50 Best Summer Cakes And Pies To Beat The Heat

These summer pies and cakes are the desserts you need for a sweltering hot outdoor party.

By

Mary Shannon Wells

Updated on July 19, 2024

Southern Living Berry Chantilly Cake sliced and ready to serve — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Summer cakes and pies should be made with all the fresh fruits that the season brings; even better if they keep you from breaking a sweat. Some of our favorite recipes include berries, peaches, plums, and other summery fruits you've picked up from the local fruit stand.

Of course, a summer dessert menu wouldn't be complete without some lemon and Key lime options, which you'll find here as well. For those of you who aren't looking for a fruit pie, there are peanut butter, mocha, and chocolate options on this list, too.

We've gathered our favorite and easiest summer cakes and pies recipes that will keep your sweet tooth satisfied without spending hours in the kitchen. Cool down on a hot summer day with an ice cream cake the kids will love, or throw together an easy no-bake cake or pie for a last-minute party or picnic with our best summer cake and pie recipes.

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Ice Cream Cake

Southern Living Ice Cream Cake decorated cake is ready to serve on a platter with a slice out on a plate — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Ice Cream Cake is an essential celebration cake, and it doesn't require any baking. Vanilla wafer cookies provide a fun and unexpected crust that holds up decadent, creamy layers of chocolate and vanilla. A fudgey Oreo crumble center and a fluffy top layer of whipped cream ties it all together.

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Frozen Lemonade Pie

Southern Living Frozen Lemonade Pie sliced and ready to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

No need to squeeze a bunch of lemons for this recipe. All you need for this Frozen Lemonade Pie is a can of frozen lemonade concentrate, condensed milk, and cream cheese! It's ice cold, tangy, sweet, and just the ticket for beating the heat.

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Cherry Nut Pie

Southern Living Cherry Nut Pie whole and ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Everything you love about a light, airy icebox pie, the filling of this Cherry Nut Pie is creamy, lemony, and studded with cherries and pecans. This pie is a regional favorite in Arkansas, where it's a staple at the beloved Roy Fisher's Steak House—while that restaurant is now closed, this cool-as-ever pie lives on.

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Strawberry Ladyfinger Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Ladyfinger Cake assembled and ready to serve — Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Ladyfinger cookies aren't just for tiramisu—this icebox cake layers store-bought ladyfingers with light and airy mascarpone whipped cream (the only part you'll need to make from scratch for this recipe) and lemony strawberries for an easy no-bake summertime cake.

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Millionaire Pie

Southern Living Millionaire Pie in a pie plate to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A no-bake millionaire pie with a creamy, fruit filling that is about as Southern as desserts can be. Pineapple bits and chewy, sweet coconut are suspended throughout this creamy pie along with crunchy pecans, and it comes together in just 10 minutes. (It will need a bit of time in the refrigerator to allow the gelatin to set, but it's totally worth it.)

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Million Dollar Pie

Southern Living Million Dollar Pie sliced and ready to serve — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Costen King, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Not to be confused with Millionaire Pie (above), this Million Dollar Pie is a little tangier from cream cheese, and it does require a baked crust to hold up the creamy filling. It's just as delicious and impressive, and perfect to serve in the summer months with a fluffy topping and festive, bright red maraschino cherries.

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Fresh Peach Cobbler

Southern Living Fresh Peach Cobbler in a bowl to serve with ice cream — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Peach cobbler is a classic all year round, but it's extra special with fresh summer peaches. Warm out of the oven with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream—it doesn't get better than that. We love that this recipe incorporates ground cinnamon and nutmeg for an extra comforting flavor that compliments sweet, tart, fresh peaches.

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Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake

Southern Living Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake whole and ready to serve — Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Any sort of "dump" cake is as easy a cake recipe comes—and it's great for involving little ones in the kitchen. This recipe requires just five ingredients and 15 minutes of active prep time. Plus, it's beautiful, cheerful, and

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Boozy Bushwacker Pie

Southern Living Bushwacker Pie in the dish ready to serve — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Floridians know—noo trip to the Panhandle is complete without a bushwacker or two by the beach. This boozy, creamy, milkshake-like cocktail is captured immaculately in pie form, with all the flavors and textures of that dangerously potent drink. (This recipe uses both regular ice cream and gelato—yum!—for an unforgettable dessert.)

