Summer Party Desserts

If you ask any kid (and most adults) they would agree that dessert is the most important part of any meal, and certainly an important part of any party. Make sure your summer party is a success with yummy summer party desserts. Summer desserts are a great way to cool off, or take advantage of fresh fruits that are in season. Try these summer dessert recipes for your next party:

Lemonade Cupcakes: The perfect cupcakes for summer! Decorate these bite-sized goodies in vibrant colors to create a beautiful summer dessert bar.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

• 3 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• ¾ cup skim milk

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest, and salt, making sure to sift out lumps. Add in the butter and half of the milk and mix with an electric beater for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add in the egg, vanilla, and remaining milk, and mix for another two minutes. Divide into muffin cups and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool and frost with your favorite vanilla or lemon frosting. To make an easy lemon frosting, add lemon juice to store bought or homemade vanilla frosting. Add yellow food coloring to make these cupcakes vibrant!

Gingered Blueberry Shortcake: This treat takes advantage of delicious in season blueberries. Feel free to substitute the blueberries for another favorite fresh fruit!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups blueberries
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 9 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
• ¾ cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or granulated sugar

Put first three ingredients in a saucepan and heat on medium for about three minutes, stirring often. Set aside. Measure flour, baking powder, and salt into a blender or food processor and pulse to mix. Next, add butter and ginger and pulse until mixed evenly. Then put the mixture in a bowl, add milk, and stir until moist. Press the dough mixture into desired shape on a greased baking sheet. Mix the egg white and water and gently brush over the top of the dough. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until golden brown. Let cool and top with the berry mixture and a little bit of whipped cream if you desire.
 

Easy Berry Cobbler: This is a dessert recipe for summer that couldn’t be easier. It only has 3 ingredients!

Ingredients:

• Two 12oz. bags of frozen berries
• 1 package of white cake mix
• 1 can of diet sprite or 7-up

Pour berries into a greased 9x12 baking dish, cover with powdered cake mix, and top with the soda. Do not stir or mix at all! Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Enjoy with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Rollos S’mores: Try this recipe for a different take on a classic s’more.

Ingredients:

• Rollos candy
• Marshmellows
• Graham Crackers

Instead of putting the chocolate on the outside of the marshmallow, put it on the inside! Insert one Rollo into each marshmallow before roasting, then assemble your s’more. The chocolate will already be melted!

Nutella Pops: A fun summer chocolate dessert for the kids on a popsicle stick!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Cool Whip
• ½ cup milk
• 3 Tbsp. Nutella

Blend all ingredients until smooth and freeze in popsicle molds for a few hours until solid.

Any of these dessert ideas for summer are sure to make your party a success. Serve them alongside fresh fruit with Cool Whip for dipping to add another summer treat.