The no-bake treats I’ll be making all summer

The No-Bake Treats I'll Be Making All Summer

After three months of non-stop cooking, the gripes I have about my tiny kitchen—lack of storage, miniscule counter space—are long. Now, as we turn the corner into summer, there's one more to add to the list: it gets too hot. The oven, which has worked overtime between rounds of meal prep and stress baking, has earned some downtime, but that doesn't mean dessert has to stop.

As temperatures start to rise, consider the best of our no-bake sweets. This one-bowl Nutella pie sets completely in the fridge (yes, even the crust) and is guaranteed to be a hit at a socially-distant cookout. Japan's version of an oven-free cheesecake uses yogurt instead of heavy cream, making it the perfect ending to light summer meals.

For treats that help showcase the best of seasonal fruit, look no further than a kid-friendly strawberry icebox cake, Thai-inspired mango pudding, or watermelon granita. And even though these do require the stove, I look forward to pulling chilled cups of arroz con dulce and slivers of pistachio-studded halvah out of the fridge.

Check in with me in a few more weeks and you may even see me bringing my ice cream machine out of retirement for these fun, creative flavors. How are you keeping cool, while still satisfying your sweet tooth? Share what you're making with us on Instagram at @thespruceeats.

-Patty Lee
Editor, The Spruce Eats