92 Easy Summer Desserts to Devour from Now Until Labor Day

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 20

"These cuties might seem like they involve a lot of moving parts," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains, "but they're really just tiny biscuits with jam and whipped cream. You can make the tart-sweet fruit compote up to five days in advance, and the biscuit dough keeps well in the freezer if you're really into planning ahead."

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes (plus chilling)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

This bright, tart and just-salty-enough pie is like a cross between key lime and lemon meringue—with a crispy saltine crust. "The pie takes almost no time to assemble and bake, making it ideal for beginner bakers," Gillen adds. (The filling sets in the fridge, so it's basically foolproof.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 16

Warning: Bring these to a picnic once and your friends will request them for every summer shindig you ever attend. The secret to the dessert's pink hue is raspberry purée. "[It] tames the tart citrus flavor and adds a berry hue," Gillen explains.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, one pan
• Serves: 10

Who needs frosting when berries and brown sugar alone can do all this? "Layer fresh, gorgeously red strawberries on the bottom of a pan and pour in the batter," Gillen says. "As it bakes, the berries form a sweet, caramelized layer. So all you have to do is invert the cake onto a platter and…you're done." Slather on the whipped cream to your heart's content.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 16

Aka my favorite way to utilize a muffin tin. "They're quicker to bake and chill than the original full-size dessert, which means they're in your mouth in less time too," Gillen raves. Use regular limes if you can't find key limes—just be sure to squeeze them by hand instead of using bottled juice for the best flavor.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 36

"The 'meltaway' texture is thanks to cornstarch in the dough," Gillen explains. "It keeps the cookies tender and lends that signature melt-in-your-mouth quality." Swap clementines for any type of citrus you'd prefer, like Meyer lemon or blood orange.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 20 minutes (includes chilling)
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

There's no better end to a barbecue feast than banana pudding. "To keep things quick and easy (and to let the fresh bananas shine), I went with a cornstarch-thickened pudding instead of an egg-based custard," Gillen notes. Bonus points for serving it Southern-style with a pitcher of sweet tea and mini pecan pies.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes chilling)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

Instead of fussy pie crust, the lemon curd and springy meringue are casually layered in cups. (You could easily opt for bowls or mason jars instead.) "The graham cracker crumble provides just the right texture and flavor, minus the effort," Gillen writes. "The filling is made on the stovetop, and the meringue is cooked so you can eat it without baking or torching it. Oh, and everything can be made ahead."

• Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes freezing)
• Why I Love It: no bake, <10 ingredients, one pan
• Serves: 10

I love an impressive no-bake dessert. This one has five layers of ice cream and sorbet separated by fluffy whipped topping. PureWow's recipe developer went with raspberry, strawberry and vanilla for a decidedly pink look, but you can opt for any color scheme.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes freezing)
• Why I Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

Graham cracker crust, meet easy PB filling (made with chunky peanut butter, sugar, cinnamon and heavy cream). Want to work in some chocolate? Top the pie with chocolate fudge drizzle or chocolate curls.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours
• Why I Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 10

Guess what? You don’t need an oven to reach cheesecake heaven. Plus, this one is super easy to prepare, thanks to a press-in graham cracker crust and two-ingredient raspberry sauce.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: no bake, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegan
• Serves: 8 to 10

You’re never too old for an ice pop on a hot summer day. You are, however, too old for ice pop-stained lips. Skip the fake dyes in favor of real fruit this year. (I'm partial to peaches, raspberries and blueberries.)

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 20

"These are softer and cakier than your typical cookie," recipe creator Erin McDowell says, "and they have a ton of lemon flavor. You rub the lemon zest into the sugar before you start, which releases more of the natural oils and makes the cookies taste even more citrusy."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10

Your cast iron skillet is a secret weapon when it comes to dessert. It ensures crispy, caramelized edges and a soft, fluffy interior. I love cherries here, but strawberries or blueberries would work beautifully, too. Extra whipped cream, please.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 55 minutes (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 16

I'm pretty sure serving these ice cream sandwiches at breakfast will win you the Number One Mom award. Skip the store-bought waffles and bring on the sprinkles. (Nuts, crushed pretzels and chocolate chips would work in their place, if you'd prefer.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

You don't need to build a fire in the yard to indulge in this campout classic. Layer graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows in a skillet and pop that bad boy under the broiler for a few minutes. The 'mallows will be toasted and the chocolate melted just enough, without all the fuss.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 9

