What’s better than a cold or fruity sweet treat on a hot summer day? Not much! Here’s a collection of my most popular summer desserts, including classics like French clafoutis and fun surprise treats like pineapple mint popsicles.

These dessert recipes are all fresh and simple to make, and sure to please a crowd at a cookout or delight your dinner table. They’re lighter and healthier than most desserts, and many feature fresh berries and peaches (think fruity crisps, simple cakes, and frozen yogurt). Some of the recipes benefit from a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

The days are long and the weather is warm. Pick a favorite below and we’ll celebrate the season. Enjoy!

Clafoutis

This clafoutis recipe is simply the best! You can make it with berries (my favorite), cherries (my daughter’s favorite), or any of the fruity variations provided in the post. Recipe yields one 10-inch clafoutis, enough for 8 slices. 

4.9/5 from 17 ratings

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Lemon Posset

Lemon posset is a creamy, citrusy dessert—the perfect small treat. It offers a rich texture and balanced lemon flavor that teeters irresistibly between tangy and sweet. Posset is so easy to make! Allow 3 hours for chilling. Recipe yields 8 to 9 small (2-ounce) servings.

4.8/5 from 37 ratings

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Gluten-Free Almond Cake with Berries on Top

This delicious gluten-free almond cake recipe is easy to make and naturally sweetened. Top with yogurt and fresh berries for a party-worthy cake! Recipe yields one 9-inch cake, enough for 8 slices.

4.9/5 from 95 ratings

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Peach Crisp (Gluten-Free)

This healthier peach crisp features juicy summer peaches and a delicious oat and almond topping, which happens to be gluten free. See recipe notes for special diet adjustments. Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.

4.8/5 from 105 ratings

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Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies offer classic shortbread flavor with dazzling jam centers. Almond flour makes them gluten free and extra delicious! Recipe yields 22 to 24 small cookies.

4.9/5 from 17 ratings

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Simple Blueberry Cake

Make this simple blueberry cake recipe! This blueberry cake is tender and delicious, loaded with blueberries, and not too sweet. It’s naturally sweetened and whole grain as written, too (check recipe notes for more flour options). Recipe yields one 9-inch round cake, enough for 8 slices.

4.7/5 from 86 ratings

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Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

This simple crisp recipe is bursting with sweet, juicy strawberries and tart rhubarb. Made with honey, oats and yogurt, this crisp is more healthy than most. That said, please serve it with vanilla ice cream for dessert (or yogurt for breakfast)!

4.8/5 from 46 ratings

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Easy Pineapple Mint Popsicles

Craving a refreshing summer treat? Make these simple pineapple-mint popsicles! You’ll need only two ingredients to make these all-natural ice pops. Popsicle molds vary in volume; this recipe yields 16 ounces total, so multiply if necessary.

5/5 from 7 ratings

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Mixed Berry Crisp (Gluten Free)

Make this delightful berry crisp with any mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries. It’s the perfect simple and fruity summertime dessert. Recipe yields one 9-inch crisp, about 8 servings.

4.9/5 from 54 ratings

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Pots de Crème

This foolproof pots de crème recipe comes together quickly in the blender and tastes amazing. Make it for dessert, and freeze the extra! Yields 36 ounces, enough for anywhere between 36 tiny 1-ounce servings and 9 generous 4-ounce servings.

4.9/5 from 14 ratings

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Lemony Cheesecake Tart with Pistachio Crust

This cheesecake tart recipe is the best! It’s easy to make and tastes gourmet. The homemade pistachio-oat crust happens to be gluten free. Recipe yields one 9-inch tart, enough for 8 medium slices.

4.8/5 from 14 ratings

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Easy Fruit Compote

Learn how to make fruit compote with this easy recipe! You can make compote with fresh or frozen fruit. It’s delicious on ice cream, yogurt, toast, pancakes, waffles and more! Recipe yields about 2 cups compote.

4.9/5 from 69 ratings

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No-Bake Greek Yogurt Tart

This no-bake Greek yogurt tart recipe looks impressive, but it’s very easy to make and nutritious, too! I topped mine with raspberries and strawberries, but use any fresh fruit you’d like. Recipe yields one 9-inch tart (6 slices).

