Healthy Summer Desserts - Cooking Light

Sweet-tart grapes, a tangy goat cheese mixture, earthy walnuts, and a honeyed port sauce all layered between airy and crisp phyllo, who could ask for anything more?

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sautéed Grape Napoleons with Port Reduction

The layers of flavor in this dish add up to something incredible―with sweet-tart grapes, a tangy goat cheese mixture, earthy walnuts, and a honeyed port sauce all layered between airy and crisp phyllo, who could ask for anything more?

View Recipe: Sautéed Grape Napoleons with Port Reduction

Randy Mayor

Gingered Blueberry Shortcake

Blueberries signal the arrival of summer's sweetest days, and this dessert highlights them perfectly. Crumbly shortbread and homemade whipped cream elevate a simple berry to a memorably indulgent treat. The components of this dish can be made in advance, then assembled just before serving.

View Recipe: Gingered Blueberry Shortcake

Randy Mayor

Seared Figs and White Peaches with Balsamic Reduction

This restaurant-quality dessert will impress absolutely anyone, but it requires eight ingredients and less than 10 minutes to make. Caramelizing the natural sugars in the fruit gives them intense flavor, an intense balsamic vinegar pan sauce mixed with creamy and tangy crème fraîche sets off the sweetness, and an sprinkle of pepper adds an unexpected surprise.

View Recipe: Seared Figs and White Peaches with Balsamic Reduction

Read More: Our Guide to Figs

The classic cocktail provides relief from the heat of a Southern summer, so why not freeze and serve it for dessert?

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mint Julep Granita

The classic cocktail provides relief from the heat of a Southern summer, so why not freeze and serve it for dessert? Mint-infused simple syrup and smoky-sweet bourbon combine in a slushy delight that's definitely not for kids.

View Recipe: Mint Julep Granita

Photo: Anna Williams

Piña Colada Sorbet

Three kinds of coconut products—coconut water and milk and cream of coconut—offer the best flavor and texture. Look for coconut water by the fruit juices. For an adult treat, drizzle rum over your serving.

View Recipe: Piña Colada Sorbet

Photo: Anna Williams

Watermelon-Jalapeño Ice Pops

The ice pop gets a decidedly grown-up spin: It’s made from fresh melon, chile, and lime—both juice and rind. A bit of pectin helps keep all the ingredients incorporated evenly; without it, they tend to separate.

View Recipe: Watermelon-Jalapeño Ice Pops

Photo: Anna Williams

Rich Chocolate Pudding Pie

Melted chocolate binds cookie crumbs for the crust—and makes it extra delicious. Substitute 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for the rum.

View Recipe: Rich Chocolate Pudding Pie

Photo: Anna Williams

Margarita Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Fresh lime zest and coarse sea salt mimic the flavors of a margarita in this treat that kids and adults will love.

View Recipe: Margarita Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Photo: Anna Williams

Cherry-Almond Crisp

Fresh tart cherries can be hard to find, which is why we add some dried ones to boost the flavor of this crisp. If you have access to fresh tart cherries, use 3 pounds and omit the dried fruit. Serve with vanilla low-fat ice cream, if desired; a small (1/4-cup) scoop will add 55 calories and 0.5 grams of saturated fat to each serving.

View Recipe: Cherry-Almond Crisp

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Buttermilk Sorbet with Strawberries

Though it commonly adds zing to biscuits, pancakes, and waffles, buttermilk rarely gets to express its natural tanginess by itself. However, this frozen treat lets it play center stage, adding slightly sweetened strawberries for color and variety.

View Recipe: Buttermilk Sorbet with Strawberries

The citrusy, herbal essence of lemon verbena suffuses the other ingredients, adding a subtle layer of interest to an otherwise simple dish.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Peaches with Cava and Lemon Verbena

A whole bottle of sparkling wine cooks down to a syrup, which then softens and flavors fresh ripe peaches in this recipe. The citrusy, herbal essence of lemon verbena suffuses the other ingredients, adding a subtle layer of interest to an otherwise simple dish.

