Simple and delicious summertime desserts

We love to have folks over in the summertime. There's just something about not having the pressure of the school year that lends itself to hospitality, don't you think?

Here in North Carolina it can be so hot that I often avoid having the oven going for long periods, but I still like to have a killer dessert to serve.  Here are three of my summertime favorites!

 

Lemonade pie.  This one does require a few minutes of oven time if you like a homemade crust (I do!),  but the rest of the magic happens in the refrigerator.  This is one of our family's perennial favorites and always a hit with guests.



Lemonade Pie

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (you can buy crumbs or crush 15 graham crackers)

1 stick butter

1/3 cup sugar

Filling

8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed slightly

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

6 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

Directions

Melt butter.  Mix cracker crumbs and sugar into melted butter.  Press crumb mixture into pie pan. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool.

Combine filling ingredients; mix well.  Add a little food coloring if desired.  Pour into prepared pie shell.  Refrigerate until serving.  The longer it cools, the better, so this is a great make-ahead dessert.

Oreo Cream Delight.  I've been making this one since I was in college many years ago.  It's better than any cookies and cream ice cream you can buy--I guarantee it! 



Oreo Cream Delight

Ingredients
1 carton (1/2 gallon or similar) of reduced-fat vanilla ice cream
8 oz. container Cool Whip
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package chocolate sandwich cookies

Directions

Crush cookies.  (I use a zip-top plastic bag and a rolling pin to do this; be sure to leave some good-sized chunks of cookie.)  Thaw Cool Whip and soften ice cream slightly.  Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Spread in pan and freeze. Cut into squares to serve.

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Delight.  This is a variation of the Oreo recipe, and honestly it might be my favorite!  My son and I created this one lazy summer day, and it's been a favorite ever since.



Peanut Butter Ice Cream Delight

Ingredients
1 package (16 oz.) peanut butter sandwich cookies
1 package (8 oz.) Cool Whip
1 carton (1/2 gallon or similar) reduced-fat vanilla ice cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
creamy peanut butter

Directions
Crush peanut butter sandwich cookies. (We use a zip-top bag and a rolling pin to do this.) Soften Cool Whip and ice cream slightly, just enough so that they're stirrable. Place Cool Whip and ice cream in a large mixer bowl. Add vanilla and mix thoroughly. Stir in peanut butter to taste: we used three heaping tablespoons. Mix in crushed cookies. Spoon into serving dish and freeze until hard enough to scoop.

These recipes are fool-proof and delicious and perfect for hot summer days!

Do you have any favorite summer desserts?  Please share!