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Zucchini Cake

Southern Living Zucchini Cake sliced on plates to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Summers in the South mean zucchini squash—lots and lots and lots of zucchini squash. When you've got a bounty from the garden, this cake satisfies your sweet tooth. Just like in zucchini bread, zucchini cake is moist and unexpectedly tasty in a dessert form. Topped with easy-to-spread cream cheese frosting, it's reminiscent of carrot cake and extra special.

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Banana Pudding Pie

Southern Living Banana Pudding Pie decorated and ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It's the classic Southern dessert in sliceable, pie form—what's not to love? A browned butter-vanilla wafer crust, a silky custard, and the vanilla bean whipped cream make this pie taste just like banana pudding, but with a little extra flair.

12 of 50

Heaven On Earth Cake

Southern Living Heaven on Earth Cake in the dish with a serving scooped out — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Heaven on Earth cake is a creamy, dreamy, delicious no-bake summer dessert. Like a trifle or pudding, but served in a shallow dish, it couldn't be easier to make—only the whipped cream is homemade (but if you swap that out for Cool Whip instead, we won’t tell).

13 of 50

Strawberry Spoon Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Spoon Cake ready to serve — Molly Bolton

Irresistible, sweet, tender, and moist, strawberry spoon cake is the perfect way to highlight the tender and juicy berries of late spring and early summer. Its name came from how you serve it—warm from the oven, spooned into bowls, and topped with vanilla ice cream.

14 of 50

Berry Chantilly Cake

Southern Living Berry Chantilly Cake sliced and ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Layers of tender vanilla cake, raspberry jam, and bright ripe fresh fruit, this berry Chantilly cake is the ideal summer cake, and it is way easier to make than it looks. It also looks impressive. You can have fun with it too, filling and topping the cake with any type or combination of berries you wish.

15 of 50

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake sliced and ready to serve — Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Strawberry shortcake just got more interesting—and dare we say better? Cornmeal shortcake provides a sweet, textured base, while a yummy berry sorbet and strawberry ripple ice cream provides the finishing touches. It's cool and sweet and tart, and it could not be simpler to make! Serve with a dollop of whipped cream to make it extra pretty.

16 of 50

Banana Split Cake

Southern Living Banana Split Cake in the dish ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This Banana Split Cake is easy as ever in sheet cake form—a press-in graham cracker crust is filled with layers of cream cheese frosting, banana, and all the favorite banana split toppings and flavors.

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Lemon Meringue Cake

Lemon Meringue Cake - Southern Living — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Tartness of smooth and creamy lemon curd is balanced with moist, fluffy vanilla cake and toasty, fluffy sweet meringue. This cake is a trifecta of goodness and perfect for serving to impress in the summer months to make—but it's also a blast to make and wonderfully rewarding.

18 of 50

Atlantic Beach Pie

atlantic beach pie in a blue pie plate — CREDIT: GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS

With a Saltine cracker crust and lemon-lime filling, Bill Smith's Atlantic Beach Pie has been a Southern favorite since it splashed on the scene. Much like a basic Key lime pie, it's easy to prepare and requires only 15 minutes of bake time. This tart but silky sweet pie is well-suited to sweltering days at the beach.

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S'mores Pie

S'mores Pie — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

You don't need a fire to get the flavors of this summer camp treat. This no-bake pie lets you indulge in rich chocolate custard and clouds of marshmallow cream without breaking a sweat.

20 of 50

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake — Jennifer Davick

This summer dessert looks like a classic Southern pound cake on the outside but reveals a sweet surprise when you cut into it. With the flavorful swirls of strawberry glaze inside, you don't need a glaze or frosting on this one. Top with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

21 of 50

Key Lime Pound Cake

Key Lime Pound Cake — Jen Causey

Pound cake gets an infusion of tropical flavor in this recipe for our best-ever Key Lime Pound Cake that can be enjoyed on an island or at home. The airy cake is infused with lime zest and coated with a sweet citrus glaze. Close your eyes and transport yourself with each bite.

22 of 50

Georgia Peanut Pie With Coca-Cola Glaze

Georgia Peanut Pie With Coca-Cola Glaze — Southern Living

Peanuts and Coca-Cola are a classic Southern combo that we're celebrating in this decadent pie. Even the crust in this recipe contains chopped peanuts and creamy peanut butter. Serve at room temperature with an ice-cold soda on the side.

