30 Best Ice Cream Desserts for a Sweet Summer

Cool, creamy, and sinfully sweet, these easy ice cream desserts are sure to make your summer sing.

Creamy desserts are fantastic when the weather starts getting balmy and all you can think about are lazy days by the pool.

Luckily, every single one of these sweet treats would make an ideal addition to any backyard BBQ bash. 

So what are you waiting for? You better get started before these indulgent ice cream desserts melt!

1. Peanut Buster Parfait Ice Cream Pie with Nutter Butter Crust

Can you think of a better combination than chocolate and peanut butter? The two go hand-in-hand as one of the best dynamic duos in history. 

The only thing that can make them better is ice cream, and that’s precisely what this recipe does.

This cake is crunchy, smooth, and packed with peanut-buttery goodness. Plus, it comes together quickly, making this a great dish to whip up when you don’t want to overheat. 

2. Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Roll 

Who said you could only enjoy pumpkin spice in the fall? 

This recipe brings the autumn staple to a whole new level. And it looks pretty impressive to boot.

This dish is like a jellyroll, but instead of filling it with custard, you fill it with cool, creamy, vanilla ice cream. 

It’s topped with drizzled caramel and chocolate to give it that extra level of decadence you won’t want to miss.

3. Hot Fudge Ice Cream Pie

Are you looking for an exquisitely easy dessert that comes together in only six ingredients? 

This hot fudge ice cream pie should fit the bill and it might just become your next favorite dessert.

Layers of vanilla ice cream, vanilla wafers, and chocolate fudge meld together beautifully, creating this chocolatey piece of heaven. 

This recipe will definitely hit the sweet tooth just right. 

4. Frosty Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

This recipe is just like the timeless pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving dinner, just a little more frosty. 

All you have to do is mix some vanilla ice cream with canned pumpkin and spices. How easy is that?

5. Purple Cow Shake 

If you’ve never heard of the Purple Cow Shake, then you’re in for a real treat.

This three-ingredient wonder is so good that you’ll want to serve it for dessert every night. 

To create this Purple Cow Shake, simply mix some grape juice, milk, and ice cream. That’s it!

It tastes like a root beer float made with grape soda. One sip, and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t tried this before.

6. Frozen Banana Split Dessert 

Try this twist on a classic American dessert! It’s a breeze to whip up, though I have a feeling you’ll need to make extra.

This treat consists of a Graham Cracker crust layered with bananas, ice cream, fudge, peanuts, and whipped cream on top.

It has everything you could ask for in an ice cream dessert, with sweet, salty, and creamy all blending together in every bite. 

7. Butter Pecan Ice Cream Cake (No Ice Cream Machine Required)

Want to try your hand at homemade ice cream? Give this recipe a whirl!

All you need is a stand mixer – so don’t worry if you don’t have an ice cream machine.

Once the base is ready, serve with salted caramel drizzled on top to create the ultimate butter pecan dream. 

8. Confetti Ice Cream Fudge Pie with M&M’s

This sweet treat is as fun to look at as it is to eat. 

The colorful concoction would make waves at any kid’s birthday party with its rainbow smattering of sprinkles and the multicolored M&Ms. 

Not only does it look good, but this dessert is devilishly delicious. It’s full of rich chocolatey goodness mixed with creamy vanilla ice cream. 

How can an ice cream cake get any better than this? 

9. Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake

Now, this is one cake that’s almost too pretty to eat.

Strawberry crunch ice cream cake is loaded with vanilla ice cream and plenty of sweet strawberry sweetness.

What better way to end a summertime garden party?

Combined with the crushed cookie coating, this heavenly cake is a burst of spring in every bite. 

10. Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches are a great treat to keep in the freezer all summer long. And when you make them yourself, it’s so easy to modify them to your liking.

These tasty treats are so darn good. The crust tastes like a rich, decadent brownie and the velvety vanilla chocolate-chip ice cream inside is to die for. 

Of course, you can use strawberry, mint, or even salted caramel ice cream. The sky’s the limit.

11. Irish Coffee Ice Cream Pie With Whiskey Ganache

If you’re looking to feature a spiked dessert at your Saint Patricks Day bash, look no further.

The creamy coffee ice cream pairs perfectly with the burnt-sugar taste of the whiskey ganache. It tastes like your favorite Dunkin Donuts coffee, just a little bit spiked.

This devilishly delicious dessert is going to be a hit with your guests.

12. Rainbow Sherbet Cake 

This rainbow sherbert cake comes complete with a lemon cookie crust, a marshmallow fluff topping, and a rainbow sherbert middle. 

It’s the perfect mixture of tangy and sweet flavors to give your palate an adventure (along with your eyes).

I think this would be a fantastic summer birthday cake, and those colors are ideal for Easter too.

13. Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie 

Frozen strawberry lemonade is such a refreshing treat on a sweltering day. But have you ever had it in pie-form?

This heavenly cream pie is super refreshing and pretty darn easy to make.

Plus, it’s just as yummy in the winter!

14. Homemade Oreo Ice Cream Cake

If you’re a fan of Oreos, then you’ll love this cake. 

Delicious Oreo-infused ice cream rests on a thick slab of chocolate cake to create this decadent dessert. 

It’s loved by kids and adults alike and will make anyone’s birthday that much more special. 

15. No-Bake Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Cookie dough lovers will want to leave plenty of room for dessert when this cake comes to the party.

Homemade chocolate-vanilla ice cream rests on a dense cookie dough crust, but it doesn’t stop there.

Little cookie dough balls sit on top of the cake to create the ultimate cookie dough cake experience. 

16. Rainbow Sherbet Cake Recipe

This perfect pastel cake will make waves at your next spring get-together.

Each layer of angel food cake is separated by a rainbow of sherbert flavors.

It’s a tantalizing treat that’s fun for all ages!

17. S’mores Milkshake

This fun recipe replicates the chocolatey-marshmallow flavor we all know and love and transforms it into something new and irresistible.

It tastes like a chocolate milkshake mixed with the honey sweetness of Graham Cracker along with the burnt sugary goodness of toasted marshmallows. 

18. Lemon Ice Cream Pie 

This lemon ice cream pie brings a wave of refreshment to your day.

Each bite combines tangy lemon with the creaminess of ice cream. One forkful of this dreamy cake, and you’ll be transported into a citrusy cloud of wonder. 

19. Homemade Ice Cream Tacos

Bring your ice cream game to the next level with these homemade ice cream tacos. 

You don’t have to wait for taco Tuesday to dive into these tasty treats; they make the perfect dessert any night of the week!

Simply stuff each homemade shell with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and try not to eat the whole tray.

You can even make your life easier by prepping the shells ahead of time for easy access. 

20. Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert

Inspired by Dairy Queen’s famous Buster Bar, this dessert makes for the ultimate summer treat.

Each square consists of an Oreo crust, topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge sauce, peanuts, and whipped cream. 

It’s like an entire ice cream sundae, but in a cake! Bonus points if you add a cherry on top. 

21. Raspberry Ice Cream Delight 

Raspberry pairs so beautifully with ice cream, and this cake allows you to get the best out of this perfect pairing.

It features layers of vanilla ice cream swirled together with hot fudge, raspberries, and whipped cream. 

Nestled onto an Oreo cookie crust this is one sweet and decadent treat.

22. Caramel Snickerdoodle Gelato Sandwiches

Snickerdoodles are one of my all-time favorite cookies.

There’s just something about the mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and pillowy texture that makes them irresistible to me. 

The only thing they’re missing is ice cream, so you can see where we’re going here!

Each bite is full of cinnamon sweetness, combined with velvety vanilla and caramel gelato. It’s a crowd-pleasing treat that will impress the masses.

23. Fried Ice Cream Dessert 

If you’ve never tried fried ice cream before, now’s your chance. And don’t worry, there’s no scary pot of hot oil in sight!

Instead of deep-frying, this recipe prepares a sweet, fried mixture of crushed corn flakes and sugar to sprinkle on top. 

Each bite is crunchy and melts in your mouth. 

24. Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake

One bite of this peanut butter dream and your taste buds will want more.

It’s a five-ingredient wonder that comes together quickly but tastes like you spent a whole afternoon in the kitchen.

Vanilla ice cream rests on an Oreo crust, with Reese’s mini peanut butter cups sprinkled on top. Need I say more?

25. Margarita Float 

What’s better than an ice cream dessert? How about an ice cream cocktail?

This recipe creates a dangerously easy-to-drink cocktail that will help you cool off during the summer.

Lime sorbet is the secret ingredient here; all you have to do is add some water and tequila to create this ultimate refresher.

26. Grilled Peach Sundaes with Boozy Caramel Sauce

This restaurant-worthy dessert is going to delight your next dinner party. 

Grilled peaches make the ideal juicy base for vanilla ice cream and a boozy caramel sauce.

Trust me, it’s worth firing up the grill just to make this dish.

27. Frozen Butter Pecan Pumpkin Pie (GF Option) 

I love those early fall days when it’s still warm and sunny but there’s a slight chill to the air.

And on those days, this cold and spiced pecan pumpkin pie is just what you need.

It’s doubly great if you have any gluten-free eaters at the table!

The butter pecan ice cream blends beautifully with the pumpkin spice flavor, making this a frozen harvest treat you don’t want to miss.

28. Gluten Free Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches are one of the best summer desserts, in my opinion, and just because you’re following a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean you have to skip out of this seasonal treat. 

The crust consists of gluten-free brownies that contain zero flour, making them the perfect, chocolatey counterparts to the ice cream. 

29. Banana Split 

Who doesn’t love a classic banana split?

While the recipe is ingredient-heavy, it’s well worth it. 

Smooshed in between a split banana is a medley of sweet flavors. It’s sweet, fruity, chocolatey, nutty, and creamy, all in one bowl!

30. Baked Alaska

If there’s one dessert that will steal the show at your next dinner party, it’s baked Alaska. 

It might look intimidating but it comes together easily with the help of a kitchen blow torch.

The dessert is sweet and creamy, and the burnt meringue topping is the icing on the cake (literally!)