Easy Cold Dessert Recipes for Hot Summer Days
When temperatures rise, nothing beats easy cold dessert recipes to cool you down. These no-fuss treats require minimal effort but deliver maximum refreshment. Whether you’re craving ice cream, fruity delights, or no-bake sweets, we’ve got you covered.
Easy Cold Dessert Recipes: Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients
Lemon Cornmeal Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup medium-grind cornmeal
- ⅓ cup cane sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoons sea salt
- ½ cup coconut oil hardened and cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 eggs beaten
- ¼ cup almond milk more for brushing
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling, optional
for assembly
- 3 cups strawberries sliced
- 2 cups whipped cream or coconut whipped cream
- Mint leaves optional
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
- Work the coconut oil into the mixture with your hands until it resembles coarse sand. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and milk until just combined. The dough will be moister and more pliable than traditional biscuit dough.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured parchment paper and shape it into a ½-inch-thick rectangle. Fold the dough into thirds, then press or roll it to 1-inch thickness. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take the dough out of the freezer. Cut 3 to 4 biscuits with a 2½-inch round biscuit cutter. Re-roll any leftover dough and cut 8 biscuits, each 1-inch thick. Arrange the biscuits on the baking sheet.
- Brush the biscuit tops with almond milk and sprinkle coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Layer the biscuits with strawberries, cream, and optional mint to assemble the strawberry shortcakes.
Why Choose Easy Cold Desserts?
Easy cold desserts offer several advantages:
- No oven required – perfect for hot weather
- Quick preparation – most take under 30 minutes
- Endless flavor combinations
- Perfect for last-minute guests
- Great for kids to help make
Learn more about summer treats in our comprehensive guide to seasonal desserts.
Top 5 Easy Cold Dessert Ideas
1. No-Churn Ice Cream
Skip the ice cream maker with these simple recipes. Combine sweetened condensed milk with whipped cream and your favorite mix-ins. Freeze for 4-6 hours and enjoy!
2. Fruit Popsicles
Blend fresh fruit with yogurt or juice. Pour into molds and freeze. These easy cold desserts are healthy and refreshing.
3. Parfaits
Layer yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit in glasses. Chill before serving for a cool treat.
4. Chocolate Mousse
Whip cream with melted chocolate for an elegant yet easy dessert. Chill until set.
5. Banana “Ice Cream”
Blend frozen bananas until creamy. Add cocoa powder or berries for variety.
Essential Tools for Easy Cold Desserts
Having the right equipment makes creating easy homemade dessert recipes even simpler:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Blender | For smooth purees and mixes |
| Ice pop molds | Perfect for ice treats |
| Silicon molds | Great for individual portions |
| Mixing bowls | Various sizes for prep work |
| Whisk | Essential for airy textures |
Fruit-Based Easy Cold Desserts
Summer fruits shine in these refreshing treats. Berries, peaches, and melons make perfect bases for easy cold dessert recipes.
Watermelon Granita
Blend watermelon with lime juice. Freeze and scrape with a fork every hour for a flaky texture.
Berry Fool
Fold pureed berries into whipped cream. Layer with fresh fruit in glasses.
Peach Melba
Poach peaches in syrup. Serve with raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream.
For more inspiration, check out our complete collection of fruit desserts.
Chocolate Cold Desserts
When you need a chocolate fix, these easy cold desserts satisfy:
Chocolate Pudding Pops
Make pudding according to package directions. Pour into molds and freeze.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Blend chocolate milk with ice. Top with whipped cream.
Chocolate-Dipped Bananas
Freeze banana halves on sticks. Dip in melted chocolate and freeze again.
No-Bake Cheesecakes
These creamy treats are perfect easy cold dessert ideas for parties:
- Classic New York style with graham cracker crust
- Lemon cheesecake with berry topping
- Chocolate swirl with cookie base
- Mini cheesecakes in muffin tins
The secret? Let them chill overnight for perfect texture.
