What Worked For Me: 27 Summer Desserts For Tired Weeknights
Long days can feel heavier during warm evenings. Finding something simple and refreshing makes a big difference. What worked for me: 27 summer desserts for tired weeknights. Sweet and light options made every evening a little brighter and easier to enjoy.

Kool Aid Pie

A dessert with a surprising twist that’s ridiculously easy to pull together. Kool Aid Pie adds a playful splash of bright flavor without taking tons of effort. It’s a great choice for when you need a sweet treat and don’t have much time. Perfect for keeping things simple midweek.
Get the Recipe: Kool Aid Pie
Lemon Yogurt Loaf

Light, soft, and just slightly sweet—this dessert is perfect when you don’t want anything heavy. Lemon Yogurt Loaf feels familiar and comforting but still refreshingly different from basic cakes. It’s a no-fuss option that pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream or some fresh fruit. Quick enough to make without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Yogurt Loaf
Peach Cobbler

Warm and comforting in the best way possible, even when you’ve had a long day. Peach Cobbler brings soft fruit with a bit of crisp topping together and never feels complicated. It’s wholesome in a homey way and easy to prepare whenever you’re craving something special. Great to throw together without overthinking.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler
Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies

Fudgy richness meets creamy layers in this easy dessert combination. Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies create a dessert that’s effortless yet feels special every time. They’re quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for when you want something simple but memorable. An easy way to treat yourself after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies
Neapolitan Ice Cream

A simple dessert that feels nostalgic with every bite. Neapolitan Ice Cream delivers three favorite flavors in one easy scoop for no-brainer enjoyment. It’s uncomplicated and works perfectly for pretty much any mood. Great to keep handy for any night where you just need an instant dessert.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Ice Cream
Rhubarb Pie

Tangy fruit blends perfectly with a flaky crust in this comforting dessert. Rhubarb Pie is a go-to option for quick and easy weeknight treats. It’s flavorful without being complicated and feels just right every time. A cozy way to finish off your dinner when you need something homemade.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Pie
Strawberry Poke Cake

Layers of flavor and fruity sweetness make this dessert hard to forget. Strawberry Poke Cake brings just the right touch of something extra without being complicated to create. It’s easy, tasty, and works great for a weeknight treat. A fun way to enjoy dessert without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake
Tiramisu

Smooth layers of coffee and cream make this dessert simple yet indulgent. Tiramisu feels just fancy enough without any added stress to prepare. It’s an excellent choice for when you want dessert to feel effortless but wholesome. Great for evenings where you want a little bit of indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu
Biscoff Ice Cream

Creamy homemade frozen dessert is always a hit after dinner. Biscoff Ice Cream is rich, smooth, and full of comforting goodness. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up with minimal effort yet feels special. Perfect for winding down after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Biscoff Ice Cream
Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing

Tossing fresh fruit with a simple dressing makes dessert come alive in seconds. Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing is a simple way to enjoy whatever’s on hand in your fridge. The tangy dressing pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of your fruit. Great for when you don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing
Strawberry Cake

Light, fruity, and packed with flavor, it’s hard to go wrong with this dessert. Strawberry Cake brings the perfect balance of fresh sweetness and fluffy texture to your plate. It’s simple to whip up and works great as an after-dinner pick-me-up. Each bite feels like a little reward after a tiring day.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cake
Fruit Pizza

A sweet treat that starts with a light base and is topped with a medley of fruit. Fruit Pizza is like dessert and creativity combined into one dish. It takes little preparation but turns out super cheerful and fun every time. Great for sharing or keeping all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza
Grape Salad

Smooth and creamy dessert doesn’t have to be hard to make. Grape Salad has an interesting blend of texture from soft grapes with a bit of crunch. It’s quick to whip up and feels a little unexpected if you’re used to plain fruit. Makes a great pairing for almost any dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad
Ice Cream Cake

Layers of cake and ice cream come together in the easiest way possible. Ice Cream Cake is great when you want something cool and sweet without a lot of work. It does the job without needing fancy skills or tons of cleanup. It’s the perfect way to end a meal stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cake
Key Lime Bars

Tangy dessert bars with a touch of citrus feel like just the thing for winding down. Key Lime Bars are easy to make and have a fun flavor contrast that works surprisingly well. They’re simple but different enough to keep things interesting for dessert. Great for anyone who loves a citrus twist.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Bars
Strawberry Cheesecake

Creamy richness with just the right amount of fruity sweetness makes this dessert shine. Strawberry Cheesecake has a smooth, indulgent texture that’s still easy to enjoy after a busy night. It’s flavorful but remains simple enough for weeknight dinners. A perfect treat to wrap up your evening.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake
Key Lime Pie

A creamy and tangy dessert that’s both familiar and comforting. Key Lime Pie gives you that perfect blend of sweet and tart in every bite. It works well if you’re looking for something that feels a little indulgent without being complicated. Quick to whip up and fun to revisit when you’re tired of basic sweets.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie
Strawberry Dump Cake

Fruity flavors and effortless preparation make this dessert practically made for tired evenings. Strawberry Dump Cake requires minimal effort and still delivers plenty of flavor. It’s the kind of dessert that’s dependable when you need simplicity. Great for when you don’t have time but still want something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Dump Cake
Pistachio Ice Cream

Cool and nutty dessert is perfect for winding down after dinner. Pistachio Ice Cream adds a light twist that feels both familiar and different at the same time. It’s creamy and delicious without any fuss or stress involved. Perfect for keeping dessert low-key but interesting.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Ice Cream
Oreo Cheesecake

Rich and indulgent, with the perfect crunch from cookies. Oreo Cheesecake is the go-to dessert when you just want something straightforward and fun. It’s not fussy and can be prepared effortlessly even on days you’re worn out. Makes every evening a little sweeter without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake
Strawberry Pie

Flaky crust and fruity filling come together perfectly in this baked dessert. Strawberry Pie is an easy option for winding down after a long day. It’s simple but delivers on flavor with every bite. Great for whenever you want something that doesn’t take up too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pie
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Sweet and tangy dessert bars are always a quick way to wrap up your evening. Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars give the perfect balance between fruity notes and creamy cheesecake goodness. It feels casual yet pleasing without any over-complicated steps. Great when you need something easy that still tastes special.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A mix of crunch and fruity sweetness makes this dessert both unique and enjoyable. Strawberry Pretzel Salad is straightforward to prepare but feels different enough to make it exciting. It’s simple yet packed with texture and flavor. Perfect for when you need dessert to be quick but fun.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Rhubarb Cake

Sweet fruity flavors matched with a moist texture make this dessert hard to beat. Rhubarb Cake is the perfect choice when you’re looking for something easy yet wholesome after a long day. It’s simple to make and always dependable. A slice is all you need to end your evening right.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Cake
Lemon Pie

Creamy citrus flavors make this dessert refreshing without being overwhelming. Lemon Pie delivers just the right touch of brightness and comfort. It’s light and smooth, which makes it a great ending to dinner. An easy go-to when you just want dessert to be straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pie
Strawberry Shortcake

Fluffy layers paired with the fruity sweetness make this dessert a reliable favorite. Strawberry Shortcake is light, easy to make, and perfect for dinner’s final touch. It isn’t complicated, but it’s always worth it. Great for whenever you want something simple and quick.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake
Baked Alaska

Ice cream and fluffy cake come together in a dessert that’s unique and fun to enjoy. Baked Alaska feels like a little celebration but remains simple enough to make after dinner. It’s light but still fills the sweet tooth gap. A perfect way to create a dessert that’s different and entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Baked Alaska
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.
