The lazy days of summer are a time for relaxation and ease, with desserts that are no-bake, low-bake or simply prepared ahead of time so you can spend more time outdoors and less time in the kitchen. It’s the season when ice cream and popsicles, juicy fruit-based desserts and creamy chilled custards are a welcome addition to a laid-back menu. No matter the craving, you can beat the heat with this summery collection of light and bright treats.
Neapolitan Ice Cream Pops
For a cool taste of nostalgia, try these Neapolitan ice cream pops created in our enameled cast iron Signature Loaf Pan. Layers of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream are stacked on top of crunchy cookie crumbs for a sweet DIY popsicle, no special equipment needed. By taking the ice cream out of the freezer in stages while layering, these creamy pops can be made with only a few minutes of active time in the kitchen. And the cast iron will keep the treats cool for serving.
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Citrus Thyme Ricotta Pie
With a flaky, buttery crust and citrus-laced custard, this ricotta pie is a bright version of the Italian classic. Once cooked, the pie can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it the perfect do-ahead dessert for summer entertaining. Baked in the beautiful Heritage Fluted Pie Dish, then topped with candied thyme and citrus zest, this subtly sweet pie is a simply sophisticated end to the meal. Make sure to reserve the infused simple syrup that is left over from making the sugared garnishes. It’s delicious in lemonade, cocktails or drizzled over ice cream.
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Bananas Foster Pudding
Banana pudding is the perfect summer dessert; it’s easy to put together, better when made a day ahead and is cool and refreshing on a hot day. The perennial childhood classic gets a boozy upgrade in this decadent recipe from chef/partner Justin Chapple. After a quick flambé with dark rum, caramelized bananas are layered in a colorful Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid with a homemade custard and vanilla wafer cookies. It is best made the day before so that all the flavors can meld, then topped with extra cookies before serving for a buttery crunch.
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Roasted Strawberry and Peach No Churn Ice Cream
Roasting fruit is a great trick to caramelize the natural sugars in fresh fruit, enhancing the juicy flavor to make jams, spreads and fillings bold and complex. A duo of cooked ripe strawberries and peaches are featured in our colorful no-churn ice cream recipe, perfect for summer entertaining. Make sure to keep the fruit separated while roasting to prevent the strawberries from coloring the peaches. The strawberries are mashed and blended into a simple custard that is also ‘no-cook’ for a pretty pink ice cream. The roasted pieces of peaches are then folded into the custard, and frozen in a Signature Loaf Pan to easily create perfect slices of this visually enticing dessert.
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Mini Lemon Ginger Meringue Pies
For perfectly portioned desserts, choose a set of colorful Mini Cocottes you can pull from the fridge and serve quickly, no slicing needed. Two forms of ginger give these adorable pies a spicy kick to the beloved combination of lemon curd and toasted meringue. The graham cracker and pecan crust can be made ahead of time along with the tangy citrus filling. When it’s time to enjoy, top with fresh meringue and toast until caramelized and golden. And if you’re short on time, a simple vanilla whipped cream would be a crowd-pleasing alternative to the fluffy meringue.
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Blueberry Ombre Shortbread Cheesecake
This summery berry cheesecake is simple to prepare in the Heritage Rectangular Baking Dish and stunning at the table. By tinting a creamy filling with increasing amounts of blueberry jam, you can achieve a gorgeous purple ombre effect in no time. Buttery shortbread forms the base, then the fruity no-bake filling is topped with fresh berries and mint for a crowd-pleasing dessert. And with minimal ingredients and only 30 minutes of active time, this decadent cheesecake will become a summer staple year after year.
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