Summer in Calgary can be as extreme as the winters, so I’m always looking for ways to alleviate the heat wave. Summer isn’t just about enjoying fresh salads available for this season but also indulging in refreshing summer desserts!
If you are like me, the only thing I want during hot summer days is to enjoy a scoop of ice cream with my son and top it with our favorite treats.
As moms, we all have one goal this season – how to make refreshing summer desserts that are both delicious and nutritious. Why? Because we want to enjoy sweet treats with our kids without compromising their health.
I love summer because it’s the perfect time for kids, especially picky eaters, to enjoy fresh fruits like strawberries and watermelons. These fruits not only taste great but also keep kids refreshed on a hot day.
However, as a mom of a 20-month-old, I sometimes feel guilty when I make summer desserts with just strawberries and yoghurt because I know there are even more exciting and nutritious options I could explore.
And I’m not alone in this journey. I know other moms want to make summer desserts easy and enjoyable for kids and adults alike
So, in this blog, I’ll share 20 delicious & refreshing summer desserts to beat the heat, keeping in mind both flavor and nutrition.
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How to make summer desserts?
The key to refreshing summer desserts is incorporating excellent, light ingredients and minimizing the preparation. After all, we want to make summer desserts easy and ready to offer to our kids.
Here’s what I do when making refreshing summer desserts:
- Use Fresh Seasonal Fruits: I use fresh seasonal fruits as a base for many of our desserts. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and watermelons are perfect for summer and packed with vitamins.
- Opt for No-Bake Recipes: To avoid heating up the kitchen, I opt for no-bake recipes. This not only keeps the house cool but also speeds up the preparation time.
- Choose Light, Creamy Textures: Light, creamy textures feel refreshing on the palate. Ingredients like fresh fruits and whipping cream create delightful, airy desserts that are perfect for hot days.
- Add Zesty and Sweet Flavors: Adding zesty and sweet flavors like lemon, lime, strawberries, and blueberries gives desserts a sweet, refreshing kick. These flavors are invigorating and perfect for summer treats.
What desserts go well in the heat?
Let’s not overdo desserts. Cool, light, refreshing ingredients are the key to the best refreshing summer desserts for your entire family. Here are some ideal options that I include in my desserts:
- Frozen Treats: Popsicles and a scoop of ice cream are always a hit. You can make them healthier by using fresh fruit purees and yogurt.
- Fresh Fruit-Based Desserts: These are not only refreshing but also packed with vitamins and minerals. Think fruit salads, berry bowls, or watermelon slices.
- Light and Airy Mousses or Parfaits: Whipping cream combined with fruits or light custards can make delightful mousses or parfaits that are both refreshing and satisfying.
- Chilled Pies or Tarts: Opt for no-bake or chilled versions like key lime pie or a fresh fruit tart. These are perfect for hot summer days without heating up your kitchen.
- Granitas or Sorbets: These icy treats are incredibly refreshing. Go all in with flavors like strawberry, lemon, or mango (I love mangos!). My personal favorite is strawberry granita – it’s easy to make and a big hit with my family.
Now, let’s explore our 20 delicious and refreshing desserts, perfect for those hot summer days!
20 Delicious & Refreshing Desserts for Hot Summer Days
Homemade Coconut Mango Popsicles
These tropical popsicles are super easy to make and packed with goodness! Mangoes bring many vitamins A and C, while coconut milk adds healthy fats.
The kids go crazy for the sweet, creamy texture, and you’ll love how quickly you can whip up a batch for those hot summer days.
Berry Granita with Whipped Ricotta
As complicated as it sounds, it’s one of the summer desserts you can easily make, especially on a busy day! The icy granita bursts with refreshing berry flavors, and the creamy ricotta is perfect.
It’s a great way to sneak in some healthy berries like strawberries. Even the picky eaters will love the fun, icy texture!
Raspberry Pistachio Semifreddo
This frozen treat combines tart raspberries and crunch pistachios in a creamy, frozen dessert. I love this recipe because it’s full of vitamins and good fats, a healthier option than a regular scoop of ice cream that the whole family can enjoy without feeling guilty.
Pineapple Dream Dessert
This light and fluffy summer dessert for kids hits the spot on a hot summer day! It’s quick and easy to make. The pineapple gives it a tropical taste and is suitable for digestion, too.
Your kids will surely love the creamy texture. And I think this is the perfect summer dessert to bring to a BBQ party. Be ready to be heavily praised!
Mini Lemon Tarts
This refreshing summer dessert is just right for little kids! . Lemons are full of Vitamin C, which is good for your immunity and other good stuff, making these tarts a bit healthier than some desserts.
The whole family will have fun making and eating these zesty little bites.
Raspberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes
These mini cheesecakes are always a hit, for both kids and adults. The small sizes are great for kids to bite and for moms to make (as long as we don’t overdo it).
Trust me, these creamy mini cheesecakes with fruity swirls will have everyone asking for more.
Blueberry Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark
Would you like to make summer desserts easy? This is the perfect option for busy moms like me! Whenever I make these desserts, I always have Zaya help me. It’s a fun activity to do, plus it’s healthy too!
The cottage cheese adds protein and calcium, and blueberries are packed with healthy nutrients. Once frozen, the bark is fun to eat and so refreshing on a hot summer day.
Strawberry White Chocolate Pie
This no-bake pie makes summer desserts easy! I love making this. The strawberries are full of vitamins, and the white chocolate makes it feel extra special. So, if you’re looking for a refreshing summer dessert with strawberries to make with your kids, you will love this!
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
This light and fluffy cake is just right for summer. If you love to make summer desserts with strawberries, this is the best recipe for you! T
he whipping cream in this dessert is lighter than regular frosting, making it nice and refreshing. Fresh strawberries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
So bring your kid when you make this, and let them decorate the dessert with strawberries – a perfect activity to spend time together.
Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
Ever wondered if we can make a refreshing summer dessert with an air fryer? Yes, this is the answer to your question!
This Air Fryer Peach Cobbler recipe is super quick and easy to make. The combination of juicy peaches, warm spices, and a buttery topping creates a mouthwatering dessert that is both comforting and satisfying.
Mango Shaved Ice (Mango Bingsu)
This refreshing summer dessert will make you feel like you are in Korea at every bite. Mangoes are full of good vitamins, and kids will surely enjoy the texture of shaved ice. My son loves this dessert !
It also gives you the freedom to choose your own toppings. So if you’re looking for a summer dessert to bring to a BBQ, this is the way to go.
Decadent Passion Fruit Tiramisu
This tropical version of tiramisu is easy to prepare. Passion fruit adds a tangy flavor and the creamy layers are irresistible for kids and grown-ups alike! Plus, there’s no need to bake this! Less exhaustion + fresh fruits = perfect summer dessert easy to bring on any occasion.
Strawberry Magnolia
This summer dessert for kids is filled with strawberries that are full of vitamin C and creamy filling, which is satisfying for kids. Kids love how pretty it looks, making it also impressive for guests without spending all day in the kitchen. Just imagine eating this summer dessert on a hot summer day outside with the entire family.
Strawberry Soup with Pound Cake Croutons
Looking for summer desserts that are easy to make? A dessert filled with fresh fruits like strawberries?! This cold soup is super refreshing and healthy. It’s kind of funny to have “dessert soup,” but it’s very tasty! A mix of smooth soup and crunchy croutons is a perfect sneaky way to get more fresh fruits into your family’s diet!
Mango Tart with Coconut Pastry
This refreshing summer dessert is perfect for a hot summer day or just a lazy day when you want to put a summery dessert. It’s very easy to make and healthy too. Mangoes are super nutritious, and coconuts add good fats. The creamy filling, fresh fruit, and crispy crust are just a perfect summer dessert to bring to a BBQ. It’s special for parties but easy to make for family dinners or gatherings as well – win-win!
Strawberry Charlotte Cake
This strawberry Charlotte cake is an easy, light and creamy summer dessert! This simple recipe doesn’t have any eggs or gelatin – instead, it uses fresh strawberries, cream and ladyfingers! It’s a delicious, no-bake, show-stopping dessert that is sure to wow any crowd!
Blackberry Cheesecake Icrecream with Biscoff
This no-churn blackberry cheesecake ice cream with Biscoff swirl is a quick and delightful treat that you can whip up without an ice cream maker.
It’s super easy to make and perfect for busy moms. Kids will absolutely love the creamy texture and the irresistible Biscoff swirl that adds a sweet, caramelized crunch. The fresh blackberries bring a refreshing fruity twist, making it a perfect refreshing summer dessert.
Lemon Lime Green Grape Sorbet
This lemon lime green grape sorbet is a refreshing and tangy dessert that’s quick and easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a vibrant and zesty treat that kids will love.
The combination of lemon, lime, and green grapes offers a burst of citrus flavor, perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. Plus, it’s a healthy option that doesn’t require an ice cream maker.
Chocolate Cookie Dough Popsicles
These chocolate cookie dough popsicles are a decadent and fun treat that kids and adults alike will adore. Quick and simple to prepare, they combine rich chocolate and edible cookie dough for a creamy, satisfying popsicle that doesn’t require an ice cream maker.
The chocolate shell adds a perfect crunch, making each bite a delightful experience. Perfect for hot summer days, these popsicles are sure to become a family favourite!
Lemon Icebox Pie
This lemon icebox pie is a perfect blend of tangy and sweet, making it an ideal refreshing dessert for hot summer days. It’s incredibly easy to make with a no-bake crust and a creamy lemon filling that sets in the fridge. The bright lemon flavor is sure to please both kids and adults, providing a cool and zesty treat.
FAQs
Q: What are some kid-friendly ways to jazz up summer desserts?
Simple. Fun toppings! Add sprinkles, fresh fruits, and even crushed cookies. These can turn a simple dessert into a summer dessert for kids. It’s also nice to set up a DIY dessert station so kids can feel excited to choose and add their own toppings.
Whenever I do this for Zaya, I also incorporate fun shapes! I use cookie cutters on watermelons, pineapples, or melons, which he always looks forward to top on his dessert and eating.
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Q: Any tips for making desserts when it’s too hot to turn on the oven?
No-bake desserts are lifesavers during heatwaves and crazy busy schedules! Frozen treats like popsicles are also a great idea too! And don’t underestimate the power of a simple fruit salad dressed up with a bit of mint and honey.
Remember, soulful moms, the goal is to make them feel refreshed and satisfied. Don’t overdo it! Simple is more than enough.
Q: What are your go-to desserts for summer gatherings?
I love making easy and refreshing summer desserts to bring to a BBQ or potluck gathering.
I always ensure that the dessert I bring is the one that is easy to transport and doesn’t take too much of my time.
Also, remember how easy it is to serve this dessert, so having individual servings is my go-to, which limits the mess and makes it easier to control the portions. And on a really hot summer day, a big batch of homemade popsicles is just a lifesaver!
Q: What are the best top 10 summer desserts?
- Fresh fruit salad
- Homemade icecream
- Berry Shortcake
- Frozen yogurt bark
- Lemon bars
- Watermelon pizza
- Fruit popsicles
- No-bake cheesecakes
- Peach cobbler
- Strawberry sorbet
Remember, it’s not about perfection – it’s about creating memories. So turn up that summer playlist, lather your sunscreen on, embrace the sweet treats, and cherish every memory with your little ones. They grow up too fast.
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