Favorite Summer Fruit Desserts

Photo by Yunhee Kim

Summer Fruit Mini Ice Cream Pies

Who doesn't love a mini-dessert, and a mini-ice cream pie at that?

Recipe: Summer Fruit Mini Ice Cream Pies

Photo by Iain Bagwell

Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs

Enjoy a new spin on strawberry shortcake with these easy dessert kebabs.

Recipe: Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs

Photo by Rachel Weill

Fancy Fruit Platter

There’s something about mango and papaya that makes us feel like we’re on vacation. This platter can be any mix of those plus pineapple and fresh coconut, served with lime wedges and a spicy dipping salt.

Recipe: Fancy Fruit Platter

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Apricot Baklava Strudel

This Mediterranean-inspired dessert is a great addition to a summer dinner party menu.

Recipe: Apricot Baklava Strudel

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Roasted Berry Sundaes

Roasting the berries brings out their sweetness even more and makes them the ultimate topping for ice cream.

Recipe: Roasted Berry Sundaes

Victoria Pearson; Styling: Rori Trovato

Triple-decker Citrus Popsicles

The better your fruit, the more delicious these bright, intense popsicles will be. Lisa Brenneis of Churchill-Brenneis Orchard uses the farm's Oroblanco grapefruit, Gold Nugget tangerines and/or Page tangelos, and Moro blood oranges for her popsicles ― but you also can use your own favorite citrus combination.

Recipe: Triple-decker Citrus Popsicles

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Amy Machnak

Dutch-Oven Peach Cobbler

The recipe for this easy dessert cleverly uses pancake mix to make the top of the cobbler.

Recipe: Dutch-Oven Peach Cobbler

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Elaine Johnson

Fresh Apricot Crisp

Top ripe Blenheim apricots with an easy spiced oat and nut streusel.

Recipe: Fresh Apricot Crisp

Photo by James Carrier; written by Elaine Johnson

Chocolate Waffles with Poached Cherries

An indulgent recipe for a special summer meal.

Recipe: Chocolate Waffles with Poached Cherries

Photo by Yunhee Kim

Apricot Almond Swirl Ice Cream Pie

Ice cream? Yes. In pie form? YES! Laced with apricots, this recipe is a surefire summer party pleaser.

Recipe: Apricot Almond Swirl Ice Cream Pie

Photo by Iain Bagwell

Watermelon Jello

Move jello beyond retro dessert with the summery flavor of watermelon.

Recipe: Watermelon Jello

Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Elaine Johnson

Bellini Sorbet

You know the classic cocktail. Now try it frozen for dessert.

Recipe: Bellini Sorbet

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Fruit Cocktail with Margarita Dressing

Instead of chopping fruit, we cut it into long, easy-to-pick-up pieces. Serve the extra fruit as a side salad or save for breakfast the next day.

Recipe: Fruit Cocktail with Margarita Dressing

Photo by Lisa Romerein

Anjou Bakery's Marionberry Pie

A rich, buttery, shortbread-like crust really makes this berry pie stand out from the crowd.

Recipe: Anjou Bakery's Marionberry Pie

Crepes with Warm Cognac Peaches and Almonds

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Crêpes with Warm Cognac Peaches and Almonds

Filled with sweetened ricotta, these creamy crêpes are the perfect foil for the celebrated summer fruit.

Recipe: Crêpes with Warm Cognac Peaches and Almonds

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Elaine Johnson

Plum and Wine Trifles

Red wine and spices are outstanding with plums in these 30-minute individual trifles.

Recipe: Plum and Wine Trifles

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Three Berry Buttermilk Sherbet

Serve this creamy sherbet with whole versions of the berries for a prettier presentation.

Recipe: Three Berry Buttermilk Sherbet

Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Elaine Johnson

Vanilla and Riesling Poached White Peaches

Highlight the delicate flavor of white peaches with vanilla bean, wine, and crème fraîche.

Recipe: Vanilla and Riesling Poached White Peaches

Triple-Berry Popsicles

We couldn't believe how simple it was to make these frozen treats. You can strain out the seeds if you like, but we love the texture they lend to the popsicles. Feel free to use boysenberries, pitted cherries, or other favorites instead of the combination of fruits here.

Recipe: Triple-Berry Popsicles

Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

Warm Berry-Thyme Compote

Simple warm fruit with a savory twist turns frozen yogurt into something special.

Recipe: Warm Berry-Thyme Compote

James Carrier

Berry-Muscat Wine Goblets

Savor fresh strawberries and blueberries in a refreshing gelatin flavored with grape juice and sweet Muscat.

Recipe: Berry-Muscat Wine Goblets

Annabelle Breakey

Blueberry Sorbet

This bright-tasting sorbet gains an exquisite aroma from a small amount of lavender.

