Fresh fruit and warm weather go hand in hand, especially when it comes to dessert. Whether you’ve got a few ripe peaches, a bunch of berries, or some bananas on the counter, there’s always a way to turn them into something sweet. These 25 easy summer desserts start with the fruit you already love and end with something cool, simple, and worth making again.
Traditional Peach Kuchen. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Banana Chip Muffins
Mash up some bananas and mix them into muffin batter with plenty of melty chocolate chips. These bake up soft and fluffy and work as a snack, dessert, or quick breakfast. When bananas are getting too ripe, this is one of the easiest ways to use them well.
Get the Recipe: Banana Chip Muffins
Blueberry Crumb Bars
These bars are made with a buttery base, soft blueberry filling, and a golden topping that bakes into a firm, fruity square. The berries cook down into a thick, jammy center that holds together even after slicing. Keep a batch on hand when you want something sweet that doesn’t need a fork.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
No Churn Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Cherries and chocolate chips get stirred into a creamy mix that freezes into soft ice cream with no machine needed at all. It turns out rich and sweet, with chewy pieces that make each bite feel special and full of texture. If you have some fresh cherries and a little time, this is a frozen dessert worth making.
Get the Recipe: No Churn Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Whole strawberries go straight into a crisp crust and get glazed just enough to hold everything together. Each slice shows off the fresh fruit without hiding it under heavy filling. This pie is a simple way to let strawberries do the talking.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Pie
Traditional Peach Kuchen
Use sliced peaches to bring this soft, golden dessert to life without much effort. The base bakes up like a light cake, and the fruit stays tender and sweet on top. It’s a great way to turn a few ripe peaches into something that feels homemade and cozy.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Peach Kuchen
Mango Custard
Ripe mango blends into a smooth, creamy custard that sets up perfectly in the fridge without much fuss. The flavor is bright and sweet, and the texture is soft enough to scoop but rich enough to feel like dessert. Serve it chilled when the day calls for something cool and simple.
Get the Recipe: Mango Custard
Mango Pie
A golden crust holds a creamy mango filling that bakes into something smooth, rich, and full of tropical flavor. It works with fresh or frozen mango, so it’s always within reach no matter what’s on hand. If you’ve got good fruit to use, this pie is one of the best ways to let it shine.
Get the Recipe: Mango Pie
Blueberry Scones
Juicy blueberries get folded into dough that bakes into golden scones with a soft crumb and crisp edges. These are easy to mix and just as good the next day as they are fresh out of the oven. Once you’ve made them, they’ll be a regular anytime berries are in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Scones
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Thread chunks of fruit onto skewers and grill them until soft and lightly charred for a smoky-sweet dessert. A brown sugar caramel drizzle adds a warm, buttery finish that melts into each bite. They’re quick to prep and even faster to disappear once they hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Cherry Crumb Bars
These bars start with a soft crust, get packed with a thick cherry layer, and finish with a buttery crumble that bakes until crisp. The filling holds together well, so each slice cuts clean and stays firm enough to pack or share. Every bite tastes like the sweet part of cherry season.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Crumb Bars
German Plum Kuchen
Juicy plums sink into soft dough that bakes up light and tender, letting the fruit take the spotlight. It’s not too sweet, so the flavor stays fresh and balanced in every bite. This old-school dessert is a great way to use fresh plums when you want something simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: German Plum Kuchen
Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Frozen bananas blend into a creamy, smooth filling that goes right between two graham crackers for a cold and easy treat. They’re simple to make, naturally sweet, and keep well in the freezer for whenever a craving hits. Once you try them, you’ll want a batch waiting all summer.
Get the Recipe: Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cherry ice cream gets sandwiched between two soft chocolate cookies for a dessert that’s creamy, chewy, and sweet all at once. The mix of rich cocoa and bright cherry works especially well when it’s frozen and ready to go. Keep them in the freezer for the kind of treat that hits on hot days.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Banana Boats
Bananas get split and stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows, then baked or grilled until everything is warm and gooey. The fruit softens just enough to spoon through, and the melted filling makes it feel like a campfire dessert. It’s a fun way to turn a few bananas into something sweet and a little messy.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Cherry Bavarian Custard
Blend cherries into a smooth, creamy custard that chills until it’s light and spoonable. The texture is soft like mousse, and the flavor is fruity without being too sweet. When the fridge is full of fruit, this is an easy way to turn it into something cool and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Bavarian Custard
Fresh Peach Scones
These scones are packed with chopped peaches and bake into soft, flaky layers with just the right amount of sweetness. They taste great warm, but hold up well later in the day too. If you’ve got extra peaches, this is one of the best ways to turn them into something snackable.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Scones
Frosted Banana Bars
Mash overripe bananas into a soft batter and bake it into moist bars topped with thick, creamy frosting. The flavor gets even better after they chill, making them perfect for warm days when you want something cool and sweet. Slice them into squares and stash them in the fridge for an easy treat anytime.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Peach Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Combine peaches and coconut milk in a blender, then freeze the mix until it sets into a soft, creamy dessert. The flavor is light but fruity, and you don’t need an ice cream machine to make it work. This is a quick fix when you want something cold and homemade using just a few ripe peaches.
Get the Recipe: Peach Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Blueberry Syrup
Cook fresh blueberries with sugar until they break down into a thick, pourable syrup. It’s perfect for drizzling over pancakes, stirring into drinks, or topping desserts. This is a one-pan recipe that makes fresh fruit go further than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Syrup
S’mores Stuffed Strawberries
Hollow out big strawberries and fill them with marshmallow and melted chocolate, then roll them in crushed graham crackers. It’s a bite-sized dessert that has all the fun of s’mores without needing a fire. This is a quick treat that makes fresh berries feel like something new.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Stuffed Strawberries
Strawberry Curd
Blend strawberries, butter, and a few pantry ingredients into a silky, tart spread that’s full of bright flavor. It chills into something thick enough to spoon but smooth enough to spread. Whether you use it in desserts or eat it by the spoonful, it’s a smart way to use up extra fruit.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Curd
Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Cake
Layer strawberries with cookies and lemon cream until the whole thing sets up into a chilled, sliceable dessert. The lemon adds just enough tartness to balance the sweet berries and soft filling. This cake keeps cool in the fridge and comes out ready to serve when you are.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Cake
Cherry Syrup
Simmer ripe cherries until they break down into a thick, ruby-red syrup that brings big fruit flavor to everything it touches. It’s perfect for drizzling over pancakes, swirling into drinks, or spooning on top of ice cream. One taste, and you’ll be looking for more ways to use what’s left in the jar.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Syrup
Baked Peaches
Halved peaches are filled with crushed cookies or oats and baked until soft and golden. The fruit melts into the filling while the top turns crisp, giving you a warm and spoonable dessert. It’s a great way to use up ripe peaches with just a few pantry items.
Get the Recipe: Baked Peaches
Strawberry Mug Cake
Mix fresh strawberries and a few pantry staples into a single-serving cake that cooks right in the microwave. It’s soft, warm, and ready in less time than it takes to preheat the oven. This one’s perfect when you want something sweet but don’t feel like turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Mug Cake