Summer is here, and so is the heat. I live in the South, and it can get horribly hot down here. All I want to do is stay in the air conditioning with my sweet tea. I also love to bake and have a sweet tooth year-round, but in the summer, I don’t want to crank up my oven unless I absolutely have to. Can you relate? If you’re like me and crave something sweet but don’t want to sweat it out making it, here are some great no-bake recipes for this summer.
One of the best things about no-bake recipes is that they come in all kinds of variations. You can make pies, ice cream, chill' n slice treats, desserts on a stick, mousse, and pudding, etc. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you can find a flavor profile to match what you're craving. So look and plan what you want to make when that sweet craving hits. These will keep your house cool and your taste buds happy.
Pie
Who says pie has to be full of fruit and baked? There are many kinds of cool, creamy pies you can make in the summer and warmer months. They can be sweet or fruity, and they are always refreshing.
Creamy Watermelon Pie from Taste of Home
Frozen Grasshopper Pie from Taste of Home
Rocky Road Freezer Pie from Taste of Home
Key Lime Yogurt Pie from Taste of Home
Creamy Coffee Pie from Taste of Home
Limoncello Cream Pie from Taste of HomeChill n Slice Treats
Who doesn’t love a treat they can make, chill, and slice into as many servings as they need? These recipes combine a variety of tastes and textures to create the ultimate treat.
Lemon Icebox Cake from Taste of Home
Strawberry Icebox Cake from Taste of Home
Banana Split Cake from Taste of Home
Patriotic Frozen Delight from Taste of Home
Ice Cream Pretzel Cake from Taste of Home
Chocolate Coffee Bean Ice Cream Cake from Taste of Home
Cheesecake
The first time I made a cheesecake, it cracked and came out awful. That is why I’m a much bigger fan of no-bake cheesecake. No oven, no cracking, no overbaking, and you get that cool, creamy taste you love, guaranteed.
Peanut Butter Cheese Torte from Taste of Home
No Bake Chocolate Chip Cannolli Cheesecake from Taste of Home
No Bake Cheesecake from Taste of Home
Banana Cream Cheesecake from Taste of Home
Refrigerator Lime Cheesecake from Taste of Home
Ice Cream and Sundaes
Ice cream is the quintessential summer dessert. Cool, creamy, and comes in tons of flavors. Add the toppings for a sundae, and it’s over the top. Here are some ideas for scrumptious ice cream treats this summer.
Best Ever Vanilla Ice Cream from Taste of Home
Easy Chocolate Ice Cream from Taste of Home
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream from Taste of Home
Cake Batter Ice Cream from Taste of Home
Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream from Taste of Home
Butter Brickle Ice Cream from Taste of Home
Bananas Foster Sundaes from Taste of Home
Chocolate Brownie Waffle Sundaes from Taste of Home
Desserts on a Stick
Kids love desserts on a stick, and they are so easy to make. Knowing what’s in those treats is also a plus compared to store-bought alternatives.
Strawberry Popsicles from Taste of Home
Pineapple Orange Banana Popsicles from Gimmie Some Oven
Homemade Fudge Pops from Brown Eyed Baker
Homemade Popsicles from Live Eat Learn
Mousse and Pudding Recipes
If you love cool and creamy, you can’t go wrong with mousse and pudding.
Peanut Butter Mousse from Taste of Home
Easy Chocolate Mousse from Taste of Home
Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie from Taste of Home
Ambrosia Pudding from Taste of Home
Tirimisu Parfaits from Taste of Home
Makeover Dirt Dessert from Taste of Home
Milkshakes
Milkshakes are a great treat on a scorching hot summer day. Most people think of them as having no nutritional value due to all the candy, cookies, and other crunchy mix-ins. However, adding some fruits adds a punch of nutrition. We’ve had summer nights where milkshakes count as dinner because it’s so unbearably hot and no one wants to cook.
Thick Strawberry Shakes from Taste of Home
Peachy Buttermilk Shakes from Taste of Home
S’mores Milkshake from Taste of Home
Date Shake from Taste of Home
Lemon Milkshake from Taste of Home
Thin Mint Milkshake from Taste of Home
No-Churn Ice Cream (Frozen Greek Yogurt)
Unfortunately, not everyone has an ice cream maker at their house. That’s how it is at our house. I remember my grandparents making ice cream in their ice cream maker, and it took forever. At least that’s how it felt when I was a kid.
I’ve been buying ice cream at the store because we didn’t have an ice cream maker until now. I recently came across recipes for churnless ice cream made with Greek yogurt, and it blew my mind. Now we can make our own and customize it however we want. If you are an ice cream lover but don’t have an ice cream machine, you’ll love these recipes.
18 Frozen Greek Yogurt Recipes from Scoop & Sprinkle
15 Easy Frozen Greek Yogurt Recipes from Flavorful Pinch
Smoothies
Smoothies are great because they are lighter than milkshakes, and you can drink them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Nectarine Smoothies from Taste of Home
Avocado Smoothies from Taste of Home
Strawberry Carrot Smoothie from Taste of Home
Berry Banana Smoothies from Taste of Home
Cucumber Melon Smoothies from Taste of Home
No-Bake Trifles
Going to a potluck, family picnic, or family reunion and don’t know what to take? You know you want to make something beyond a normal pan of brownies or your famous lemon cake, but heating the oven is a definite no in the summer heat. No-bake trifles can save the day. Trifles are fantastic because they usually have a crunchy or cakey layer, a creamy pudding layer, and a luscious, light whipped cream topping. And they make a lot of dessert, perfect for a gathering. They are also very versatile.
Gingerbread Cheesecake Trifle from Life Love & Sugar (This one may sound weird thinking about picnics and potlucks, but if you’re having a Christmas in July party, it’s perfect.)
Easy Trifle Recipe from Life Love & Sugar
Easy Lemon Strawberry Trifle from Life Love & Sugar (Note: You can find pre-made angel food cake in the bakery at the grocery store.)
Raspberry Peach Sangria Trifle from Life Love & Sugar (Note: You can find pre-made pound cake in the bakery at the grocery store.)
Caramel Macchiato Tirimisu Trifle (with Nutella!) from Life Love & Sugar (Note: This one also calls for angel food cake, so grab one at the store.)
Summer comes with all kinds of reasons to celebrate and get together. From the Fourth of July to family picnics and reunions, as well as anniversaries and birthday parties. You are bound to need a dessert to take somewhere, and these recipes will help you whip up something fast and fuss-free. You can also whip up milkshakes and smoothies to chill with the family on a hot day or warm evening, ensuring these recipes will satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/vaaseenaa
