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Summer means longer and hotter days—and we’re definitely feeling the heat this summer. This year has seen some record-breaking temperatures and it doesn’t seem to be coming down anytime soon. Luckily, we have a few recipes to help you stay cool this summer. From ice cream, popsicles, and even soup, there’s something here for everybody to cool down with.
Very Chocolate Ice Cream
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Of course, we need to start off with a classic. While this might be the most “complicated” recipe in our lineup, users say it’s well worth the work. But be warned—this recipe is sure to bring out the chocoholic within you.
Dole Whip
Brie Goldman/Annie Probst/Joseph Wanek
Bring the flavor of the theme park home with this homemade Dole Whip recipe! And the best part is that it makes about 10 large serving sizes, so you’ll be able to eat this over and over again.
Ice Cream Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This ice cream cake is so easy to make and customize with your favorite flavor pairings. And the best part? It’s only 5 ingredients!
Refreshing Watermelon Sorbet
Nicole McLaughlin knocks it out of the park with this refreshing sorbet combined with shaved ice. “This is a great recipe to make with plentiful watermelon available in the summertime,” she writes. “It’s the perfect ending after a filling summer dinner or a refreshing snack on a hot day.”
Chef John’s Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a cold soup widely eaten in Spain and Portugal, made of raw, blended vegetables. Tomatoes are the star of the show and for this recipe, we recommend using end-of-summer tomatoes for some extra sweetness.
Cambodian Tapioca-Banana Pudding
While this Cambodian dessert is typically eaten warm, it also makes for an excellent cold treat. Bananas are the star of the show, but you can also dress it up with other summer fruits.
Simple Homemade Dreamsicles
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
These easy-to-make dreamsicles are “nostalgia on a stick.” If you’re looking to make things a little easier, pop these into a plastic cup so they can be cut away easily.
Berry-Mango Shaved Ice
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Need to wow your pool party guests or just want treat for yourself? Try out this shaved ice recipe from test kitchen extraordinaire Juliana Hale. Blend together with your favorite seasonal fruit and customize each serving with one (or all) of the flavors!
Baked Alaska
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
A Baked Alaska is a combo of cake, ice cream, and caramelized meringue. While you do have to turn on the oven, it’ll just be for a second, only long enough to brown the meringue. If you want to level up this dessert, user bevadel2000 says to add “raspberry sauce on the base before adding the ice cream and meringue.”
Ice Cream Lasagna
Tracy Pepas
This dessert might sound too good to be true. Ice cream sandwiches line the bottom of a pan and are drizzled with peanut butter, pudding mix, hot fudge, and ooey-gooey caramel. This is sure to disappear within seconds.
Frozen Banana Bites
This dessert is so stinkin’ easy to make! Simply layer peanut butter on some banana, freeze, drizzle in melted chocolate, and freeze again! Topping are completely up to you.
Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding)
Arroz con Leche, or Mexican rice pudding, is another dessert that’s typically eaten warm but it’s even better cold. If you want your pudding to be extra creamy, swap out the sugar for 2 more cups of whole and condensed milk each.
Watermelon-Mint Paletas
Paletas (ice pops) are perfect for those days when it’s too hot to get up and move. As user IndigoFallbaby777 so gracefully put it, these are exactly perfect the way they are and “will enjoy it the same way FOREVVVVVVVVERRRRRR.”
Chocolate Éclair Dessert
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Layers of graham crackers, vanilla pudding, and cool whipped topping with chocolate frosting make up this simple recipe. And the best part of this recipe is it’s no-bake, which means no hot ovens!
Freezer Caramel Drizzle Pie
“This recipe makes two delicious freezer pies topped with coconut, pecans, and a caramel drizzle,” writes user Karen Neilson. The caramel cuts through the cream cheese and whipped frozen topping. If it’s still too sweet for you, user Heather C. suggests adding a pinch of salt to the pecan/coconut mixture.