Recipe: Blueberry Sorbet

James Carrier

Lemonade Frozen Yogurt

Two of summer's best flavors combine in a cool, creamy treat that doesn't push your calorie count.

Recipe: Lemonade Frozen Yogurt

Thayer Allison Gowdy

Blueberries in Black Pepper-Syrah Syrup

Enough already with pairing wine with each dish; just put it right in the dessert. Syrah often has its own blueberry flavors; add a little black pepper to the real berries to clinch the match.

Recipe: Blueberries in Black Pepper-Syrah Syrup

Annabelle Breakey

Almond Torte with Raspberry Coulis

Ground almonds are the star in this light cake with sweet-tart raspberry sauce.

Recipe: Almond Torte with Raspberry Coulis

Annabelle Breakey

Rosy Strawberry Sorbet

This juicy sorbet isn't merely rose-colored. It also contains rosewater, which combines so beautifully with strawberries that its flavor seems like an extension of the fruit. Neither heavy nor perfume-y, it gives the sorbet a delicate, aromatic sweetness.

Recipe: Rosy Strawberry Sorbet

Cherry Sherbet

This dense sherbet is subtly dark and elegant. Bing cherries will make a deep, bluish red, almost purple sherbet; lighter-hued cherries produce a tangier, brighter red version.

Recipe: Cherry Sherbet

Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Strawberry Clafouti

As easy to make as a pancake, this classic French dessert from the Limousin region involves pouring a simple batter over fresh fruit (typically cherries) and baking until puffed and golden brown.

The fruit rises to the top, leaving a soft layer whose texture falls somewhere between custard and cake.

Recipe: Strawberry Clafouti

Watermelon, Cantaloupe, or Honeydew Sorbet

Talk about natural ingredients ― all you need for this cooling dessert is ripe melon, fresh mint, and honey.

Recipe: Watermelon, Cantaloupe, or Honeydew Sorbet

Annabelle Breakey

Meringue hearts

Crisp, light, and airy meringues get filled with strawberry frozen yogurt for a special occasion. In spring and summer, top them with fresh strawberry slices instead of the white chocolate flakes.

Recipe: Meringue Hearts

Cardamom Pudding with Mango

This soft, cardamom-scented pudding refreshes and soothes the palate after spicy BBQ.

Recipe: Cardamom Pudding with Mango

Lara Hata

Summer-Fruit Soup

Capture the flavor of the season with an elegant purée of cantaloupe and peaches, topped with fresh raspberries and a splash of white Zinfandel or peach nectar.

Recipe: Summer-Fruit Soup

Annabelle Breakey; Randy Mon

Banana Parfaits

Mango sorbet topped with bananas, a squeeze of lime and coconut makes a cool, quick, and delicious end to any meal.

Recipe: Banana Parfaits

Photo by Aya Brackett; written by Elaine Johnson

Spiced Crostata with Pluots

A cross between plums and apricots, pluots have an explosive flavor that only gets better when you accent it with spices. The crisp crust tastes like it took all day to make but requires no special pastry skills.

Recipe: Spiced Crostata with Pluots

Photo by Aya Brackett; written by Elaine Johnson

Nectarine Creamsicles with Rose Water

The rose water is subtle here, just enough to bring out the fruit’s floral quality. You’ll need popsicle molds and sticks.

Recipe: Nectarine Creamsicles with Rose Water

35 summer fruit desserts

Summer Fruit Mini Ice Cream Pies

Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs

Fancy Fruit Platter

Apricot Baklava Strudel

Roasted Berry Sundaes

Triple-decker Citrus Popsicles

Dutch-Oven Peach Cobbler

Fresh Apricot Crisp

Chocolate Waffles with Poached Cherries

Apricot Almond Swirl Ice Cream Pie

Watermelon Jello

Bellini Sorbet

Fruit Cocktail with Margarita Dressing

Anjou Bakery's Marionberry Pie

Crêpes with Warm Cognac Peaches and Almonds

Plum and Wine Trifles

Three Berry Buttermilk Sherbet

Vanilla and Riesling Poached White Peaches

Triple-Berry Popsicles

Warm Berry-Thyme Compote

Berry-Muscat Wine Goblets

Blueberry Sorbet

Lemonade Frozen Yogurt

Blueberries in Black Pepper-Syrah Syrup

Almond Torte with Raspberry Coulis

Rosy Strawberry Sorbet

Cherry Sherbet

Strawberry Clafouti

Watermelon, Cantaloupe, or Honeydew Sorbet

Meringue hearts

Cardamom Pudding with Mango

Summer-Fruit Soup

Banana Parfaits

Spiced Crostata with Pluots

Nectarine Creamsicles with Rose Water