8 Super Sweet Summer Desserts

When the warm weather hits and the bright colors of seasonal fruit are popping at your local farmers market, it's time to make summer desserts.

Just think about the diverse textures, from layering plump, juicy strawberries between soft layers of cream to pureeing fresh honey mangoes to make a custard. (Go ahead, think about that. We'll give you all the time in the world to envision greatness.) To the good, old-fashioned vibe that dark blueberries and peaches carry when they ooze from the sides of a freshly made cobbler, fruit desserts are as eye-pleasing as they are delicious. (Feel free to stop and think about this for a few minutes, too.)

Whether enjoyed out of hand, cooked down for preserves, or baked into a pie, fresh fruit will reward you with the most sumptuous summer desserts. And since fruit is naturally sweet, these summer desserts require less sugar.

We've compiled a list of eight fruit-based summer desserts for those long, hot, oven-free summer days and nights, of course. Take your pick of treats for backyard barbecues, Fourth of July picnics, graduation get-togethers, or setting out as a snack after a dip in the pool. Just remember to wait an hour after each slice of pie before doing any cannonballs.

Many of these recipes are templates you can use to swap your preference for any of June's bright cherries, mangoes, raspberries, strawberries; July's deep, dark blackberries, blueberries, and local marionberries, and tree fruits, such as Oregold peaches, nectarines, and apricots; or August's grab bag of apples, plums, and Royal Verano pears.

Peach and Blueberry Hand Pies

Hand pies go back to 18th-century England. They're a sweet version of “pasties" — meat, potato, and veggies enveloped in an individual pie crust that miners would carry to work. Tuck sliced peaches and plump blueberries into a butter pie crust laced with fresh thyme to make this darling summer dessert. Set these pies out at your next gathering or pool party, and you'll be say “Cheerio!" to them quickly (folks will be snatching them up fast!).

Mango Coconut Bars

These rich mango, coconut, and macadamia nut bars are filled with a bright yellow custard made from a puree of buttery sweet, delicious Altaulfo mangos, which are named after the Mexican grower, Altaulfo Morales. Also called honey mangoes, they are smaller and less fibrous than other mango varietals, making them perfect for smoothies and desserts.

Mike Price's Blueberry Cake

New York City chef and restaurateur Mike Price grew up surrounded by wild blueberry bushes and strawberries in the woods near his family's Maryland farm. His mother-in-law Lucy's recipe for a tender cake bursting with blueberries is an excellent finish to his summer crab boil and a must-have for picnics and large get-togethers.

Strawberry Parfait

The crème de la crème of strawberry season arrives in June, when these red beauties are ripe for the picking. And they get the “crème de la crème treatment" when yogurt, honey, and cream cheese are combined and spread in alternating layers with fresh berries to make an easy, delightful parfait, which means “perfect" in French. You'll agree.

Peaches and Cream Shortcakes

Miss Leslie's Ladies New Receipt Book published in Philadelphia in 1847, is where you'll find the origin of summer strawberry shortcake: flaky biscuits split and layered with cream and strawberries. Fragrant, sliced peaches stand in for the strawberries for a twist on this classic dessert.

Cherry Galette

Setting fresh cherries over this rustic crust, such as a galette — the term for a round pastry dough baked directly on sheet pan — is an excellent way to savor summer cherries. The crust-to-fruit ratio is lower than a traditional deep-dish pie crust, meaning there's more explosive fruit flavor to enjoy.

Summer Fruit Popsicle

We all scream for ice cream, but “popping" one of these fresh nectarine and yogurt popsicles with an almond crunch into our mouths on hot summer days is our favorite way to keep cool. Luscious nectarines pack a bevy of nutrients and fiber, and when combined with yogurt's probiotics, these popsicles are a healthy snack alternative.

Cherry Almond Cobbler

Fruit cobblers consist of a fruit base and biscuit-like topping, and they are one of the most versatile and easy summer preparations for stone fruits. This recipe with cherries and almonds is a winning combination, since the hard-shelled fruit of the almond tree is in the same family as cherries, plums, peaches, and nectarines! Try making one of each or your own stone fruit combo.