In the world of baked goods, the galette is pie's cool cousin who always shows up rocking seasonal fruit and an effortless golden-brown crust. Just roll out premade dough, pile late spring's rhubarb slices in the middle and fold the edges to hold it all together. Ta-da.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

Food coloring is so ten years ago. That’s why this gorgeous strawberry pie with strawberry crust gets its vibrant pink hue from freeze-dried strawberries (which you can pick up at Trader Joe’s) instead. "If you need more practice or are short on time, you can skip the decor and make a simple double-crust pie instead," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman writes. "Just make sure to cut a few slits in the top to vent the filling."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 8

The hardest decision I've ever had to make: chocolate, strawberry or vanilla? Thankfully, this treat makes it easy on me. Three layers of custard and a whole lot of whipped cream are the keys to this nostalgic dessert, and the tri-color interior is bound to impress.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

This galette can’t get any simpler. You don’t have to make pie dough; just crinkle store-bought puff pastry into a skillet, pile on the fresh fruit and your dessert will be ready in less than an hour. In the words of Ina Garten, how easy is that?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Lunch's quintessential sandwich crossed with camping's official mascot. Gooey marshmallows and blueberry jelly layered between peanut butter-graham cracker sandwiches are a match made in dessert heaven. Don't knock it 'til you try it.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

If you want everyone to tilt their heads back in bliss and say “wow,” serve these sweet corn doughnut holes. Fresh corn kernels are whipped up into a light-as-clouds pastry cream that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 10

Now that’s how you celebrate America’s birthday. It’s all about assembly—no complicated steps or baking required—so you’ll have more time to focus on the rest of the menu. I recommend adding a few sparkly candles for a festive touch.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

This Italian gelatin dessert is as easy to prepare as it is beautiful, since the mini tarts are filled with panna cotta instead of pastry cream. Whip up a quick shortbread crust, make the filling and wait for the tarts to set in the fridge.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, one pan, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

A red-white-and-blue treat that has Fourth of July written all over it, thanks to vibrant fruit, raspberry jam and ricotta-cream cheese filling. These lady fingers won’t miss the coffee (and neither will you—promise).

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, no bake, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

I know, it sounds impossible, but your favorite ice cream *can* get even better. Spruced up with a layer of peanut butter-infused crisped rice and all your favorite toppings (like frozen berries or chocolate shavings), it’s a ridiculously easy win.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, no bake, make ahead
• Serves: 8

I only ever see it on fancy dessert menus, but the luscious Italian treat is actually easy to pull off at home. Combine diced peaches, peach jam, egg yolks, sugar and almond extract in a loaf pan, pop it in the freezer overnight and blow everyone away at the picnic tomorrow.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 24

What do you get when you combine sugar cookies and macaroons? You'll find out in 30 minutes. I won't tell if you start with store-bought sugar cookie dough—it'll be our little secret.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no bake, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

Aside from using Snickers candy bars as a garnish, this dip incorporates everything you love about them—salty peanuts, gooey caramel and sweet milk chocolate—into one party dip. Sign me up.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

I can't believe it's not dairy! Vegan butter holds the hearty crust together. Go all-out with a sweet glaze made from non-dairy milk, agave and demerara sugar. You deserve it, friend.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 45 minutes (includes drying time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, gluten free
• Serves: 8

Looking for a patriotic-looking dessert for your Memorial Day cookout? Meet this modern take on the old-school British delicacy, served on a single baking sheet instead of in a stuffy crystal-cut bowl.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, one bowl
• Serves: 18

Hello, garden party. Violets, pansies, roses and lavender are all edible, but if you’re looking for a fancier selection, order from an online specialty store. There’s no need to dry and press the flowers; just glue them to the cookies with egg wash and they’ll flatten in the oven.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Load up on fresh berries at the farmers market and half your work is done, since this treat practically makes itself. Pile the fruit in the center, fold the crust and bake. Honestly, the hardest part is choosing whether to eat it with ice cream or whipped cream. (I say go for both.)

