18 easy summer desserts: The best bars, no-bake recipes, and more

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Easy-to-make summer desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth

With the longer summer days, there's more time for lingering at the table, whether at a family dinner, weekend potluck, or backyard barbecue. And when you serve delicious summer desserts, everyone sticks around.
 
These easy summer desserts showcase the best of the season, from fruity galettes and pies to decadent cheesecakes. They're the perfect bookend to simple summer cocktails and effortless summer dinner recipes.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Blueberry galette

Think of a galette as a much easier pie. A flaky, buttery crust filled with sweet, juicy, plump blueberries makes the ultimate summer dessert. Use fresh, in-season berries, but frozen work just as well. And no need to fuss with a rolling pin: A store-bought crust makes this one of the easiest recipes. This one is best topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 
 
Get this recipe: Blueberry galette

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Orange olive oil cake

Olive oil isn't just for cooking savory dishes; you can also add it to baked goods! Many Mediterranean desserts feature fruity olive oil for its flavor and moisture, adding a terrific texture to this cake. A hint of orange juice, zest, and rosemary take this summer dessert recipe to another level. It's wonderful after dinner but pretty darn good for breakfast too.

Get this recipe: Orange olive oil cake

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Mini pavlova

These pillows of meringue, filled with whipped cream and topped with fresh, seasonal fruit, are one of our favorite summer dessert recipes. Perfect meringues with a soft marshmallow center and crispy outer layer take very little prep time. This simple and elegant dessert only looks like you worked in the kitchen all day — we won't tell if you didn't.
 
Get this recipe: Mini pavlova recipe

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Pineapple pie

What do you get when you fill a pie shell with pineapple and coconut? One of the most delicious and easy summer desserts ever! This recipe requires only 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes in the oven. The result: A tropical delight everyone will rave about for days.
 
Get this recipe: Pineapple pie

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Patriotic Jell-O parfaits

These colorful red, white, and blue layers stand out on any picnic table, making it the perfect summer dessert for the Fourth of July or Labor Day. Flavored Jell-O layered with whipped cream and topped with sprinkles will bring smiles to everyone's faces.
 
Get this recipe: Patriotic jello parfaits

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Lemon cheesecake bars

Lemon cheesecake bars are one of the easiest summer desserts to pull together, and they taste like sunshine. We add a hint of ginger to the crust, which pairs perfectly with the creamy citrus topping. Cut them into small squares as mini bites for potlucks and parties. 
 
Get this recipe: Lemon cheesecake bars

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

French madeleines

Everyone asks when biting into a perfect madeleine: Is it a cake or a cookie? Our version of this classic cookie is flavored with lemon juice and zest and then dipped in white chocolate, making it ideal for easy summer desserts.
 
Get this recipe: French Madeleines

Who was voted the best?: Best Fast Food Restaurant (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2024)

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Patriotic s'mores brownies

No campfire is needed for these s'mores! This pretty summer dessert studded with marshmallows and red, white, and blue candies is perfect for patriotic holidays — or any time you want to show your love for the good ol' USA.
 
Get this recipe:  Patriotic s'mores brownies

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Churro cheesecake bars

Like many foods, the origins of churros are still a bit of a mystery. Many say they came from Spain, while others say they started in China. Either way, we’ve used this simple fried dough as a crust to make the most incredible cheesecake bars. Once you make this crunchy and creamy treat, expect it to be one of your most requested summer desserts.
 
Get this recipe: Churro cheesecake bars

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Key lime pie

Key lime pie is the quintessential summer dessert. We've made this one with a Linzer cookie-style crust, adding just a bit of raspberry jam for true Linzer flavor. This special treat is filled with creamy Key lime filling and topped with whipped cream and raspberries. Everyone will love it. 
 
Get this recipe: Key lime pie

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Raspberry and chocolate cookies

These homemade chocolate wafer sandwich cookies are best when raspberries are in season, making them one of the most delightful summer desserts. Of course, you can make them any time of year with frozen berries. This is the ultimate light treat when you want something sweet.
 
Get this recipe: Raspberry and chocolate cookies

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Italian lemon pound cake

After one bite of this moist lemon pound cake, you'll want it for dessert all summer long. With a tender texture and a rich lemon flavor, you can eat it on its own or topped with fresh berries and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
  
Get this recipe: Italian lemon pound cake

Who was voted the best?: Best Regional Fast Food (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2024)

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Easy biscotti

Combining walnuts and dried apricots gives these cookies amazing texture and flavor. This recipe is also vegan and low-calorie, which is a win all around.
 
Get this recipe: Easy biscotti

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Copycat key lime Crumbl cookies

How can anyone resist key lime pie in cookie form? These decadent gems are a take-off on the Crumbl Cookie that everyone raves about. A sweetened graham cracker cookie filled with a key lime cream cheese mixture will wow you and your guests. These delectable cookies are big enough to share but so good you may not want to!
 
Get this recipe: Key lime copycat Crumbl cookies

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

No-bake Oreo cookie balls

There is no need for forks or plates. These cookie balls are one of our top no-bake summer desserts for a crowd. With just four ingredients, you can whip up decadent, creamy Oreo bites in no time. Freeze the leftovers for later, as they're so good frozen too.
 
Get this recipe:  No-bake Oreo cookie balls

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

No-bake dulce de leche cheesecake bars

When it's hot out, turn to delicious no-bake summer desserts. For these cheesecake bars, swirls of rich dulce de leche and cheesecake sit on a buttery graham cracker crust. Make a big batch and freeze them — they're wonderful frozen!
 
Get this recipe: Dulce de leche cheesecake bars

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Key lime macarons

Cookies are a must on any list of sweets, and these key lime macarons will soon be one of your favorite summer dessert recipes. Almond flour gives these cookies a chewy texture, and the key lime curd adds a bright, citrusy flavor. Macarons are super easy to make and fun to serve at any gathering.
 
Get this recipe: Key lime macarons

Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Nutella bars

It's hard to believe Nutella was created in Italy in 1946 as a cheaper alternative to chocolate. We love the chocolate hazelnut spread, and combined with brownie mix, marshmallows, and cream cheese, it makes a delicious summer dessert for kids and adults alike.
 
Get this recipe: Nutella bars