In the summer, nothing beats finishing off a meal with a dessert that offers the perfect balance of flavour, freshness and indulgence.
Here are thirteen summer dessert ideas. Simply vary the ingredients and adapt the flavours to your taste to impress young and old alike!
Smoothies: In a food processor, blend frozen fruit, juice or milk (cow or plant-based), and yogurt or silken tofu until relatively smooth. If you do not have frozen fruit, use fresh fruit and add ice.
Granita: In a food processor, purée fresh fruit, adding a little fruit juice (or your favourite alcohol) to obtain a slightly more liquid consistency. Pour the mixture into a square pan and freeze for a few hours. Scrape the frozen mixture once every hour with a fork until it reaches a slushy consistency.
Milkshake: For one serving, use approximately ¾ cup of ice cream with ½ cup of cold milk. Vary the flavours and add a little chocolate syrup, maple syrup or vanilla extract. Blend in a food processor until smooth. For a crazy twist, top with cookies, marshmallows and your favourite sweet toppings!
Iced coffee: Make your favourite coffee (filter or espresso) then add cold milk, ice cubes and a touch of sugar to taste. You can also make milk ice cubes to add to a cold coffee.
Popsicles: You can never go wrong with a reusable popsicle mould. Use your imagination to create a variety of flavours using fruit juice, your favourite smoothie, yogurt, fresh fruit or even homemade pudding. Try an adult version using sparkling wine or your favourite homemade cocktail.
Homemade sorbet: Use ¼ cup sugar and ½ cup orange juice per 2 cups of fresh fruit of your choice (raspberries, strawberries, mango, etc.). Purée all ingredients in a food processor, then cover the dish with plastic wrap and freeze for several hours until firm. Remove your sorbet from the freezer 20 minutes before serving, using an ice cream scoop.
Ice cream sandwiches: Place a scoop of slightly softened ice cream (10 minutes at room temperature) between two chewy cookies and gently press together. Roll the sides in chocolate chips, sprinkles or nuts and place on a tray in the freezer for at least one hour. Ice cream sandwiches can be stored in the freezer for a few days. Be sure to wrap individually.
Fruit tart: Make or buy a sweet pie shell and line it with a thin layer of melted chocolate. Once the chocolate has set, fill the shell with pastry cream, vanilla Greek yogurt or whipped cream, then arrange a variety of sliced fruit on top.
Ice cream pie: Make or buy a graham cracker pie shell and spread it evenly with softened ice cream (10 minutes at room temperature). Freeze for at least one hour. Before serving, place a mound of berries on top, top with icing sugar and mint leaves for an impressive finishing touch.
Strawberry shortcake: Cut an angel food cake or yellow cake into two or more layers. Spread each layer with a generous amount of whipped cream and small diced strawberries. Top the cake with a final layer of whipped cream and thin slices of strawberries for a beautiful finish. You can also prepare this cake in verrine glasses.
S’mores: Try a simpler version of classic s’mores by sandwiching a marshmallow between two milk chocolate-topped butter cookies (such as Celebration cookies by Leclerc), wrapped in aluminum foil. Place in the embers of the fire for a just few minutes and enjoy!
Stuffed bananas: Slit the peel of a banana lengthwise, with smaller cuts at the ends to open. Fill with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, nuts or any other toppings, then wrap in foil. Place the banana in the embers of the fire for a few minutes. What a treat!
Fresh fruit skewers: Thread cubes of firm fruit (strawberries, pineapple, pear, melon, etc.) and pieces of angel food cake or brownies onto long skewers and place on the campfire grill just long enough to create grill marks on the fruit. For a whimsical touch, drizzle the fruit with chocolate or caramel syrup and enjoy!
These simple and delicious recipes are sure to please this summer!
ICED BEVERAGES
For dessert or a snack, these frosty drinks are to die for on a hot summer day.Smoothies: In a food processor, blend frozen fruit, juice or milk (cow or plant-based), and yogurt or silken tofu until relatively smooth. If you do not have frozen fruit, use fresh fruit and add ice.
Granita: In a food processor, purée fresh fruit, adding a little fruit juice (or your favourite alcohol) to obtain a slightly more liquid consistency. Pour the mixture into a square pan and freeze for a few hours. Scrape the frozen mixture once every hour with a fork until it reaches a slushy consistency.
Milkshake: For one serving, use approximately ¾ cup of ice cream with ½ cup of cold milk. Vary the flavours and add a little chocolate syrup, maple syrup or vanilla extract. Blend in a food processor until smooth. For a crazy twist, top with cookies, marshmallows and your favourite sweet toppings!
Iced coffee: Make your favourite coffee (filter or espresso) then add cold milk, ice cubes and a touch of sugar to taste. You can also make milk ice cubes to add to a cold coffee.
FROZEN DESSERTS
These desserts are easy to find in the frozen food department but are even better when made from scratch!Popsicles: You can never go wrong with a reusable popsicle mould. Use your imagination to create a variety of flavours using fruit juice, your favourite smoothie, yogurt, fresh fruit or even homemade pudding. Try an adult version using sparkling wine or your favourite homemade cocktail.
Homemade sorbet: Use ¼ cup sugar and ½ cup orange juice per 2 cups of fresh fruit of your choice (raspberries, strawberries, mango, etc.). Purée all ingredients in a food processor, then cover the dish with plastic wrap and freeze for several hours until firm. Remove your sorbet from the freezer 20 minutes before serving, using an ice cream scoop.
Ice cream sandwiches: Place a scoop of slightly softened ice cream (10 minutes at room temperature) between two chewy cookies and gently press together. Roll the sides in chocolate chips, sprinkles or nuts and place on a tray in the freezer for at least one hour. Ice cream sandwiches can be stored in the freezer for a few days. Be sure to wrap individually.
PIES AND CAKES
Who says pies and cakes are only for birthdays?Fruit tart: Make or buy a sweet pie shell and line it with a thin layer of melted chocolate. Once the chocolate has set, fill the shell with pastry cream, vanilla Greek yogurt or whipped cream, then arrange a variety of sliced fruit on top.
Ice cream pie: Make or buy a graham cracker pie shell and spread it evenly with softened ice cream (10 minutes at room temperature). Freeze for at least one hour. Before serving, place a mound of berries on top, top with icing sugar and mint leaves for an impressive finishing touch.
Strawberry shortcake: Cut an angel food cake or yellow cake into two or more layers. Spread each layer with a generous amount of whipped cream and small diced strawberries. Top the cake with a final layer of whipped cream and thin slices of strawberries for a beautiful finish. You can also prepare this cake in verrine glasses.
FOR CAMPING
The perfect way to end a gorgeous day in the outdoors: a decadent dessert grilled over the campfire!S’mores: Try a simpler version of classic s’mores by sandwiching a marshmallow between two milk chocolate-topped butter cookies (such as Celebration cookies by Leclerc), wrapped in aluminum foil. Place in the embers of the fire for a just few minutes and enjoy!
Stuffed bananas: Slit the peel of a banana lengthwise, with smaller cuts at the ends to open. Fill with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, nuts or any other toppings, then wrap in foil. Place the banana in the embers of the fire for a few minutes. What a treat!
Fresh fruit skewers: Thread cubes of firm fruit (strawberries, pineapple, pear, melon, etc.) and pieces of angel food cake or brownies onto long skewers and place on the campfire grill just long enough to create grill marks on the fruit. For a whimsical touch, drizzle the fruit with chocolate or caramel syrup and enjoy!
These simple and delicious recipes are sure to please this summer!