4.9/5 from 25 ratings

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Blueberry Almond Crisp

This amazing blueberry crisp recipe is the perfect summertime dessert! It’s easy to make with blueberries, maple syrup, lemon, oats and almonds. It’s gluten free, too! Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings (a lot!).

4.9/5 from 95 ratings

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Creamy Peach & Honey Popsicles

Honey-sweetened peach popsicles made with yogurt and roasted peaches! These cold, creamy treats are perfect for summertime. They’re healthy, too. Recipe yields eight 3-ounce popsicles.

5/5 from 12 ratings

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Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Cake

This delicious, lemony yogurt cake is studded with blueberries. It’s made with healthy whole wheat flour, olive oil and yogurt and tastes amazing, I promise! This cake takes cues from traditional French yogurt cake and tastes like a lightened-up pound cake. Recipe yields one loaf.

4.8/5 from 82 ratings

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Almond Cake with Roasted Strawberries & Rhubarb on Top

This maple-sweetened, gluten-free almond cake topped with roasted strawberries and rhubarb is a simple springtime dessert! Recipe yields one 9-inch cake, enough for 8 slices.

4.9/5 from 33 ratings

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Plum Crisp with Pistachio, Oat and Almond Meal Topping

This simple plum crisp recipe features honey-sweetened summer plums and a gluten-free oat and almond meal topping! Ginger and pistachios send it over the top (but feel free to substitute another nut for the pistachios).

4.9/5 from 18 ratings

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Blueberry Frozen Yogurt

This tangy, honey-sweetened lemon blueberry frozen yogurt is a delightful summer treat. Use full fat yogurt for the best texture, and buy organic berries and lemon if you can.

4.5/5 from 14 ratings

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Honey Almond Cake with Raspberries, Orange and Pistachios

This almond flour and honey cake it super simple, moist and delicious! This cake is gluten-free and paleo-friendly. Feel free to change up the flavors (see notes on how to do so). I think a lemon blueberry version would be delicious.

4.8/5 from 88 ratings

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Roasted Berry and Yogurt Popsicles

These super creamy Greek yogurt popsicles are swirled with jammy, roasted raspberries and blueberries. Sweetened with honey, these are all-natural, delicious summer treats. Recipe yields eight 3-ounce popsicles (24 ounces in total).

4.3/5 from 9 ratings

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Before you go, here are some more recipe roundups you might appreciate:

• 27 Easy Appetizers
• 29 Epic Salad Recipes
• 18 Light Summer Dinners
• 20 Summer Potluck Recipes
• 25 Summer Cocktails

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Your guests are about to be impressed! This blog offers over 100 appetizer recipes, but the recipes that made this list are the easiest appetizer ideas in my collection. These crowd-pleasing, no-fuss recipes are made with basic ingredients that come together quickly and taste amazing. Start at the top to find the easiest of them all. Toward the bottom of the list, you’ll find a few recipes that require a smidge more effort but are completely worth your while.

These simple party snacks are perfect when you have surprise guests, you’re running late to a friend’s get-together (that’s me), or you’re hosting a feast (save your effort for the entrées). You’ll find plenty of dips here—everyone loves a good dip, and they’re easy to whir together in a food processor. Many can be made in advance and served cold. You’ll also discover appetizer recipes that you can put together in under 10 minutes using ingredients from your pantry—be sure to bookmark them for later.

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Spring is here, daffodils and all, and I’m just thrilled about it. This winter felt especially cold and dreary, and I have a literal spring in my step now that we can go for walks again.

April brings more seasonal produce to the table, including asparagus, beets and peas. You’ll find the complete list below and even more spring recipes here (use the filters to find exactly what you need!).Continue to the recipe...

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Thank goodness March is here. January and February were full of snow days and sicknesses, and I thought we’d never make it! The days are growing longer, the birds are chirping, and I love how the spring sunshine illuminates our kitchen.

Asparagus is on its way, and we’ll finally have more fresh fruits and vegetables to work with this month. I’m looking forward to cooking my favorite green curry soon, shown below. You’ll find more seasonal recipes in this post!

