Summer must be everyone’s favorite season. The sun is up, and the temperature is high, leaving plenty of time to chill and enjoy summer desserts. Satisfying our sweet tooth during this season while trying not to break a sweat can be challenging. Not to worry, here are some fruity, creamy, and nutty summer delights.
1. Lemon Tart
A tangy, creamy, and buttery lemon tart is perfect for hot summer days. It's easy and quick to make, and you need flour, unsalted butter, sugar, egg yolks, and freshly squeezed lemons for the crust and filling. Here's the recipe for a delicious lemon tart:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, and an egg yolk until it forms a dough.
- Press the dough onto the bottom and sides of a tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- Beat 3 egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar until it forms ribbons.
- Add in 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Stir well.
- Pour the mixture into the tart pan and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Allow the tart to cool before adding any toppings.
- Decorate the tart with dollops of whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
2. Strawberry Crisp Cookie Cups
These cookie cups are perfect for those who don't want anything too heavy, but still want the sweetness that comes with dessert. With a combination of buttery cookies and fresh strawberries, this dessert is definitely one for the books. Here’s the recipe:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until it becomes smooth.
- Add 2 cups all-purpose flour into the mixture and mix well.
- Chill the dough for 10-15 minutes.
- Roll the dough into muffin cups, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Mix 1 lb chopped strawberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp nutmeg in a bowl.
- Spoon the mixture into the cookie cups and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the strawberries are softened.
- Once the cups have been removed from the oven, allow them to cool slightly before adding a dollop of whipped cream and a slice of strawberry.
3. Banana Split Treats
Summer heat is the perfect excuse to indulge in a banana split. It is fruity, creamy, and the perfect amount of sweetness that we all love. Here’s how to make it at home:
- Cut a ripe banana in half lengthwise and place it in a dish.
- Scoop a few scoops of your favorite ice cream flavors and place them over the banana.
- Add hot fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles, chopped nuts, and a cherry on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
4. S'mores Cake
No summer is complete without s'mores. The classic combination of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows can now be enjoyed in cake form. Here’s how:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk together 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup vegetable oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Once the cake has cooled, fluff up some marshmallows and place them on top of the cake.
- To toast the marshmallows, use a kitchen torch or place the cake under the broiler until the marshmallows turn golden brown.
- Finally, drizzle melted chocolate over the marshmallows and sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs on top before serving.
5. Fruit Salad
A fruit salad is the perfect dessert for anyone watching their sugar intake. It's refreshing, healthy, and easy to make. Here are some tips to make the perfect fruit salad:
- Choose fresh and ripe fruits.
- Balance out the sweetness and tanginess of the fruits.
- Add some texture by adding nuts, whipped cream or granola.
- If you're serving the fruit salad later, toss the fruits with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Some great fruits to include are strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, blueberries, and blackberries.
6. Summer Pudding
Summer pudding is an English dessert that is easy to make and perfect for summer. It's a combination of fresh, juicy berries and bread soaked in fruit juice. Here's how to make it:
- Grease a 1.25L/2pt pudding basin with butter.
- Cut the crusts off 8-10 slices of bread and cut them into pieces that fit the basin.
- Line the basin with the bread slices, making sure there are no gaps.
- Mix 1lb mixed berries, 150g caster sugar, and 125ml of red current juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 5 minutes until the berries are soft, then spoon them into the bread-lined basin and fill the gaps with any remaining juice.
- Add a final layer of bread on top and press it down lightly with a spoon.
- Cover the basin with cling film and place it in the refrigerator with a heavy weight on top.
- Leave it for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before unwrapping and turning the pudding onto a serving dish.
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
7. Pineapple Coconut Popsicles
Popsicles are the perfect summer treat to cool down. This recipe has a refreshing tropical twist that will leave you wanting more.
- Cut a ripe pineapple into chunks.
- Blend the pineapple in a blender until it becomes smooth.
- Add 1/2 cup coconut yogurt and 1/4 cup coconut milk into the blender and blend again.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until solid.
- Remove the molds from the freezer and enjoy your tropical frozen treat.
8. Frozen Custard
Frozen custard is a creamy dessert that is perfect for hot summer days. Here’s how to make it:
- Heat 2 cups of heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it starts to steam.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk 4 egg yolks and 2/3 cup sugar until it becomes pale and fluffy.
- Slowly add the hot cream to the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt and stir well.
- Allow the mixture to cool and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Churn the cooled mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Optional: add any toppings you desire, such as strawberries, coffee, or chocolate chips.
Conclusion
There you have it, some of the best summer desserts that will satisfy your craving for something sweet and refreshing. These desserts are perfect for any occasion, whether it's a summer barbecue, a family gathering, or just a treat for yourself. Try them out and let us know which one is your favorite!