How to Make the 5 Tastiest Treats of the Summer

By Meghen Jones

Summertime is the perfect time to indulge in all of your favorite summer treats, and we know how difficult it is to satisfy your sweet tooth when some of your favorite desserts take hours to create or require a long list of ingredients. However, there are ways to still add that sweetness to your day while saving you plenty of time and money.

If you plan on sitting poolside or having a barbecue with your friends, uCribs has listed our five favorite recipes that are quick and easy! All that you need are a few simple ingredients and a bit of time set aside. Check out our favorite summer treats below!

Banana Split Dump Cake

Who doesn’t love a good banana split covered in fluffy, light whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup? When you get your next craving for a banana split, appease it by whipping up a banana split dump cake. It’s the perfect summer dessert that will have your friends asking for more. The best part is that this simple treat can be enjoyed whether it’s warm or cold, so get ready to dig in!

Ingredients:

1 (21 ounce) can strawberry pie filling

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple (don’t drain)

1 box of white cake mix dry

1 stick margarine cut into pieces

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup crushed nuts

For topping: sliced bananas, whipped cream, chocolate syrup

Directions:

1. Spread the strawberry pie filling in a greased 9×13 inch cake pan.
2. Spoon on the pineapple followed by the dry cake mix, then the margarine.
3. Top with coconut and crushed nuts.
4. Bake at 325 degrees for 60-75 minutes.
5. Before serving, top individual pieces with sliced bananas, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. Serve warm or cold.

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Are you tired of the regular chips and salsa combination, and are up to try something new? Add a fruity flare to this snack staple by creating fruit salsa with cinnamon tortilla chips! All you need are your favorite fruits, tortillas, cinnamon, sugar, and butter to create the sweet concoction on a classic summertime snack. While you’re at it, just go ahead and save this recipe because one bite will have you dying for more!

Ingredients:

1 fresh pineapple, finely diced

1 pint fresh strawberries, finely diced

6-8 kiwis, finely diced

3-5 peaches, finely diced

2 cups red grapes, quartered

10 medium flour tortillas

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Gently stir the diced fruits together in a large bowl then cover with plastic wrap and chill.
2. Cut tortillas into 1/8 wedges then place onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
3. Brush tortillas with butter.
4. Combine the cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle tortillas generously.
5. Bake the tortillas for 5-6 minutes. As your tortillas set, they will crisp.
6. Serve tortilla chips with fruit salsa and enjoy!

Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream

Who says that you have to eat peaches in the normal fruit salad combination? Grab those peaches that are just sitting on the counter and heat them up on your grill for a flavorful and tender dessert that’s easy to make. I know for a fact that you will escape to your “happy place” after you whip up grilled peaches with creamy vanilla ice cream. In fact, it’s almost guaranteed that this recipe will have you feeling just peachy!

Ingredients:

4 ripe peaches

Canola oil

Vanilla ice cream

Honey

Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush the peach halves with a touch of oil and place on the grill for a few minutes, then rotate 90 degrees to continue to cook for about 3-4 minutes. Total grill marks will appear as the fruit begins to caramelize.
3. Remove the fruit from the grill with a pair of tongs and serve with a scoop of ice cream in the center of the fruit. Drizzle with honey and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Root Beer Float Popsicles

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream on a hot summer day! It’s almost impossible to get through the summer without having this cold treat to cool us down—especially if it’s a root beer float. Add a twist to a classic root beer float by creating root beer float popsicles. Although there’s nothing that could compare to the original, this quick and simple treat is sure to win you over!

Ingredients:

12-14 ounces Root Beer

1 and 1/4 cup Vanilla Bean ice cream, slightly softened

Directions:

1. Pour a small amount of the root beer into each popsicle mold.
2. Evenly distribute the ice cream between the popsicle molds in spoonfuls.
3. Pour root beer into molds in small amounts allowing the foam to die back before pouring more to fill molds to the top.
4. Cover with the popsicle mold lids then place a sheet of foil on top of the popsicle mold and insert sticks.
5. Freeze until fully frozen then remove the popsicles by running hot water over the molds for a few seconds.

Strawberry Panna Cotta  

If you love strawberries, then you are going to really love this creamy and delicate dessert—Strawberry Panna Cotta. This quick and easy dessert can be served at something as simple as a barbecue or as extravagant as a fancy dinner party. It oozes with sophisticated, fruity flavor that really hits the spot. You will feel like the next master chef after you whip up this scrumptious creation!

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh strawberries

1/2 cup whole milk

1 and 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream

Directions:

1. Puree the strawberries until very smooth. Push the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds and set aside. Place six 4-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet and set aside as well.
2. Add the milk to a medium saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface and let stand for 10 minutes.
3. Add the salt, sugar, and pureed strawberries to the gelatin mixture. Heat over high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 135°F. This should take about 2 minutes.
4. While stirring constantly, add in the vanilla and heavy cream. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl set over ice. Stir frequently until the mixture cools to 50°F—about 10 minutes.
5. Strain the mixture into a large measuring cup or pitcher and distribute evenly among the ramekins. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap, making sure not to disturb the surface of the cream. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
6. Unmold from ramekins and serve immediately. To easily unmold panna cotta—pour 1 cup of boiling water into a small bowl. Dip the ramekin into the water for 3 seconds. Run a knife around the edges of the ramekin and invert onto serving plates.

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