Home Recipes Meal Types Desserts
ByLisa Kaminski
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Aug. 09, 2024
Too hot to turn on the oven? No problem! These easy summer desserts are ready in a flash and don't even need to be baked. So keep cool and reward yourself with these no-bake recipes.
While you’ll certainly be craving something sweet during the peak of summer, you may not be relishing the idea of turning on the oven. Don’t worry! You can get your summer desserts filled with all the best flavors of the season—all without having to bake a thing.
These icebox cakes, no-bake pies, ice cream cakes and more are all sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping you and your kitchen cool.
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Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Got a box of ice cream sandwiches in your freezer? Need a summer dessert that takes those treats to the next level? This is your recipe. Layer the sammies with whipped topping, caramel, candy bars and, yes, maraschino cherries.
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Looking for easy, no-bake pie options? Try these instead that are still as decadent and delicious as popular dessertsthat are baked, but they require only chilling time—no preheating or oven time necessary.
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Strawberry Lemon Trifle
You can skip the baking by snagging an angel food cake from the grocery store. Be sure to layer plenty of fresh strawberries into this trifle to really make it feel like summertime.
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Icebox Cake
Icebox cakes are some of the best-ever summer desserts. They require no baking and just a handful of ingredients. Top this one with plenty of chocolate curls for an elegant finish.
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Cherry Delight Dessert
No time to bake a cheesecake? No problem! This recipe uses cream cheese, whipped topping and cherry pie filling to make a treat that feels like cheesecake but without all the work.
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Peach Crisp Parfait Pops
Love fruit crisps but can’t bear the thought of turning on the oven on a hot day? This is the dessert for you! These ice pops layer fruit, yogurt and granola for a treat that feels like your favorite peach crisp—just served up on a stick!
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Frozen Margarita Mousse
Who doesn’t love a frozen margarita? This creamy frozen mousse combines ready-to-drink margarita mix and whipped topping. It’s easy to put together and the freezer does all the work. Garnish with additional crushed pretzels and kosher salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor.
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Pina Colada Lush
Transform a pina colada, almost everyone’s favorite tropical cocktail, into a summer dessert for all to enjoy. This recipe starts with a crumb crust and then layers of creamy whipped topping, pudding and coconut get piled on top.
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Five-Minute Blueberry Pie
Have five minutes? Then you have time for this recipe, one of the swiftest summer desserts in our library. Use plenty of fresh blueberries and prepare for folks to ask for seconds.
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Mixed Berry Tiramisu
Classic tiramisu gets a summery update thanks to heaps of fresh berries and an orange-infused cream.
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Lemon Ice
This easy lemon ice requires no fancy tools—nope, not even an ice cream maker! Prep the day in advance and then scoop away. To make it extra refreshing, top a portion of ice with a splash of lemon-lime soda for a slushy treat.
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Strawberry Pretzel Pie
Warm weather coming your way? It’s time for a strawberry pretzel dessert! This pie takes all the favorite flavors from the classic fluff salad and turns it into a stunning no-bake pie.
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Chocolate Scotcheroos
These scotcheroos are a must-try midwestern dessert. They’re a next-level rice cereal treat and are just the right dessert to bring to a family reunion or picnic.
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Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
Got spare bananas on your counter? Skip the banana bread and make one of the most beloved summer desserts. This pie comes together lightning-quick courtesy of instant pudding mix and whipped topping.
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Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool
Take advantage of the short and sweet Bing cherry season with this fool (an English dessert that’s delightfully creamy and fruity). Top with crumbled amaretti biscuits or shortbread for a little extra crunch.
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Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake
A baked cheesecake can take a lot of time—time you want to spend enjoying the best of summer. This no-bake version is equally as delicious as its baked counterparts but takes just 20 minutes to prep. Let it chill in the fridge while you play a few yard games.
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Luscious Lime Angel Squares
This isn’t your standard angel food dessert! This lime treat uses angel food as a base and piles plenty of lush lime filling over the top.
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Fresas con Crema
This refreshing fresas con crema recipe is wonderful when berries are in season. Media crema is a rich, unsweetened cream found in the baking aisle or ethnic food section of the grocery store. It’s similar to creme fraiche (feel free to use that as a substitute!).
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Million-Dollar Pie
Need an easy summer dessert that tastes like a million bucks? This Million-Dollar Pie is it! This no-bake recipe is layered up with pineapple, pecans and coconut flavors. For even more decadence, check out more million-dollar recipes.
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Rainbow Gelatin Cubes
Turn your get-together into a real celebration with this technicolor Jell-O. This recipe pairs well with other fun rainbow recipes.
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Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops
These delicious ice pops can also be made with raspberries or blackberries. Adding a bit of citrus zest also amps up the flavor, so don’t skip it!
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Lime Cheesecake Pie
Key lime pie, meet cheesecake! This summer dessert combines the best of both worlds and looks oh-so pretty when topped with a little lime zest for color.
