Just like some people swap their bedding with the changing seasons, we rotate our recipes as well. Not only do we showcase the freshest produce, but we also utilize certain cooking methods more during certain times of the year. When we need new recipe inspiration, the first person we turn to is Grandma. This time around, we’re revisiting Grandma’s favorite summer desserts. From juicy fruit cobblers to no-bake icebox cakes, these vintage dessert recipes will delight at every summer event.
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Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Grandma’s impressive gelatin molds add nostalgia anytime of year, and this strawberry-lemonade version is just what summer needs. Top the finished mold with homemade candied lemon slices for chewy texture and citrus flavor.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
There is no dessert that screams old-fashioned summertime quite like peach cobbler. This simple version that comes together with pantry staples tastes just like Grandma’s.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Some of Grandma’s recipes take a practiced hand in the kitchen to master, but old-school dump cake recipes are literally foolproof. This sweet confection gained only five-star reviews, including one that says: “I made this yesterday and it was delicious! Now I have the whole pan to myself and will probably eat some every night for the next 2 weeks, but I’m not complaining!”
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
We prefer our meringue “Mile-High” for the prettiest slices of this cool and classic pie. We can’t resist a warm cup of coffee or tea with this beautiful confection.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These pretty little shortcakes are a delight to make and enjoy—the perfect way to spend an afternoon with Grandma! Our Test Kitchen recommends using pure vanilla to make the whipped cream extra rich.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
If you’re craving a dessert that showcases summer fruit but aren’t in the mood for a cobbler or crisp, try a crumb cake! This recipe would be delicious served at brunch as easily as after supper.
Grandma would never dream of using instant pudding, so she’d approve of this from-scratch recipe. The toasty meringue topping makes it beautiful enough for the holiday sideboard.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This layered, no-bake dessert is one Grandma remembers well. The hardest part is waiting for each layer to set so that the end result has beautifully defined layers.
This unique summer dessert is a must-try if Grandma loves cobbler. “Sonker was delicious and the crust was flaky/chewy, which was really nice on the warm berries,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “The dip… how fun! A cross between vanilla pudding and frosting, it was really good!”
We dubbed this sunny citrus recipe the easiest pie ever, and you have to try it for yourself to see why. “This pie is the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. If you like key lime pie and lemon pie, this is a marriage of the two,” wrote one reviewer. “Going in my permanent collection for summer desserts!”