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We made it to February. The Super Bowl is around the corner, and we’ll be cheering for the Chiefs from Kansas City. Here are all of my game day recipes for your consideration. If you’re planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day from home, check out these date night recipes.

In just four weeks, March and glimmers of spring will greet us. Here are more seasonal recipes to enjoy this month with winter produce. More new recipes are coming soon!

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Let’s hear it for the New Year! Last year, I launched a redesigned website that was years in the making, got back into the groove with publishing recipes regularly, and quietly retested and reworked the oldest recipes on the blog. Many of those will get new photos soon. I’m always determined to make Cookie and Kate the best resource that it can be!

In 2025, I’m looking forward to sharing all the new recipes I’ve worked on behind the scenes. Some are made months ahead of time. It’s going to be a delicious year.

If you’re looking for wholesome, satisfying, veggie-packed recipes, you’re in the right place. You’ll find a bunch of them in my guide to seasonal produce below. For in-depth resources and tips on how to eat real food, be sure to check out my cookbook, Love Real Food.

Cheers to a healthy and happy 2025. Thank you so much for being here. Continue to the recipe...

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December has arrived quicker than ever! The lights on our Christmas tree are brightening this cold day. We had our first snow a few days ago, which was beautiful.

Below, you’ll find a collection of healthy recipes to carry us through December and the holiday season. Cooking with fresh, seasonal produce is generally more delicious and more affordable, so it’s a true win-win.

If you’re shopping for an easy gift, I hear that my cookbook makes a great one. It’s on sale for about $15 at Amazon and Target (online only) right now, and it’s also now available in a cool spiral-bound format that lays flat. Stay well, eat well, and happy holidays!Continue to the recipe...

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Hello there! I’m thrilled to show you around the redesigned Cookie and Kate website. The previous website served us well for over ten years, and I hope this one sets us up for another decade of new Cookie and Kate recipes. I love sharing them with you. This project took over three years with many stops and starts, and I’m so glad it’s finally done. It’s a beauty!

When I was expecting our daughter, I reached out to the CultivateWP team thinking we could get this done before she arrived. Then, life threw us some serious curve balls including my brother’s life-threatening wakeboarding accident, and I had to hit pause. I owe a giant thank you to Duane and Bill for their patience, understanding and dedication to getting this right.

We officially launched the site last month and finalized a few features last week. I’ll walk you through the changes today. Here we go, starting with the new table of contents feature that you’ll see from time to time!

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November is here, and it’s just starting to feel like fall outside. Our three-year-old loved dressing up as Minnie Mouse (again) for Halloween yesterday. This time she was Queen Minnie! I love to pull out my old sewing machine for Halloween costumes, so I made her a cape to complete her outfit.

Below, you’ll find plenty of seasonal recipes that will sustain you between now and your Thanksgiving feast. This collection highlights healthy everyday recipes. Check out my Thanksgiving roundup if you’re planning your holiday menus. Stay tuned for new recipes coming your way shortly.

Apples

Apple Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Gluten free and vegan (see notes)

“We made the apple oatmeal on this cool morning here in Kansas…and it was perfect. Topped it with some almond butter and a swirl of maple syrup. My 3 year old ate most of my portion along with his. So, kid friendly, as well! Another recipe well done!” – Jamie

More apple recipes »

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October is here, hooray! The cooler weather is most welcome. I’m looking forward to a cozy fall and the holidays, but I might love these glorious sunny days in between seasons the most. As the weather cools down, let’s mark the time with warm apple crisp, hearty chili, and wholesome pumpkin bread. You’ll find more seasonal recipes to enjoy below, and I have a full line-up of new recipes coming your way this fall.

October will be a big month for the blog. I’m finally ready to launch a redesigned website with great new features to help you find exactly what you want to cook. This redesign has been in the works for over three years (!), and I’m so excited to share it with you. Keep an eye out!

Apples

Healthy Apple Muffins

Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)

“Made them this morning with one Granny Smith and one Macintosh. Your recipe is fantastic! The rose so well, made a beautiful crust and were nice and tender inside. Taste was great!” – Pierre

More apple recipes »

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