37 Summer Desserts That Are Light, Refreshing, and Perfect for Hot Days

There’s just something about summer that makes everything taste a little sweeter—especially dessert.

Whether it’s the smell of fresh berries, the cool creaminess of ice cream on a hot day, or the nostalgic joy of a homemade cobbler, summer treats bring serious joy to the table.

From light and fruity favorites to chilled, no-bake indulgences, these desserts are perfect for backyard BBQs, poolside lounging, or a quiet night on the porch. If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a love for sunny days, get ready to dig in!

Summer Dessert Recipes

Summer dessert

Watermelon Pizza

Image Credit: Mom On Timeout

Watermelon pizza topped with fresh berries is the ultimate refreshing and colorful summer treat—light, juicy, and bursting with flavor in every bite!

Summer dessert

No Bake Strawberry Delight

Image Credit: Beyond Frosting

No Bake Strawberry Delight is a creamy, dreamy summer dessert layered with sweet strawberries, fluffy whipped topping, and a buttery graham cracker crust—perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven!

Summer dessert

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

Image Credit: King Arthur Baking

Purple Sweet Potato Pie is a vibrant and delicious twist on a traditional dessert, featuring a creamy, naturally sweet filling made from purple sweet potatoes and warm spices

Summer dessert

Berry Lasagna Cake

Berry Lasagna Cake is a stunning layered dessert that combines fluffy layers with whipped cream and fresh summer berries. It’s light, fruity, and bursting with flavor—perfect for summer gatherings when you want something sweet, beautiful, and easy to serve!

Summer dessert

Raspberry Fool With Whipped Mascarpone

Image Credit: Bakes By Brown Sugar

Raspberry Fool Cups with Whipped Mascarpone are a simple yet elegant summer dessert, featuring sweet, juicy raspberries folded into airy whipped mascarpone for a creamy, fruity treat that feels fancy but takes just minutes to make.

Summer dessert

Lemon Lush Dessert

Image Credit: The Recipe Rebel

Lemon Lush Dessert is a refreshing layered treat with a buttery crust, creamy lemon pudding, and a light whipped topping—perfectly tangy, sweet, and cool for those hot summer days when you’re craving something bright and delicious.

Summer dessert

Raspberry Custard Tart

Image Credit: Edibletcetera

Raspberry Custard Tart is a beautiful summer dessert with a buttery, flaky crust filled with smooth, creamy custard and topped with fresh, juicy raspberries—elegant, refreshing, and bursting with seasonal flavor.

Summer dessert

Blueberry Pie

Image Credit: Pioneer Woman

Blueberry Pie is a classic dessert filled with juicy, sweet blueberries wrapped in a flaky, golden crust, offering a burst of fruity flavor in every bite.

Summer dessert

Rhubarb, Strawberry, Balsamic and Thyme Pie

Image Credit: Delicious.com.au

Rhubarb, Strawberry, Balsamic, and Thyme Pie is a unique blend of tart rhubarb, sweet strawberries, tangy balsamic vinegar, and aromatic thyme, all baked into a flaky crust for a beautifully balanced and flavorful dessert.

Summer dessert

Ginger Custard And Raspberry Parfait

Image Credit: Simple Bites

Creamy Ginger Custard and Raspberry Parfait is a smooth and indulgent dessert where rich ginger-infused custard meets fresh, tangy raspberries for a perfect balance of warmth and sweetness in every bite.

Summer dessert

Fruit Pizza

Image Credit: African Bites

Fruit Pizza is a vibrant and refreshing dessert featuring a soft sugar cookie crust topped with a creamy spread and an array of fresh, colorful fruits—perfect for a sweet, fruity treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

Summer dessert

Summer Berry Frozen Dessert

Summer Berry Frozen Dessert is a chilled, refreshing treat made with layers of creamy berry goodness and a crunchy, buttery crumb topping—perfect for cooling off on hot days while satisfying your sweet tooth with every bite

Summer dessert

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

Image Credit: Sugar Apron

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is a creamy, luscious dessert with a smooth cheesecake filling topped with fresh, sweet strawberries and a buttery graham cracker crust—perfect for a simple, no-fuss treat on warm summer days.