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 8

Blame it on the juice, baby. This goodie is loaded with tangy nectarines and plump blueberries. The stars of golden-brown pie crust are a photo-worthy, flag-inspired topper. Keep this easy summer dessert in your back pocket for Labor Day.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

These cuties can be summed up in one word: irresistible. The fried cinnamon-sugar dough is even more amazing when it’s bite-sized—and served with warm chocolate sauce (which only requires two ingredients, BTW) for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Since ripe stone fruit doesn’t need much help in the flavor department, the peaches are coated with just the essentials: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Then, mounds of scrumptious biscuit dough are layered on top to form a crust. All you'll need then is vanilla ice cream.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 40 minutes (includes freezing)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

When the weather goes above 70 degrees, you can pretty much guarantee I'm craving (or eating) an ice pop. And while you could wait around for the ice cream truck, making your own is way more fun. This take stars roasted peaches and Greek yogurt.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Single-serve portions of this apple delight allow you to sample the rest of the dessert spread (plus a mason jar is way more unexpected than a pie dish). They’re super easy to make at home, thanks to store-bought dough.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 24

You love doughnuts, but heating up a giant vat of oil? Not so much. That’s why this recipe transforms the old-school treat’s sweet icing and cinnamon-sugar flavors into a simple cookie that bakes in 15 minutes. Genius.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, no bake, gluten free
• Serves: 1

Root beer who? This is a festive take on a vintage drink everyone can get behind. Combine fresh berries with strawberry and lemon-lime sodas, then finish each glass with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and voilà.

• Time Commitment: 5 hours (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

Graham crackers and whipped cream make this assemble-and-chill treat a breeze to put together, but homemade blueberry sauce takes it way over the top. The hardest step is waiting for it to set in the fridge before digging in.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Introducing dessert nachos. I repeat: dessert nachos. You already love starting a meal with the savory kind, so why not end one with a plateful of this sweet version, made with cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips and all the toppings?

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 30 minutes (includes freezing)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, one pot, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Cool off with a cup of Hawaii’s signature treat. This DIY version doesn’t even require a shave ice machine—all you need is a blender, fruit and sugar. The toasted coconut on top merely gilds the lily.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 50 pieces

It's snack time, so I'm heading to France for a quick bite. These traditional cream puffs have a few twists up their sleeves: sweetened coconut and crunchy pearl sugar. "They're not cloying, they're really crunchy, they’re impossible to put down," McDowell adds.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6 to 8

At my house, it's never a sure thing that cookie dough will make it into the oven. So, I embraced it and turned my favorite late-night pleasure into its own party-friendly dessert. It's cream cheese-based and ready in 15 minutes flat—need I say more?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 8 to 10

You’re looking for a baking project that’s impressive but attainable. Enter this striking, fluffy easy summer dessert recipe. The light-as-air topping gets its lilac hue from freeze-dried blueberries.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no bake, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 to 8

Once the kids try this, they’ll be asking for it for every year for their birthdays. That’s because it’s made with Funfetti cake mix, heavy cream, sour cream and confectioners’ sugar. Heat treat the cake mix by toasting it on a baking sheet at 350°F for about 5 minutes, so it’s safe to eat raw (and don’t be shy with the rainbow sprinkles).

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes (includes chilling)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 9

One bite and you’ll be transported to a sunny Florida beach. Think homemade graham cracker crust and condensed milk-lime filling with thin-sliced limes on top. Sour cream in the filling makes it super rich and tangy.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, no cook
• Serves: 6

Say what you will about serving fruit for dessert, but no one’s turning down ice-cold produce on a hot summer day. Substitute the pesto-rolled mozzarella for a sweet yogurt dip if you'd like to keep the dish strictly sweet.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, dairy free, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

Coconut "buttermilk" whipped cream. Almond flour shortcake. Hulled strawberries. Yeah, I'm gonna need more napkins for this seasonal beauty, and so will all your wheat-sensitive picnic guests.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 32

The prettiest drink of the season just got even tastier. And better yet, freeze-dried raspberries turn the cookies pink. Don’t even get me started on the lemon glaze (or the pièce de résistance, homemade candied lemon slices).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes chilling)
• Why I Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 15

Your oven can sit this one out. The fridge and freezer are all you need to pull this tropical beauty off (plus canned cream of coconut, heavy cream, sugar and toasted shredded coconut). Go ahead, substitute a store-bought crust.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 6

This bittersweet dessert only requires six ingredients, but it looks decidedly elegant and impressive. It’s a solid light option to serve after spending the day eating hot dogs and hamburgers.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10

Skip all that kneading and rolling. With this simple skillet peach cobbler, you can satisfy your craving for an easy summer dessert in under an hour, minus all the heavy lifting. Pass the whipped cream, will ya?

