15 No-Bake Summer Desserts to Help You Keep Your Cool

Lemon Icebox Pie III
Photo: Sarah Crower

Can't stand the heat but still craving dessert? Give your oven a sweet summer vacation and whip up one of these no-bake pies and cheesecakes. They're perfect for parties, potlucks, and just because, and they set up in the blessed cool of your fridge or freezer so you can make tempting summer treats without breaking a sweat. Read on to get 15 of our favorite no-bake summer desserts, including peanut butter pie, cheesecake in a jar, lemon icebox pie, and more. It's going to be a cool summer!

01 of 16

Peanut Butter Pie XV

Peanut Butter Pie XV
Allrecipes

Cool, creamy, and loaded with a mousse-like peanut butter filling. For a pretty presentation, drizzle each plate with chocolate syrup before serving. Although the recipe calls for a ready-made graham cracker crust, some reviewers recommend a chocolate cookie crust.

02 of 16

Mom's Ice Cream Dessert

Mom's Ice Cream Dessert
Molly

A chocolate cookie and peanut crust topped with ice cream and a thick layer of melted chocolate. You could use this as a blueprint and substitute any ice cream flavor you crave to change it up. For more inspiration, see our Outrageous Ice Cream Pies Worth the Brain Freeze.

03 of 16

No-Bake Cheesecake I

No-Bake Cheesecake I
rachaelg

"This recipe may be impossible to mess up," says home cook Raquel. "I ended up making a lot of changes based on the ingredient I had and other recipes I read, but it was still amazing. I used sour cream instead of whipping cream, this made it great without the sickening sweetness that is found in store bought cheesecake. Also, I used almond extract and tangarine juice instead of lemon (I don't like lemon flavored cheesecake.) It turned out perfect and my husband (aka the pickiest eater in the world) loved it."

04 of 16

Rich Chocolate Truffle Pie

Rich Chocolate Truffle Pie
LUCYFROG

5 ingredients are all you'll need to make this no-bake pie. Reviewers say to sure to let it chill thoroughly to let flavors fully develop. But watch out — it lives up to its name by being extra rich. If that's what you're craving, you're going to want to try this one for sure.

05 of 16

Five Layer Ice Cream Bars

Buster Bar Dessert
Recipe junkie

"HUGE hit," raves naples34102. "Unequivocally the star of the show. This dessert brought grown men to their knees. Never mind dinner, I could have served this and this alone and I think everyone would have been happy." Reviewer Christie S offers this tip: "Buy 1/2 gallon box of ice cream, open the package completely, and simply slice the ice cream into 1-inch-thick pieces and lay them over your crust. No softening of the ice cream required! Which means you can spread your fudge sauce immediately! Makes the entire assembly process much faster."

06 of 16

Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar

strawberry cheesecake in a glass mason jar with roses in the background
Sugarplum

Reviewers suggest making a middle layer of strawberries and topping with cream cheese mixture and more strawberries. These picnic-perfect desserts also look great in individual dessert cups instead of jars.

07 of 16

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Jennifer Coker Yin

"Easy dreamy pie. Reminds me of a frozen Peanut Butter Cup. I used non-fat milk, fat-free Cool Whip, and low-fat cream cheese. This pie is plush!" —Melanie Greer

08 of 16

No-Bake Lime Mousse Torte

No Bake Lime Mousse Torte
Brian Nickless

"I'm a culinart arts student and I made this as a homework assignment and boy oh boy did it go over big!" says reviewer Vicky C. "It's very rich and creamy I just called it a cheesecake and went with it. This also works INCREDIBLY well as a frozen dessert. You do have to let it thaw a little before cutting into it maybe 10 minutes or so but it's soooooo good!" Recipe creator RB1953 says this stunning dessert can be made several days ahead.

09 of 16

Raspberry Cream Pie

Raspberry Cream Pie
The Sweet and Sour Baker

"This pie has a tender, flaky crust. It's filled with fluffy sweet cream and topped with a tart raspberry jam. The perfect way to end a summer meal." —The Sweet and Sour Baker

10 of 16

Watermelon Pie

Watermelon Pie
Allrecipes Magazine

"This couldn't be easier to prepare. The only thing I would change is putting the pie in the freezer instead of the refrigerator," Stacy Pineault says.

11 of 16

Banana Cream Pie III

Banana Cream Pie III
LynnInMA

"Excellent pie, very easy. I took the advice of some previous reviewers and used banana and French vanilla pudding mixes." —DEBORAH-O

12 of 16

Strawberry Glazed Pie

Strawberry Glazed Pie
diane

"Fresh berries are tossed with a glaze and then chilled until serving time. This is also good made with peaches, using peach gelatin instead of strawberry," Karin Christian says.

13 of 16

Kool-Aid® Pie

Kool-Aid® Pie
Melissa Goff

"This is a super-easy and quick recipe I got from my mother-in-law. No cooking, no baking. Just mixing and it's set! Everyone will think you spent hours making the creamy and luscious filling." —blue

14 of 16

Peach Surprise Pie

Peach Surprise Pie
Alberta Rose

"A peaches and cream pie served with a raspberry sauce. For special occasions, garnish with fresh mint leaves. Quick and easy to make and very yummy, as well!" —CORWYNN DARKHOLME

15 of 16

Lemon Icebox Pie III

Lemon Icebox Pie III
Sarah Crower

Reviewer Jessica Notthingham says, "This recipe is fabulous! The pie comes out beautiful and so tasty. I used the zest and juice of 3 lemons and it turned out great. Just enough tartness to offset the sweetness of the cream cheese and condensed milk. A hint? Keep it in the freezer for a while before you eat it, makes it even more refreshing!"

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