International Cold Desserts
Explore global flavors with these easy cold dessert recipes:
Italian Affogato
Pour hot espresso over vanilla ice cream.
Thai Mango Sticky Rice
Serve sweet coconut rice with fresh mango.
Mexican Paletas
Creamy or fruity ice pops with bold flavors.
Dairy-Free Options
These easy cold desserts work for special diets:
- Coconut milk ice cream
- Avocado chocolate mousse
- Cashew cream fruit tarts
- Almond milk panna cotta
Find more dairy-free dessert ideas on Pinterest.
Presentation Tips
Make your easy cold desserts Instagram-worthy:
- Use colorful garnishes like mint or edible flowers
- Serve in clear glasses to show layers
- Drizzle sauces in artistic patterns
- Add texture with crushed cookies or nuts
- Use fun serving dishes like mason jars
Make-Ahead Strategies
Prepare these components in advance for easy assembly:
| Component | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Cookie crumbs | 2 weeks in airtight container |
| Fruit purees | 3 days refrigerated |
| Whipped cream | 2 days refrigerated |
| Chocolate sauce | 1 week refrigerated |
Kid-Friendly Cold Desserts
Get children involved with these easy cold dessert ideas:
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Let kids assemble their own with cookies and ice cream.
Yogurt Bark
Spread yogurt on a tray. Add toppings and freeze.
Fruit Kabobs
Thread melon balls and berries onto sticks. Freeze.
When I say “I want to ice cream,” these are perfect solutions!
Adult Upgrades
Elevate easy cold desserts for sophisticated palates:
- Spiked milkshakes with bourbon or Kahlua
- Wine-poached pears with mascarpone
- Espresso granita with whipped cream
- Champagne sorbet with fresh berries
Seasonal Variations
Adapt easy cold dessert recipes throughout the year:
Spring
Strawberry-rhubarb parfaits
Summer
Peach ice cream
Fall
Pumpkin mousse
Winter
Peppermint semifreddo
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ensure perfect results with these tips:
- Don’t overmix – can make textures tough
- Use ripe fruit for best flavor
- Chill bowls and beaters for whipped cream
- Cover surfaces tightly to prevent freezer burn
- Label containers with dates
Expert Tips
Professional pastry chefs share their secrets:
“For ultra-creamy ice cream without a machine, stir every 30 minutes during freezing to break up ice crystals.”
“Add a tablespoon of alcohol to sorbet bases – it lowers the freezing point for smoother texture.”
Nutrition Considerations
Enjoy easy cold desserts mindfully:
- Use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup
- Incorporate protein with Greek yogurt or nut butters
- Add fiber with whole grain crusts or chia seeds
- Control portions with small serving vessels
Budget-Friendly Options
Create impressive easy cold desserts without breaking the bank:
- Use seasonal fruits at peak flavor and price
- Make large batches and freeze in portions
- Repurpose leftovers into new desserts
- Buy store brands for basics like cream and sugar
Discover more budget dessert ideas on Pinterest.
Easy Cold Dessert Recipes to Beat the Heat
When the temperature rises, nothing satisfies like a refreshing cold dessert. These easy cold dessert recipes require minimal effort and deliver maximum flavor. Best of all, most can be prepared ahead of time—perfect for entertaining or indulging in a sweet treat after dinner.
1. No-Bake Cheesecake Jars
These individual cheesecake jars are one of the simplest easy homemade dessert recipes for a crowd. Layer graham cracker crumbs, a creamy no-bake cheesecake filling, and fresh berries in small mason jars. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
2. Frozen Yogurt Bark
A healthier take on easy cold desserts, yogurt bark is endlessly customizable. Spread Greek yogurt on a parchment-lined tray, then top with granola, chopped nuts, and dried fruit. Freeze until solid, then break into pieces.