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Ambrosia Salad
Fluff salads like this one are a must during the summer months. They’re cool, creamy and can be served up for dessert or as a sweet side at your backyard bash.
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Root Beer Float Pie
A root beer float on a hot day is always a hit, but you can turn it into a sweet to share when you transform it into an easy no-bake pie.
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Easy Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese
Time to break out your trifle dish! This layered banana pudding looks stunning when guests get a peek at all the layers. Have extra bananas on hand to slice for a garnish.
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Crispy Pretzel Bars
Sure, classic rice cereal treats are tasty, but we think this version is even better. With peanut butter, M&M’s and pretzels, you get that sweet and salty combination that everyone loves.
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Coconut Pistachio Pie
Move over, graham cracker crusts! This summer dessert uses shredded coconut for the crust. That flavor pairs so well with nutty pistachio—and we love the green color, too!
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Creamy Strawberry Icebox Cake
While your favorite loaf pan may not see a lot of action baking bread in warm months, you can still use it for this recipe! Layer fruit, cream and graham crackers in a loaf pan to make this simple icebox cake.
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Cherry No-Bake Cookies
Nope, you don’t even need to preheat the oven to make these treats. These no-bake cookies are filled with oats, cocoa and chopped cherries.
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Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form.
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Watermelon Rice Krispies Treats
Get the kids involved in the kitchen with summer desserts like these. Rice cereal bars are always a hit with kiddos—especially when they’re shaped like the season’s most beloved fruit.
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Creamy Pina Colada Pie
This pie combines all the flavors of a pina colada and puts them in a simple crust. Enjoy this recipe frozen or let it soften up in the fridge for a bit—it’s delicious both ways.
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Pineapple Cheesecake
No, ladyfingers aren’t just for tiramisu! They can also form a tasty “crust” for summer desserts. Use them to contain a tangy pineapple cheesecake filling.
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Strawberry Rhubarb Cream
When strawberries and rhubarb are both in season, it’s a magical time of year. Combine them with fresh whipped cream for a simple seasonal dessert.
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Oreo Mousse Cake
Oreo mousse cake is so simple to put together, but it tastes as decadent as fancy restaurant desserts. Have fun garnishing it as you like using crushed or whole Oreos, additional whipped cream rosettes or chocolate shavings.
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Italian Pineapple Trifle
Not all trifles need to start with leftover cake. This Italian version uses ladyfingers. Be sure to garnish with extra pineapple wedges or even crushed pineapple.
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Cherry Cream Cheese Tarts
Take advantage of store-bought mini pie crusts this summer. Fill them with a cream cheese base and top with cherry pie filling. Friends and guests will love having their own individual serving.
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Cheesecake Berry Parfaits
Who said cheesecake needs to be baked in a crust? This summertime recipe layers a creamy filling with fresh fruit to create a treat that tastes just like your favorite cheesecake—all with a fraction of the work.
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No-Bake Pudding Cheesecake
So many delicious summer desserts, including this one, start with a box of pudding mix. Try this Jell-O no-bake cheesecake with any flavor of pudding you like. We used lemon but think it would be delicious with pistachio, banana or French vanilla.
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Triple Fruit Freeze
Who needs neon food coloring when you’ve got fresh fruit? Kiwi, red grapes and blueberries give these homemade popsicles their vibrant color.
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Fruit Kabobs with Margarita Dip
The best summer desserts embrace all the amazing fruits harvested this time of year. Pick your favorite berries, stone fruits and more and dunk them in a homemade dip. This margarita dip is creamy and zippy thanks to a splash of orange juice and a touch of tequila.
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Fluffy Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie got even easier! This five-ingredient dessert is light, fluffy and perfect for a summer day.
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Two-Minute Cookies
When you’re in a hurry, you want summer desserts that come together in a flash. These treats—a combination of cookie and candy—only take two minutes to prep!
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Blueberry Lemon Trifle
Lemon and blueberry are such a punchy and delicious flavor combination. Try them together in this trifle that uses plenty of fresh blueberries along with a zesty lemon filling. Save time by starting with a store-bought angel food cake.
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S'mores Rice Krispies Treats
Love s’mores but wish they were more convenient? This is the summer dessert for you! These rice cereal treats have the marshmallows, chocolate and graham cracker flavors you’re looking for.
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Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Pops
Early summer is prime time for rhubarb. Make use of your pick with these sweet and tart ice pops.
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Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie
In the summer, you can make this simple pie with fresh berries. When you’re craving a bit of summer in cool months, feel free to swap in frozen berries.
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Originally Published: April 25, 2023
Author
Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is a former editor of Taste of Home and a fantastic baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Taste of Home’s Bakeable community. She also tested ingredients and kitchen gear. Today, Lisa continues to share her passion for baking and embroidery on her blog Cabin in the City.
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