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There is something about summertime that makes me want to bring out all the treats. From classics to creative new combos, these simple summer dessert recipes are a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen — and please your taste buds at the same time.
I’ve rounded up the best sweets and treats to make the most of these dog days of summer!
Vegan Taiwanese shaved ice
Let’s be clear: This is not the snow cones topped with neon sugar syrup that you’d find at a carnival. While that treat does have a special place in my childhood heart, this shaved ice takes it to the next level. Taiwanese shaved ice is a mountain of soft, fluffy ice topped with fresh fruit and smooth, creamy condensed milk. It is amazing. Erika at The Pancake Princess has all the details you’ll need for this slightly more involved, but totally worth the effort, summertime treat.
Frozen hot chocolate
The name may be a bit of an oxymoron, but this cold chocolatey treat is yummy and so easy to make you’ll find yourself whipping it up all the time. This frozen treat only requires a few ingredients and will help the whole family beat the heat. Nicole Rufus, assistant food editor, has all the details you’ll need at The Kitchn. Top your drink with ice cream, whipped cream or anything else that brings you joy.
Summer sammies
When the weather gets warmer, there’s nothing better than cooling off with a classic ice cream sandwich — and that’s exactly why I was thrilled to discover these sweet sammies featured on Simple Recipes!
This classic treat is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with kids and adults alike. This recipe uses a thin brownie base rather than a traditional cookie, and I can’t wait to try it!
Dipped cones
Take your next ice cream party up a notch with these dipped cones. Simply melt candy, dip the cone, roll it in sprinkles and voilà! Check out the Wilton blog for all the details.
Watermelon pizza
Pizza and watermelon are two kid favorites, so I love this summer dessert recipe combo idea! Jillian at Food Folks and Fun says this treat starts with a trip to the store, where she and her daughter pick out all her “pizza” ingredients, including watermelon, mangoes, kiwis, blueberries, banana chips and unsweetened coconut flakes. Slice up the watermelon, add your toppings and you’re all set for a summertime treat.
Go bananas
Another fun summer dessert recipe for the families out there with a house full of summer-lovin’ kiddos, these delicious chocolate-covered frozen bananas featured on Spend With Pennies will make them go ape!
A clever idea for jazzing up those plain-Jane bananas on your kitchen counter, these guilt-free frozen treats can easily be made by small hands and dipped in a variety of fun flavors. To get started, stick popsicle sticks into bananas that are ripe, but not overripe, and place them in the freezer for an hour. For toppings, try nuts, toffee, peanuts, coconut and Smucker’s Magic Shell dipping chocolate. Yum!
Fruity frozen yogurt bark
Get the kids involved making this simple and delicious fro-yo bark recipe from Diethood. It couldn’t be easier to make: Simply mix plain yogurt with maple syrup, spread it out on a tray and add your favorite toppings before freezing. Break out the summer fruits, chocolate chips, coconut chips or whatever gets the kids excited. This decadent-looking summer dessert recipe is healthy and delicious.
Fantastic fruit
If you and your little ones are having a hard time deciding on just one fruit to include in this year’s summer pops, be sure to check out Skinny Taste’s fun idea for putting them all to good use in one bite-size frozen snack!
Mom Gina says that with the help of craft sticks, disposable cups and a fruit-tastic roundup of kiwi, watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, and pineapple or orange juice, she and her daughter had tons of fun creating these healthy and sweet summer popsicles.
Very cherry
If you’re a sucker for sweet and sour treats, there’s plenty to love about these easy DIY cherry limeade popsicles featured on Practically Functional.
Nothing says summer quite like a popsicle. Blogger Jessi shares her recipe for this perfect, yet simple, summer treat. Follow her link to an easy recipe for making your own limeade, which she then combines with frozen cherries in the blender.
Raspberry coolers
Love hitting up the Cheesecake Factory with your kids for sweet desserts? Mama Karly of Buns in My Oven shares her Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe for homemade raspberry lemonade — and I have a feeling that this is one sweet drink that’s sure to have you sippin’ at home more often!
Easily made with water, sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice and frozen (or fresh) raspberries, this drink is a perfect chiller to sip poolside or in the backyard with your feet up. Karly also recommends adding Sprite to the recipe to add a fun, fizzy sensation (or add some vodka if you’re looking for an adults-only summer beverage!).
S’more, please!
Put a new spin on the classic summer campout favorite with this fun recipe for s’mores popsicles from Mom Makes Dinner! These clever s’mores pops are easily made with marshmallow cream, heavy whipping cream, milk, melted chocolate and crushed graham crackers — pretty close to the ones you make around a campfire.
Strawberry summer gotta-have
Savvy home cook Kita of Pass the Sushi shares this go-to summer recipe for strawberry lemonade popsicles — I will most definitely be trying my hand at making these colorful pops!
Made with two layers — lemonade and strawberry — and containing low-fat yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, fresh strawberries and water, these sweet and tart strawberry pops are sure to be a new favorite for everyone in the family. Kita recommends adding more of the strawberry layer if you tend to like your lemonade more sweet than tart, and less strawberry if it is tart perfection you’re after.
Fruity fabulous
If it’s super quick and easy summer treat ideas you’re after, you’re bound to love this clever notion for making healthy, irresistible fruit-kabobs featured on Intoxicated on Life.
It’s easy to involve your kids in creating these cute treats. Simply use a cookie cutter of your choice to create fun fruity shapes, and watch your kids get excited about eating fruit! What can I say? There’s just something so great about food on a stick.
Summertime strawberry float
I thought it would be best to go out with a summertime bang — and these strawberry soda floats featured on Grandbaby Cakes are exactly what I was hoping for!
The recipe highlights fresh strawberries, sparkling soda and a nice helping of vanilla ice cream to top it all off. I can’t think of a more refreshing way to say hello to summer!
Ice cream cake
What’s the best part about a summer birthday? The ice cream cake, of course! This beautiful cake has a chocolate cake base, three layers of ice cream and is topped with raspberries. Since you can use any flavors of ice cream and fruit, the customization options are endless. Head to Love and Lemons for all the details.
More eats and treats you’ll love:
Editor’s note: This story was originally published several years ago and was most recently updated on July 28, 2025, by ParentMap’s associate editor Kari Hanson with new treats.
