Summer is Fresh Fruit Season — So Make the Most of It with These Delicious Desserts

When it comes to summer dessert, nothing is better than fresh fruit. Berries, melons, peaches, and more are at their ripest, and most fruit can be eaten straight or doused in a little honey or cream. But sometimes you want something a little more complex, that still highlights the best summer flavors — or you're looking to use up a pint of berries before they go bad. That's why we come bearing the best fruit dessert recipes that you simply must try out this summer.

Naturally sweet and full of flavor, fruit makes the perfect addition to cake recipes, pie recipes, and other treats. This season, we invite you to make a blackberry-filled dessert the freshest finale to all your summer dinners. You can also stick to classics like cherry pie and berry cobbler, but we encourage you to think outside the box, too. Try semifreddo — a creamy cousin to ice cream cake that easy to make and easier to finish. Or you can add grown-up twists to your after-dinner treat, like cucumber key lime pie or blueberry-basil frozen yogurt.

A handful of cool concoctions, like a berry icebox cake and blueberry yogurt ice pops, will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, they'll also help you beat the heat. And remember, fruity fares don’t need to be classified as strictly after-dinner indulgences — some of these are perfectly at home at the breakfast table as they are capping off dinner. (Either way, they pair well with a cup of coffee!) No excuse is needed to try your hand at a new fruit dessert recipe (although the lemon curd mousse will be a certified party pleaser). For even more ideas, check out these healthy dessert recipes.