23 of 50

Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

We all know the layer of caramelized fruit is the best part of an upside-down cake. This recipe calls for twice the amount of pineapple than is typical and includes fresh ginger for added flavor. Of course, you'll want to bake it in a cast-iron skillet for the best results.

24 of 50

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake — Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

This recipe may just be the easiest way to make strawberry shortcake. By baking one big crumbly cake, you can skip the individual servings. Mascarpone makes an especially rich cream topping.

25 of 50

Watermelon Pie

Watermelon Pie — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

The Biscoff cookie crust and fresh melon filling in this pie require absolutely no baking or cooking. The topping, a mixture of heavy cream and mascarpone, is light and creamy without melting as easily in the summer heat. Use a 1-inch melon baller to decorate your pie.

26 of 50

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This recipe unites all our Southern favorites into one summery bundt cake. A heavily greased pan prevents the caramelized peaches from sticking. Add a splash of bourbon to the glaze if you enjoy a stronger bourbon flavor.

27 of 50

Peanut Butter Pie

Southern Living Peanut Butter Pie finished and ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This pie is not too sweet and not too salty, but definitely hits the spot. With no baking required and 15 minutes of active time, it will be just as popular with the cook as it is with those who devour it. Our Peanut Butter Pie can also be frozen for serving later.

28 of 50

Charlotte Russe Cake

Charlotte Russe Cake — Micah Leal

You don't have to turn the oven on to make this pastry-makers' favorite. Lined with lady fingers, brushed with lemon-thyme syrup, and filled with fresh blackberries and a zesty lemon custard, our Charlotte Russe Cake is elegant and refreshingly sweet.

29 of 50

No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie

No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hilegas

Forget the traditional graham cracker crust—this no-bake Lemon Icebox Pie uses for gingersnaps for more personality. Tangy, lemony, and gratifyingly simple, this recipe should be your next summer baking project. Dress it up with whipped cream and lemon twists.

30 of 50

Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

This layer cake is full of seasonal summer flavor. Pureed and strained raspberries provide the delicate pink tint in the frosting. A layer of juicy berries in between layers adds freshness to every bite.

31 of 50

Grasshopper Pie

Southern Living Grasshopper Pie sliced and ready to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

If you love mint chip ice cream or "grasshopper" desserts, you'll think this pie is absolutely dreamy. But you won't find any peppermint extract here. This pie's filling is a creamy, chocolatey delight filled with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and chocolate flourishes.

32 of 50

Margarita Cake

Margarita Cake — Southern Living

Stretch happy hour to dessert with this cocktail-inspired cake. We used store-bought margarita mixer in the rich cream cheese frosting to spike it with additional boozy flavor. Add the finishing touch with a generous sprinkling of flake salt around the cake's edge.

33 of 50

Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Strawberry-Lemonade Cake — Jen Causey

Here's just the recipe you need for a celebratory layer cake in summer. Tangy strawberry-lemonade jam is spread between tender lemon cake layers and topped with a strawberry frosting. This one is worth the time, and you can prepare it a day or two before your special occasion.

34 of 50

Kool Aid Pie

Kool Aid Pie — Micah A. Leal

This vibrant pie was inspired by all those pitchers of ice-cold Kool-Aid we downed in summers past. Choose your favorite flavor and stir up this easy, five-ingredient recipe. Then relive your childhood with every bite.

35 of 50

Mixed Stone Fruit Pie

Mixed Stone-Fruit Pie — Alison Miksch

Why limit yourself to peaches when there are so many wonderful fruits in season? You can use any stone fruit to add a refreshing topping to this creamy pie. Wait to add the fruit just before serving.

36 of 50

Lemon Meringue Ice-Cream Pie

Lemon Meringue Ice-Cream Pie — Jennifer Davick

This ice-cold pie will save the day at your next sweltering barbecue. Though it uses store-bought ice cream as an ingredient, the homemade vanilla wafer crust, homemade lemon curd filling, and homemade meringue topping will make this pie the furthest thing from store-bought at the potluck. Best of all, you can make it a week ahead of time.

