29 Summer Dessert Recipes To Survive The Heat In Style
These are the desserts that understand it’s too hot to think, let alone turn on the oven. With 29 chill options that basically beg to be eaten barefoot on the porch, it’s all about staying cool without trying too hard. They don’t melt under pressure—and neither should you. Consider this dessert season, handled.

Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies

If you’re after something that brings together a beloved classic and a fruit twist, look no further. In Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies, rich chocolate meets creamy cheesecake and ripe strawberries join the mix. It’s a unique combination that’s both refreshing and indulgent at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies
Fruit Pizza

Think of your favorite fresh fruits sitting atop a sweet, giant cookie – that’s what you get with Fruit Pizza. This dessert is as much a joy to look at as it is to eat, with its colorful topping variety. Easy to customize based on what’s available, it’s a sure crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza
Tiramisu

For those who love a dessert that’s both creamy and has a hint of coffee, Tiramisu is a real treat. It layers light mascarpone cheese and ladyfingers soaked in espresso, offering a match made in heaven. It has a sophisticated appeal that’s perfect for grown-up gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu
Biscoff Ice Cream

For fans of the famous spiced cookie, Biscoff Ice Cream takes those beloved flavors and churns them into a cold, creamy delight. It’s a no-bake dessert that’s wonder to whip up when you don’t want to crank up the oven. This one’s particularly good when you crave something sweet and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Biscoff Ice Cream
Strawberry Poke Cake

Strawberry Poke Cake is a dessert that oozes fruity goodness with every slice. It’s created by poking holes into a baked cake and filling them with a luscious strawberry sauce. This cake comes out super moist and flavorful. Plus, it looks amazing sliced up on a dessert plate.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake
Lemon Bars

If you’re in the mood for a bit of tang with your sweet, Lemon Bars are an excellent pick. Their bright citrus flavor shines through with every bite, balancing perfectly with the shortbread base. They’re simple, yet sophisticated enough for any dinner party. And as a bonus, they’re incredibly easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Bars
Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb Pie offers a pleasant surprise for those who haven’t tasted rhubarb’s unique tartness. The filling contrasts gratifyingly with the flaky pie crust. It’s a traditional dessert that brings a sense of nostalgia. And although rhubarb might be an underappreciated ingredient, this pie gives it the spotlight it deserves.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Pie
Strawberry Shortcake

On a lazy afternoon, nothing beats building your own Strawberry Shortcake. With layers of fluffy cake, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries, it’s a classic for a good reason. It’s as fun to assemble as it is to eat. This dessert doesn’t only look beautiful; it’s a hit every time it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake
Lemon Yogurt Loaf

Imagine a loaf that’s moist, tangy, and drizzled with a sweet glaze; you’ve got Lemon Yogurt Loaf. It’s lighter than your typical cake, with a balance of flavors that keeps you coming back for more. This loaf is fantastic for brunch or as an afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Yogurt Loaf
Strawberry Pie

Who can resist the combination of ripe, juicy strawberries and a perfect pie crust? With Strawberry Pie, you get just that – a simple yet irresistible dessert. It’s great for those times when you want to make something that feels special without too much fuss. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, and watch it disappear from the plate.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pie
Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing

Sometimes, all you need is a medley of fresh fruits lightly dressed to enhance their taste. That’s where Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing comes in. The dressing’s tangy sweetness brings out the best of each fruit. It’s refreshing, light, and perfect for any occasion – especially when you need a quick and healthy dessert option.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing
Kool Aid Pie

Kool Aid Pie is one of those quirky desserts that’s both surprising and simple. A cool, sweet treat that takes you back to childhood with its familiar flavor. It’s shockingly easy to prepare, and you can pick the color and taste you love most. Perfect for a casual gathering or a family dessert that kids will adore.
Get the Recipe: Kool Aid Pie
Baked Alaska

For a showstopping end to a meal, Baked Alaska brings drama to the table. With its browned meringue atop ice cream and cake, it’s a masterpiece of contrasting temperatures and textures. It’s the kind of dessert you choose when you want to impress.
Get the Recipe: Baked Alaska
Neapolitan Ice Cream

Can’t decide on one flavor of ice cream? Neapolitan Ice Cream solves that problem with its trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. It’s an all-in-one treat that satisfies different cravings in one scoop. It looks great when served and it’s a nod to the classic ice cream parlors of the past.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Ice Cream
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

