15 Light Summer Desserts That Are Sweet, Simple, and So Worth It
As a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, Easy Homemade Life may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.
When it’s hot outside and the last thing you want is a heavy dessert or a steamy kitchen, these light summer treats have your back. They’re sweet without being too much, simple enough to make without breaking a sweat, and exactly the kind of thing you’ll want on repeat all season. Perfect for when you don’t feel like fussing, these desserts are totally worth it.
White Chocolate Mousse
White chocolate mousse is a no-bake dessert that’s light as a cloud with rich white chocolate flavor and a sweet-tart pop of fresh raspberries. Creamy yet airy, it’s an easy treat that looks beautiful on the table and only takes 15 minutes to make. It’s sweet, simple, and so worth making on repeat all summer long.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Mousse
Apricot Tart
This apricot tart is everything a perfect summer dessert should be: sweet, tangy, and irresistibly fresh. Soft, spiced apricots sit atop a buttery graham cracker crust, with a creamy layer of fluffy cream cheese beneath. Easy to prep and best served chilled, it’s a showstopper that looks as good as it tastes, each bite is proof that simple can be absolutely delicious and totally worth the effort.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Tart
Stuffed Dates
Stuffed dates are a fast and fuss-free summer dessert that offers the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Sticky Medjool dates filled with creamy goat cheese and topped with crunchy walnuts make a naturally sweet treat that’s always a hit. No baking required, just a few ingredients and a few minutes, that’s always worth keeping in the rotation.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates
Mason Jar Chocolate Ice Cream
Mason jar chocolate ice cream makes it easy to enjoy a sweet, creamy dessert without an ice cream maker. Just four ingredients, a quick shake, and a short freeze time yield a smooth and delicious frozen treat. It’s simple, refreshing, and perfect for hot days, definitely one of those summer recipes that’s simple, and always worth it.
Get the Recipe: Mason Jar Chocolate Ice Cream
Key Lime Chia Pudding
Key lime chia pudding is the perfect balance of creamy, tangy indulgence without the heaviness. The chia seeds give it a smooth, pudding-like texture, while the fresh lime adds a refreshing kick, ideal for those warm summer days. Simple to mix and easy to set in the fridge, it’s a light, filling dessert or snack that’s absolutely worth a try.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Chia Pudding
No-Bake Cheesecake Fluff
No-bake cheesecake fluff is a quick dessert with a velvety texture and rich cream cheese flavor. With no oven needed, it’s ready to chill and serve in no time. It’s the kind of easy dessert that hits the sweet spot after a summer meal. Simple and sweet with zero stress, it’s totally worth it.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake Fluff
Chai Ice Cream
Chai ice cream blends spicy tea flavors into a creamy frozen treat that’s perfect for cooling down. With just 20 minutes of active prep, it’s a unique dessert that stands out while staying easy to make. It’s refreshing, flavorful, and perfect for summer nights, and definitely worth the wait.
Get the Recipe: Chai Ice Cream
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Avocado chocolate mousse is the perfect blend of rich and smooth without feeling too heavy. This clean, creamy dessert hits all the indulgent notes but stays light enough for warm-weather cravings. Easy to make and packed with flavor, it’s a simple, sweet treat that’s totally worth every bite.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Mini Strawberry Shortcake
Mini strawberry shortcakes are light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh berries and whipped cream. These bite-sized cakes are quick to make and deliver the taste of summer in every bite. They’re the perfect combination of simple, easy, and completely worth baking again and again.
Get the Recipe: Mini Strawberry Shortcake
Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie
This chocolate raspberry smoothie blends creamy chocolate with tart berries for a cool and delicious drinkable dessert. It’s perfect for hot days when something sweet and refreshing is needed fast. Ready in minutes, it’s a simple treat with just the right balance of rich, fruity and totally worth making.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie
Chai Latte Chia Pudding
Chai latte chia pudding offers the spicy warmth of chai tea in a cool, dairy-free dessert. Mixed with coconut milk and chia seeds, it sets into a creamy treat that’s ready by morning. It’s a quick, refreshing recipe that feels indulgent without being heavy, it’s sweet, simple, and a must-have summer staple.
Get the Recipe: Chai Latte Chia Pudding
Chocolate Sage Ice Cream
Chocolate sage ice cream takes classic cocoa flavor to a whole new level with a fresh, herbal twist. Cool and creamy, it’s unexpectedly refreshing with just the right amount of depth to make it feel special. The recipe is simple, but the payoff is big: a unique, summer dessert that’s totally worth trying at least once.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Sage Ice Cream
Lemon Loaf Cake
Lemon loaf cake is the perfect mix of buttery richness and bright, vibrant flavor, topped with a sweet glaze that adds just the right hint of tang. This classic, easy-to-make recipe brings a little sunshine to every slice and is perfect for any summer occasion. With simple ingredients and no fuss, it’s a straightforward treat that’s totally worth every delicious bite.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Loaf Cake
Dairy-Free Green Smoothie
This dairy-free green smoothie is the perfect blend of cool, citrusy, and lightly sweet, with refreshing spinach, lemon, and mint. It’s a breeze to whip up in minutes for a dessert-like snack that’s a total win for your taste buds. No cooking, just fresh ingredients and a blender, perfect for summer mornings or a midday pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free Green Smoothie
Saiki K Coffee Jelly
Saiki K coffee jelly is a Japanese-inspired treat that’s cool, subtly sweet, and just bold enough to stand out. Serve it in cubes with cream or condensed milk for a refreshing, nostalgic summer dessert that’s sure to impress. It’s simple to make and looks fancy with little effort, ideal for when you want to try something different, but totally worth making.
Get the Recipe: Saiki K Coffee Jelly
