Light and fresh, these show-stopping summer desserts feature all of your favorite flavors. No matter the occasion, you'll find a gorgeous recipe to satisfy any sweet tooth.
77 Gorgeous Desserts You’ll Want to Eat All Summer Long
1/77
Grilled Fruit Phyllo Tart
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loved the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina
2/77
Strawberry Pretzel Pie
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cool no-bake strawberry pie is the perfect cure for your sweet tooth, especially in summer. Made with pantry staples, it is as easy as pie to make and has become one of my most requested warm-weather treats. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
3/77
Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This deliciously different dessert, with a soft inside and a crumbly crust, is made in the slow cooker in jars instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled shortcake jars and serve. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
4/77
Raspberry Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota
5/77
Lemon Chiffon Pie
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This lemon chiffon pie is so easy to make, you can put it together in no time at all. And it’s impressive enough to share with guests! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
6/77
Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh strawberries are full of water, so they have a tendency to weigh down cake batters and make soggy cakes. That’s why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just right for light and tender cupcakes. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
7/77
Lemon Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone raves about this pretty lemon sour cream pound cake—and it sure doesn't last long with my family. It also freezes beautifully, so why not make two and pop one into the freezer for another day? —Annettia Mounger, Kansas City, Missouri
8/77
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
9/77
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut combines beautifully with the tart lemon juice, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. Look for cream of coconut in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
10/77
Key Lime Cream Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing—perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, and everyone asks for the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida
11/77
Lemon Tart with Almond Crust
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our state produces an abundance of lemons, and everyone is always looking for new ways to use them. This beautiful tart is my delicious solution to the excess-lemon problem! —Lois Kinneberg, Phoenix, Arizona
12/77
Strawberry Mascarpone Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Don't let the number of steps in this recipe fool you —it's easy to assemble. The cake bakes up high and fluffy, and the berries add a fresh fruity flavor. Cream cheese is a good substitute if you don't have mascarpone cheese handy. —Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois
13/77
Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
14/77
Rhubarb Cherry Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a young girl, I dreamed of being able to make pies like my mother. Her rolling pin, which I inherited, is 2 feet long and 8 inches wide! In fact, this is Mom's recipe, although I substituted cherries for the strawberries in her version. I first made this pie for a church gathering 20 years ago, and everyone's looked for it at every potluck since! —Eunice Hurt, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
15/77
Lemon Cooler Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Baking soda helps brown these lemon cooler cookies. They’re crisp, lemony shortbread-like goodies! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
16/77
Key Lime Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Key lime pound cake was inspired from a basic pound cake recipe that I like to play around with. It's now the only cake requested at every gathering. The unfrosted cake freezes well. —Pat Stewart, Canton, Georgia
17/77
Homemade Confetti Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a moist and fluffy vanilla cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, UT
18/77
Frozen Margarita Mousse
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Who doesn't love a frozen margarita? This creamy frozen mousse combines ready-to-drink margarita mix and whipped topping (you could use this whipped topping substitute instead). 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. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
19/77
Mixed Berry Tiramisu
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because I love tiramisu, I came up with this deliciously refreshing twist on the traditional coffee-flavored Italian dessert. Fresh softened berries star with crisp ladyfinger cookies and mascarpone cheese. Serve it from a glass bowl or in clear dishes to show off the luscious layers.
—Najmussahar Ahmed, Ypsilanti, Michigan
20/77
Ginger Plum Tart
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet cravings, begone: This free-form plum tart is done in only 35 minutes. It's extra awesome when served warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
21/77
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
After sampling this flavor at an ice cream stand, I kept trying to duplicate it until it was just right. This blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a hit! —Melissa Symington, Neche, North Dakota
22/77
Lemon Ricotta Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
If you love cheese and lemon desserts? Give our lemon mascarpone cake a try!
23/77
Margarita Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You’ll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes are delicious, too. ?—Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
24/77
Seven-Layer Gelatin Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's an eye-catching salad that my mother makes for Christmas dinner each year. You can choose different flavors to make other color combinations for specific holidays or other gatherings. —Jan Hemness, Stockton, Missouri
25/77
Chocolate-Topped Strawberry Cheesecake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
26/77
Lemon Ice
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious sweet-tart lemon ice is a perfectly refreshing way to end a summer meal, or any meal, for that matter. —Concetta Maranto Skenfield, Bakersfield, California
27/77
Coconut Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.
