The best summer desserts are the ones that keep the oven off or barely on: no-bake icebox cakes, popsicles, and ice cream, plus easy fruit cobblers and one-pan sheet cakes for a crowd. Summer baking has its own rules, and the big one is to let the fruit do the heavy lifting.
This is my running list of everything I want to make between June and September, sorted by how you’re feeling. No-bake treats for the hottest days, berry desserts for market season, and easy cakes for feeding a crowd.
Consider this your summer dessert headquarters. Grab something cold to drink and let’s get into it.
Best Summer Dessert Recipes at a glance
| Recipe | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Malt Icebox Cake | No-bake | No-oven day |
| Roasted Strawberry and Toasted Coconut Popsicles | Frozen | No-oven day |
| Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream | Frozen | No-oven day |
| My Favorite Blueberry Cobbler | Fruit | A crowd |
| Peach Blueberry Pie | Fruit | A crowd |
| Peach and Raspberry Crumble | Fruit | Quick & easy |
| My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars | Citrus | A crowd |
| Lemon-Drenched Lemon Cake | Citrus | Make-ahead |
| My Favorite Super Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake | Cake | A crowd |
| Big Berry Birthday Cake | Cake | Something special |
No-Bake and Frozen Treats
For the days when the oven is absolutely not invited.
Strawberry Malt Icebox Cake
Layers of malted whipped cream and fresh strawberries, chilled until it slices like a dream. No oven, and it’s even better if you make it the day before.
Roasted Strawberry and Toasted Coconut Popsicles
Creamy coconut and roasted strawberry pops that taste like a little tropical vacation. Roasting the berries first deepens the flavor, then you just blend, pour, and freeze. Keep a stash going all summer.
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Tangy cheesecake ice cream rippled with jammy blueberries, and the cream cheese base gives you that cheesecake flavor without turning on the oven. Rich, cold, exactly what August is asking for.
Berry and Stone Fruit Desserts
Market season is short. Bake accordingly.
My Favorite Blueberry Cobbler
Blueberries (and a handful of blackberries) bubbling under a soft biscuit top. The one I make the second good berries show up. Warm, with ice cream, obviously.
Peach Blueberry Pie
Sweet peaches and jammy blueberries in one flaky crust. It tastes like the whole season in a slice, so let it cool all the way so it sets up before you cut in.
Peach and Raspberry Crumble
Juicy peaches and tart raspberries under a buttery oat crumble. Forgiving, fast, and best with a scoop of ice cream melting into the top.
Bright Citrus Desserts
A little tart, a little sunny, never heavy.
My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars
Buttery, gently spiced shortbread under a thick, tart lemon layer. The little black dress of summer desserts. Chill before you slice for clean edges.
Lemon-Drenched Lemon Cake
A tender lemon cake soaked in lemon syrup for double the citrus. Soft, sticky, sunny, and somehow even better on day two.
Easy Cakes for a Crowd
One pan, minimal fuss, enough for everyone on the porch.
My Favorite Super Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake
My go-to for feeding a crowd without losing my mind. Starts with a box, tastes like a party, and it’s pink.
Big Berry Birthday Cake
A celebration cake piled with all the berries. Perfect for a summer birthday or any day that needs a little confetti.
More Summer Roundups
Want to go deeper on one thing? Start here.
My Best Strawberry Dessert Recipes
Pies, shortcakes, sheet cakes, and no-bake strawberry ideas, all built around peak-season strawberries and gathered in one place.
Common questions
What are the best summer desserts for a party?
Sheet cakes, bars, and icebox cakes are your best friends. They feed a crowd, travel well, and most can be made ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
What are the best no-bake summer desserts?
Icebox cakes, popsicles, and ice cream keep everything cool. The strawberry malt icebox cake and the roasted strawberry coconut popsicles are two of my favorites for the really hot days.
What fruit is best for summer baking?
Peak-season berries, stone fruit like peaches, and citrus all shine right now. Use whatever looks best at the market and let it be the star, that’s the whole secret to summer baking.
How do I keep summer desserts fresh in the heat?
Refrigerate anything with cream, custard, or fruit filling, and keep frozen treats in the freezer until the last second. Bars and cobblers hold up best at room temperature.
More summer sweetness: My Best Strawberry Dessert Recipes
xo, Joy
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