There’s nothing better than eating a cool bowl of ice cream or sipping a cold milkshake on a hot summer day. I enjoy cold sweet treats year-round, like ice cream, custard, and popsicles, but relish them during the warm summer months. They’re also a family favorite in my household –– you can often find us snacking on fruit salads and milkshakes by the poolside or during a park picnic.

I prepare a lot of my summer treats with fruits. Not only are they healthy and are a source of natural sugars, they also are super flavorful to go with any dessert. Below, find 6 cool sweet treats to enjoy on a hot summer day. These recipes will be sure to please every palate. Bon Appétit!

Fruit Popsicles

(serves 6)

Ingredients:

–         ¾ cup of plain vanilla yogurt

–        2 ½  cups of any fruit of your choice

–        4 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Gather all the listed ingredients and combine them in a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend for approximately 1 minute or until the texture is liquid and smooth.
  3. Pour the popsicle mixture fairly in popsicle molds or disposable cups (if you will pour in a disposable cup, make sure to add a popsicle stick!).
  4. Place them in the freezer for about 7-8 hours or overnight.
  5. After your popsicles are frozen, place them in the popsicle molds or cups under warm water so they can pop out of the mold smoothly!
  6. Enjoy!

Frozen Yogurt Bark

 (12 servings)

Ingredients:

–        Two 32-ounce containers of Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)

–        8 tablespoons of light honey

–        1 cup of any fruit(s) you’d like to add (Berries work best!)

–        ½ cup of flax seeds

–        ½ cup of any nut(s) of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Gather a large bowl and add the Greek yogurt and honey.
  2. Fold in the yogurt and honey properly.
  3. Afterwards, combine your choice of fruit(s) and nuts.
  4. Prepare a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Add your combined mixture to the baking sheet and spread it using a large spoon.
  6. Carefully sprinkle your flax seeds on top of your yogurt.
  7. Place in the freezer for 4-5 hours until your yogurt bark turns solid.
  8. After removing your yogurt from the freezer, remove the parchment paper and use a knife or your hand to carefully break the bark into various pieces.
  9. Enjoy!

Homemade Ice Cream

(Serves 5)

Ingredients:

–        1 package of frozen fruit

–        ⅔ cups of any milk of your choice

–        ½ cup of sugar

–        ½ teaspoon of lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Combine your frozen fruit, milk of choice, sugar, and lemon juice in a large blender or food processor.
  2. Carefully blend until the mixture turns into a consistent liquid texture.
  3. Pour the mixture in an airtight container with the lid on.
  4. Freeze for about 7-8 hours or overnight until the mixture turns into a solid.
  5. Remove from the freezer, open the lid, and scoop the ice cream out. Enjoy!

Fruit and Nut Custard

(Serves 5-7)

Ingredients:

–        2 liters of heavy cream

–        6 teaspoons of custard powder

–        4 teaspoons of sugar

–        ½ cup of combined fruits and nuts of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Combine the heavy cream and custard powder in a large bowl and mix accordingly. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
  2. Pour the combined mixture in a pot and bring to a boil. Then simmer for about 15 minutes. (Remember to stir the mixture so it does not burn!)
  3. Turn off the stove. Then, slowly add the sugar and mix. After mixing, leave on the stove for a bit for the mixture to cool down on its own.
  4. Place the mixture in a large bowl with a lid then refrigerate for about 45-60 minutes until it is fully cooled.
  5. Lastly, add the fruits and nuts of your choice and mix accordingly.
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Cookies and Cream Milkshake

(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

–        5 chocolate sandwich cookies

–        1 ½ cups of vanilla ice cream

–        ¼ cup of whole milk

–        Whipped cream 

Instructions:

1.     Add your 5 chocolate sandwich cookies in a bowl and crush them into smaller pieces using a fork.

2.     Then, add the vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and most of the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, in a blender. (Save some of the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies for garnish!)

3.     Blend until smooth and consistent.

4.      Pour the milkshake into 2 cups.

5.     Top with whipped cream and some of the saved crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.

6.     Enjoy!

Fruit Salad

(Serves 8-10)

Ingredients:

–        3 cups of mixed berries (sliced strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)

–        2 sliced and peeled navel oranges

–        2 cups of cubed pineapple

–        2 cups of sliced kiwi

–        2 cups of sliced apples

–        2 teaspoons of honey

Instructions:

  1. Combine all your cut fruit in a large bowl and run it under water making sure it’s all clean.
  2. Then drain the water and grab a dry paper towel to gently dry the fruit, making sure it’s not too wet.
  3. Take your honey and pour it on top of your fruit. Then, gently stir your fruit around using a large spoon.
  4. Serve and enjoy! Feel free to refrigerate to save for later.
Don't miss out!
Invalid email address
Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.

About Anika Nayak

Anika Nayak is a freelance journalist from Tampa, Florida specializing in health and wellness. Her work has appeared in ArchDigest, Business Insider, Elite Daily, HuffPost, Insider and many more.

View all posts by Anika Nayak