Summer Desserts

Craving something sweet? Choose from our top 50 Summer Desserts that make the most of seasonal fruit, summertime flavors, and nostalgic treats. And most of these recipes can be made without the oven, so you won’t have to worry about baking yourself in the process!

Summer Desserts

Creamy shakes. Fruity popsicles. No bake cakes and pies paired with no churn ice cream.

There are summer dessert recipes for the air fryer or microwave when you need something quick for yourself, plus plenty of big batch options to share at potlucks and cookouts.

We even have make-ahead desserts and treats that are ready in minutes. There truly is something for everyone here, from simple and sweet to ultra-indulgent.

There are a whopping FIFTY summer dessert ideas to choose from, each one just as delicious as the last. Give a few new ones a try or work your way through them all.

I mean, what better way to enjoy summer vacation, amirite??

EASY SUMMER DESSERTS

These ones are all about satisfying a sudden sweet tooth. Minimal ingredients that deliver big on flavor… and ready to enjoy in no time at all.

• Campfire S’mores Cones
  We have more s’mores recipes than we know what to do with, but this one might be my favorite! Easy enough to make on the grill or in the fire pit at home, and an absolute winner for camping.

• Orange Creamsicle Milkshake Recipe
  Pure nostalgia in a glass. Ours is made with real citrus juice and layered with fresh whipped cream.

• Funfetti Sugar Cookie Dough Dip
  Eggless cookie dough is safe to eat, and even better with sweet dippers. Pop it in the fridge until it’s time to dig in!

• Dole Whip Recipe
  Creamy pineapple soft serve whipped into a cloud-like texture. Just like the ones at Disney’s Magic Kingdom!

• Strawberry Pretzel Salad Cups
  A salty-sweet summertime treat with layers of fresh berries, sandy pretzel crumbs, smooth cheesecake filling, and whipped cream.

• Homemade Choco Taco Recipe
  Chocolate-dipped Stroopwafels stuffed with ice cream and covered in sprinkles. Who needs the ice cream truck with these at home?

• Dreamy Creamy Strawberry Milkshake Recipe
  Speckles of fresh strawberries and swirls of fluffy whipped cream transform an ordinary milkshake into a heavenly sip.

• Golden Oreo Mug Cake
  5 ingredients + a microwave and boom… dessert is ready. Sweet sugary bites in just the right size for one.

• Wendy’s Chocolate Frosty Copycat Recipe
  Make a thick and creamy chocolate shake that rivals the fast food favorite. Only 3 ingredients!

ICE CREAM & POPSICLES

A summertime staple to beat the heat! Sassy and I have been coming up with new popsicle ideas since she was a toddler, and there’s always a batch of no churn ice cream waiting in the freezer.

• Banana Split Ice Cream Popsicles
  Vanilla ice cream speckled with banana, strawberry, and cherry bits, coated in magic shells and rolled in peanuts.

• Homeade No Churn Blueberry Ice Cream Recipe
  A handful of ingredients and no machine needed! Each bite is bursting with fresh berry flavor.

• Virgin Piña Colada Ice Pops
  Fresh pineapple meets coconut creaminess for a tropical treat that’s cool and refreshing.

• Nice Cream (One-Ingredient)
  A silky, soft-serve treat made with frozen bananas is one of the easiest summer desserts. Make it special with toppings and mix-ins!

• Summery Orange Raspberry Ice Pops
  Bright citrus flavor and sweet-tart berries come together with a splash of amaretto (or almond extract). Sunshine in every bite!

• 2-Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
  Thick, creamy, and speckled with real berries. Easy to make, no machine needed.

• 3 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
  An easy upgrade to nice cream that’s naturally dairy-free but just as creamy as the real thing.

• Peaches and Cream Ice Pops
  Creamy custard base and loads of fresh peaches make for one heavenly treat.

NO BAKE SUMMER DESSERT RECIPES

The last thing I want to do when it’s blazing outside is turn on my oven. No bake recipes keep the house cool (or at least cooler) and honestly… they make some of the best summer desserts!

• Strawberry Icebox Cake
  Layers of fluffy, whipped cream frosting, graham crackers, and fresh summer berries make for an indulgent treat that isn’t too heavy.

• Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
  Cookies, ice cream, and chocolate… oh my! With all those stunning layers, you wouldn’t believe this one’s only 3 ingredients.

• Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad
  Strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, kiwi, mango, and bananas. It’s all here, coated in a smooth vanilla cheesecake filling.

• No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
  Creamy peanut butter bites topped with rich chocolate ganache and assembled in 10 minutes.

• Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
  This one’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet, rich and refreshing. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill.

• No-Bake Chocolate Icebox Pie
  Chocolate cookie crust topped with chocolate filling and a homemade chocolate ganache. A chocolate lover’s dream!

• Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad
  One of the easiest summer dessert ideas for fresh berries. Whip up a creamy cheesecake filling and toss to combine.

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie
  Homemade whipped cream and a creamy peanut butter filling, layered between an Oreo cookie crust and a generous amount of Reese’s cups, peanuts, and chocolate drizzle.

• No-Bake Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake
  Sandwich chocolate ice cream between two thick layers of edible cookie dough, then top that with even more cookie dough, whipped cream, and ganache.

AIR FRYER SUMMER DESSERT IDEAS

These give you all the benefits of the oven without heating up the house or waiting for the oven to come to temperature. Say hello to sweet treat results in minutes!

• Giant Caramel Pecan Cookie
  This air fryer pizookie has pockets of chewy caramel bits and crunchy pecan pieces, topped with a generous drizzle of caramel.

• How to Make Air Fryer S’mores
  Bring the campfire favorite indoors, no open flames or skewers needed. Assemble, cook, and eat within minutes.

• Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
  Flaky pie dough meets juicy cherry filling. With just 3 ingredients and a simple glaze, this one screams easy summer desserts!

• Easy Peach Crisp Recipe
  Made with fresh or canned peaches and a sweet crumb topping. Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Chewy Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
  Make a whole batch, or keep the dough chilled and air fry one or two cookies at a time.

• Easy Apple Hand Pies (Air Fryer Recipe)
  Just as delicious as a classic pie, but ready in a fraction of the time. Homemade filling spiced to perfection and tucked into flaky pie dough.

• Air Fryer Churros Recipe
  Just as airy and crisp as the traditional version, without needing thermometers or a big pot of oil

CAKES, COBBLERS, AND PIES

Sometimes you just can’t help it… you gotta bake! Summer desserts are all about classic flavors that everyone loves, and that usually means fruit or chocolate.

• Pig Pickin Cake
  One of the best summer dessert recipes after a heavy meal. It’s bright, fruity, and ridiculously refreshing with the fluffiest texture.

• Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe
  Classic Texas sheet cake always steals the show. Extra gooey with rich chocolate flavor and fudgy homemade icing.

• Key Lime Pie (Costco Copycat)
  Zingy citrus, buttery graham crust, and a filling so smooth it practically hums. This one’s even better than the warehouse original.

• Cherry Dump Cake
  Sweet pie filling bubbles under a buttery layer of cake with crisp, caramelized edges. Only 3 ingredients!

• Southern Peach Cobbler
  Ultra cozy and sticky-sweet. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and transport yourself to a summer porch moment.

• Boozy Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Frosting
  Nothing beats a cold cocktail with summer desserts to match! Loaded with lime and tequila with ribbons of zest throughout.

• Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie
  Bursting with natural berry flavor and so easy to make from scratch! Delicious with ice cream or whipped cream on top.

• Cherry Limeade Pound Cake
  Super moist and tender but not too rich. This one’s got just the right balance of tart and sweet flavors.

• Ultimate S’mores Cake Recipe
  Gooey marshmallow, crunchy grahams, and silky chocolate baked into an extra moist poke cake.

• Red White and Blue Cake (Firecracker Cake)
  A must for the 4th of July! Super moist and fluffy with an explosion of flavor and color, but easy to make with box mix.

BEST SUMMER DESSERTS FOR POTLUCKS

No need to stress over paper plates or losing your serveware. Bar desserts are sliceable, portable, and serve at least a dozen per batch.

• Ooey Gooey Millionaire Brownies
  Pure decadence in every bite. Shortbread, brownies, dulce de leche, and a homemade chocolate ganache, all topped with chopped pecans, chocolate shavings, and sea salt.

• Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe
  Creamy cheesecake and sweet berries are sandwiched between a buttery crust and oat topping. Perfect for slicing and sharing.

• The Best Lemon Bar Recipe
  Nothing says summer desserts like tart lemon filling over a buttery shortbread crust. Trust me, this recipe’s the best you’ll ever make!

• Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
  Put a grown-up spin on the childhood favorite. These won’t take any longer to make, but the flavor difference is incredible.

• Dirt Pudding Cheesecake Bars Dessert Recipe
  Remember those dirt pudding cups with gummy worms? Combine them with cheesecake bars and you’ve got a winning potluck dessert.

• Snickerdoodle S’mores Bars
  Why choose when you can combine cinnamon-sugar cookie dough with gooey marshmallow and chocolate! These always disappear first.

• Sheet Pan Brownies Recipe
  Chewy edges? Check. Fudgy centers? Double check. And two dozen treats in every batch?? A true winner when it comes to easy summer desserts.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook| Twitter| Pinterest| Instagram

Originally published July 2014, updated and republished May 2026

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through the affiliate link below, your price will remain the same, and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for your support, it helps us to keep creating new recipes.