For a twist on traditional fruit pies, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie combines sweet and tart in a memorable way. The strawberries and rhubarb balance each other out wonderfully. It’s a rustic, comforting dessert that’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And its striking filling makes for an inviting slice every time.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Lemon Pound Cake

Lemon Pound Cake is the kind of baked good that serves any occasion well. Its dense, moist texture contrasts with the bright lemon flavor. It’s a treat that you can enjoy with coffee in the morning or as a dessert after dinner. And it pleases both the cake lovers and those who are looking for something not overly sweet.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake
Oreo Cheesecake

When you mix everyone’s favorite cookie with a creamy cheesecake base, you get Oreo Cheesecake. It’s a modern dessert that brings a bit of childhood nostalgia. It’s rich and yet remarkably easy to indulge in. This cheesecake’s distinctive look with cookie chunks is a bonus that makes it a fun addition to any dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake
Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Contrary to its name, Strawberry Pretzel Salad isn’t a traditional salad, but a layered dessert with a salty-sweet dynamic. The pretzel crust offers a crunchy base to the layers of cream and fruit. It’s a conversation starter at potlucks and picnics. And it’s a treat that covers various textures and flavors in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Lemon Pie

There’s something about Lemon Pie that just feels right when you want a balance of sweet and tart. Its bright, citrusy filling within a buttery crust hits the spot every time. It’s elegant enough for a special event but easy enough for a weeknight dessert.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pie
Strawberry Cake

Sometimes, you want your cake loaded with fruit, and that’s where Strawberry Cake comes in. It’s moist, packed with fruit, and visually stunning with its natural pink hue. This cake is a hit at birthday parties and family gatherings. It serves well with a scoop of ice cream or just on its own.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cake
Key Lime Bars

If Key lime pie is your thing, then Key Lime Bars will be right up your alley. They offer the same tangy taste in a convenient bar form. Perfect for picnics and easy to share, these bars have a pleasing texture. A bite into them brings a burst of tropical flavor that feels refreshing anytime.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Bars
Rhubarb Cake

If you’re one for rustic and hearty desserts, Rhubarb Cake should be among your picks. It has the tartness of rhubarb intermingling with a sweet cake base. Eaten warm or room-temperature, it’s comforting and always a lovely surprise for those who’ve never tried rhubarb before.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Cake
Peach Cobbler

There’s nothing quite like Peach Cobbler with its bubbly, golden crust and juicy fruit underneath. It embodies the essence of a homestyle dessert. It’s warm, inviting, and pairs excellently with vanilla ice cream. Whether for a family gathering or just a treat for yourself, it’s a dessert that always feels like home.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler
Strawberry Dump Cake

With Strawberry Dump Cake, you get a fruity, comforting dessert with minimal effort. It’s as easy as layering and baking to get a gratifying result. Even those who aren’t confident in the kitchen can nail this one. It’s perfect when you want a homemade dessert without the homemade fuss.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Dump Cake
Key Lime Pie

When it comes to classic desserts, Key Lime Pie is a standout with its custardy, tangy filling and crumbly crust. It brings the flavors of the Florida Keys right to your table. Its ease of preparation combined with its delicious taste makes it a perpetual favorite. And it’s just the thing when you’re looking for a dessert that feels like a tropical getaway.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie
Lemon Cookies

Lemon Cookies are a simple yet irresistible treat that’s both chewy and zingy. They’re a good fit if you love something that’s not too sweet but packed with flavor. These cookies are so light that you might end up eating more than you planned. And they’re great for baking in big batches to have on hand for unexpected guests.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cookies
Ice Cream Cake

Ice Cream Cake blends the joy of cake with the coolness of ice cream into one amusing dessert. Ideal for birthdays or any celebration, it makes for an impressive centerpiece. It’s surprisingly simple to customize with different flavors and toppings. And kids especially can’t get enough of it.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cake
Grape Salad

If you’re curious about a fruit salad that’s a bit off the beaten path, try Grape Salad. It’s creamy, sweet, and has a pleasing crunch thanks to a sprinkling of nuts. This is the sort of dish that’s perfect for contributing to a communal meal or picnic. And it’s often a pleasant discovery for those who’ve never had grapes prepared this way.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars will catch your eye with their vibrant streaks of berry. They’re a delicious blend of tart lemon and sweet raspberries in a velvety cheesecake form. Cut into bars, they’re easy to serve and even easier to fall in love with.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
