cool and enjoy it chilled either way, it’s a tropical dream with every bite.
15. Chia Pudding with Berries
If you’re looking for something light, healthy, and refreshing, chia pudding with berries is a go-to summer dessert.
Chia seeds soak overnight in milk or coconut milk until they turn into a creamy, pudding-like texture.
Add a touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness, then top with fresh summer berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
It’s nutritious, naturally sweet, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a guilt-free after-dinner dessert.
16. Raspberry Lemonade Popsicles
Cool off with homemade raspberry lemonade popsicles that are tangy, sweet, and full of fruity flavor.
Blend raspberries, fresh lemon juice, a bit of sugar, and water, then pour the mixture into molds and freeze.
The result? A bright pink, icy treat that tastes like summer in every lick.
They’re refreshing, hydrating, and much healthier than store-bought popsicles. Plus, you can tweak the sweetness and tartness to your liking.
17. Blueberry Galette
A blueberry galette is like a pie’s carefree cousin rustic, easy, and full of charm.
Fresh blueberries are tossed with a bit of sugar and lemon juice, then piled onto a rolled-out pie crust.
Fold the edges up around the fruit and bake until golden. The juices bubble up, the crust turns crispy, and the whole thing smells amazing.
Serve it warm with ice cream or let it cool for a picnic-perfect dessert.
18. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
You can never go wrong with chocolate-dipped strawberries.
They’re simple, elegant, and always feel a little fancy even though they only take minutes to make.
Just melt some dark or milk chocolate, dip fresh strawberries in, and let them cool on parchment paper.
You can also get creative with toppings like crushed nuts, white chocolate drizzle, or sprinkles.
Serve them chilled for a refreshing bite that’s equal parts juicy and indulgent.
19. Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is a colorful, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for summer gatherings.
The base is usually a sugar cookie or shortbread crust, topped with a layer of cream cheese frosting or whipped topping.
Then comes the fun part arranging sliced fruits like kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, and mandarins into a pretty pattern.
It’s sweet, tangy, and refreshing, with just the right balance of textures. Kids love helping decorate it too!
20. No-Churn Ice Cream
You don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy creamy, dreamy no-churn ice cream.
Just mix sweetened condensed milk with whipped cream and your favorite flavors vanilla extract, chocolate chips, fruit puree, or cookie crumbs.
Freeze it overnight, and that’s it! The result is unbelievably smooth and rich, and you can customize each batch however you want.
It’s the easiest way to make ice cream magic happen on a hot summer day.!
21. Coconut Macaroons
Coconut macaroons are a chewy, golden treat that brings beachy vibes to your dessert table.
Made with shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and egg whites, these little mounds bake up with a crisp exterior and soft, moist center.
They’re naturally gluten-free and ridiculously easy to make. For an extra indulgent touch, dip the bottoms in melted chocolate.
Their tropical flavor and chewy texture make them perfect for summer snacking or serving at outdoor parties.
22. Peach Crisp
When ripe peaches are everywhere, peach crisp is the dessert to make.
Sliced peaches get tossed with a bit of sugar and lemon juice, then topped with a crumbly mix of oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar.
As it bakes, the fruit bubbles underneath while the topping turns golden and crunchy.
It’s warm, comforting, and absolutely divine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top. It’s casual, classic, and screams summer comfort.
23. Strawberry Lemonade Jello Cups
Fun, fruity, and full of color, strawberry lemonade Jello cups are a playful summer dessert especially great for kids and parties.
Layer strawberry Jello and lemon Jello in clear cups, letting each set before adding the next.
You can mix in fresh fruit chunks for extra flavor and texture. Once chilled, they’re jiggly, bright, and super refreshing on a hot day.
They’re as fun to eat as they are to make and totally Instagram-worthy too.
24. Mango Sorbet
Mango sorbet is sunshine in a spoon. All you need are ripe mangoes, a splash of lime juice, and a touch of sugar.
Blend it all until smooth and freeze until firm. The result is a creamy, dairy-free treat that’s bursting with tropical flavor.
It’s perfect for cooling off after a long summer day and tastes just as good as what you’d get at a fancy dessert café.
Keep some on hand for a light, fruity option.
25. Cherry Clafoutis
Cherry clafoutis is a French dessert that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to make.
Fresh cherries are baked in a custard-like batter that’s somewhere between a pancake and a flan.
It puffs up beautifully in the oven and sets into a soft, golden texture that’s lightly sweet and perfect served warm or cold.
Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream or a drizzle of cream for an elegant yet effortless summer dessert.
