We’re sending off the season this Labor Day with a bang, but also with a great summer dessert or two, of course!
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Whether you’re celebrating Labor Day or just firing up the grill for that last cookout of the season, you’re going to need some great summer dessert recipes. Desserts that say summer, we love you, and we’ll see you again real soon! Choose from classic sheet cakes and icebox pies, or wow everybody with a beautiful layer cake or pavlova for that final sweet send-off to summer.
let’s dig into summer dessert recipes
Summer Sheet Cakes
Sheet cakes are the ultimate summer party desserts. They feed a crowd, and they look so tempting on a picnic table.
Berry Tiramisu
Celebrate summer with my Berry Tiramisu recipe ~ layers of lady fingers, fluffy mascarpone cream, and fresh berries make it a showstopper dessert!
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Strawberry Sheet Cake
My simple strawberry sheet cake is a celebration of fresh berries ~ it's a classic summer dessert, done right.
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Hot Fudge Cake
Hot Fudge Cake is hot fudge sauce poured over the perfect chocolate cake ~ it’s not just a dessert, it’s an experience!
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White Texas Sheet Cake
Need an easy summer dessert? Whip up my white Texas sheet cake made with a vanilla cake mix and topped with a luscious cooked almond frosting!
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Chocolate Sheet Cake
My rich chocolate sheet cake comes together quick and easy with a whisk and one bowl. The glossy chocolate ganache makes it decadently delish!
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Mint Chip Sheet Cake
My Mint Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake is a moist chocolate cake topped with mint chip frosting ~ we love this easy ice cream inspired cake!
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Brown Sugar Peach Cake
This Brown Sugar Peach Cake is a classic yellow cake loaded with fresh peaches, and topped with a brown sugar caramel icing ~ it's the dessert of the summer!
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Zucchini Sheet Cake
Zucchini Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist zucchini walnut cake with a generous layer of fluffy cream cheese frosting!
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Peanut Butter Cake
An old fashioned peanut butter sheet cake with a crazy good warm peanutty frosting!
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Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Buttercream
Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Buttercream combines the best of summer with juicy blueberries and shredded zucchini.
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Lemon Poppy Seed Ricotta Cake
Some cakes are meant to dazzle; others are meant to comfort. This lemon poppy seed ricotta cake is firmly in the second camp ~ and that’s exactly why I love it.
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Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is a moist apple studded cake (almost a blondie) glazed with a thick layer of caramel icing ~ it's a favorite fall apple dessert that's quick and easy to make!
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Summer Layer Cakes
As summer dessert recipes go, you can’t top a layer cake. They help celebrate birthdays all season long, and then when it comes time to say goodbye until next year, a layer cake does that in style.
Berry Chantilly Cake
Berry Chantilly cake recipe with creamy frosting, and a vibrant mix of fresh berries. Make it easy with a boxed cake mix or bake from scratch!
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Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
This is the ultimate lemon poppy seed cake with plenty of tart lemon flavor plus that wonderful crunch from poppy seeds.
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Almond Layer Cake with Blackberry Buttercream
This celebratory Almond Layer Cake with Blackberry Buttercream is an elegant combination of the perfect yellow cake with an unusual tangy berry frosting…don't be surprised if this easy layer cake becomes your most requested dessert.
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Creamsicle Cake
My Creamsicle Cake is an easy orange layer cake made from scratch for birthdays, family meals, and summer potlucks ~ it's the perfect orange dessert! If you haven't had a Creamsicle cake, you've been missing out.
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Pound Cake
A timeless pound cake recipe is that always appropriate little black dress of desserts ~ it's a delicious fit for every occasion!
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Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
My zucchini cake is the ultimate summer-into-fall dessert, and you know there's lots of zucchini just waiting to be baked up!
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Chocolate Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake
Chocolate strawberry whipped cream cake is a simple yet decadent celebration of the timeless combination of chocolate, strawberries, and fresh cream.
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Raspberry Lemon Cake
A raspberry lemon cake made with yogurt for a soft, tender crumb, packed with juicy berries and topped with bright lemon buttercream.
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Summer No Bake Icebox Cakes, Pies & Trifles
The heat can stick around right up until the end, so summer dessert recipes that don’t require baking are in demand. The silky cool textures of these creamy recipes make them some of my favorites.
Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
Basically I've taken traditional Southern banana pudding and mixed it up with a traditional icebox cake for our favorite party dessert of the summer.
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No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
My no-bake chocolate cheesecake is pure dessert drama: deep, dark, and creamy with a chocolate crumb crust to seal the deal.
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Slab Tiramisu
Slab tiramisu is a sweet coffee-infused cloud! Lady fingers & mascarpone cream on a sheet pan in a fun twist on a no bake Italian dessert.
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Lemon Butter Pie
This lemon butter pie is pure sunshine in a slice ~ cool, creamy, and bursting with fresh lemon. A dreamy summer dessert that comes together with almost no baking.
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Dreamy Nutella Mousse Pie
Nutella mousse pie with a fluffy chocolate hazelnut filling nestled in a dark chocolate cookie crust. This easy icebox pie is irresistible!.
