26 Cold Desserts for When the AC Just Isn’t Cutting It
When the AC is cranked and you’re still sweating through your shirt, it’s time to get serious about cold desserts. You can only sit in front of the freezer door for so long before your roommates start asking questions. These are the kinds of treats that make you forget your electric bill and maybe even your name. They’re chill, no-fuss, and basically permission to eat something sweet while pretending it’s for survival. Cold desserts are summer’s real MVP, and yes—you deserve all of them.
Gluten Free Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches
Nothing beats delicious ice cream sandwiches on hot summer days, so you’ve got to make these homemade ice cream sandwiches as the perfect summer treat! These Gluten Free Dairy Free Ice Cream Sandwiches contain a dairy free ice cream that is sandwiched between gluten free chocolate cookie layers. And just like when you are a kid, they are stick to your fingers delicious!
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches
Chocolate Strawberry Pudding
This chocolate strawberry pudding is rich, creamy, and delicious. This dessert is a must-try if you love the flavor combination of dark chocolate and fresh strawberries, like these strawberry truffles, which are another great option with those two flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Pudding
Strawberry Icebox Cake
This Strawberry Icebox Cake is a total winner: it’s no-bake, incredibly delicious, and great for summer gatherings. Plus, it can be made completely in advance using only 6 ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cake
Ice Cream Bon Bons
These Ice Cream Bon Bons are the perfect mini bite-sized ice cream treat with balls of mint chocolate chip ice cream coated in a chocolate shell! They’re super fun to make ahead and taste incredible.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Bon Bons
Chocolate Covered Yogurt Bites
This is a twist on the viral TikTok chocolate-covered yogurt cluster recipe, replacing strawberries with blueberries and adding almonds. However, you can use any berries and nuts you love. This makes the recipe super versatile—you can try it with strawberries, raspberries, pistachios, and more.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Yogurt Bites
Chocolate Panna Cotta
Transport yourself to Italy with this decadent chocolate panna cotta, a classic dessert with a luscious, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. Next to tiramisu, it’s one of the most popular Italian desserts.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Panna Cotta
No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Creamy no-bake oreo cheesecake bursting with cookie pieces and topped with rich hot fudge. This recipe is easy to make, and takes less than 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
No Bake Banana Split Dessert
No Bake Banana Split Dessert: 3 Layers of silky smooth cheesecake topped off with hot fudge and whipped cream. This no bake summer dessert tastes just like a banana split and is nearly foolproof!
Get the Recipe: No Bake Banana Split Dessert
Matcha Cheesecake
This matcha cheesecake is vegan, no-bake, and easy! A buttery cookie crust and creamy matcha filling with hints of pistachio, white chocolate, vanilla, and lime!
Get the Recipe: Matcha Cheesecake
No Bake Strawberry Pie
No Bake Strawberry Pie made with Jello and Cool Whip is a classic recipe that is so simple to make! The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to set up in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Strawberry Pie
Homemade Banana Ice Cream
Did you know that real frozen bananas (basically one ingredient) could transform into a creamy, homemade ice cream that’s fat-free, dairy-free, and vegan, with zero added sugars?
Get the Recipe: Homemade Banana Ice Cream
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
Kids (and grownups!) love ice cream and cookies. Combine these two favorites and make easy ice cream cookie sandwiches that you can enjoy anytime.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Bars
These no bake Oreo cheesecake bars are for all Oreo lovers. It’s a giant cookie but in dessert form. It’s no bake so easy to make and perfect for gatherings when you need a chocolate fix.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Bars
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Make this dreamy, creamy, homemade Ice Cream Sandwich Cake with just 3 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time. The ideal no-bake dessert for all your summer gatherings!
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Cherry Yogurt Popsicles
Cherry Yogurt Popsicles will be your go-to frozen treat all summer long. These Greek yogurt popsicles are so easy to make, the kids can do it themselves!
Get the Recipe: Cherry Yogurt Popsicles
Frozen Cranberry Bars
Cream cheese and tart cranberries team up on a buttery crust, then chill out in the freezer until they’re set. It’s a sweet pick when you want something creamy but still sharp.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Cranberry Bars
Chocolate Banana Popsicles
These pops give you that chocolate-banana combo without the drip. Freeze a bunch and you’ve got a cool treat that actually tastes like both.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Banana Popsicles
Orange Popsicles
Three ingredients, no junk, and they still taste like actual oranges. They’re a solid move when you want something cold without going full sugar bomb.
Get the Recipe: Orange Popsicles
Chocolate Mousse
This one’s whipped, fluffy, and doesn’t mess with raw eggs. It’s all chocolate and air in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mousse
Mango Popsicles
Add lime and a touch of gelatin to keep these frozen mango pops from melting down your hand. You’ll want a few of these around when the weather acts up.
Get the Recipe: Mango Popsicles
Cherry Popsicles
Real cherries, no fuss, and ready in minutes. These are summer in stick form without the usual syrup overload.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Popsicles
Pineapple Popsicles
Just pineapple, sweetener, and a squeeze of something tart. The flavor hits quick and doesn’t hang around long enough to get boring.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Popsicles
Frozen Greek Yogurt Bites
Yogurt, granola, and berries frozen into snack-sized layers you can actually feel good about. They’re sweet, crunchy, and fridge-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Greek Yogurt Bites
Berry Yogurt Smoothie
Five ingredients, loads of protein, and ready when you are. Skip the snack bar and throw this into a blender instead.
Get the Recipe: Berry Yogurt Smoothie
Frozen Greek Yogurt Fruit Bites
These bite-sized snacks freeze well, travel even better, and don’t leave you sticky. They’re great for when you want something fruity but not full-on ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Greek Yogurt Fruit Bites
Frozen Yogurt Granola Bites
It’s breakfast pretending to be dessert, and no one’s calling it out. Kids love them, adults steal them, and they hold up in the heat.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Yogurt Granola Bites
