19 Desserts That’ll Make You Wish It Was July All Year

July’s heat brings out desserts that don’t wait for a holiday. These 19 recipes capture the sweet, tart, juicy flavors of peak summer in every bite. Whether you crave cold and creamy or warm and crumbly, each one is a reminder of how good dessert gets when the sun’s still high. You’ll want these in rotation long after the fireworks fade.

Seven blueberry pies with lattice tops on a tray, accompanied by fresh blueberries, half an orange, and a glass of milk on a woven mat. — Blueberry Pie Cookies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits takes about 45 minutes and balances sweet berries with buttery, caramel-flavored biscuits. The filling is fresh strawberries tossed in sugar, layered between tender shortcakes and finished with whipped cream. The biscuits have depth from brown sugar and richness that plays well with the fruit. It’s a dessert that hits soft, juicy, and crumbly all at once.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Mini Key Lime Pie Bites

A front view of a mini key lime pie with more on a white plate in the background. — Mini Key Lime Pie Bites. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Mini Key Lime Pie Bites come together in 25 minutes and taste like summer packed into a couple of bites. Each one features a graham cracker crust and creamy lime filling with a tangy kick. They’re chilled and portioned perfectly for easy sharing. These tiny pies are zesty, refreshing, and quick to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Mini Key Lime Pie Bites

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Key lime pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with coconut whipped cream and garnished with lime slices. — Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream takes about 3 hours including chilling, and it tastes light, tart, and tropical. The lime custard sets in a graham crust and is topped with airy coconut cream. It’s a balance of citrus and sweetness with a smooth, chilled texture. This pie is what you want on a hot afternoon with nowhere to be.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

A stack of three lemon bars on a plate with more lemon bars in the background. — Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust take about 90 minutes to chill and slice, and the flavor is all sharp lemon layered over buttery crunch. The crust is firm but crumbly, holding a lemon filling that’s thick and vibrant. These bars offer a clean, tangy bite in every square. They’re a crowd-pleaser that feels classic and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Blackberry Crumble Pie

Blackberry Crumble Pie bakes in just over an hour and brings together juicy berries and a golden oat topping. The filling is dark and jammy, bursting with fresh blackberry flavor that thickens as it cools. A flaky crust anchors everything underneath the warm crumble. Every slice tastes like it came straight from a backyard July picnic.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Crumble Pie

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Cinnamon Rolls take about 2 hours total and mix soft dough with spiced apple filling and sticky icing. The apples melt into the swirl, adding fruitiness to the cinnamon-sugar core. Each roll is tender, warm, and sweet with just enough spice. They’re best served warm when the scent still lingers in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Citrus Dream Tart

Citrus Dream Tart sets in 2 hours and layers a silky lemon-orange filling over a crunchy shortbread base. It’s creamy, cool, and packed with citrus brightness that finishes clean. The tartness is mellowed by just the right amount of sugar. It’s refreshing and rich without ever feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Dream Tart

Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

Cookies on a cooling rack on a dark surface. — Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies bake in under 30 minutes and strike a balance between chewy and crisp. The oats bring heartiness, while the cranberries offer a tart bite and the chocolate softens everything. They’re sweet with a tangy edge that makes them feel less ordinary. You’ll want a few extra once the tray cools.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream in a glass jar with a spoon. — Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream takes about 4 hours including freezing and is creamy, fruity, and flecked with dark chocolate. Sweet cherries add pockets of flavor in a smooth vanilla base. The chocolate chips give a slight crunch that plays well with the soft fruit. It’s one of those scoops that doesn’t wait for a cone.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Peach Crumble Bars

Peach Crumble Bars take 1 hour to bake and cool and layer jammy peaches between a golden base and a crumb topping. The fruit softens and sweetens in the oven without losing its texture. The crust holds its shape while the topping adds a light crunch. They taste like a slice of pie without needing a fork.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream churns in under an hour and combines tangy cream cheese with ribbons of raspberry. The base is rich but balanced by the tart fruit swirls. It’s cold, creamy, and scattered with bits of crushed graham crackers. Every bite tastes like frozen cheesecake done right.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

A butterscotch apple crumble in a cast iron skillet on a wooden cutting board. — Butterscotch Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butterscotch Apple Crisp takes about an hour and mixes tender apple slices with a buttery oat topping and butterscotch notes. The filling is soft and spiced, soaked in syrupy sweetness as it bakes. The topping browns just enough to give it crunch. It’s one of those desserts that vanishes as soon as it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers

Overhead shot of a blackberry lime tart on a white plate surrounded by edible flowers. — Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers sets in about 3 hours and layers bright lime custard with sweet blackberries on a crisp shell. The flavor is bold and tangy, balanced with a smooth, creamy texture. The edible flowers add a fresh finish without overpowering the fruit. It’s a showstopper that tastes as good as it looks.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Lime Tart with Edible Flowers

Lemon Crème Brûlée

A lemon creme brulee in a jar. — Lemon Crème Brûlée. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Lemon Crème Brûlée takes about 90 minutes to bake and chill and tastes cool, creamy, and citrus-forward. Underneath the crackled sugar top is a lemon custard that’s smooth and rich. The citrus cuts the sweetness with a gentle tartness. It’s refreshing and elegant without feeling too serious.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Crème Brûlée

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies bake in under 30 minutes and come out soft, chewy, and fragrant with citrus zest. They’re rolled in sugar before baking, giving the edges a crisp finish. The flavor is light but unmistakably lemony. These are the kind of cookies that go fast whether it’s July or not.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sugar Cookies

Pavlova Wreath with Raspberry Coulis

A pavlova wreath on a white plate. — Pavlova Wreath with Raspberry Coulis. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pavlova Wreath with Raspberry Coulis takes about 3 hours start to finish and tastes crisp on the outside with a marshmallow-soft middle. The meringue is shaped into a ring and topped with whipped cream and raspberry sauce. It’s sweet, airy, and balanced by the tart coulis. This one earns its spot on any summer dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Pavlova Wreath with Raspberry Coulis

Peach Crumble

Peach Crumble bakes in about 45 minutes and tastes warm, soft, and perfectly fruity. The topping is golden and crisp while the peaches bake into a juicy layer underneath. Each spoonful holds sweetness and spice with a little texture from oats or nuts. It’s a no-fuss dessert that feels like peak season in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble

Pecan Peach Crisp

A bowl of peach cobbler topped with melted ice cream sits on a table; a spoonful of cobbler with peaches and crumbly topping is held above the bowl. A checkered cloth is in the background. — Pecan Peach Crisp. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pecan Peach Crisp takes 1 hour and layers canned peaches with a crunchy, nutty topping that bakes to a golden finish. The pecans add richness and bite to the soft, syrupy fruit base. It’s simple but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Warm or cold, it tastes like something that never lasts past seconds.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Peach Crisp

Blueberry Pie Cookies

Blueberry Pie Cookies bake in under 30 minutes and pack pie filling into soft, handheld cookies. The centers hold a spoonful of blueberry jam that bursts with flavor when warm. A drizzle of glaze finishes each one with sweetness. These are part cookie, part pie, and all gone too soon.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pie Cookies