These cold desserts are the best way to beat the heat

These Cold Desserts Are the Best Way to Beat the Heat

Kristin Stangl

With summer in full swing here in New York City, I've been embracing the simple pleasures of warm weather living: ice cold glasses of lemonade, barefoot walks in the grass, and a sweltering hot kitchen the minute I turn the oven on to pre-heat. This last bit means that I am avoiding any and all major baking projects. To be fair, I was never going to try to whip up a five-tier cake or a batch of macarons (ever again), because while I am an avid cook, I prefer to leave the big baking to the professionals. But the heat of summer means dessert can come easy and quick in the form of frozen and chilled treats, with not a rolling pin or springform pan in sight.

Pies in summer can be less about rolling out that perfect flaky crust, and a lot more playful and whimsical. An orange creamsicle pie is evocative of one of my favorite ice cream truck treats; while an ice box lemon tart, a velvety chocolate pie, or this strawberry-studded whipped cream pie, are some of the tastiest, and most impressive, cold desserts.

Even easier, but no less impressive, are sorbets and granitas. Watermelon granita is the move when what I'm craving are the flavors of a childhood summer classic: shaved ice. And sorbets like strawberry and lemon are delicious on their own, but all the better when scooped into coup glasses and topped with a pour of something bubbly, like prosecco or Champagne.

And while we may not be doing a lot of far-flung wandering this summer, there is still value in a portable treat for late afternoon strolls or early evening sits on the patio. These tangy raspberry frozen yogurt pops are made decadent with a dip in dark chocolate to finish. While Mexican paletas or these strawberry-pineapple popsicles require just minutes of prep. And if you don't have those fancy popsicle molds, feel free to DIY-it with some paper cups and paper straws for the stick.

Do you have a favorite frozen summer dessert? Share how you're keeping cool with us on Instagram at @thespruceeats.

- Kristin Stangl
Food Editor, The Spruce Eats