21 Best No-Bake Summer Desserts

Too hot to bake? Craving something sweet? We've got your back with these 21 fabulous no-bake desserts. From no-bake cheesecake to peanut butter-chocolate cookies, there's something for every sweet tooth!

By
Claudia Cash
Claudia Cash
Claudia Cash
Claudia is the Community Manager for Simply Recipes and has contributed numerous articles focused on cooking on a budget, quick and easy meals, and kid-friendly foods.
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Updated June 19, 2022
Claudia Cash
10 No Bake Summer Desserts

During the summer months, we often find ourselves with two problems:

1. When a sweet tooth strikes suddenly, but it's a zillion degrees outside, turning on the oven is honestly the last thing we want to do. The desire to munch on all the sweets in the world continues on, and we can get a little...cranky.

2. When it's party time and we need a scrumptious dessert, but it's a zillion degrees outside, it's tough to decide what to make.

Do either of these scenarios sound familiar to you? If they do, we're here to tell you that the solution to both problems is no-bake summer desserts!

  • No-Bake Cheesecake

    No Bake Cheesecake made with easy no bake cheesecake filling and graham cracker crust
    Emma Christensen

    A creamy 'n' dreamy cheesecake is a staple for basically all life events, but it can be intimidating to bake it in a water bath. Have no fear because we've whipped up a no-bake version just for you! This version is simple and takes about a half hour to prep. Plus you can top it with all those fresh summer berries!

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  • Creamy Chai-Spiced Vegan Rice Pudding

    Vegan Rice Pudding Recipe finish the recipe with cinnamon
    Marta Rivera

    Coconut milk is the star of this creamy dessert and is really what makes for the silky texture of this pudding. Not a fan of chai? Totally okay! We've added a few other ways in which you can flavor rice pudding!

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  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

    Elise Bauer

    Want to know a little secret? These bars freeze really easily so you can make them ahead of time. They'll also have minimal clean-up because you line the pan with parchment paper or foil. Dessert made easy! You're welcome.

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  • Peanut Butter Balls (Buckeyes)

    Peanut Butter balls or Buckeye balls
    Irvin Lin

    Another peanut butter + chocolate recipe that is totally worthy of your attention. It has six simple ingredients that are probably already hanging around in your pantry, so what are you waiting for? Let's make some Buckeyes!

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    Continue to 5 of 21 below.

  • Vegan Chocolate Pudding

    Paleo Chocolate Mousse
    Sabrina Modelle

    This is a serious chocolate dessert for serious chocolate lovers! It has only TWO easy ingredients but it does take some time to chill. Make it in the morning so it's ready for your dinner dessert. Be sure to make an extra batch so you can have some on hand for a little midnight snack.

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  • Sous Vide Cheesecake in Jars

    Easy Cheesecake Cooked Sous Vide
    Nick Evans

    Technically you are baking it, but it's done via sous vide, so it's definitely not heating up your house... so it still counts, m'kay? These are ridiculously delightful and we promise that if you serve them at a party, everyone's going to want the recipe.

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  • No Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies drizzled in peanut butter
    Cindy Rahe

    These are so incredibly easy even kids can make them. The best part of this recipe is the PEANUT BUTTER DRIZZLE! It really just makes these cookies shine.

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  • Strawberry Mousse with White Chocolate

    Strawberry Mousse with white chocolate
    Sally Vargas

    Not a fan of strawberries? Try raspberries! Or blueberries! This is such a versatile recipe, it can be made with any berry that suits your fancy.

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    Continue to 9 of 21 below.

  • Easy Chocolate Pudding in the Microwave

    Sally Vargas

    This will quickly become your summer dessert obsession. Rich, velvety pudding that's ready in 16 minutes. Yeah, that's right. Turn on an episode of Friends, make your pudding, and you'll be eating pudding before the show is done!

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  • Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles

    Strawberry Yogurt Pops
    Sally Vargas

    Is there any better way to cool off than with popsicles? This is also another versatile recipe that can use endless amounts of fruit combinations. Try it with peaches, melons, or blueberries. Feel free to add in a little mint or lemon to compliment the fruity flavor! The sky is the limit with these frozen gems.

