From grilled fruit to peach pies, the summer months are truly a dessert-lover’s paradise. The sudden influx of seasonal stone fruit, melon, berries, and rhubarb makes fresh fruit the focal point in many of the summer dessert recipes on this list. Some of these recipes feature citrus fruit and fresh herbs such as mint and basil, ingredients that add flavour as well as an additional pop of colour. You’ll find recipes for do-it-yourself popsicles, bite-sized ice cream sandwiches, palate-cleansing granitas, and fruit-filled cobblers in this all-encompassing summer dessert round-up — enough variety to keep your sweet tooth sated all summer long!
Grilled fruit
Grilled fruit is a simple yet elegant dessert to serve when you’re dining à la carte. Choose medium-ripe fruit for grilling, if the fruit is too firm it won’t have time to soften and if it’s too ripe the fruit will fall apart and drop through the grate. No outdoor grill? No problem! You can replicate these recipes indoors by broiling the fruit in the oven or cooking them on a cast iron grill.
Crisps, crumbles and cobblers
These delicious baked desserts are made from seasonal summer fruit such as peaches, strawberries, cherries, and raspberries. If you can’t find in-season fruit or you’re running short on time feel free to use frozen fruit in its place — the results will be just as impressive!
Popsicles
When the temperature is spiking there’s no better way to cool off than with a homemade popsicle. These recipes can be made using popsicle molds, or you can pour the ingredients into small paper cups (add a popsicle stick after the popsicles are partially frozen, about 30 to 45 minutes in the freezer.) If you’re making an adults-only popsicle you can add a small amount of alcohol to the recipe, keeping in mind that too much alcohol will prevent the popsicles from freezing completely and will increase the SmartPoints value.
Nice cream, sorbet, and other frozen desserts
Nice cream, or banana ice cream, has all the creamy texture of traditional ice cream without requiring the use of an ice cream maker. To make the nice cream-making process even easier, peel and cut ripe bananas into thick slices before freezing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once the banana slices are completely frozen they can be stored in a resealable freezer bag
Fruit salads
These dressed-up recipes for fruit salad are special enough to serve as a light dessert, but they’re equally as tasty when eaten for breakfast or as a refreshing snack.
Pies and tarts
Whether you’re a fan of peach pies or lemon meringue pies, there’s nothing like the taste of pie after a lazy summer meal. These pie recipes come together quickly with minimal ingredients, no pastry-making skills required!