The best part of summer is spending time outdoors, hanging out at the beach or the park or eating lunch or dinner al fresco. But too much summer sun has us craving something cool, such as an ice cream cone or scoop of gelato or a slice of a frozen dessert. Here are ten of our internet favorites, from ice cream to popsicles to baked Alaska. Whatever the occasion, you’ll find an icy treat that’s just right for you.
This elegant semifreddo from Sylvie at Gourmand in the Kitchen is everything you want in a summer dessert: it’s cool, refreshing, indulgent and easy to make. The combination of floral honey, tangy yogurt, raspberries and pistachios is perfectly balanced, and after slicing, the texture of the semifreddo softens to become almost mousse-like. And the great thing about semifreddo is that it can be (and should be) made well ahead of serving, which takes some pressure off the cook.
We love the salty-sweet, pure nut flavor of this Pistachio Gelato from Melissa at Bless This Mess. It’s smooth and creamy, and is reminiscent of the kind of gelato you’d find at a small gelateria on a side street in Florence. The bonus? Pistachios are an excellent source of healthy fats, fiber, protein, antioxidants and vitamin B6 and potassium. So eat up!
We love the vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor of this Philadelphia-style ice cream, which comes from Tish at Pastry at Home. It’s a great way to use a surfeit of blueberries, but the recipe is certainly worthy of a special trip to the farmers’ market or supermarket. If you’re looking for a red-white-and-blue dessert for the 4th of July, serve a scoop of this ice cream with some whipped cream (or vanilla ice cream), sliced strawberries and a star cookie.
Made with only three ingredients – vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh or frozen berries and agave nectar – these refreshingly vintage popsicles are as easy to make as they are delicious. Denay from Confetti & Bliss made her popsicles with a combination of strawberries and blueberries, but obviously, you can use whatever combination of berries you like.
This gorgeous Baked Alaska comes from Camille of Baker Street Society, and features a brownie base that’s topped with chocolate ice cream, raspberry sorbet and raspberry ice cream. The crowning glory is a thick layer of luscious meringue, swirled over it all and torched to a deep golden brown right before serving. It’s a showstopper dessert that is relatively easy to put together, and that can be made well in advance. What’s not to love?
Fudgesicles are a classic treat, but if you are dairy-free, you don’t have go without thanks to blogger Kate from Vegan Blueberry. Coconut milk makes them super creamy and maple sugar gives them a sugary boost without processed ingredients. Even better than the original? We think so!
During those hot summer months when you don’t want to turn on an oven and cold treats are necessary, try these Frozen No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes from Pastry at Home editor AnnMarie Mattila. Serve as is or top with seasonally berries, chocolate drizzle or anything else you would normally crave on a cheesecake.
Whether you make your own cookies or use a store-bought variety like Gaby from What’s Gaby Cooking, a cookie icebox cake is a family-friendly treat everyone loves. You don’t have to be super precise, because the layers will look great even when a little messy. That’s part of the fun!
The secret to this frozen peanut butter pie from the blog Valerie’s Kitchen isn’t the peanut butter. It’s the light cream cheese! That’s what gives the pie its luscious creaminess. No complicated mousse technique required. Just a few ingredients, a premade crust, and you’re ready for peanut buttery goodness.
Three ingredients, a quick trip through the ice cream machine and you’ve got a simply delicious lemon sorbet from Jennifer Maune. Spend the extra time to scoop out lemons and create the cutest little serving vessels. Light, refreshing and best of all, easy!
