Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Food and Recipes
  3. Desserts
  4. Dessert Recipes Everyone Should Bake This Summer

Dessert Recipes Everyone Should Bake This Summer

Jenna Sims, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Jenna Sims Updated February 16, 2022
Skip gallery slides
FB
Key Lime Pound Cake
Credit: Jen Causey

Bake your way through summertime with these seasonal dessert recipes. While you may think baking peaks during the holiday season, we've rounded up a batch of summer recipes to convince you otherwise. Summer is a great time to experiment with fresh flavors from fruits that are in season like berries and citrus. Plus, there's so many fun gatherings and potlucks during the summer months that will be the perfect reason to whip up a fresh homemade dessert.

Choose a few recipes to make each week and you'll be on your way to mastering some new baking skills by the time Labor Day rolls around. These refreshing ideas are jam-packed with fresh flavors like strawberry, Key lime, pineapple, and more. Some are even inspired by classic Southern drinks, like our Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake and our Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake. From Bundt cakes to cobblers to poke cakes and more, once you've made your way through this tasty list, you'll be able to take on any baking project that comes your way. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cakey Strawberry Cobbler

Cakey Strawberry Cobbler
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cakey Strawberry Cobbler

If you consider yourself a pro with the homemade peach cobbler, it's time to meet your next challenge: strawberry cobbler. Except it won't be a challenge at all because it's a cinch to pull together. 

1 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars

Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars

This summery take on lemon bars makes the most of fresh pineapple. You'll need to break out your stand mixer for this recipe because using a hand mixer may result in flour covering every surface of your kitchen. 

2 of 36

3 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Key Lime Pound Cake

Key Lime Pound Cake
Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Key Lime Pound Cake

Upgrade your pound cake for the summer with the addition of Key limes. One bite will instantly transport you to the Florida Keys.

3 of 36

Advertisement

4 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Watermelon Cake

Watermelon Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Watermelon Cake

While watermelon may not necessarily be the best cake ingredient, this decorative treat gives it a spot on the dessert table.

4 of 36

5 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
Credit: Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

We're giving you a double dose of strawberries by baking them into the biscuit base as well as using a generous amount on top.

5 of 36

6 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
Credit: Photographer and props: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Upgrade pound cake for the season with the taste of one of summer's favorite fruits.

6 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lemon-Lime Poke Cake

Lemon-Lime Poke Cake
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Lemon-Lime Poke Cake

Learn the (easy) art of the poke cake with this citrus-packed dessert.

7 of 36

8 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

If you've never made an apple pie from scratch, you should start with this old-fashioned recipe. The homemade crust and filling create a classic pie just like Grandma used to make. 

8 of 36

9 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Peach Cake

Peach Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Peach Cake

This cake makes a great dessert, but we wouldn't blame you if you sneak a piece for breakfast as well.

9 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Blueberry-Lemon Cake

Blueberry-Lemon Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Cake

Bring together the flavors of blueberry and lemon, which are a match made in dessert heaven, in this pretty layer cake.

10 of 36

11 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Berry Chantilly Cake

Berry Chantilly Cake
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Berry Chantilly Cake

Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are mixed with cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for the dreamiest of fillings. 

11 of 36

12 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Florida Orange Grove Pie

Florida Orange Grove Pie
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Florida Orange Grove Pie

The crust on this citrus pie is made from baked meringue instead of traditional pastry crust.

12 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

These handheld bars taste just like the iconic ice cream truck treat from your childhood.

13 of 36

14 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Cobbler

Chocolate Cobbler
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chocolate Cobbler

Chocolate lovers, this decadent dessert is for you. After adding the batter into the buttered baking dish and pouring in the boiling water resist the urge to stir. 

14 of 36

15 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Placing fresh summer peaches in the bottom of your Bundt pan will yield an impressive finish when you remove it from the pan. 

15 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake

Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake

This ice-cream cake is summer's version of holiday favorite red velvet. It's a true labor of love that's the perfect dessert to cool everyone down on a hot summer day. 

16 of 36

17 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake

Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake

Poke cakes are known for being infused with extra flavor because of their creamy filling and this recipe takes it to another level. It has two flavored fillings as well as a mascarpone frosting.

17 of 36

18 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

It's amazing what a homemade biscuit and dollop of whipped cream can do. Add in strawberries and you have a blue-ribbon-worthy dessert.