37 of 50

Key Lime Icebox Cake

Key Lime Icebox Cake — Photo: Hector M Sanchez; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Vanessa Rocchio

This cake is so pretty, no one will have any idea it was a no-bake. Graham crackers and Key Lime custard create the lovely layers. A tip from our kitchen: Add the lime juice once you've fully cooked the custard to let the cornstarch thicken the mixture properly.

38 of 50

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake — Jennifer Davick

If you're craving minty chocolate chip ice cream, step it up to an ice-cream cake made with devil's food cake and topped with rich chocolate ganache. The simple, microwaveable ganache should be spread on just before serving.

39 of 50

Peanut Butter-Banana Icebox Pie

Peanut Butter-Banana Icebox Pie — Photo: Jennifer Davick

For the one who loves peanut butter-banana everything, this icebox pie is the best of both worlds. Eat a rich, airy, and refreshing slice and you won't even need a dip in the pool. Chill for eight hours before serving.

40 of 50

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie — Jennifer Davick

Satisfy both your sweet tooth and salty cravings with this creamy summer pie. We folded whipped cream into the strawberry filling to make it extra light and airy. Freeze for one hour to set the pie.

41 of 50

Blackberry Pie

Southern Living Blackberry Pie cut on a plate to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. You'll relish the jammy fruit in every bite of this old-fashioned blackberry pie. This recipe keeps things simple with just a touch of lemon zest and a sprinkle of sparkling sugar to dress up the dessert.

42 of 50

Cherries-And-Cream Icebox Cake

Cherries-and-Cream Icebox Cake — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Layers of graham crackers, cool whipped filling, and cherry preserves compose this beautiful, no-bake dessert. The whipped cream, with a light pink hue and a hint of almond, complements the ribbons of pureed cherry preserves that run through the layers. After chilling, the graham crackers soften for easy slicing.

43 of 50

Mascarpone Cheesecake

Mascarpone Cheesecake — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This creamy cake on a vanilla wafer crust is for when you're craving cheesecake but dread turning on a hot oven. Freeze the cheesecake for three hours, then top with fresh berries and raspberry jam. You can store it in the refrigerator after the cake has firmed up.

44 of 50

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake — Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Here's another take on banana pudding that adds a new dimension with tart, freshly picked strawberries. Line your baking pan with plastic wrap before assembling the layers so you can lift it neatly when it's time to serve. Then top it with whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, and sliced berries.

45 of 50

Peach Custard Pie

Peach Custard Pie — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Prepare the homemade crust or buy a refrigerated pie dough to save time. After all, it's the rich, ginger-tinged custard and fresh peach slices that will shine here. Use firm peaches to prevent the custard from becoming too watery.

46 of 50

Stone Fruit Lattice Slab Pie

Stone Fruit Lattice-Topped Slab Pie — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Once you've made the dough, this pie is a cinch to pull together. It will both feed and impress a crowd, with a lattice top that looks anything but rustic. Peaches, Bing cherries, and nectarines compose the fruity filling.

47 of 50

Peach Cake

Peach Cake with plates and glasses and forks — Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This cake layers fruit, cinnamon sugar, and nuts with the batter to ensure you'll enjoy juicy peaches and crunchy pecans throughout. This cross-over dessert can easily star at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

48 of 50

McLeod Farms' Fresh Peach Pound Cake

McLeod Farms' Fresh Peach Pound Cake — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Chistina Daley

Pound cake fans rejoice, because this recipe comes straight from a peach farm in South Carolina. This Peach Pound Cake packs a double dose of fruit, which is baked into the pound cake and stewed into a shiny, peach-hued glaze. The peaches keep the cake moist and add nice pops of fruity flavor.

49 of 50

Blueberry Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This moist, berry-studded cake has a great texture from the medium-grind cornmeal in the batter. It uses a generous 1 1/2 cups of blueberries. Fresh blueberries are in abundance this time of year in the South, and this recipe is a great use of your surplus.

50 of 50

Red, White, And Blue Poke Cake

Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake — Jennifer Causey

This cake has not one, but two syrupy, fruity fillings to soak into the tender crumb. If that's not enough, we slathered the cake with a lusciously rich mascarpone frosting. When frosting the cake, dollop and spread it carefully so the filling won't bleed through.

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