22 Perfectly Pink Recipes for the Ultimate Barbie-Themed Summer
These recipes are everything. He's just Ken.
Gearing up for the Barbie summer blockbuster, we're serving up recipes that would come right out of Barbie's Dream House. That means a little bit of glam, a whole lot of pink, and a ton of fun. This inspired recipe collection includes plenty of stylish sweets, with fresh fruity flavors from rhubarb to berries to watermelon. Plus, grab your shades—we've got several bright, summery sippers in the mix, best enjoyed on Barbie's Dream Pool deck.
These easy, impressive recipes will make you feel as confident, capable, and head-to-toe fabulous as Barbie herself. So, whether you make them for your Barbie movie watch parties, your lazy pool days, or your Malibu beach vacations, these recipes are for all of us who will be channeling Barbie all summer long.
Copycat Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Topping
The ultimate summer treat is a visit from the ice cream truck, but with this copycat recipe, you don't need to wait around to hear the familiar jingle. You can recreate the nostalgic taste of a strawberry shortcake frozen dessert bar entirely at home, and you won't believe how much the crunchy cookie crumble tastes just like the real thing.
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
This light and fluffy no-bake cheesecake is a total show-stopper with its pretty pink hue. Whipped evaporated milk gives the dessert a silky texture and sweet flavor. This foolproof recipe is perfect for when you crave cheesecake flavor but want to lighten things up.
Strawberry Milkshake
Cute and classic, a strawberry milkshake has a sweet and satisfying taste that can take you back in time. This recipe uses both fresh strawberries and strawberry ice cream to incorporate the maximum amount of the summer fruit flavor.
Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita
No drink will help beat the Malibu summer heat like this gorgeous, delicately-flavored prickly pear margarita. This tequila drink has a sweet but well-balanced flavor, capturing all the spirit of Barbie in a cocktail.
Rose Water Gelees
Here's a totally unique take on finger food that your guests will love. These classy candies are inspired by traditional lokum or Turkish delights. The soft, chewy texture melts in your mouth, and the rose water adds a delicately delicious flavor. They also make for the perfect party favors.
Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
Chef Mo
If Barbie went to the Starbucks drive-thru, we're pretty sure this is what she'd come out with. The best-selling pink drink (coming to grocery stores soon!) is surprisingly easy to whip up without ever hitting the drive-thru. A simple blend of tea, cranberry juice, and coconut milk delivers the same creamy and refreshing concoction from your very own kitchen.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Rhubarb Strawberry CrunchCrisp, creamy, and colorful—what more could you ask for in a summer dessert? We know this strawberry rhubarb crisp is the best out there because it has over 1,000 reviews to prove it. This lovely sweet and tart dessert will please any crowd.
Hot Pink Lemonade
This sweet and tart hot pink lemonade will make you feel like you're about to take a ride around California in the Barbie Corvette. The drink gets its deep pink (nearly purple) color from blueberries, which give it a sweet berry flavor and boost of antioxidants.
"Delicious! Loved the taste and especially the fact that I didn't have to add in food coloring to get the pretty color!" comments one Allrecipes user.
Macarons
Light and luxurious, these pretty pink French treats will make you feel like the ultimate hostess. The pastel-colored meringues are filled with jam instead of buttercream for a bright pop of flavor inside.
Watermelon Sherbet
The fresh flavor of summer watermelon comes through beautifully in this light, creamy sherbert. You don't even need an ice cream maker—just whisk it every couple of hours until it reaches a luscious soft-serve consistency.
Jewel's Watermelon Margaritas
Too much sunbathing? Cool off with the ultimate fruity refresher: a sweet and sour watermelon margarita. This easy blender cocktail is smooth, light, and fabulous from the first sip to the last. For a little extra pizzazz, you can rim the glasses in Tajin.
Pink Icing Cookies
You know those crazy soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies you can't help but throw in your cart at the grocery store? Well, here's a homemade version that will still make you the most popular person at the cookout. "Cake like cookies + not too sweet = perfect," one reviewer comments.
Judy's Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Although it might not be well known in California, this Midwest-famed dessert is a summer favorite for a reason: it's cool, creamy, and crunchy in every bite. Not to mention, the ruby-red strawberries on top make for a beautiful display. This sharable dessert has a sweet and salty flavor everyone will love.
Almond Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Rhubarb does wonders in a coffee cake, cutting through the sweetness with a pop of sour flavor and adding a gorgeous hot pink color. The streusel on top adds a delicious crunch to the moist cake underneath. This unique baked good will brighten up any brunch spread or afternoon coffee hour.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
This sweet, non-alcoholic delight is inspired by the refreshing drink served throughout Mexico. One reviewer comments, "The mint, the watermelon, the lime... so amazing. It was a very cooling drink and I definitely can see how it would go down well during a beach trip on a sunny day."
Easy Strawberry Ice Cream
This sweet strawberry ice cream has a rich, custardy texture without including any eggs. Better yet, it's easy and inexpensive to make. "This was the best homemade ice cream we have ever made," comments one reviewer. "We didn't need the food coloring to get a nice color using fresh Florida strawberries."
Best Strawberry Cake from Scratch
A scratch-made strawberry cake may seem intimidating, but this recipe makes it easier than ever with strawberry purée and strawberry gelatin. Slice it open, and that vibrant pink color will turn heads every time. Frost with strawberry cream cheese frosting or chocolate ganache for an extra-special treat.
Pink Lemonade Pie
If you just can't get enough lemonade to quench your thirst this summer, here's the dessert to try. This cool, creamy, and tangy pie is perfect for parties (or just yourself) and carries the nostalgic flavors of days at the lemonade stand.
Frosty Strawberry Squares
Creamy, crunchy, and easy to assemble, these strawberry squares are a "frozen treat you can't put down," according to the recipe creator. This dessert is similar to an ice cream pie, but with an irresistible walnut crumble on top that adds salty bites to the sweet, frosty treat.
Strawberry Crunch Cake
If you love the crunchy cookie coating of a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar, it'll be love at first bite with this strawberry crunch cake. This cake is flavored inside and out with strawberry, delivering a bold berry flavor and a pretty pink hue to every slice. This show-stopper is fashion-forward and totally fun.
Strawberry Lemonade Poke Cake
You can always count on poke cakes to be moist and flavorful, but it's rare you find a poke cake this pretty. Bright yellow lemon cake and strawberry-flavored Jell-O blend together to create a summery swirl of color. But how does it taste? "Incredible recipe and great taste and flavor!" one reviewer ensures.
Watermelon Frosé
Bring the cheer to your poolside crew with this fresh and fruity cocktail. Frozen wine and watermelon are blended together with basil simple syrup to create a smooth and refreshing summer slush. Not too weak, not too strong, this frosty cocktail will let you and your friends frosé all day.