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

When it comes to this light and airy dessert, intimidating is an understatement. But don’t worry: This version is quick, easy and foolproof, not to mention ridiculously impressive. "The key is not over-mixing," McDowell explains. "Be tender with them and don’t slam the sheet tray down."

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Why should gluten eaters have all the fun? This wheat-free pistachio-apricot tart is sweet, tangy and oh-so satisfying. (It’s pretty darn photogenic, too.) Bonus points for candying the pistachios before garnishing with them.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12

Calling all chocolate stans: This is one decadent dessert you’ll never forget. Raw hazelnuts, Oreos and melted butter create the crust, which is filled with dark chocolate and whipped cream. Talk about indulgent, no?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, no bake
• Serves: 14

You’re only six ingredients away from tasting the best dessert at the barbecue. Think graham crackers, homemade whipped cream, seasonal fruit and lots of powdered sugar. Even picky kids will want a second slice.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Crumbly graham cracker crust, warm roasted strawberries, a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sold yet? "Roasting your strawberries really concentrates their flavor, and in this easy recipe, you just layer them and put ice cream on top," McDowell says. Sprinkle on some blueberries for a patriotic flourish.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, one bowl
• Serves: 20 to 25

Lightly sweet and bursting with almond flavor, these cake bites can be whipped up by hand using nothing but a whisk and a single bowl. Go ahead, have two (or five).

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 24

Don’t tell anyone, but Oreos are my one true love. Cookies-and-cream shortbread cookies have a classier vibe than the O.G., but a similar flavor, snap and creaminess. Plus, they're ready to devour in 40 minutes.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

This looker is part pavlova and part meringue pie. Start by making five-ingredient, marshmallow-y meringue cookies, then stack them between layers of grapefruit curd and fresh whipped cream for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 20

That 16-cookie bag disappears pretty quickly in my house. With this recipe in your back pocket, you’ll never run out again. P.S.: The ganache filling is as simple as combining hot cream and chopped chocolate.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 24

I love cheesecake. I love cookies. Naturally, I have to try this combination of the two, making the greatest thumbprint cookie ever. Let's waste no time and get right to baking (not that you'll need a lot of it, since they only take half an hour).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 36

These are so tiny that you can eat them by the handful, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. "They're super small, and because they're so small, they bake quickly and have the ideal amount of creamy filling," McDowell claims. A glass of milk is optional, but encouraged.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 9

An impossible choice: cookies or brownies? Well, let me fill you in on a secret. You don't have to choose. These nine-ingredient handhelds are truly the best of both worlds. They'll last about five seconds flat on the kids' table, too.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Finding ways to keep cool is your top priority in the summertime. Luckily, you can have these raspberry jam-coconut milk masterpieces in the freezer in just a few minutes. No molds on hand? Go old-school by using ice trays or paper cups.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 15

Think Russian teacakes, except mind-blowingly easy to make. Like, three ingredients easy. Shake things up with peanut butter cups or caramels instead of Kisses, if you're feeling fancy.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, no bake, make ahead
• Serves: 16

Pretzels. Peanut butter. Chocolate. Yup, that pretty much covers it. Not that I think you need swaying, but I will reiterate that these don’t require a single second in the oven, just a few hours of chilling in the fridge.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Have you met the easiest dessert on the face of the earth yet? She’s pleased to make your acquaintance. Cool off with this genius treat made from twice-frozen watermelon purée. No one will ever guess that it’s pure fruit.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

You won’t believe how creamy this dessert is, despite being free of dairy. (You have the coconut milk-cashew filling to thank for that.) The pecan crust is nothing to sneer at though, nor is the citrusy blueberry topping.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6 to 12

This dessert board has everything from fresh fruit to ice cream sandwiches. But the real star is the non-dairy fondue, made with coconut sugar, vegan dark chocolate and an alternative milk of your choice. I'll bring the wine.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, gluten free, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

The broiler transforms these brown sugar-coated peaches into a bonafide summer dessert. Even the pickiest kids at the cookout will be all over them. Substitute meringue for whipped cream, cold cream or vanilla ice cream if you're feeling lazy.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, gluten free, vegan, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

I don’t normally like to play favorites, but I'm pretty obsessed with these photo-ready, fudgy brownies. Buried under all that chocolate are macadamia nuts and dried cherries for crunch and chew, respectively.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 6

Combine cashews, coconut milk, coconut cream and a few pantry staples, and boom: You'll have an uncanny, dairy-free ice cream alternative on your hands for sundaes, cones and milkshakes alike. Thank me later.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8

The cake's moist, tender crumb means you can scarf down two slices without feeling weighed down. With all those berries (and that drool-worthy icing) on top, it's practically a fruit salad, right?

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 16

Does it get any simpler than a press-in graham cracker crust and a citrusy, no-bake filling? Didn't think so. "It's easy to unmold and slice, so it looks fancy—like a traditional cheesecake—without having to use the oven or mess with a water bath," McDowell explains.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 6

Keep the coals nice and hot after your steak dinner: Grilling the pineapple before assembling the sundaes makes the treat feel way more seasonal. The homemade cherry sauce is just, um, the cherry on top, if you will.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 12

Cherries aren't at peak deliciousness for long, so I take every chance I get to bake with them (or eat them straight from the bag). All this easy-to-slice pie is missing is fresh whipped cream and a scoop of ice cream.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Consider this the easiest way to upgrade a store-bought dessert. (I promise your guests won't think twice about the shortcut.) Char a few slices of cake on the grill for a touch of smoke, then drizzle with three-ingredient blueberry sauce, made from scratch.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 40 minutes (includes freezing)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, dairy free, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Four ingredients + a stint in the freezer = the most refreshing easy summer dessert you've ever made. Might I suggest dropping a scoop in a flute of Champagne at your next brunch gathering?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4 to 6

Nothing against s'mores, but this simple dish will become your go-to camping dessert in no time. The whipped cream is shaken in a wide-mouth water bottle for convenience, and you can use any stone fruit you'd like, from peaches to plums to cherries.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8 to 10

Your favorite nostalgic ice pop, minus the weird dyes and sweeteners. This take on the treat is made with fruit (strawberries and blueberries, specifically), sugar, white grape juice and coconut milk—that's it.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 16

Coconut shortbread crust. Simple sugared apricots. Toasty swoops of meringue. Are you drooling yet or is it just me? If you don’t have mini tart pans or pie plates, you can use mason jar lids to make the crust. In fact, it’s totally adaptable to any size pie plates; just keep in mind that the yield might be more or less depending on the depth of the pan.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, kid-friendly, make ahead, <30 minutes
• Serves: 12

If you have ten minutes, this wow-worthy ice cream topper is within reach. Freeze-dried strawberries are the key to the shell's vibrant color and fruity flavor. "One thing to keep in mind: It's important to get the strawberries as finely ground as you can, so it's worth the effort to pull the food processor or spice grinder out of the cupboard," Goldman suggests.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 to 8

Laced with almond extract and raspberry jam, this no-bake masterpiece tastes just like its namesake. Lay the colored creams on thick: The wafer cookies will expand as they chill, so this step ensures that each layer is visible once the cake is sliced.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: gluten free, vegan, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Charred fruit is a prime summer dessert, and healthy to boot. (In my book, that means you should go for double of the homemade coconut whip.) Garnish with all the hazelnuts and macadamia nuts you'd like.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10

The kids will love stuffing these little pockets of deliciousness with their favorite fillings and watching them turn gooey on the barbecue. Wow them with homemade vanilla marshmallows and honey-cinnamon dough.

• Time Commitment: 12 hours (includes freezing time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, no cook, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

This recipe is only one of a zillion reasons that I love canned sweetened condensed milk. Thanks to a clever shortcut, you can pull this easy summer dessert recipe off *without* a fancy ice cream machine.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Despite its elegant appearance, this simple dessert is easy enough to prepare in one bowl. "I could see it being good with another berry—the recipe notes you can use blackberries, but I would also try blueberries," Gillen recommends. Use frozen berries of your choice in the off season.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

You can never have too much seasonal fruit. Cherries and blueberries are peeking through the cutest star-studded crust that's just right for July 4th. Dig in while you and your family watch fireworks.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

Vegan and gluten-free can sometimes taste a little too healthy, if you catch my drift. But not this rich dessert, thanks to its fudgy consistency and the irresistible combination of bittersweet dark chocolate and spicy ginger.