30 No-Bake Desserts That’ll Keep You Cool on Hot Summer Days
You won’t need to preheat a single oven to make these refreshing treats.
When you’re craving something sweet in the summertime (say, fruity pies, buttery cobblers, or gooey brownies), even the thought of turning on the oven will have you breaking into a sweat. To get your sugar fix without feeling like you’ve cranked up the thermostat, whipping up a no-bake dessert is the best solution. Even Ree Drummond is a fan: "I'm all about no-bake recipes these days," she says. And after scrolling through this list of no-bake desserts, you will be, too!
Many of these desserts rely on just a few key ingredients that you already have in your pantry or fridge, and most take mere minutes to assemble before firming up in the fridge or freezer. Our roundup touches on almost every flavor, whether you prefer rich chocolate desserts or zesty lemon desserts. Throwing a Fourth of July party? Try a festive trifle layered with strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Want something simple and refreshing to serve at a backyard cookout after polishing off all your grilling favorites? Consider crowd-pleasing choices like ice cream treats or icebox cakes.
So, if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth without preheating your oven, these no-bake desserts are your best bet!
Pink Lemonade Pie
Nothing compares to an ice-cold glass of pink lemonade on a hot summer day—and this pie has all the same refreshing, zesty goodness in a no-bake dessert. Use shortcut ingredients like boxed vanilla pudding and instant lemonade mix.
Get Ree's Pink Lemonade Pie recipe.
Oreo Fudge
Preparing a batch of fudge might seem intimidating, but this Oreo-flavored version calls for just five ingredients. Since this no-bake dessert uses sweetened condensed milk instead of boiled sugar, you won’t even need a candy thermometer!
Get Ree's Oreo Fudge recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Turn store-bought ice cream into a nostalgic summer treat. To replicate these ice cream bars, the secret is mixing sugar cookies with freeze-dried strawberries!
Panna Cotta
Who knew something so elegant could come together without an oven? Preparing panna cotta is just as simple as making Jell-O, but it looks even more impressive!
Get the Panna Cotta recipe.
Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Pie
With just four ingredients, this no-bake dessert will definitely become your new favorite! This airy pie has the perfect mix of minty, chocolatey flavors and creamy, crunchy textures.
Nutella Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats are always a crowd pleaser, but if you want to up the ante this summer, toss in Nutella and pecans before finishing them off bars with a chocolate drizzle and mini marshmallows. Both kids and adults will devour them!
Get Ree's Nutella Krispie Treats recipe.
Strawberry Delight
There’s a reason why strawberry delight has been a potluck staple for years! This no-bake dessert has a crispy graham cracker crust that’s piled high with whipped cream cheese filling and a sweet strawberry topping.
Get the Strawberry Delight recipe.
No-Bake Orange-Vanilla Cheesecake Bars
Creamsicle lovers will swoon over these orange-vanilla cheesecake bars! These treats have triple the orange flavor, yet none of the baking-related hasssle. The hardest part is waiting for them to set!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
If you’re craving a salty-sweet treat, these easy no-bake cookies are packed with creamy peanut butter and crunchy pretzels—an irresistible combination that can’t be beat!
Get the No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Mousse
Get ready to impress your guests by making chocolate mousse from scratch. It takes a few minutes on the stovetop and a few hours of waiting while it sets, then wow! What an airy yet decadent delight.
Get the Chocolate Mousse recipe.
Key Lime Pie
A classic key lime pie is one of Ree's favorite summer desserts—specifically, the crust! "I would like to state that I am currently obsessed with refrigerator pies," she says. "These pies often have a graham cracker or other cookie crust, which I think is at the basis of my current obsession."
Get the No-Bake Key Lime Pie recipe.
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
If you've never made ice cream from scratch, you're in for a treat―literally! It takes a few minutes on the stove, but that's the only heat that's required.
Get the Cookies and Cream Ice Cream recipe.
Jell-O Mold
Channel your inner grandma and make this retro delight. Everyone will marvel at the pretty colors and the fun flavors. And you'll marvel at how easy it was to make!
Get the Jell-O Mold recipe.
Scotcheroos
Chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch all in one bite? Um, yes please! You can even swap out regular Rice Krispies for Cocoa Krispies for an extra chocolatey treat.
Get the Scotcheroos recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Wait, a salad as a dessert? Well when it contains oranges, pineapple, cherries, marshmallows, and coconut with no lettuce in sight, it is! With five minutes of prep time and no oven, you'll be glad you made this retro-inspired treat.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Best Ice Cream Cake
"The really great thing about ice cream is... well, everything about it is great!" says Ree. And we agree, so why not make a cake out of it? Make life easier by buying ice cream from the store and you'll have it assembled in no time.
Get the Best Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Lemon-White Chocolate Truffles
Who loves citrus? These snackable bites are the perfect blend of fresh lemony flavor with smooth white chocolate. Chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes and they're ready to roll in ganache!
Get Ree's Lemon-White Chocolate Truffles recipe.
Key Lime Pie Cereal Treats
Crispy rice cereal, fresh zesty citrus—what more could you want in a dessert? These no-bake bars are drizzled with white chocolate and made chewy with soft marshmallows.
Get Ree's Key Lime Pie Cereal Treats recipe.
Neapolitan Ice Cream Bars
Five ingredients and 15 minutes―that's all you need! A chocolate cookie crust is layered with vanilla ice cream and topped with fresh strawberries. They're sweet, refreshing, and super simple to make.
Get the Neapolitan Ice Cream Bars recipe.
Eclair Cake
A cake without the oven? It's true! This uses graham crackers as the cake layers and a filling made from instant pudding, so you don't even need the stove. Tip: Brush the layers with coffee and it will taste like tiramisu!
Get the Eclair Cake recipe.
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