3. 3-Ingredient Icebox Cake
With just whipped cream, chocolate wafer cookies, and cocoa powder, you can create this classic chilled dessert. Alternate layers in a loaf pan and refrigerate overnight—the cookies soften into a cake-like texture.
More Simple Cold Treats to Try
4. Tropical Panna Cotta
This silky Italian dessert seems fancy but is surprisingly simple. Heat coconut milk with gelatin and sugar, pour into ramekins, and chill until set. Top with mango puree for a tropical twist.
5. Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Blend ripe avocados with cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla for a rich, creamy mousse that’s secretly healthy. Chill for 1 hour before serving with fresh raspberries.
6. Lemon Icebox Pie
A summer classic, this pie combines condensed milk, lemon juice, and egg yolks in a graham cracker crust. The acid thickens the filling without baking—just refrigerate until firm.
Fruit-Based Cold Desserts
7. Watermelon Granita
Blend watermelon with lime juice and a touch of honey, freeze in a shallow pan, and scrape with a fork every hour to create light, fluffy ice crystals.
8. Berry Parfaits
Layer mixed berries with vanilla yogurt and granola in clear glasses for a stunning yet easy homemade dessert that’s perfect for brunch or light dinners.
9. Frozen Banana Bites
Slice bananas, dip in melted chocolate, and freeze on parchment paper. These two-ingredient treats satisfy ice cream cravings with no special equipment needed.
International Cold Desserts Made Simple
10. Mango Sticky Rice
The Thai classic simplified: cook sweet rice in coconut milk, chill, and serve with fresh mango slices. The contrast of warm rice and cold fruit is divine.
11. Italian Affogato
Simply pour hot espresso over vanilla ice cream for an elegant dessert that combines hot and cold elements. Add amaretto for an adult version.
12. Mexican Paletas
These fruit popsicles are endlessly versatile. Blend any fruit with yogurt or coconut milk, pour into molds, and freeze. Try strawberry-lime or mango-chile flavors.
Make-Ahead Party Desserts
13. Eclair Cake
Layer graham crackers with vanilla pudding and whipped topping, then frost with chocolate ganache. Refrigerate overnight for the crackers to soften into an eclair-like texture.
14. Tiramisu Trifle
Combine store-bought pound cake, coffee, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder in a glass bowl for an impressive but easy cold dessert that serves a crowd.
15. Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
Mix peanut butter with cream cheese and whipped cream, pour into a chocolate cookie crust, and freeze. Slice while frozen for clean servings.
Healthy Cold Dessert Options
16. Chia Seed Pudding
Whisk chia seeds with almond milk and maple syrup, then refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh fruit for a protein-packed breakfast or dessert.
17. Frozen Grapes
Simply freeze seedless grapes for nature’s candy. The texture becomes similar to sorbet—perfect for kids and adults alike.
18. Coconut Date Balls
Process dates with shredded coconut and roll into bite-sized balls. Chill until firm for an energy-boosting sweet treat.
5-Minute Cold Desserts
19. Ice Cream Sandwiches
Press your favorite ice cream between cookies and freeze briefly. Try unusual combinations like mint chip between brownies.
20. Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Fruit
Dip banana halves, strawberry tops, or orange segments in melted chocolate and freeze on wax paper for instant gratification.
21. Milkshake Floats
Blend ice cream with milk, pour into glasses, and top with root beer or cola for a decadent float variation.
Tips for Perfect Cold Desserts
- Always use full-fat dairy for creamiest results
- Chill serving dishes beforehand
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance sweetness
- Freeze fruits at peak ripeness
- Use quality vanilla extract for best flavor
These easy cold dessert recipes prove you don’t need to turn on the oven to create impressive sweets. Whether you prefer fruity, chocolatey, or creamy treats, there’s a chilled option for every craving. Most require just a few ingredients and minimal active time, making them perfect for busy home cooks looking for easy homemade dessert recipes that deliver big flavor with little effort.