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Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut butter pie is the (nearly) no-bake, creamy, dreamy dessert that you need this summer. Super simple ingredients come together to make the absolute best peanut butter dessert out there, try it and see!
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No Bake Key Lime Parfaits
No bake key lime parfaits are a refreshingly tart and super easy summer dessert that can be made ahead and served straight from the fridge.
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Strawberry Icebox Cake
This Strawberry Icebox Cake is a dreamy, delicious take on the classic no-bake icebox cake made with chocolate wafer cookies. It takes the unbeatable combination of strawberries and chocolate in a whole new refreshing direction!
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Lemon Trifle
Lemon trifle, here in handy individual glasses, is an easygoing recipe that combines cubes of fluffy cake, tangy lemon curd, and sweetened whipped cream ~ I'm pretty sure you've just found your new favorite summer dessert!
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Gluten Free Summer Party Desserts
Pavlovas and flourless cakes are some of my most elegant summer dessert recipes ~ you don’t have to be gluten intolerant to love them!
Almond Pavlova with Summer Berries
My almond pavlova is a crisp meringue topped with toasted almonds, whipped cream, and summer berries for a glorious gluten free dessert!
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Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cake
I gave my crowd-favorite old-fashioned peanut butter cake a gluten free makeover ~ because everyone deserves a slice of this classic dessert!
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Flourless Walnut Cake recipe
This three-ingredient flourless walnut cake is topped with fresh figs and fluffy whipped cream!
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Mexican Chocolate Cake with Berries (gluten free, or not)
My Mexican Chocolate Cake with Berries is so easy to make, so intensely chocolatey, and so velvety smooth…this (almost) flourless cake is decadent but light at the same time.
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Gluten Free Zucchini Cake
Gluten Free Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, grain-free, lightly spiced and generously frosted dessert.
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Berry Pavlova
If you can whip egg whites you can make a stunning berry pavlova, it's the perfect summer dessert. The meringue is crisp on the outside, soft and marshmallowy inside, mounded with whipped cream and mixed berries.
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Summer Cookies
Summer dessert recipes aren’t all ice cream and pie ~ cookies are fun, portable, and easy to serve.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies
Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies are adorable sandwich cookies that look just like your favorite frozen treat! This is the perfect summer dessert.
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Pink Lemonade Cookies
Pink lemonade cookies might just be the perfect spring/summer cookie ~ they're almost too pretty to eat!
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Soft Sugar Cookies
The big soft sugar cookies loaded with frosting the kids beg for ~ make them even better at home!
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Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are pretty in pink with a fresh berry flavor. Freeze dried strawberries are the secret!
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Lemon Cookies
Melt in your mouth soft lemon cookies brightened up with a sweet tart lemony glaze.
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Rhubarb Cookies
Looking for a unique rhubarb recipe? These soft batch brown sugar cookies with diced rhubarb are a sweet and tangy treat you'll love!
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Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
The secret to super lemony flavor in my lemon poppy seed cookies is LEMON SUGAR! I'll show you how to make this easy lemon flavor booster.
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Summer Cobblers, Shortcakes, and Crisps
These classic summer dessert recipes are fleeting, so make the most of them while you can. I don’t feel like I’ve ‘done’ summer until I’ve made at least one of each!
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is the iconic American summer dessert with ripe strawberries, whipped cream, and a delicate, crumbly shortcake.
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Plum Cobbler
Plums get bold and jammy when you bake them up in this cobbler ~ just wait.
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Blueberry Cobbler
My classic blueberry cobbler with a twist ~ the combination of sweet cornbread biscuits and juicy blueberries is irresistible!
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Peach Cobbler
You simply can't do summer with a classic fruit cobbler, and you might as well start with peach, it's an epic dessert. So easy to make, too!
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Apricot Almond Tart
My almond apricot tart is a tried and true dessert with mouthwatering flavor and a buttery shortbread crumble texture.
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Strawberry Cobbler
Not to be dramatic, but this strawberry cobbler might be the only dessert I want to eat for the rest of summer.
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Black Raspberry Crisp
Got blackcaps? Start here! This simple black raspberry crisp is the best way to let these rare summer berries shine ~ sweet, juicy, and bubbling under a buttery crisp topping.
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Fresh Peach Shortcake
Fresh Peach Shortcake ~ fluffy buttermilk biscuits topped with ripe juicy peaches and homemade whipped cream ~ one of the best things I've ever eaten!
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Blueberry Lemon Crumble Tart
Blueberry Lemon Crumble Tart is a tried and true dessert you'll turn to again and again.
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Vanilla Almond Plum Crumble
You've just found your new favorite summer dessert! This quick and easy plum crumble works with ANY summer fruit.
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Summer Ice Cream Desserts
You can’t talk about summer desserts without talking ice cream. Whether you like it fruity, or dripping with hot fudge, I’ve got the recipes you’ll love.
Homemade Magic Shell Ice Cream Sauce
Homemade Magic Shell is a 2 ingredient chocolate sauce that 'magically' hardens when it touches a scoop of ice cream. It's fun and delicious!
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Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Homemade brownie ice cream sandwiches are a new family favorite.
