31 Cool Summer Dessert Recipes

Let's face it—the last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is to cook anything in the oven. That doesn't mean you need to sacrifice delicious desserts. There are plenty of ways to make cool desserts, from using purchased cakes and toppings to cooking on the stovetop or in the microwave. For a quick chocolate craving, make a batch of no-bake cookies, which needs only one minute on the stovetop. Or make a sinfully sweet cheesecake or pie that needs no cooking at all.

If you are planning on entertaining, let your guests build their own shortcakes with purchased sponge cake, whipped topping, and a variety of fresh sliced fruits and berries. Or bake biscuits on a cool day and keep some in the freezer for those quick shortcakes. Keep frozen fruit juice pops on hand for the kids along with instant puddings and flavored gelatin for a dessert that can be put together without a sweat.

If you're short on time, soften a carton of store-bought vanilla or chocolate ice cream and add sprinkles, chocolate chips, crumbled cookies, or bits of edible cookie dough. Mix your chosen ingredients into the softened ice cream and refreeze.