25 Light Summer Desserts That Won’t Weigh You Down

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Warm days call for breezy treats, and light summer desserts are the sweet spot between indulgence and refreshment. Think juicy fruits, chilled textures, and just enough sweetness to satisfy without feeling heavy. These are the kinds of desserts you’ll want to share at picnics, backyard dinners, or just when the sun won’t quit. Let’s dive into the kinds of bites that feel as good as that first sip of iced tea.

Peach Sorbet

Three ice cream bowls of peach sorbet with peach slices.
Peach Sorbet. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This sorbet is bursting with ripe peach flavor and only takes a few ingredients. It’s a frozen treat that’s light, refreshing, and made without an ice cream maker.
Get the Recipe: Peach Sorbet

Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling

Three raspberry lemonade cookies on a plate.
Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Tangy pink lemonade cookies with fresh lemon and raspberry filling. A buttery, citrusy treat everyone will love!
Get the Recipe: Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

lemon blueberry bundt cake top view.
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This is a simple from-scratch recipe for blueberry bundt cake. With blueberries in every bite and a cream cheese frosting, what’s not to love!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Blackberry Ice Cream

An ice cream dish with scoops of blackberry ice cream.
Blackberry Ice Cream. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This homemade blackberry ice cream is creamy, fruity, and bursting with fresh berry flavor. Just freeze and scoop—no cooking needed.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Ice Cream

Lemon Icebox Pie

Two slices of lemon pie on plates next to a pie dish.
Lemon Icebox Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This cool pie is made with condensed milk, lemon juice, and a graham cracker crust. It’s the ultimate cold dessert to beat the summer heat.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Icebox Pie

Peach Icebox Cake

Two servings of peach icebox cake.
Peach Icebox Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Layers of juicy peaches, graham crackers, and cream blend together in this dreamy no-bake dessert. It’s the perfect ice cold dessert for hot summer afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Peach Icebox Cake

Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

A lattice topped blackberry pie.
Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Enjoy a delicious Blackberry Pie with a buttery crust and a sweet-tart filling. Perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

Frozen Strawberry Trifle Dessert

Frozen strawberry trifle in glasses.
Frozen Strawberry Trifle Dessert. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Frozen Strawberry Trifle is more like a strawberry shortcake crossed with an ice cream cake, but even creamier and richer
Get the Recipe: Frozen Strawberry Trifle Dessert

Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

A strawberry bar with a bite taken out.
Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy cheesecake bars with a baked on strawberry topping are just the thing for your next party or gathering.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

No Bake Lemon Curd Pie With Cream Cheese Filling

lemon curd pie up close.
No Bake Lemon Curd Pie With Cream Cheese Filling. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

A tangy lemon curd pie with a creamy filling and vanilla wafer crust. Bright, zesty, and perfect for any lemon lover.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Lemon Curd Pie With Cream

No-Bake Turtle Pie With A Chocolate Caramel Sauce

A single slice of turtle pie next to caramel sauce.
Turtle Pie with Oreo Crust.

Turtle Pie features a delicious Oreo crust, creamy peanut butter filling, and homemade caramel sauce with pecans, making it the ultimate indulgence.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Turtle Pie With A Chocolate Caramel Sauce

Moist 7 Up Cake With Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

A bundt cake with white frosting and a slice taken out.
Moist 7 Up Cake With Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Moist 7 Up cake with lemon-lime soda, fresh zest, sweet syrup, and a tangy cream cheese frosting is a nostalgic dessert with a modern spin.
Get the Recipe: Moist 7 Up Cake With Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

Angel food cake on a cake stand cut into slices.
Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Light and fluffy Angel Food Cake made with egg whites, vanilla, and powdered sugar. A simple, airy dessert that’s like a slice of heaven.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

A bowl of banana pudding with a spoon in it next to two servings.
The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Featuring layers of bananas, creamy vanilla pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafer cookies, this Banana Pudding is an instant classic.
Get the Recipe: The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

No-Bake Frozen Strawberry Pie With Cream Cheese

frozen strawberry pie topped with marinated strawberries and whipped cream on a white cake stand with a slice being lifted out.
No-Bake Frozen Strawberry Pie With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Frozen Strawberry Pie with graham cracker crust, fresh strawberries, and lemon zest is a simple, refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Frozen Strawberry Pie With Cream Cheese

An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

A bowl of blackberry cobbler with a biscuit on top.
An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Blackberry cobbler has a syrupy blackberry filling topped with golden brown créme fraiche biscuits made from scratch.
Get the Recipe: An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

A slice of cream cheeses pound cake with a bite taken out.
Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

When talking about old fashioned southern desserts, we can’t miss out on the classic pound cake, made even better with cream cheese.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Strawberry Ice Cream

A glass bowl of strawberry ice cream with a spoon.
Strawberry Ice Cream. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Made with fresh strawberries and cream, this homemade ice cream is bursting with natural flavor. It’s the kind of ice cold dessert that tastes like summer in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Ice Cream

Banana Pudding with Meringue

Banana pudding topped with meringue in a baking dish with a serving spoon.
Banana Pudding with Meringue. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Southern classic layers vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and fluffy meringue in every nostalgic bite. Chill it before serving for a timeless cold dessert experience.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding with Meringue

Banana Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

banana layer cake slice.
Banana Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This moist banana layer cake with rich brown butter cream cheese frosting is a deliciously easy dessert perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Banana Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Five Minute Mini Raspberry Tarts

close up of raspberry tarts.
Five Minute Mini Raspberry Tarts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thanks to premade tart shells, these mini raspberry tarts come together in just five minutes and taste like raspberry cheesecake.
Get the Recipe: Five Minute Mini Raspberry Tarts

Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe That Is Not Runny

whole blueberry pie.
Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe That Is Not Runny. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This fresh blueberry pie recipe is easy and tastes so much better than canned pie filing. So simple to make blueberry pie filling like a pro!
Get the Recipe: Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe That Is Not Runny

Effortless Cherry Dump Cake

cherry cake on a plate and dish.
Effortless Cherry Dump Cake. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

As delicious as it is easy to make, this Cherry Dump Cake is made with cherry pie filling, cream cheese, and a box of yellow cake mix.
Get the Recipe: Effortless Cherry Dump Cake

Apple Tart

apple tart slice on a plate.
Apple Tart. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

A classic French style apple tart featuring a pastry crust and a filling of thin apple slices covered in brown sugar.
Get the Recipe: Apple Tart

Carrot Cake Cobbler

Carrot Cake Cobbler. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Carrot Cake Cobbler is the ultimate Southern dessert with cake on the top and hot caramel sauce on the bottom! Serve warm with ice cream!
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cobbler

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *