From candy bars in the pool to watermelon carried to a party, good food and classic film scenes go hand-in-hand. We're sharing recipes inspired by classic summer movies we love to watch again and again.
17 Recipes Inspired By Iconic Summer Movies
Updated on Feb. 09, 2024
1/17
Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you didn’t think watermelon and cilantro could go together in a dessert, this recipe will be a pleasant surprise! Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and a sprig of cilantro on top for extra flair. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 100 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit.
2/17
Warm Rocky Road Cake
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When it's warm, this reminds me of super moist lava cake. And until I made this, I didn't think a slow-cooker cake could be so attractive. It's a real winner. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup (calculated without ice cream): 386 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 431mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
3/17
Mini S’mores
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Want to sink your teeth into s’mores all year long? Here’s the answer! Just combine marshmallow creme, chocolate and graham crackers for an awesome bite.—Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, Illinois. Want to try more recipes inspired by movies? Learn how to make Matilda’s chocolate cake.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 145 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
4/17
Zucchini Boats
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After working hard all our lives and raising a family, we're now enjoying a simpler life. Getting back to the basics means enjoying old-fashioned comfort foods like these stuffed zucchini boats. —Mrs. C. Thon, Atlin, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed zucchini half: 312 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 337mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
5/17
Candy Bar Fudge
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2-3/4 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
My manager at work, who knows I like to try new treat recipes, shared this one with me. I've made this chewy and chocolaty fudge many times since. Packed with nuts and caramel, it's like a candy bar. Everyone who's tried it loves it. —Lois Freeman, Oxford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 101 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
6/17
Easy Mint Thins
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends often try to guess the ingredients, but I never tell them how simple they are to make. They taste just like the Girl Scout cookie, and they're perfect for Christmas and bake sales. —Jennifer Setser, Morgantown, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 89 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 34mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
7/17
Grilled Marinated Ribeyes
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you've got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 steak: 570 calories, 40g fat (15g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 592mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 40g protein.
8/17
Coca-Cola Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 491 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 78g carbohydrate (63g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
9/17
Canadian Meatballs
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever we have a brunch at school, I always make these meatballs, and everyone looks forward to sampling them. They make about 5 dozen so they are ideal for potlucks. —Terry Skibiski, Barrington, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 70 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 158mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/17
Spiked Pink Lady
Total Time
15 min
Servings
18 servings (3/4 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Why reserve lemonade and strawberries for the summertime? They’re just as refreshing during the holiday season. Add two more ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing cocktail.
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 124 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
11/17
Jersey-Style Hot Dogs
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings (10 cups potato mixture)
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 453 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1261mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
12/17
S'mOreos
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son introduced us to this twist on classic s'mores when we were camping. Have a jar of Nutella around? Slather on the inside of the graham cracker halves before you build this one-of-a-kind treat. —Christina Smith, Santa Rosa, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 271 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 223mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
13/17
Herbed Grilled Corn on the Cob
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'd never had grilled corn until last summer when my sister-in-law served it for us. What a treat! So simple, yet delicious, grilled corn is now a must on my summer menu. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear of corn with 1 tablespoon butter mixture: 178 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 277mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
14/17
Ranch Popcorn
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What’s movie night at home without some popcorn to munch? Try a big tub of this buttery, showstopping blend. It’s easy, cheesy and finger-lickin’ good. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 188 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
15/17
Gourmet Caramel Apples
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These drizzled confections look gorgeous and taste over-the-top yummy. With peanut butter flavor and a salty burst, they'll be the treats you can't wait to make each year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 apple: 589 calories, 26g fat (17g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 93g carbohydrate (78g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
16/17
Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It's so much fun to decorate cookies with children's help. We created gingery moose-shaped cookies to go with a book made especially for my niece's third-grade class. The crispy vegan gingerbread cookies stole the show. —Jenet Cattar, Neptune Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 157 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 95mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
17/17
Green Flop Jell-O
Total Time
15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready for fluffy lemon-lime goodness. My family calls it "flop Jell-O" because most of the time a clear gelatin layer that tastes like lemon-lime soda falls to the bottom of the dish. Try it with any flavor gelatin! —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 159 calories, 7g fat (6g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 62mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
