7 Super Sweet Summer Desserts

Hand pies go back to 18th-century England. They're a sweet version of “pasties" — meat, potato, and veggies enveloped in an individual pie crust that miners would carry to work. Tuck sliced peaches and plump blueberries into a butter pie crust laced with fresh thyme to make this darling summer dessert. Set these pies out at your next pool party and you'll be saying “Cheerio!" to them quickly (folks will be snatching them up fast!).

These rich mango, coconut, and macadamia nut bars are filled with a bright yellow custard made from a puree of buttery sweet, delicious Altaulfo mangoes, which are named after the Mexican grower, Altaulfo Morales. Also called honey mangoes, they are smaller and less fibrous than other mango varietals, making them perfect for smoothies and desserts.

The crème de la crème of strawberry season arrives in June when these red beauties are ripe for the picking. Give them the “crème de la crème treatment" by combining yogurt, honey, and cream cheese and spread in alternating layers with fresh berries to make an easy, delightful parfait, which means “perfect" in French. You'll agree.

Miss Leslie's Ladies New Receipt Book published in Philadelphia in 1847, is where you'll find the origin of summer strawberry shortcake: flaky biscuits split and layered with cream and strawberries. Fragrant, sliced peaches stand in for the strawberries for a twist on this classic dessert.

Setting fresh cherries over this rustic crust, such as a galette — the term for a round pastry dough baked directly on a sheet pan — is an excellent way to savor summer cherries. The crust-to-fruit ratio is lower than a traditional deep-dish pie crust, meaning there's more explosive fruit flavor to enjoy.

We all scream for ice cream, but “popping" one of these fresh nectarine and yogurt popsicles with an almond crunch into our mouths on hot summer days is our favorite way to keep cool. Luscious nectarines pack a bevy of nutrients and fiber, and when combined with yogurt's probiotics, these popsicles are a healthy snack alternative.

Fruit cobblers consist of a fruit base and biscuit-like topping, and they are one of the most versatile and easy summer preparations for stone fruits. This recipe with cherries and almonds is a winning combination since the hard-shelled fruit of the almond tree is in the same family as cherries, plums, peaches, and nectarines! Try making one of each or your own stone fruit combo.