Summer dessert

Frozen Yogurt Bars

Image Credit: The Recipe Life

Frozen Yogurt Bars are a crunchy, creamy treat made with a rich yogurt base mixed with nuts and topped with your favorite fruits or additional toppings—perfect for a cool, satisfying snack on warm summer days!

Summer dessert

French Silk Pie

Image Credit: Delish

French Silk Pie is a rich and velvety dessert, featuring a smooth, chocolate mousse-like filling topped with whipped cream and nestled in a buttery crust for a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Summer dessert

Easy 3 Ingredient Popsicles

Image Credit: I Heart Naptimes

Easy Creamy Popsicles are the ultimate summer treat, offering a refreshing burst of fruity sweetness in every bite. Perfect for cooling off and satisfying your sweet cravings with minimal effort!

Summer dessert

Classic Cherry Delight

Image Credit: The Recipe Life

This classic dessert is rich and creamy with a smooth cheesecake filling, a buttery graham cracker crust, and a sweet, tangy cherry topping—an irresistible combination that’s perfect for any occasion.

Summer dessert

Custard Pie

Image Credit: Allrecipes.com

Custard Pie is a classic dessert featuring a smooth, creamy custard filling made from eggs, milk, and sugar, baked to perfection in a buttery, flaky crust for a simple yet indulgent treat.

Summer dessert

Popsicle Brownies

Image Credit: Somewhat Simple

Popsicle Brownies are a fun and creative twist on a classic treat, combining rich, fudgy brownies with a cool, popsicle-inspired touch—perfect for serving as a sweet, refreshing dessert during warm weather gatherings

Summer dessert

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Image Credit: The Recipe Life

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful dessert with a salty-sweet combination of a buttery pretzel crust, creamy filling, and fresh, tangy strawberries—offering the perfect balance of flavors in every bite.

Summer dessert

Cranberry-Fudge Pie with Candied Cranberries

Image Credit: Country Living

Cranberry-Fudge Pie with Candied Cranberries is a decadent dessert combining rich, chocolatey fudge with tart cranberry filling, topped with sparkling candied cranberries for a festive and indulgent treat.

Summer dessert

Blueberry Pie Bars

Image Credit: Averie Cooks

Blueberry Pie Bars are a delicious, easy-to-serve dessert featuring a buttery, crust, sweet blueberry filling, and a crumbly topping—packed with fruity goodness in every bite, perfect for summer gatherings or a sweet treat any time of day.

Summer dessert

Apple Date Pie

Image Credit: Livetosweet.com

Apple Date Pie is a delightful dessert that pairs sweet, spiced apples with rich, chewy dates, all nestled in a buttery crust for a unique and comforting twist on classic apple pie.

Summer dessert

Easy Blueberry Lemon Napoleon

Image Credit: She Wears Many Hats

Easy Blueberry Lemon Napoleon is a light and refreshing dessert with layers of pastry, tangy lemon cream, and sweet blueberries—creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

Summer dessert

Peach Pie

Image Credit: Bonappetit.com

Peach Pie is a delightful fall dessert featuring juicy, sweet peaches enveloped in a flaky crust, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures with every bite.

Summer dessert

Cherry Crisp Pie

Image Credit: Midwestliving

Cherry Crisp Pie is a delicious dessert that combines a tart cherry filling with a crunchy, buttery crumble topping, all nestled in a flaky crust for a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

Summer dessert

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Pie

Image Credit: Saveur.com

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Pie is a refreshing twist on a classic dessert, featuring a creamy pumpkin ice cream filling set in a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and spices for a deliciously cool autumn treat.

Summer dessert

Buttermilk Cranberry Pie

Photo Credit: The Local Palate

Buttermilk Cranberry Pie is a tangy and creamy dessert featuring a smooth buttermilk filling studded with tart cranberries, all baked in a flaky crust for a delightful blend of flavors perfect for the holiday season.

Wrapping Up The Summer Dessert Recipes

No matter how you choose to cool off this season, a sweet treat always makes summer feel a little more special.

From fruity favorites to chilled classics, these summer desserts are sure to bring smiles to every table—whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just treating yourself after a sunny day.

Don’t forget to save your favorites and share them with friends… because summer is best enjoyed with good company and something delicious in hand!