21 Easy No-Bake Desserts to Keep It Cool
Who even needs an oven?
Summer is full of reasons to celebrate: weddings, birthdays, family get-togethers, and holidays are just a few of the reasons that dessert is in order. Unfortunately, summer is not the easiest time to break out the cake pans. Thankfully, there are loads of delicious desserts that don’t require an oven. These desserts are oven-free and undeniably delectable.
I’ve rounded up no-bake desserts that feature everything from light summer berries to rich chocolate and caramel. No matter what you choose, you’ll be glad you’re treating yourself and those you love.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
The classic Nabisco's Famous Chocolate Wafers back of the box icebox cake gets an update with peanut butter whipped cream and peanut butter cups. Famous Chocolate Wafers are no longer on the market, but you can give Dewey's Bakery Brownie Crisp Cookies a try instead.
Get Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
Orange Cream Popsicles
Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
Popsicles are a quintessential no-bake, stay cool treat. This one has only four ingredients, with the surprise star being frozen orange juice concentrate.
Get Recipe: Orange Cream Popsicles
Grilled Banana Split
Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
The grill can do more than meat and veg. Let it handle dessert, too! Bananas, strawberries, and pineapple are all placed on the grill to soften and caramelize the sugars. Then all that’s left to do is assemble the ice cream, fruit, and toppings in wide, shallow dishes and enjoy.
Get Recipe: Grilled Banana Split
Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Easier than making ice cream and sliceable like an icebox cake, a semifreddo is the frozen dessert you need to add to your summer. It’s similar in texture to a frozen mousse. The strawberry compote that is spooned over top can be made up to two weeks in advance.
Get Recipe: Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo
Banoffee Pie
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Bake the graham cracker crust if you like, but honestly you could skip baking it and pop the unfilled crust in the freezer instead (or use a purchased crust) when you make this beloved British delight. Assembly is a simple matter of opening a can of dulce de leche, slicing bananas, and whipping cream.
Get Recipe: Banoffee Pie
Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche and Dark Chocolate
Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
This simple dessert is sweet, salty, crunchy, and incredibly easy. Dulce de leche is a thick caramel-like ingredient that you can buy in the baking aisle. Next, grab your favorite rice cakes and a bag of dark chocolate chips and you’ll be munching on this frozen treat in no time.
Get Recipe: Rice Cake with Dulce de Leche and Dark Chocolate
Easy No-Bake Cheesecake
Baking cheesecakes can be a daunting task but this no-bake version forgoes the oven and uses the refrigerator instead. The secret to great tasting no-bake cheesecake is to use unflavored gelatin in the filling. It ensures that the cheesecake will slice beautifully without imparting unwanted flavors.
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Watermelon Granita
Eating watermelon has never been more fun. Ripe, juicy watermelon is blended and then frozen in a wide container. Scrape the mixture once and hour and by the third hour you’ll have a frozen, icy, watermelon treat.
Get Recipe: Watermelon Granita
Limoncello Yogurt Pops
Matt Armendariz
The adults in the room will be delighted when you pull out these Limoncello Yogurt Pops. Limoncello is a lemon flavored Italian liqueur that when mixed with honey and yogurt, becomes a creamy, boozy, lemon pop. For a kid friendly version, sub lemonade.
Get Recipe: Limoncello Yogurt Pops
No-Churn Mango Sorbet
Cookbook author Andrea Nguyen shared this easy no-churn sorbet recipe that is packed with mango flavor. It uses frozen mango chunks so we can eat it all year round.
Get Recipe: No-Churn Mango Sorbet
Copycat Choco Tacos
Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
The classic choco taco is discontinued so when the craving strikes, turn to this easy recipe. You can make this recipe even without a waffle cone maker, just warm Daelman’s Stroopwafels in a damp paper towel and shape as directed.
Get Recipe: Copycat Choco Tacos
No-Churn Peach Cobbler Ice Cream
While we’re on the topic of no-churn frozen desserts, here’s a peach ice cream version. Ripe, juicy peaches work the best in this recipe. Allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 6 hours before serving.
Get Recipe: No-Churn Peach Cobbler Ice Cream
Peach Daiquiri Popsicles
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
A Daiquiri is a classic cocktail consisting of rum, citrus, and simple syrup. This recipe adds fresh summer peaches, blends it all together, and then freezes it into lightly boozy, yet very tasty popsicles. Allow a full 24 hours for these to freeze.
Get Recipe: Peach Daiquiri Popsicles
Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Make these in the afternoon and they'll be frozen and dreamy in time for an after-dinner treat.
Get Recipe: Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas
Ice Cream Cake
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Nothing makes an impression like ice cream cake. Quickly baking the Oreo crunchies is the only part you'll need an over turned on for, and you can do that in the morning or evening while it's not as hot out.
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No Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies
I can’t count the amount of times I made no bake cookies as a teen during summer. This recipe adds an extra peanut butter drizzle on top. You can substitute quick oats for the old-fashioned oats in the recipe.
Get Recipe: No Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies
Sous Vide Cheesecake in Jars
The creamiest cheesecake is baked in a water bath but who wants to turn on the oven in this heat? Cooking these adorable cheesecakes sous vide solves this problem. The recipe makes six individual cheesecakes and a fresh strawberry topping you don’t want to skip.
Get Recipe: Sous Vide Cheesecake in Jars
Banana Nice Cream
Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
When it’s too hot to turn on the oven for banana bread, try making 2-ingredient nice cream instead. While pure banana flavor is delicious, don’t sleep on the recipe variations: strawberry, caramel pecan swirl, chocolate chip, and peanut butter. Try them all!
Get Recipe: Banana Nice Cream
2-Ingredient Chocolate Pudding
Coconut milk and chocolate are all you need to make this rich and creamy pudding. Not all chocolate is vegan so check the packaging before purchasing. Allow the pudding to chill for four hours and then serve as is or top with whipped coconut cream and berries.
Get Recipe: 2-Ingredient Chocolate Pudding
Strawberry Eton Mess
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Sure, you could make the meringue yourself but that would mean turning on the oven. Instead, buy the meringue from the store. Finish the dessert by layering the meringue, strawberries and whipped cream, and almonds in an eight ounce jelly jar. This recipe makes four individual desserts.
Get Recipe: Strawberry Eton Mess
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Simply Recipes / Micah Siva
If you’re dreaming of pumpkin season, then no need to wait any longer. This no-bake Pumpkin Tiramisu has you covered. You’ll soak ladyfingers in coffee, mix pumpkin with mascarpone cheese and whipped cream, layer it all together and then chill for eight hours before serving.
Get Recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu
