15 Sweet Treats That Define Summer

Summer’s not just about cookouts and cold drinks, it’s also prime time for desserts that keep things fun, fruity, and not too fussy. Whether it’s a chilled pudding, nostalgic snack, or something bright and citrusy, these are the sweet treats that show up when the weather gets warm and the good times roll. Here are 15 desserts that taste like pure summer.

1. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Crunchy, creamy, sweet, and a little salty; this retro favorite is always a hit at summer potlucks. It’s cool, easy, and loaded with strawberries. Here’s how to make it

2. Gooey Butter Cake

Don’t let the name fool you, it’s light enough for summer but rich enough to feel like a treat. A buttery crust topped with a soft, sweet filling that barely sets. Try it yourself

3. Texas Sheet Cake

Thin, moist, and slathered in warm chocolate frosting, this cake feeds a crowd without heating up your kitchen too long. It’s perfect for summer birthdays and backyard hangs. Get the recipe here

4. Oreo Blondies

Think brownies, but lighter and studded with crunchy chunks of Oreo. Sweet, chewy, and always the first dessert to disappear. Bake a batch

5. Candy Grapes

These bright, glossy, candy-coated grapes are bite-sized sugar bombs. Toss them in the freezer and you’ve got the ultimate heatwave snack. Learn how to make them

6. Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, gooey, and covered in icing, cinnamon rolls might sound like a winter treat but they hit different when eaten cold on a summer morning. Make your own

7. Black and White Cookies

These bakery-style cookies have a cake-like base and two-toned icing. They’re sweet, balanced, and taste just right with a scoop of ice cream. Try the recipe here

8. Cherry Toaster Strudel

Flaky, fruity, and full of cherry filling, these strudels are way better than the frozen kind. Drizzle with homemade icing and eat them warm or cold. See how it’s done

9. Shoofly Pie

Molasses may not scream summer, but this Pennsylvania Dutch pie has a sticky-sweet crumb that works well with fresh whipped cream and coffee. Bake one here

10. Broken Glass Cake

Colorful cubes of Jell-O suspended in whipped cream and sweetened milk; it’s weird, nostalgic, and surprisingly refreshing on a hot day. Make it here

11. Apple Snickers Salad

Chopped apples, pudding, whipped topping, and chopped candy bars? It’s not a salad, but it is perfect for summer picnics. Try the full recipe

12. Sundrop Cake

This Southern classic uses a regional citrus soda to create a bright, lemony cake with a zesty glaze. It’s sunshine in dessert form. Get the recipe

13. Tin Roof Sundae

Chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream, and crunchy peanuts all layered up and topped with a cherry. No summer dessert list is complete without it. Learn how to make it

14. No-Bake Banana Pudding

You don’t even need an oven for this one. Just layer up some bananas, pudding, whipped topping, and vanilla wafers and chill. Get the step-by-step here

15. Dollywood Cinnamon Bread

Hot, pull-apart cinnamon bread that tastes like a trip to the theme park. It’s sweet, sticky, and just as good on a screened-in porch. Make it yourself