Summer is finally upon us! And you know what that means: warm weather, spending time with loved ones, enjoying the great outdoors, family vacations, and, of course, delicious, seasonal food! While it seems like side dishes and main courses take center stage for every summer occasion, let's not forget about all of the delicious, summery desserts everyone should make (and obviously eat!) all season long!
Sure, ice cream and s'mores are both summertime classics, but they're a little boring after a while. Thankfully, we've put together this list of delicious summery desserts that will have everyone asking for seconds, and probably even thirds — that is, if you don't devour these yourself first!
From fruity favorites like apricot ice pops and award-winning blueberry pie to sweet treats like triple-berry cheesecake and chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, one of these 17 decadent recipes will surely satisfy every dessert lover in your life.
1. Apricot Ice Pops
There's no better way to beat the heat than with a sweet, healthy treat like a frozen pop made with whole fruit! All you need are a few simple ingredients, like fruit, sugar, water, and an ice pop mold, then voilà! Homemade, healthy pops, right in your freezer.
Find a recipe for Roasted Apricot Vanilla Crème Fraîche Pops at Hungry Girl Por Vida.
2. Oven-Baked Pancake With Strawberry Sauce
Nothing says "summer" like strawberries, and a delicious, oven-baked pancake is the perfect way to have dessert for breakfast this summer. Add a little whipped cream for some extra oomph (and bonus points with your kids, probably).
Find a similar oven-baked pancake recipe at Where Is My Spoon.
3. Classic Banana Split
Fact: You can never go wrong with a classic banana split. Chocolate sauce, nuts, maraschino cherries, whipped cream, and Neapolitan ice cream all nestled safely between two delicious bananas? Sign me up!
Find a delicious recipe at I Heart Naptime.
4. Award-Winning Blueberry Pie
Blueberry pie is not only an all-American dessert but a summer staple, too! Skip the top crust for a unique twist on a classic blueberry pie recipe; plus, it'll show off the gorgeous color of the blueberries.
Find a recipe for Contest-Winning Fresh Blueberry Pie at Taste of Home.
5. Black Cherry Macarons
If you're looking for a fun summer baking project to tackle, look no further! Making macarons is truly an art form, so if you're a first-timer, take your time when making them, and be sure to carefully follow the recipe! You'll need almond flour to make these, so be sure to head to your local grocery store and grab some!
Get a recipe for Black Cherry Macarons from Bakers Royale.
6. Cinnamon Rolls With Orange Glaze
Cinnamon rolls are a year-round staple, in my opinion. Give your classic, everyday cinnamon rolls a summery twist by drizzling a creamy, orange glaze over the top while they're still warm. Just because it's summer doesn't mean you can't enjoy ooey-gooey goodness!
Find a recipe like this from Sally's Baking Addiction.
7. Matcha Ice Cream
I get it; ice cream is a summer staple. How else would you cool down on a warm summer day? Ice cream flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are considered classic for a reason, but after you make ice cream flavored with matcha green tea, you'll certainly be adding this flavor to your list of classics!
Try this recipe from Roti n Rice.
8. Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches With Rainbow Sprinkles
Cookies are delicious — there's no arguing that. And ice cream is also delicious, so no argument there. It only makes sense to combine the two then, right? Right! Also, these ice cream sandwiches actually aren't that complicated; all you need is flour, sugar, butter, chocolate chips, and eggs for the cookies, and vanilla ice cream and rainbow sprinkles for the filling. That's it!
Find a tasty recipe at Two Peas and Their Pod.
9. Lemon Cookies
Not only does citrus in the summertime sound like a Hallmark original movie, but it's just straight-up delightful. These lemony cookies are the perfect combo of tart and sweet and are perfect for when you've eaten the last of your emergency Savannah Smiles.
Try this recipe from House of Yumm.
10. Orange Muffins
Not all desserts have to be overly sweet! Orange muffins are the perfect morning sweet treat as well as the best way to finish off a light summer meal! Pair with a rich, creamy latte or after-dinner espresso for a sweet and savory dessert.
Find a versatile recipe over at Pretty Simple Sweet.
11. Peach Pie With Buttery Crust
Is there anything better than sweet, juicy peaches in the summer? I can answer that confidently: Yes, there is. Sweet, juicy peaches that come in the form of a peach pie. Add a little whipped cream to this perfectly peachy dish for extra oomph, and try not to eat the whole thing in one sitting (although, no judgment if you do).
Get a recipe for Peach Pie With All Butter Crust from A Side of Sweet.
12. Baked Pumpkin and Cinnamon Donuts
Before you jump down my throat and tell me that pumpkin has no place in summer, hear me out. August may still technically be in summer, but that's when we start preparing for fall! OK, at least I do, but August signals the beginning of the end of the warmer months, and these donuts are the perfect way to start the transition into fall!
Get a recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts from Baking Mischief.
13. Red Velvet White Chocolate Truffles
Anything red velvet is decadent and rich and can go directly into my mouth, thank you very much. Red velvet truffles are the perfect snacks to nosh on with a glass (or two) of red wine by the fire pit at the end of a beautiful summer day.
Check out this recipe for Red Velvet Cake Truffles from Julie's Eats and Treats.
14. S'more Dip
I'm not saying regular s'mores are bad by ANY means, but they can get a little boring, and, not to mention, messy! S'mores dip basically serves as a more convenient, make-your-own s'mores station and will certainly be a hit with any summer crowd.
Find a sweet recipe over at If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen.
15. Sorbet
Fruity sorbet is the perfect summer treat for those days when it's unbearably hot and you want something sweet, but light. The best part about sorbet is that it's incredibly easy to make; all you need is a small food processor or blender, the fruit of your choice, and simple syrup. Easy, simple, and delicious!
Find a recipe for Raspberry Sorbet from Creme de la Crumb.
16. Strawberry Shortcake
Make the most of strawberry season by crafting an impressive strawberry shortcake! Not only will people be raving about how delicious this cake is, but they'll also be impressed with how pretty it is! Perfect for any summer gathering where you want to show off your pastry chef skills!
Check out a tasty recipe for Easy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake from Sally's Baking Addiction.
17. Mixed Berry Cheesecake
Fact: Cheesecake is the best dessert of all time. If you'd like to dispute this fact, email me. Give your standard cheesecake a delectable twist by adding a multitude of seasonal berries on top. The more, the berrier! (Get it?)
Try the Mixed Berry Cheesecake recipe over at Will Cook for Smiles.
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