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Black Raspberry Ice Cream
Make your own black raspberry swirl ice cream with this simple and delicious recipe!
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Ice Cream Bon Bons
Ice Cream Bon Bons are homemade chocolate covered ice cream bites, like the ones in the freezer aisle, but better! Use your favorite flavors!
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Honey Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
Honey Vanilla Frozen Yogurt is a probiotic rich frozen dessert that's healthier than ice cream and so refreshing on a hot day (we love it for breakfast!)
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Fresh Mint Ice Cream
Mint chip ice cream made with real, fresh mint leaves is an experience not to be missed! This creamy, refreshing homemade ice cream is a simple and delicious summertime treat.
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Hot Fudge Sauce
My simple hot fudge sauce recipe makes the classic thick gooey chocolatey sauce from your favorite ice cream parlor, made quick and easy at home.
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Ice Cream Terrine
Layer up your favorite flavors to make a stunning one of a kind frozen dessert!
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Fresh Plum Frozen Custard
Homemade plum frozen custard is like summer in a scoop ~ you won't find this fresh fruit flavor anywhere else!
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Bourbon Fried Peaches with Ice Cream
Bourbon Fried Peaches with Ice Cream ~ this super easy and super luscious dessert is the perfect way to close out the summer season.
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Hummer Ice Cream Dessert Cocktail
The Hummer Cocktail is an adult milkshake of epic proportions…you'll either love me or hate me for this irresistible concoction of ice cream, rum, and Kahlua.
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Summer Cupcakes
If you’re feeding a Labor Day crowd or need the perfect summer potluck dessert, don’t forget about cupcakes!
Strawberry Cupcakes
My birthday cupcakes with strawberry frosting are perfect for any spring or summer celebration ~ the fluffy yellow cupcakes are topped with the ultimate fresh strawberry cream cheese buttercream
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Ina Garten’s Coconut Cupcakes
Ina Garten’s Coconut Cupcakes ~ these easy-peasy tender cupcakes are topped with the most insanely delicious coconut cream cheese frosting!
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Brownie Bites
Individual brownie muffins topped with whipped cream and berries is a winning combination. (This is one 4th of July dessert that we'll keep making all year long.)
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Mini Layer Cakes
Adorable mini layer cakes are made from chocolate cupcakes ~ easy dessert for afternoon tea or kids' birthday parties!
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Summer Pie Recipes
Let’s face it, Labor Day is your last chance to wow your family and friends with a classic summer fruit pie ~ and fruit will never be this plentiful, or this cheap, for another whole year!
Blueberry Pie
The perfect blueberry pie anyone can make! Follow easy step by step instructions for juicy blueberry filling and a buttery lattice crust.
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Cherry Crumble Pie
My cherry crumble pie tastes like summer baked up in a pie plate!
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Butterscotch Pudding Pie
Butterscotch Pudding Pie in a homemade pie crust, topped with a cloud of whipped cream!
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Easy Blueberry Peach Crumble Pie
Blueberry Peach Crumble Pie is a summer fruit pie with the ease of a crumble ~ customize it to your favorite fruit, or whatever you've got on hand.
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S’mores Cookie Pie
Toasted marshmallows top a graham cracker chocolate cookie base for a delicious twist on s'mores!
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Apricot Pie
Everyone should make a tart apricot pie at least once a season, with my easy recipe anyone can master this epic summer dessert!
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Summer Bar Desserts
Bars come in every color of the rainbow and make great no mess summer dessert recipes for cookouts and picnics.
Blackberry Pie Bars
Blackberry pie bars are are the perfect summer fruit dessert recipe ~ they're gorgeous, delicious, and EASY!
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Peach Pie Bars
Peach Pie Bars ~ as if you needed another excuse to love summer, these buttery peach shortbread crumble bars laced with whiskey will seal the deal!
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Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Strawberry Lemon Blondies are pretty in pink strawberry bars with a sweetly tart flavor and a soft melt in your mouth texture!
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Nutella S’mores Bars
Nutella S'mores Bars ~ everybody's favorite summer treat in an ooey, gooey, decadent, and delicious bar, no campfire needed!
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Raspberry Almond Bars
Crazy good raspberry almond bars that have a vibrant raspberry filling, lots of almond flavor, and a unique soft and crunchy texture ~ you can't go wrong with this recipe!
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Blueberry Poppy Seed Squares
Blueberry Poppy Seed Squares, a unique coffee cake in the Eastern European tradition ~ it’s packed with fresh blueberries and crunchy poppy seeds on a buttery shortbread crust. This is one unforgettable snack cake!
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Sour Cherry Almond Bars
Sour Cherry Almond Bars ~ the cherry filling is nice and tart, the almond crumble is chewy and butterscotch-y ~ these are a must make!
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Pineapple Coconut Bars
Pineapple Coconut Bars are an easy tropical inspired treat made with juicy crushed pineapple, coconut, and a brown sugar shortbread crust ~ perfect for breakfast, bunch, or all day snacking.
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Tangy Lime Bars
Tangy Lime Bars are cooling, refreshing, and not too sweet, — if you love easy lime desserts then you’re going to flip for these, they’re the perfect little capper for a warm day.
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