28/77
Dirt Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom used to serve this yummy dessert, and I just loved it. It's so fun to eat and a snap to make. Add some gummy worms on top for the kids if you'd like. —Kristi Linton, Bay City, Michigan
29/77
Patchwork Quilt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake has a great homemade flavor and tender crumb. Be sure to pile on the buttery frosting, which adds a burst of vanilla. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
30/77
Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. The recipe is over 100 years old, and I remember my grandma making it. We still carry on the family tradition by making this old-fashioned dessert recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
31/77
Rainbow Jello Cubes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These perky gelatin cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion—pink and blue for a baby shower, school colors for a graduation party, and so on. Kids of all ages snap them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut
32/77
Grilled Peach Sundaes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
33/77
Lemon Tiramisu
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe to please everyone in my family. It's a cross between cheesecake and tiramisu, with a refreshing lemony flavor. Garnish with fresh berries if you have them on hand. —Monica Marolt, Willowick, Ohio
34/77
Mango Cream Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fresh, luscious tart makes me happy!—Jami Geittmann, Art Director, Taste of Home Magazine
36/77
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This luscious lemon poppy seed cake recipe uses cake mix and pudding mix for an easy dessert highlighting the classic flavor combination. —Betty Bjarnason, Egbert, ON
This lemon pound cake with cake mix is perfect for when you want some lemon cake, but don’t have the time or ingredients to make some from scratch.
37/77
Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Crumbled macaroons are a surprising addition to this cobbler’s topping. We love that you can make the sweet treat in a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet.
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
38/77
Blackberry Daiquiri Sherbet
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
When I decided to try making sherbet, which is one of my favorites, blackberries were in season in my mom's garden. I love the flavor of daiquiris, and lime and rum blend with the juicy blackberries! —Shelly L. Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
39/77
Pina Colada Tube Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
40/77
Cheesecake Berry Parfaits
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 parfaits
From the Recipe Creator:
The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
41/77
Rhubarb Tart
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 tarts (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
The rhubarb flavor in this tart balances nicely with the honey and amaretto. The mascarpone cheese makes it rich and creamy. Sometimes I'll even double the rhubarb for really sumptuous tarts. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
42/77
43/77
Spumoni Baked Alaska
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a dazzling yet refreshing end to a rich holiday meal, try this freezer finale. It's bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
44/77
Grand Marnier Frozen Souffles
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious frozen souffle is perfect for summer and will impress just about anyone. It's a great make-ahead dessert! —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
45/77
Lemon Pound Cake Recipe
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I’m always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This lemon pound cake is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
46/77
Mango Almond Icebox Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was inspired by my friend who asked me to make a mango cake. It's easy to prepare, refreshing, light, and tastes absolutely fantastic. Strawberries can be used as well. —Rachel Simoneau, Danbury, Connecticut
47/77
No-Bake Cheesecake
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings (3-1/3 cups topping)
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland
48/77
Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed Fruit
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings (1/2 cup glaze)
From the Recipe Creator:
One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
49/77
Grapefruit Yogurt Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We eat grapefruit for breakfast and in winter fruit salads—why not for dessert? Here's a sweet-tart cake that's easy, delicious and one of a kind. It's healthier too! —Maiah Miller, Montclair, Vermont
50/77
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love a moist and creamy cake, this one’s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
51/77
Roasted Strawberry Sheet Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Grandma Gigi loved summer berry cakes. Almost any time I’d call her during the warmer months, she’d invite me over to taste her latest masterpiece. This cake is a tribute to her. —Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
52/77
Lemon Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Be patient when making the crust for this lemon tart. It will take a few minutes of pulsing for the food processor to work its magic. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
53/77
Berried Treasure Angel Food Cake
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband grills anything and everything—even dessert! With his gentle nudging, I came up with this simple recipe that takes just a few minutes to prepare, yet always impresses dinner guests. —Anita Archibald, Richmond Hill, Ontario
54/77
Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is delicious with either fresh-picked or frozen raspberries. That means you can make it year-round. One bite of raspberry pie will instantly turn winter to summer. —Julie Price, Nashville, Tennessee