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  • Easy Lemon Pudding

    Easy lemon pudding, a no-bake summer dessert with berries
    Sally Vargas

    This tangy lemon pudding is a winner! Just four ingredients (lemon juice and zest, heavy cream, sugar, and berries) and a quick simmer on the stove lead to a marvel of a dessert nearly anyone can manage.

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  • No-Churn Peach Cobbler Ice Cream

    no church peach ice cream in cones
    Marta Rivera

    You don't need an ice cream maker to make this treat. The trick is combining condensed milk and whipped cream to create creaminess. The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes, but you will need another 6 hours for the ice cream to freeze. Torture, we know!

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    Continue to 13 of 21 below.

  • Ricotta-Mascarpone Mousse with Balsamic Strawberries

    Easy Ricotta Mascarpone Mousse Strawberries
    Elise Bauer

    Ricotta-mascarpone mousse is light as air and a perfect make-ahead recipe for summer entertaining. When spooned on top of balsamic strawberries, the two parts create one fancy dessert that's easy to make. Leftover mousse works as a dip for fresh fruit.

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  • Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats

    Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats and Marshmallows

    Simply Recipes / Irvin Lin

    The classic Rice Krispie treats gets the rainbow treatment with various hued layers created with food coloring. Created as a tasty way to celebrate Pride, these treats are ideal for other celebrations, too. Or, just a colorful surprise in someone's lunchbox.

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  • Sunflower Butter Crispy Treats

    Chocolate and regular nut-free crispy treats.

    Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski

    Here's a different twist on the classic Rice Krispie treats. Sunflower butter joins the cereal, marshmallows, and butter. Unlike peanut butter or spreads made from other nuts, sunflower butter can often be an ingredient in treats sent to school (but check with the school first) so it makes a great classroom snack.

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  • Easy Instant Pot Cheesecake

    instant pot cheesecake with graham cracker rust
    Emma Christensen

    We're counting this as no-bake because technically it pressure cooks. Plus, it doesn't heat up the kitchen, which is the goal here. The steady heat and steamy environment of the Instant Pot make for a creamy and silky smooth cheesecake with no cracks!

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    Continue to 17 of 21 below.

  • Berries and Banana Fruit Salad

    Berries and Banana Fruit Salad
    Elise Bauer

    Toss bananas, blueberries, strawberries, apples, and raspberries with honey and some lemon juice (keeps the fruit from browning), and you have a quick, sweet, healthy dessert to follow up any meal.

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  • Limoncello Yogurt Pops

    Someone Holding a Bowl of Limoncello Yogurt Pops on Ice Surrounded by Leaves and Lemons over Grass

    Matt Armendariz

    Be the hit of the barbecue with these strictly-for-grown-ups treats since there's a good dose of boozy limoncello in them. Super easy to make, plain Greek yogurt, limoncello, and lemon slices are all that's needed, plus the popsicle molds of your choice.

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  • Watermelon Granita

    Two glasses with watermelon granita topped with lemon slice.
    Alison Bickel

    Easy and refreshing, this frozen dessert uses puréed or juiced fruit and gets its fluffy texture from scraping the mixture with a fork as it freezes. Just three ingredients—watermelon, honey, and lemon juice—come together to create this cool-you-off treat.

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  • Whiskey Chocolate Truffles

    Whiskey Chocolate Truffles rolled in cocoa.
    Elana Lepkowski

    Making a truffle is as simple as combining chopped chocolate and hot cream. Make these bite-sized treats with a combination of lend of bittersweet (70% cacao) and semisweet (46% cacao) chocolate, warm cream, and a little Irish whiskey, and dust them with cocoa powder. Yum.

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    Continue to 21 of 21 below.

  • Fresh Cherry Compote

    fresh cherry compote

    More a dessert topping than an actual dessert (but we wouldn't blame you for eating it by the spoonful), this cherry compote can top cheesecake, pudding, or vanilla ice cream.

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