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Sweet Treats That’ll Keep Your Kitchen Cool

Lemon Crunch Dessert

It’s hot, really hot. In my neck of the woods it gets pretty warm in the summer, but this year Mother Nature is playing a cruel joke. Even though it’s steamy outside, no way I’ll let things get too hot in the kitchen or give up my sweets. I’ve got some no bake desserts in my recipe box to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Barbara Oseland’s (Two Harbors, MN) Chocolate Pecan Coffee Fudge is the easiest, creamiest fudge I’ve ever made. As Barbara mentions, “Chocolate and coffee go great together.” Using espresso brings a richer flavor out of the fudge and makes it oh so good.

Dianne Joyner (Suffolk, VA) made this fudge recipe and wished she could give it more than five stars. “The taste and ease of preparation are fantastic,” said Dianne. “[I] couldn’t love it more.” It also makes a great gift if you need to bring a hostess gift in the summer.

If you’re having friends over for the evening, Barbara Mayo’s (Collierville, TN) Strawberry Martini Shortcake is a wonderful dessert. It’s served in a martini glass, making it pretty impressive to guests. But it’s super easy to make.

“[This is] a light and tasty new twist on strawberry shortcake,” shares Barbara. “Very yummy for the end of a nice dinner for two or a dinner party for six.” The sweetness of the strawberries and the tart from balsamic vinegar combined with a cheesecake pudding is divine. There’s just a hint of orange that creates a fantastic flavor combination.

I love citrus in the summer and Goldie Barnhart’s (Palmyra, NY) Lemon Crunch Dessert is sweet, tangy and bursting with lemon flavor. “What’s prettier than a yellow dessert that’s scrumptious,” jokes Goldie. In the spring and summer, nothing in my book.

This dessert is so light and airy, it’s going to be real hard not to eat the whole pie at once. The gingersnap cookie crust and the ginger/almond topping add a nice crunch. This will quickly become a favorite.

We all scream for ice cream in the summer and Pat Morris (Augusta, GA) has mastered how to easily make ice cream at home. I highly suggest trying her Lemon Ice Cream or Mama’s Cheery Cherry Ice Cream. Both are Blue Ribbon winning recipes!

Neither recipe requires an ice cream maker and both are exceptionally creamy. Fresh lemon juice and grated lemon zest put a bit of a pucker in the lemon ice cream. The cherry version gets its flavor from maraschino cherries along with a bit of lime juice and zest to balance out the sweetness. If you add chocolate chunks to the cherry ice cream, you’ll have all the flavors of a chocolate covered cherry… yum.

“In my effort to find an Orange Dream Whip Pie for my sister that didn’t have cream cheese in it, I came up with this,” shares Molly Stingley (Denton, TX). “It is cool and creamy; just right for a light summer dessert.”

This pie reminds me of the orange/vanilla popsicle I loved from my local ice cream truck as a kid. The Dream Whip makes the pie airy and creamy. Super simple, this is a perfect dessert when you’re looking for something light and fruity.

Kiddos of all ages will love Jennifer Segreti’s (Venice, FL) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls. Raw cookie dough is always a favorite. But because of the raw eggs, it’s best not to munch on. Jennifer, though, doesn’t use an egg but rather Greek yogurt as a binder which means everyone can snack away.

“I could eat cookie dough all day long and now I can without the hazard,” says Jennifer. “These balls are meant to be eaten as is or from the freezer.” This recipe has all the flavor of regular cookie dough without the egg. Genius.

Let’s hope things cool down a bit soon. But in the meantime, these no bake desserts will keep me satisfied. What’s your favorite no bake dessert? I’m sure I’m not the only one trying to stay cool in the kitchen. Happy Pinching!