55/77
Lemon-Blueberry Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pair a slice of this moist lemon-blueberry cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a staple at our family barbecues. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
56/77
Macaroon Cherry Pie
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use homegrown cherries in this bountiful pie with its unique crunchy coconut topping. But I've found that purchased tart cherries yield a dessert that's nearly as delicious. I always bake this pie around Presidents Day or Valentine's Day, but it's popular with my family in any season. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
57/77
Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
This rhubarb crumble ice cream combines two of my favorite desserts into one fantastic creation! If you close your eyes, it actually tastes like you're taking a bite of fresh rhubarb crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Throw this into a waffle cone and enjoy a classic summertime treat! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
58/77
Rustic Fruit Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love pie, but we can't eat a whole 9-inch pie by ourselves. So I make these easy tarts using rhubarb and raspberries picked at home. Sometimes I substitute apples, peaches or our garden blueberries for the rhubarb. —Naomi Olson Hamilton, Michigan
59/77
Lemon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia
60/77
Lemon Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Light and creamy, this lemon cheesecake recipe is just the thing for a spring or summer day. —Bonnie Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
61/77
Berry White Ice Pops
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut
62/77
Strawberry Tart
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy strawberry tart boasts a crunchy chocolate layer tucked next to the crust. Try making individual tartlets instead of one big dessert. —Dawn Tringali, Hamilton Square, New Jersey
63/77
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe for lemon shortbread cookies from my cousin who tried to duplicate cookies she loved from a restaurant. It was in a cookbook she made for the family for Christmas! —Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah
64/77
Rainbow Sherbet Angel Food Cake
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Talk about a dessert that pops off the plate! Sometimes I make this easy cake even more eye-catching by tinting the whipped cream. Use whatever sherbet flavor combination you like. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
65/77
Lime Tart
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This treat is the perfect balance between tart and sweet, and the almonds in the crust are just wonderful. This is one of my husband’s favorite desserts. Enjoy! —Charis O'Connell, Mohnton, Pennsylvania
66/77
Peach Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our state grows excellent peaches, and this is one recipe I’m quick to pull out when they are in season. It’s a tender, moist peach pound cake that receives rave reviews wherever I take it. —Betty Jean Gosnell, Inman, South Carolina
67/77
Strawberry-Hazelnut Meringue Shortcakes
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In summer the strawberry farms are open for picking. I serve strawberries with a crunchy hazelnut meringue cookie. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
68/77
Lemon Bars Recipe
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delightful lemon bar recipe is from my mother’s file. I’ve been serving it for many years. They has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they’re always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. —Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona
69/77
White Chocolate Berry Dessert
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this recipe up and after fine-tuning it a bit, I think I have a hit! One of my favorite things about Taste of Home is that truly delicious recipes are featured—not just easy-to-make or quick recipes.
70/77
Icebox Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You don’t have to bake to serve a wonderful dessert! This icebox cake is made from chocolate wafers and whipping cream. It is so delicious.—Cindy Hawkins, New York, New York
71/77
Tres Leches Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
72/77
Lemon Biscotti
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With the growing popularity of gourmet coffees, cappuccino and espresso, I’m finding lots of people enjoy these classic Italian lemon biscotti. —Carrie Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin
73/77
Blueberry-Blackberry Rustic Tart
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My dad would always stop our car on the side of the road in Maine and say, "I smell blueberries." He had a pail ready. Then Mom would bake the wild berries in a cornmeal crust to make this homey tart. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
74/77
Rhubarb Berry Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I had leftover rhubarb and wanted to create something fresh. With blueberries, strawberries and dried cranberries on hand, I discovered I had a berry upside-down cake. —June Paul, Portage, Wisconsin
75/77
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
76/77
Peach-Blueberry Crumble Tart
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy-to-prepare tart is a family favorite, fresh out of the oven or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
77/77
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Quick and easy, this refreshing, make-ahead freezer dessert is perfect for using up those fresh summer berries. Filled to the brim with cream for a smooth texture, you'll find soft graham crackers and sweet strawberries layered inside. Top the cake with sliced strawberries for a beautiful finish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin