Summer Desserts That Just Hit Right

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When the temps rise, summer desserts take center stage—cool, creamy, fruity, or straight-up fun. Whether you’re after a no-bake classic like Chocolate Icebox Cake, a nostalgic treat like Red Velvet Whoopie Pies, or a frozen showstopper like Vegan Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Cake, this list delivers sweetness without the sweat. From Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars to Hand Pies perfect for picnics and 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies that won’t heat up your kitchen, these sunny treats are made for long days, last-minute gatherings, and every craving in between.

Chocolate Icebox Cake

Presenting a delicious Chocolate Icebox Cake
Photo credit: Heather Mubarak creator of Browned Butter Blondie

Beat the heat with this Chocolate Icebox Cake! This no-bake dessert features layers of chocolate graham crackers, mocha chocolate custard, and vanilla whipped cream. It’s an easy, refreshing treat perfect for any summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Icebox Cake

Easy Chocolate Fondue

Presenting a delicious Easy Chocolate Fondue
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Easy Chocolate Fondue is a simple and delicious dessert that requires no chocolate fountain! Made with both semisweet and milk chocolate, this fondue is perfect for dipping fresh fruit and cookies. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s great for parties, holidays, or a fun family night.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chocolate Fondue

Authentic Greek Baklava

Diamond-shaped pieces of homemade baklava with honey and walnuts.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Indulge in the rich and flaky goodness of this Authentic Greek Baklava! Layers of crispy phyllo dough, crunchy walnuts, and sweet honey syrup create a truly irresistible dessert. Perfect for holidays or any special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Greek Baklava

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

red velvet whoopie pies on a black plate
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

These Red Velvet Whoopie Pies are soft, moist, and filled with a tangy cream cheese frosting. These cake-like cookie sandwiches are perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any time you want a delicious dessert. Best of all, the cookie dough requires no chilling!
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Presenting a delicious 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

These 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are a quick and easy dessert that you can whip up in no time! With just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, you’ll have a batch of delicious cookies ready to enjoy. Feel free to use crunchy or creamy peanut butter for your desired texture.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Cheesecake Brownies

A plate of cheesecake brownies.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

These cheesecake brownies are half fudgy brownie and half creamy cheesecake, making them 100% decadent. The recipe uses simple ingredients such as brownie mix, cream cheese, and chocolate chips for an easy-to-make dessert. This recipe makes 24 bars, perfect for sharing during the holidays or any special occasion!
Get the Recipe: Cheesecake Brownies

Glazed Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Presenting a delicious Glazed Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
Photo credit: Heather Mubarak creator of Browned Butter Blondie

This Glazed Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake is the perfect way to start your day! A soft and fluffy cake is filled with a ribbon of brown sugar cinnamon streusel, topped with even more streusel and a sweet vanilla glaze. Enjoy it for breakfast or as a decadent fall dessert with a scoop of ice cream!
Get the Recipe: Glazed Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Perfect Vanilla Cake

A slice of vanilla cake on a white plate.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

This Perfect Vanilla Cake recipe creates a dessert that is anything but ordinary! The soft, tender crumb pairs perfectly with your favorite frosting. This cake is so good, you’ll never want to use a box mix again!
Get the Recipe: Perfect Vanilla Cake

Butterscotch Bundt Cake Recipe

drizzling warm butterscotch sauce over slice of cake on a stack of plates
Photo credit: Heather Mubarak creator of Browned Butter Blondie

This butterscotch bundt cake is the perfect Fall dessert! The rich and buttery brown sugar cake is topped with a warm butterscotch glaze. It’s as pretty as it is delicious!
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Bundt Cake Recipe

Vintage Cherry Cake

a removed slice of cherry cake on a white cake stand
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

This Vintage Cherry Cake is bursting with sweet maraschino cherry flavor and is the perfect shade of pink, making it ideal for holidays like Easter or Valentine’s Day. Made completely from scratch, this cake is sure to impress with its delightful taste and beautiful presentation. Top with extra cherries for a festive touch!
Get the Recipe: Vintage Cherry Cake

Hand Pies

Apple hand pie cut in half and stacked on top of itself showcasing the flaky pastry dough and juicy apple filling.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

These homemade hand pies are made with a buttery, flaky pie crust and filled with juicy berries or apples. This recipe is easy to follow and makes 15 hand pies. Perfect for a quick dessert or snack!
Get the Recipe: Hand Pies

Our favorite M&M Cookie Bars ready to be enjoyed.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These M&M cookie bars are a quick and easy alternative to cookies, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. Chewy and tender, they’re loaded with chocolate chips and M&Ms for a delightful treat that everyone will love. Make a batch of 36 in a 9×13 inch baking pan!
Get the Recipe: M&M Cookie Bars

How to Make Chocolate Lava Cakes

A chocolate lava cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce, accompanied by fresh raspberries on a white plate.
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

These molten chocolate lava cakes are deceptively easy to make with only 6 ingredients! Ready in under 30 minutes, this simple dessert is sure to impress your loved ones. Top with ice cream, berries, or chocolate syrup for an extra special treat.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Chocolate Lava Cakes

Vegan Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

Grabbing a bite of a slice of Fudgy, Creamy Vegan Chocolate Mint Ice Cream Cake
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This vegan mint chocolate ice cream cake is the perfect dessert for those who love a cool and refreshing treat! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a decadent and delicious cake that’s both dairy-free and egg-free. Perfect for a winter dessert!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars

stack of Nutella swirl cheesecake bars on a white plate
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

These Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars are a decadent treat that combines the richness of Nutella with the creamy texture of cheesecake. With a simple graham cracker crust, these bars are easy to make and perfect for any dessert lover. The delightful swirl of Nutella adds a touch of chocolatey hazelnut flavor to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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