12 Summer Desserts for a Crowd That Everyone Will Love
Planning a cookout, picnic, or summer get-together? You need a dessert that feeds a crowd and gets all the oohs and aahs! These 12 summer desserts are sweet, simple, and perfect for sharing — from no-bake favorites and fruity trays to creamy, cool showstoppers. Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish, these recipes are guaranteed to disappear fast. Get ready to be the dessert hero of the party!
1. Giant Strawberry Shortcake Slab
Scale up the classic with a large strawberry shortcake slab. Bake a large sheet cake or several biscuit layers. Top with mounds of freshly sliced sweet strawberries and generous dollops of whipped cream. This easy-to-serve dessert feeds a crowd effortlessly and captures the essence of summer. Read the Full Recipe
2. Watermelon Pizza Bar
Offer a refreshing and interactive dessert with a watermelon pizza bar. Slice large, thick rounds of watermelon and set out various toppings like yogurt, berries, kiwi, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and nuts. Let guests create their own personalized slices for a fun and healthy treat. Read the Full Recipe
3. Trifle with Layers of Summer Fruits
A trifle is ideal for a crowd as it’s visually appealing and serves many. Layer sponge cake soaked in fruit juice or liqueur with creamy custard, whipped cream, and an abundance of seasonal fruits like berries, peaches, and mangoes. Prepare it ahead for easy serving. Read the Full Recipe
4. No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Parfait Bar
Set up a no-bake berry cheesecake parfait bar. Provide bowls of creamy cheesecake filling, crushed graham crackers or cookies, and a variety of fresh summer berries. Guests can assemble their own individual parfaits, making it interactive and catering to different preferences.
5. Ice Cream Sundae Bar with Summer Toppings
A classic crowd-pleaser! Offer a variety of ice cream flavors and an array of summer-themed toppings like fresh fruit (berries, peaches, grilled pineapple), sauces (chocolate, caramel, berry), whipped cream, sprinkles, nuts, and crumbled cookies. Everyone can create their perfect sundae.
6. Lemonade Layer Cake
A bright and refreshing lemonade layer cake is perfect for a summer gathering. Bake a lemon-flavored cake and layer it with a tangy lemon buttercream frosting. The light and zesty flavor is ideal for a warm day and the cake can be sliced easily for a crowd.
7. Giant S’mores Dip
Bring the campfire indoors (or keep it outdoors!) with a giant s’mores dip. In a large oven-safe skillet or dish, layer chocolate chips and top with marshmallows. Bake or grill until melty and gooey. Serve with graham crackers, fruit slices, and pretzels for dipping.
8. Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
A simple yet refreshing option for a crowd is a large fruit salad. Combine a colorful assortment of seasonal fruits like melon, berries, grapes, pineapple, and kiwi. Toss with a light and zesty honey-lime dressing for added flavor.
9. Peach Cobbler for a Crowd
Bake a large peach cobbler in a big dish or several smaller ones. The warm, sweet peaches topped with a golden, crumbly crust are a comforting summer dessert that’s easy to serve to many people. Serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Read the Full Recipe
10. Brownie Slab with Berry Topping
Bake a large pan of fudgy brownies and top it with a generous layer of fresh summer berries and a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. This is a rich and satisfying dessert that’s easy to slice and serve to a crowd. Read the Full Recipe
11. Key Lime Pie Bars
Make key lime pie in a large baking dish and cut it into bars for easy serving. The tangy and refreshing flavor is perfect for summer, and the bar format makes it simple for guests to grab and enjoy. Read the Full Recipe
12. No-Churn Ice Cream Bar
Prepare a large batch of no-churn vanilla ice cream and offer a variety of mix-ins for guests to customize their scoops. Options could include crushed cookies, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, fruit pieces, and swirls of caramel or fudge. Read the Full Recipe