18 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Banana Pudding Poke Cake

If you're a fan of banana pudding, this sweet summer recipe will be a hit. This recipe relies on oil rather than butter so the cake stays nice and moist even after sitting in the refrigerator.

19 of 36

20 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nehi Orange Poke Cake

Nehi Orange Poke Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Nehi Orange Poke Cake

This bright cake is filled with a tangy citrus curd made with Nehi orange-flavored soda.

20 of 36

21 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Key Lime Sheet Cake

Key Lime Sheet Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Key Lime Sheet Cake

There are few things we love more during the hot days of summer than a Key lime treat. This sheet cake is easy as can be to assemble and feeds a crowd.

21 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Peach Buttercream

Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Peach Buttercream
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Peach Buttercream

Take advantage of in-season peaches and make this delicious cake.

22 of 36

23 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy

Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy

This berry dessert is full of fruity flavor and has just the right amount of crunch thanks to the double crust placed on top.

23 of 36

24 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grand Marnier Cakes

Grand Marnier Cakes
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Grand Marnier Cakes

Orange liqueur glaze makes the flavor of these mini pound cakes shine bright.

24 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Easy Peach Cobbler

Easy Peach Cobbler
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Easy Peach Cobbler

Fruit cobblers might just be one of our summer favorites, especially when we throw in ripe peaches.

25 of 36

26 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Ginger-Plum Slump

Ginger-Plum Slump
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Ginger-Plum Slump

This stovetop dessert is the perfect solution to a hot summer day when you don't want to turn your oven on.

26 of 36

27 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

If you're looking for a way to use all the berries you picked at the farm, this cornmeal cake is the answer you've been waiting for.

27 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Peach Fried Pies

Peach Fried Pies
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Peach Fried Pies

It doesn't get any more summery than a piping hot peach hand pie dusted with a generous coating of powdered sugar. 

28 of 36

29 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Coca Cola Chocolate Cake

A coca-cola on a hot summer day is a Southern must. We mixed some in with chocolate cake to create the ultimate summer treat.

29 of 36

30 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges

Consider these handheld hummingbird cake treats for your next summer get together. The candied pineapple wedges on top make these cupcakes that much sweeter.

30 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Strawberry Cream Pie

Bright and juicy strawberries pair perfectly with the chocolate cookie-crumb crust in this berry and cream pie.

31 of 36

32 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cake

One of our favorite flavor combinations, raspberries and lemon balance each other out in sweetness and tartness to create a delightful treat.

32 of 36

33 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

The lemon curd that tops this silky smooth cheesecake adds the perfect amount of fresh summer flavor.

33 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Margarita Cake

Margarita Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Margarita Cake

Add a few tablespoons of lime-flavored gelatin to the dry ingredients in this recipe to add a pop of color and zesty flavor.

34 of 36

35 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Fluffy cream cheese frosting made with freeze-dried strawberries adds a richness to these airy cupcakes.

35 of 36

36 of 36

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Inspired by one of summer's classic drinks, this cake is garnished with lemon slices for extra-sweet flair.

36 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Jenna Sims

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 36 Cakey Strawberry Cobbler
    2 of 36 Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars
    3 of 36 Key Lime Pound Cake
    4 of 36 Watermelon Cake
    5 of 36 Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
    6 of 36 Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
    7 of 36 Lemon-Lime Poke Cake
    8 of 36 Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
    9 of 36 Peach Cake
    10 of 36 Blueberry-Lemon Cake
    11 of 36 Berry Chantilly Cake
    12 of 36 Florida Orange Grove Pie
    13 of 36 Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
    14 of 36 Chocolate Cobbler
    15 of 36 Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake
    16 of 36 Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake
    17 of 36 Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake
    18 of 36 Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
    19 of 36 Banana Pudding Poke Cake
    20 of 36 Nehi Orange Poke Cake
    21 of 36 Key Lime Sheet Cake
    22 of 36 Brown Sugar Layer Cake with Peach Buttercream
    23 of 36 Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy
    24 of 36 Grand Marnier Cakes
    25 of 36 Easy Peach Cobbler
    26 of 36 Ginger-Plum Slump
    27 of 36 Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake
    28 of 36 Peach Fried Pies
    29 of 36 Coca Cola Chocolate Cake
    30 of 36 Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges
    31 of 36 Strawberry Cream Pie
    32 of 36 Lemon Raspberry Cake
    33 of 36 Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake
    34 of 36 Margarita Cake
    35 of 36 Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
    36 of 36 Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Dessert Recipes Everyone Should Bake This Summer
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.