Summer calls for quick, easy desserts—think cold, fruity, and citrusy treats perfect for picnics, barbecues, or busy nights. 👇👇
Whether you're at a picnic, BBQ, or just want something sweet after a busy day, these recipes will save you time and effort – without sacrificing flavor! These 22 spring and summer dessert ideas are:
- Cool and refreshing: Perfect for beating the summer heat, these desserts include icy popsicles and chilled cakes and cookies
- Cool and Refreshing: From icy popsicles to chilled cakes, these desserts will help you beat the heat
- Perfect for Gatherings: Easy to transport and share, making them ideal for parties, picnics, or family dinners.
- Full of seasonal flavors: Bursting with fresh fruits, zesty citrus, and light textures, each dessert captures the best of summer’s bounty.
Fun Spring and Summer Dessert Recipes
Let’s get to my list of 22 fun + simple spring and summer dessert ideas, beginning with a classic dessert perfect for any occasion and counting down to my favorite fruity, dairy-free option at #1.
22. Classic Fruit Pizza
This colorful, sweet pizza features a cookie crust topped with fresh, vibrant fruits like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries. Perfect for any occasion – and guaranteed to be a hit with the kids!
Key Ingredients: Fresh fruit, cookie base, cream cheese frosting
Serve with: A refreshing glass of homemade lemonade.
21. Mango Ice Cream
If you’re short on time but want a creamy, tropical treat, this mango ice cream is the way to go. All you need is mango and milk – blend it, freeze it, and you’re done!
Key Ingredients: Mango, milk
Serve with: A drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.
Need a summer dinner option? Try one of these:
20. Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Lemons
This classic summer drink is made with fresh lemon juice, a quick simple syrup, and ice-cold water for a tangy, refreshing beverage that tastes so much better than store-bought.
Key Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, water
Serve with: Pair with a slice of lemon pound cake for the perfect duo.
19. Easy Strawberry Sauce
Whip up this 5-minute strawberry sauce to pour over ice cream, pancakes, or waffles. It’s sweet, tangy, and perfect for those days when you want to take dessert to the next level with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients: Strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice
Serve with: Vanilla ice cream or waffles for a delightful combo.
18. Strawberry Angel Food Cake Dessert
Looking for the perfect summer picnic dessert? Made with strawberries, whipped cream, and fluffy angel food cake, this strawberry angel food cake recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Key Ingredients: Strawberries, whipped cream, angel food cake
Serve with: An easy salmon foil packet dinner.
17. Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Cake
This lemon poppy seed pound cake has the perfect bright flavors for summer! It’s rich, buttery, and full of fresh lemon juice and zest.
Key Ingredients: Lemon zest, poppy seeds, butter
Serve with: A cup of herbal tea or a bowl of mixed berries.
16. Jumbo Rice Krispie Treats
These delicious treats taste like the classic rice krispie squares we all know and love, but they’re thicker and include extra mini marshmallows! A classic summer picnic food.
Key Ingredients: Rice Krispies, mini marshmallows, butter
Add in: Sprinkles, chocolate chips, or candies to go with any celebration
15. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
This classic pineapple upside down cake has a vanilla cake base topped with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries smothered in caramel sauce. An easy dessert with beautiful, fresh summer colors.
Key Ingredients: Pineapple, maraschino cherries, cake mix
Serve with: A scoop of vanilla ice cream.
14. Strawberry Muffins
Fluffy, light, and bursting with sweet strawberries, these muffins are perfect for a summer brunch or a snack on the go. Made with fresh fruit, they feel like a special treat without the fuss.
Key Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, cinnamon, sugar
Serve with: A side of yogurt.
13. Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins
These muffins are soft, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with honey. Each one is packed with old-fashioned rolled oats, high-protein Greek yogurt, and fresh blueberries for a satisfying, better-for-you summer dessert option.
Key Ingredients: Greek yogurt, blueberries, honey
Serve with: Your favourite tea.
12. Strawberry Banana Bread
A twist on the classic banana bread, this recipe adds fresh strawberries to make it extra flavorful. Moist and sweet, it’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Key Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, strawberries, overripe bananas
Options: Swap the strawberries for fresh blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
11. Strawberry Pineapple Cake
This strawberry pineapple cake is light, fluffy, and full of tropical flavor. The pineapple fluff frosting is a must-try!
Key Ingredients: Strawberries, crushed pineapple, Jello powder
Serve with: Vanilla ice cream and extra berries.
10. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Fudge
This super simple chocolate fudge is made with just three ingredients, making it a quick treat that’s rich and creamy. It’s perfect for those chocolate cravings!
Key Ingredients: Chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk
Serve with: Vanilla ice cream, pudding, whipped cream, or drizzled nut butter.
9. Rainbow Real Fruit Popsicles
These colorful rainbow popsicles are packed with fresh fruit and organic juice. A healthy and fun treat to cool down on a hot day.
Key Ingredients: Strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries
Options: Use coconut water or water to mix with your fruit
8. Banana Cream Popsicles
Banana cream popsicles are healthier than the store-bought ice pops and made with just four ingredients.
Key Ingredients: Bananas, coconut cream, maple syrup
Serve with: A handful of chopped nuts for crunch.
7. Lemon Blondies
Summer and lemon just go together, don’t they? These lemon blondies are made with simple pantry staples and topped with a sweet lemon glaze, and they’re a sunny treat perfect for spring, summer, or anytime you need a pick-me-up.
Key Ingredients: Lemon juice, zest and extract
Serve with: A glass of homemade lemonade made with more lemons.
6. Chocolate Chip Scones
These scones are made with an easy homemade dough and delicious chocolate chips Golden brown on the outside and tender flaky on the inside, they travel well for a perfect picnic dessert!
Key Ingredients: Chocolate chips, buttermilk
Serve with: An iced latte
5. Peanut Butter Cookies
These peanut butter cookies are made with creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla to give you a classic, chewy peanut butter cookie that is perfect for summer potlucks and picnics.
Key Ingredients: Smooth, creamy peanut butter
Serve with: Your favourite picnic sandwich.
4. Cookie Dough Energy Bites
These cookie dough energy bites are a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth. No baking required and they’re full of protein!
Key Ingredients: Chickpeas, chocolate chips, tahini
Serve with: A pile of veggie sticks for an easy afterschool snack.
3. Healthy Banana Splits
This healthier take on the classic banana split uses fresh fruits and homemade granola for a fun dessert without the guilt.
Key Ingredients: Bananas, berries, nuts and seeds
Serve with: A drizzle of nut butter or seed butter
2. Homemade Fudgesicles
Making fudgesicles at home is so simple and way better than store-bought. They’re creamy, chocolatey, and totally dairy-free.
Key Ingredients: Coconut cream, cacao powder
Serve with: A bowl of strawberries
1. Strawberries and Cream Parfait
These strawberries and cream parfaits are made with three simple ingredients. They make a wonderful dairy-free, healthy summer dessert option!
Key Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, canned coconut cream
Serve with: Homemade superfood granola
Ready to Wow Your Guests?
Whether you’re serving your immediate family on the patio before you rush off to soccer practice or hosting a backyard gathering with friends, these dessert ideas will help you finish off your meal perfectly and impress your people with your homemade offerings.
Don’t forget to save this list for later. Pin it or bookmark it so it’s easy to find the next time you need a summertime treat!
👉 Looking for even more spring and summer dessert ideas? Try these:
- Fudgy Brownies with Dark Chocolate Chunks
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Strawberry Fluff Salad
You’ve got this! Dessert = served.
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