What’s better than a cold or fruity sweet treat on a hot summer day? Not much. Below is a curated collection of popular summer desserts — from classic French clafoutis to refreshing pineapple-mint popsicles — chosen for their fresh flavors and simple preparation.
These dessert recipes are light, easy to prepare, and ideal for summer cookouts, potlucks, or a relaxed weeknight dessert. Many recipes highlight seasonal fruit like berries and peaches and rely on wholesome ingredients such as yogurt, oats, honey, and almond flour. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream pairs nicely with several of them.
The days are long and the fruit is ripe. Pick a favorite below and celebrate the season.
Clafoutis
This clafoutis is tender, custardy, and simple to make. Use cherries, mixed berries, or other stone fruit—the recipe includes a few variations. One 10-inch clafoutis yields about eight slices, making it great for a small gathering.
4.9/5 from 28 ratings
Lemon Posset
Creamy and bright, lemon posset is an elegant yet easy chilled dessert. It balances citrus tang with smooth, rich texture. Allow about three hours to chill; the recipe makes eight to nine small (2-ounce) servings.
4.8/5 from 51 ratings
Gluten-Free Almond Cake with Berries on Top
A naturally sweet almond-flour cake that’s moist and effortless. Top with yogurt and seasonal berries for a pretty, crowd-pleasing dessert. The recipe makes one 9-inch cake (about eight slices).
4.9/5 from 100 ratings
Peach Cobbler with Almond Topping
Ripe peaches bubble beneath a golden almond-flour topping for a naturally gluten-free cobbler. Warm and comforting, it serves about nine modest portions—perfect with a scoop of ice cream.
Popular — 44 comments
Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery shortbread cookies with jammy centers—made extra tender with almond flour. These gluten-free cookies are ideal for parties and gift boxes. Yield: 22 to 24 small cookies.
4.8/5 from 21 ratings
Simple Blueberry Cake
A tender, lightly sweetened blueberry cake loaded with fruit. The original version uses whole grain flour and is easy to adapt if you prefer different flours. Makes one 9-inch round cake (about eight slices).
4.7/5 from 93 ratings
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb combine under a crunchy oat topping made with honey and yogurt. Lighter than many crisps, it’s excellent with vanilla ice cream or yogurt. Serves about eight.
4.8/5 from 50 ratings
Easy Pineapple Mint Popsicles
A two-ingredient frozen treat made with pineapple and a hint of mint. These all-natural popsicles are bright and refreshing; the recipe yields about 16 ounces total—adjust for larger molds.
5/5 from 7 ratings
Mixed Berry Crisp (Gluten Free)
Use any mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries for this simple berry crisp. It’s naturally gluten free and makes an inviting summer dessert for family and friends. Makes one 9-inch crisp (about eight servings).
5/5 from 62 ratings
Pots de Crème
Silky, blender-friendly chocolate pots de crème that set into rich, spoonable custards. Quick to prepare and freezer-friendly. The batch yields 36 ounces, which can be portioned from tiny tasting servings to generous helpings.
4.8/5 from 16 ratings
Lemony Cheesecake Tart with Pistachio Crust
A bright, lemony cheesecake tart with a homemade pistachio-oat crust. It looks gourmet while staying approachable to make, and the crust keeps the recipe gluten free. One 9-inch tart serves about eight.
4.8/5 from 16 ratings
Easy Fruit Compote
Make a versatile compote with fresh or frozen fruit. It’s an easy topping for ice cream, yogurt, toast, pancakes, or waffles. The recipe yields about two cups of compote.
4.9/5 from 77 ratings
No-Bake Greek Yogurt Tart
This no-bake tart is surprisingly simple and wholesome. Topped with seasonal fruit, it’s a refreshing dessert that’s also nutritious. One 9-inch tart yields about six slices.
4.9/5 from 27 ratings
Blueberry Almond Crisp
Maple-sweetened blueberries baked under an oat-and-almond topping with lemon brightness. Easy, gluten free, and bursting with flavor. Serves six to eight.
4.9/5 from 99 ratings
Creamy Peach & Honey Popsicles
Yogurt-based popsicles sweetened with honey and studded with roasted peaches. Creamy, naturally sweet, and perfectly summery. The recipe yields eight 3-ounce popsicles.
5/5 from 13 ratings
Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
A light, lemon-scented yogurt cake dotted with blueberries. Made with whole wheat flour, olive oil, and yogurt for a moist texture and subtle richness. One loaf per recipe.
4.8/5 from 83 ratings
Almond Cake with Roasted Strawberries & Rhubarb on Top
Maple-sweetened almond cake topped with oven-roasted strawberries and rhubarb. A simple, spring-ready dessert that’s gluten free. One 9-inch cake yields eight slices.
4.9/5 from 38 ratings
Plum Crisp with Pistachio, Oat and Almond Meal Topping
Honey-sweet plums crowned with a nutty, gluten-free topping featuring pistachios, oats, and almond meal. Ginger adds a warm note, and you can swap nuts as needed. Serves several.
4.9/5 from 24 ratings
Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
A tangy frozen yogurt flavored with lemon and sweetened with honey. Use full-fat yogurt for the creamiest texture and fresh or frozen blueberries for vivid flavor.
4.4/5 from 16 ratings
Honey Almond Cake with Raspberries, Orange and Pistachios
A moist, almond-flour cake sweetened with honey and dressed with raspberries, orange, and pistachios. Gluten-free and paleo-friendly, with suggestions in the notes for flavor variations.
4.7/5 from 91 ratings
Roasted Berry and Yogurt Popsicles
Creamy Greek yogurt popsicles swirled with jammy, roasted berries and sweetened with honey. They’re all-natural, satisfying, and yield eight 3-ounce popsicles (24 ounces total).
4.3/5 from 9 ratings
Before you go, here are some more recipe roundups you might appreciate:
- 27 Easy Appetizers
- 29 Epic Salad Recipes
- 18 Light Summer Dinners
- 20 Summer Potluck Recipes
- 25 Summer Cocktails