70 Easy Summer Desserts To Keep You Cool on the Hottest Days
Bonus: They're no-bake!
Just because it’s sweltering doesn’t mean your need for sweets goes away. But blasting the oven to whip up a birthday cake or batch of cookies? Out of the question. Luckily, the pros in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen have dreamed up dozens of summer dessert recipes that allow you to get your sweet fix without turning on the oven. These easy summer treats are no-bake and a cinch to make, and many of them feature the best flavors of the season. Fresh berries, tropical fruits, sweet melon, tangy lemon and key lime are all included here, with many of them in frozen form for the ultimate refreshing dessert.
While you may fire up the grill for smoky chicken and charred veggie sides, consider adding some fresh fruit to the fire for a delicious grilled dessert that will keep things inside the kitchen nice and cool. Or, opt for an oven-free treat that comes together entirely in the fridge, freezer or microwave. What dessert goes well in the heat? Think no-bake dips, fresh fruit desserts, dreamy ice cream, icy sorbet and no-bake parfaits, tarts, mousse and more. Many of these desserts can be assembled ahead of time for the perfect make-ahead recipe, while others can be assembled in minutes (hello, mug cake) for those sweet cravings that need to be satisfied ASAP.
Whether you’re looking for something to bring to a Memorial Day party or Fourth of July celebration, we’ve got you covered. (P.S. Don't miss our favorite summer dinners, many of which also keep the oven off.)
Grilled Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt
Throw slices of store-bought pound cake on the grill for a fruit salad that's truly fit for dessert.
Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake
One of Food Director Kate Merker's favorite desserts, this dreamy number features layers of chocolate and vanilla pudding.
Get the Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake recipe.
Chocolate Malt Ice Cream
The secret ingredient in this ultra-creamy ice cream is less than $5 at Walmart.
Get the Chocolate Malt Ice Cream recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Granitas
It's not just food coloring that makes this frozen treat pop: Each layer boasts its own summer-inspired flavor.
Get the Red, White, and Blue Granitas recipe.
Cherry Fro-Yo Pops
These pops have only four ingredients so you can really let ripe, in-season cherries shine.
Get the Cherry Fro-Yo Pops recipe.
Tahini Chocolate Shake
Love peanut butter and chocolate? Try its rich, nutty and earthy cousin: sesame seed butter and dark chocolate.
Get the Tahini Chocolate Shake recipe.
Vanilla Ice Cream with Mix-Ins
Incorporate your favorite flavors into our triple-tested vanilla ice cream base or try one of our ideas: Biscoff with lime zest, perhaps?
Get the Vanilla Ice Cream with Mix-Ins recipe.
RELATED: The Best Ice Cream Maker Includes a Spout for Mix-Ins
Rosé Sangria Floats
Struggling to choose between drinks and dessert? Have both, thanks to this fruity sangria topped with a scoop of raspberry sorbet.
Get the Rosé Sangria Floats recipe.
RELATED: 35 Refreshing Cocktails Perfect for the 4th and Beyond
Jelly Donut Holes
Start with store-bought donut holes, then fill them with your favorite fruit jam for a seriously delicious (and easy!) upgrade.
Get the Jelly Donut Holes recipe.
RELATED: 51 Recipes That Will Make You the Star of Sunday Brunch
Banana Pudding
Featuring layers of homemade vanilla custard, Nilla wafers and sliced bananas, this creamy, dreamy dessert is no-bake and oh-so-delicious.
Get the Banana Pudding recipe.
Creamy Cannoli Dip
Fans of the decadent Italian treat will obsess over this deconstructed (crowd-pleasing!) version that is so easy to put together.
Get the Creamy Cannoli Dip recipe.
Tiramisu Dip
By dunking ladyfingers in this decadent espresso-spiked dip rather than soaking, you can save so much time. That means dessert is basically ready right now. (You're welcome.)
Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe.
Mini Grasshopper Pies
Thanks to a couple of clever shortcuts — jarred marshmallow crème and store-bought chocolate sandwich cookies — these minty minis are a cinch to make.
Get the Mini Grasshopper Pies recipe.
Cookie Cheesecake Bites
Everything is better in bite-sized form, right? Especially these no-bake, make-ahead treats.
Get the Cookie Cheesecake Bites recipe.
Easiest-Ever Fruit Ice Cream
You can whip this up in less than 10 minutes; the hardest part will be waiting for it to freeze! Choose from light and luscious fruit flavors or go for a decadent coconutty treat.
Get the Easiest-Ever Fruit Ice Cream recipe.
Basil-Berry Lemonade Sorbet
Each spoonful of this sorbet is brimming with bright, summery flavor, plus it's vegan, dairy- and gluten-free.
Get the Basil-Berry Lemonade Sorbet recipe.
Honey-Peach Sorbet
A splash of homemade margarita adds a zesty kick to this sweet, fruity sorbet. You'll be making it all summer!
Get the Honey-Peach Sorbet recipe.
3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
All you need is chocolate, marshmallows and heavy cream to make this silky-smooth dessert. No oven required.
Get the 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse recipe.
RELATED: Our Best Chocolate Desserts
Lemon Meringue Tartlets
The graham cracker crust requires zero time in the oven, and the lemon filling requires just three ingredients. Score!
Get the Lemon Meringue Tartlets recipe.
Caramelized Pineapple Skewers
Who wouldn't want to dunk a pineapple stick in melted ice cream? That's what we thought.
Get the Caramelized Pineapple Skewers recipe.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
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