There’s no doubt that summer is the perfect time to pick up new hobbies. For me recently, that’s meant cooking and baking at the slightest twinge of boredom. But where I’m from in Florida, it can be difficult to find a recipe that will hold up to the intense heat and humidity. As a result, I’ve expanded my repertoire of summer baking recipes to include fresh, seasonal ingredients that are best enjoyed during the hotter months.
Featured image by Suruchi Avasthi.
25 Summer Baking Recipes to Beat the Heat
I’m a bit of a summer standout—I love spending my days in the kitchen this time of year. Of course, I know that many others would rather be sipping a refreshing cocktail or lounging poolside. Luckily, if you fall into the latter group, know this: many of these recipes require little to no baking. And for the dishes that do, trust that they’re well worth the effort.
If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth while making the most of the warm weather, these summer baking recipes are exactly what you need.
Muffins and Cupcakes
If you’re as equally obsessed with carrot cake as I am, carrot cake cupcakes might just become one of your go-to baking projects throughout the week. Containing oat milk and unsweetened applesauce, this cupcake batter is a healthier take that won’t cause any sluggishness from sugar.
I doubt you’ve seen a summer dessert more stunning than these citrus olive oil muffins. These bite-sized snacks bring the perfect amount of sweetness and tanginess.
These pumpkin muffins have had my heart for months. They’re easy and full of the warm, fall flavors that I tend to crave on breezy late-summer nights. A grab-and-go snack or a healthy dessert, these muffins are a must-have.
These blueberry power muffins pack a punch with healthy ingredients. You’ll be sure to wake up on the right foot with apple cider vinegar and ground ginger.
I can’t get enough of olive oil muffins—they’re super simple and don’t contain near as much sugar as the double chocolate muffins I grew up with. (Certainly not the worst thing in the world, but let’s just say these hit the literal sweet spot.)
I’m drawn to anything anti-inflammatory in regard to food. These muffins are a great way to pack plenty of berries, turmeric, and other good-for-you ingredients into a breakfast or snack. If you aren’t familiar with the benefits of turmeric, be sure to read up on this fascinating spice.
Banana bread in one bite! These vegan banana muffins are one of my favorite snacks to have throughout the day. Filled with healthy ingredients that won’t cause a sugar crash, you’ll find me making these religiously at the beginning of the week.
Cakes
Once I realized how moist and delectable olive oil cakes could be, I was changed forever. This cake is naturally sweetened with honey and Greek yogurt and topped with candied oranges.
When a large-scale summer gathering is in order, a cake is the simplest answer. This berries and cream cake isn’t too heavy and doesn’t contain the plethora of artificial flavors found in your grocery store cake.
Coffee cake is a top-tier snack or dessert. This recipe keeps your sweet treat light and fresh. What says summer more than fresh blueberries in your breakfast?
A perfect transition from spring to summer, this carrot cake is a dessert balanced in flavor and texture. Cream cheese frosting is rich, yet not overly sweet, making this cake a great option for when the heat gets to be a bit too much.
As mentioned, rhubarb is somewhat of an under-the-radar dessert ingredient. Incorporating this fruit into the main dish is one thing, but it brings the perfect brightness to any sweet treat.
The words “healthy” and “cake” don’t always go hand-in-hand, but in this dessert, they prove any skeptic wrong. Whether you choose pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, this honey cake packs plenty of warm flavors.
If I was looking for a party-pleasing dessert, this cake would be one of my top picks. A variety of different citrus flavors make up this warm-toned cake and add to the bright and tangy flavor.
Bars
Even in its off-season, lemon is one of the best fruits to implement in baking, cooking, and everything in between. Lemon bars bring a summery, zesty flavor to any crowd. This pool party-approved dessert is one you won’t want to miss out on.
Another flavorful (and easily servable) summer dessert is these no-bake lemon slices with a warm touch of cardamom. White chocolate holds these bars together and keeps them light in color and fresh in flavor.
Quick Breads
What’s better than strawberry shortcake? Gluten-free strawberry shortcake! This recipe isn’t nearly as dense as the traditional dish but still brings all of the sweet, balanced flavors that strawberry shortcake is known for.
Poundcake is a highly underrated summer dessert. It’s such a versatile treat that can be paired with a variety of different fruits and sweet flavors. The lack of icing makes it a perfect dish for hotter weather.
Cobbler is known for being a widely-loved summer dessert. This cobbler uses fresh (or frozen!) blackberries to pair with creamy vanilla ice cream.
Bumbleberry Galettes with Cornmeal Crust
Fresh fruit galettes are my most recent summer obsession. They’re super simple, rolling a pastry-like dough into a bowl-type tart to encase anything from fresh fruit to savory ingredients.
Ah, banana bread. A summer baking staple in my household growing up. We’d have many a heated competition to see who could bake the best banana bread. In the end, sweet toppings and fillings proved victorious, and the rule holds here. Chocolate chips take this dish to the next level.
Just when I thought banana bread couldn’t get any better—enter espresso mascarpone. A local favorite at one of our go-to NYC coffee shops, Two Hands. It’s a must-visit for this banana bread alone.
Fig & Lemon Crostata
Crostatas are arguably one of the most summery desserts of the entire season. Rich and tart fig flavors meet the tanginess of lemon for this crowd-approved dessert.
Ever since Camilla Marcus showed us her pluot galette, I’ve been in awe of its simplicity and unique flavor. Ripe pluots are a necessity for this dessert, topped with light and sweet crème fraiche.
As the die-hard coffee lover I am, I’m drawn to any form of tiramisu. The raspberry is perfect for summer, and the coffee liqueur is guaranteed to make it feel like you’ve had a late-night espresso without losing any sleep.
This post was last updated on June 21, 2025 to include new insights.