View Recipe: Peaches with Cava and Lemon Verbena

Randy Mayor

Raspberry-Rhubarb Pie

Though a beloved pie classic, rhubarb has a strong tartness that sometimes needs moderating. Sweet raspberries do that job perfectly here, while a splash of crème de cassis adds even deeper berry flavor. A slice of this pie absolutely screams for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

View Recipe: Raspberry-Rhubarb Pie

A very simple preparation belies the sophistication of this recipe.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Nectarines Poached in Lavender-Honey Syrup

A very simple preparation belies the sophistication of this recipe. Nectarines are softened and sweetened by cooking in syrup, while the floral and herbal notes of lavender elevate them to something elegant. Serve warm or chilled, with or without frozen yogurt on top, to really wow your guests.

View Recipe: Nectarines Poached in Lavender-Honey Syrup

With its crumbly topping and spongy texture, this is a traditional coffee cake in structure, but its fillings make it different.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake

With its crumbly topping and spongy texture, this is a traditional coffee cake in structure, but its fillings make it different. Tart lemon balances the pure sweetness of blueberries, while almond paste adds an intangible depth. Try a piece for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack.

View Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake

Our Test Kitchens awarded this recipe a rare perfect score.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Lemon Pound Cake with Cherry Compote

Our Test Kitchens awarded this recipe a rare perfect score. The light and fluffy cake incorporates the tang of buttermilk and lemon, plus a hint of mint, topped off with a sticky and sweet sauce featuring big chunks of fresh summer cherries. The compote is good on any other kind of dessert as well, especially ice cream.

View Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake with Cherry Compote

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Peach, Plum, and Apricot Crisp

Stone fruits work their magic with this dessert. Serve warm with vanilla low-fat ice cream.

View Recipe: Peach, Plum, and Apricot Crisp

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Juicy-tangy watermelon ice pops somehow taste more of melon than the fruit itself.

View Recipe: Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Bittersweet Chocolate-Cherry Sorbet

Tart-sweet cherry and strong dark chocolate flavors meld beautifully in this surprisingly rich sorbet crowned with juicy fresh cherries. Use a high-quality jam for the sorbet, and be sure to start the process a day ahead for the best flavor and texture.

View Recipe: Bittersweet Chocolate-Cherry Sorbet

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Lemon-Cornmeal Pound Cake with Berries and Cream

An assortment of sweet berries and freshly whipped cream tops Lemon-Cornmeal Pound Cake for a simple summer treat.

View Recipe: Lemon-Cornmeal Pound Cake with Berries and Cream

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Apricot-Thyme Galette

A sprinkling of fresh, fragrant thyme leaves over ripe apricots helps bring this flat cake to staff favorite status. Food Editor Ann Taylor Pittman agrees: "The addition of thyme is an absolutely ingenious, delicious touch."

View Recipe: Apricot-Thyme Galette

Photo: Johnny Autry

Lemon Curd with Berries

In this custard, citrus juice stands in for milk as the base liquid, thickened by egg yolks. Butter gives the curd a glorious sheen. Garnish with mint leaves for a spot of green color.

View Recipe: Lemon Curd with Berries

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Blackberry Merlot Granita

"This reminds me of summer after catching lightning bugs," says Chef Myers (Comme Ça, Los Angeles). "My family would eat fresh-picked blackberries like candy after dinner as the sun was going down."

View Recipe: Blackberry Merlot Granita

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Lemon-Earl Grey Squares

Lemon squares are a tried and true summer classic, but you know we've got to mix it up. Try these decidedly different sweet treats and you won't look back.

View Recipe: Lemon-Earl Grey Squares

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Peach and Basil Shortcake

This company-worthy shortcake is both beautiful and delicious. We love the unexpected flavor that basil brings to the table.

View Recipe: Peach and Basil Shortcake

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

"I remember discovering lemon verbena one summer at the greenmarket in New York," says Chef Hatfield (Hatfield's, Los Angeles). "The smell is intoxicating, and it stays with you forever."

View Recipe: Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

Photo: Johnny Miller

Green Tomato and Fig Cupcakes

Tomatoes and fig come together to create an unusual, yet oh-so-decadent dessert that everyone in the family will love.

View Recipe: Green Tomato and Fig Cupcakes

Photo: Johnny Miller

Cantaloupe Sherbet

Cool off with this adult sherbet, made with fresh cantaloupe, heavy cream, and vodka.

View Recipe: Cantaloupe Sherbet