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10 Best Summer Desserts
Your favourite summer dessert recipes have a dash of nostalgia – they include childhood classics, rainy day bakes and the odd ice cream. Think clouds of meringue, softly bubbling crumble and all the cake. Grab your spoon and dive in...
1
OLD SCHOOL CAKE
In first place is a delightfully retro traybake guaranteed to trigger grown-up nostalgia – and unbridled glee in little ones. Serve with delicious soft scoop ice cream.
2
Strawberry pavlova with mint sugar
We love this reincarnation of an old-school favourite with light Greek yogurt, although you can swap it for whipped double cream. Plus, it has a crunchy, aromatic topping.
2
Pesto potato salad with beans
The homemade pesto in Chetna Makan’s recipe packs a real herby, garlicky punch, but use ready-made if you’re short of time
2
Strawberry pavlova with mint sugar
We love this reincarnation of an old-school favourite with light Greek yogurt, although you can swap it for whipped double cream. Plus, it has a crunchy, aromatic topping.
3
Black forest coconut cream trifle
Hunting down dairy-free desserts can be tricky, but we love this Black Forest Gateau-inspired twist on a British summer party classic from The Happy Pear. You’ve given it your stamp of approval too, with a five-star rating.
4
Rhubarb crumble
Given the unpredictability of British summer weather, we can’t think of anything better than piping hot in-season rhubarb topped with golden brown crumble – and neither can you, it seems.
4
Rhubarb crumble
Given the unpredictability of British summer weather, we can’t think of anything better than piping hot in-season rhubarb topped with golden brown crumble – and neither can you, it seems.
5
Layered lemon cake with raspberries and cream
You rate the winning combination of light-as-air sponge, sharp citrus, whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Slice, serve and savour.
6
Rhubarb & custard tart
Fans of the popular boiled sweet can fill a shortcrust pastry case with luscious custard. Scatter caramelised rhubarb on top and bake until the custard is set, with just enough wobble.
6
Rhubarb & custard tart
Fans of the popular boiled sweet can fill a shortcrust pastry case with luscious custard. Scatter caramelised rhubarb on top and bake until the custard is set, with just enough wobble.
7
Strawberry, mascarpone and lemon curd tart
Tangy lemon curd and rich mascarpone are topped with succulent strawberries in this easy no-cook tart. And it takes just 15 minutes to make.
8
Easy raspberry ripple ice cream
Even when sunshine is in short supply, summer days call for ice cream. This simple recipe comes with a gorgeously nostalgic flavour. For a touch of indulgence, serve in one of our chocolate-dipped waffle cones.
8
EASY RASPBERRY RIPPLE ICE CREAM
Even when sunshine is in short supply, summer days call for ice cream. This simple recipe comes with a gorgeously nostalgic flavour. For a touch of indulgence, serve in one of our chocolate-dipped waffle cones.
9
Strawberry hazelnut meringue cake
Melt-in-the-mouth meringue with hazelnuts running through it. Simply glorious filled with sweet vanilla cream and juicy berries.
10
Strawberry and rose milkshake
Swap cake for a deliciously decadent milkshake from The Great British Bake Off’s Chetna Makan. Living up to her nickname of ‘flavour queen’, she’s added floral notes to this celebration of the summer fruit.
10
Strawberry and rose milkshake
Swap cake for a deliciously decadent milkshake from The Great British Bake Off’s Chetna Makan. Living up to her nickname of ‘flavour queen’, she’s added floral notes to this celebration of the summer fruit.
EASY MAKE-AHEAD SUMMER DESSERTS
Vodka jellies
Pair this grown-up twist on a party favourite with ice cream – and ready your spoon to mash the two together.
Arctic roll
An 80s classic everyone knows. Wrap the iconic roll of vanilla ice cream, fruity jam and pleasingly absorbent sponge in clingfilm and freeze. Simply defrost for 20 minutes before serving.
Strawberry cheesecake pots
Prepare the New York-style cheesecake cream and biscuit crumb a day in advance, cover and refrigerate before adding to a fresh strawberry mix. Quick and effortless.
NO TIME TO PREP? TRY THESE SUMMER PUDS...
WAITROSE Rhubarb & Custard Trifle
Two classic British desserts in one, with rhubarb compote, sponge and silky smooth custard
Waitrose No.1 Raspberry & Passion Fruit Pavlova
A celebration of meringue, passion fruit and raspberries, drizzled with Belgian white chocolate
WAITROSE Bakewell
Tart
Sweet pastry generously filled with raspberry jam and nutty sponge, finished with flaked almonds
WHAT TO DRINK WITH SUMMER DESSERTS
Linger over dessert with a glass of Lustau Moscatel de Alejandría. “It’s light, fresh and perfect with red berry fruit-based puds,” enthuses Partner & buyer, wine Xenia Ruscombe-King.
For a more sophisticated offering with your pud, sip the organic SO Sauternes. Xenia recommends pairing it with creamy trifles and fruit.
If you’re a guest, treat your host to Leckford Estate Brut from Waitrose Cellar*. “This will go well with any summery pudding,” Xenia assures.
*link opens in a new tab
Sticking to non-alcoholic beverages? Partner & buyer, soft drinks Imogen Bowen-Davies advises trying Belvoir Elderflower & Rose Cordial. “It’s deliciously sweet and summery.”
ETON MESS
Berries, cream and meringue appear in most of our top summer desserts. Put them all together and you get Eton Mess. Legend has it that a meringue-based pud was dropped and smashed at an Eton v Harrow cricket match in the late 19th century – and served as it was, rather than going to waste. While its origins are widely disputed, the dessert has become an enduring classic. Stick to the basics with our simple recipe, and you can’t go wrong.