As the weather warms up, cool down with this collection of frozen treats and cold dessert ideas for the perfect summer sweet treats. Whether it’s for a picnic, pool party, BBQ or any outdoor gathering, these recipes are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Frozen Dessert Recipes Perfect for Summer
Homemade Milkshakes
1. Frozen Hot Cocoa
Your favorite cozy, winter drink with a cool, summer twist. This recipe for frozen hot chocolate takes the classic ingredients of milk, sugar and HERSHEY’S Cocoa and blends together with ice. Perfect consistency for adding toppings like syrup, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows or sprinkles!t
2. Double Strawberry Milkshake
Strawberries are the perfect warm-weather delight. Create this double strawberry milkshake with simple ingredients like strawberry ice cream, milk and HERSHEY’S Strawberry Syrup blended together for a rich, creamy treat for your tastebuds.
3. Classic Caramel Milkshake
Give your classic milkshake a rich and buttery kick with this recipe that combines chocolate or vanilla ice cream, milk and HERSHEY’S Caramel Syrup, blended together. Top it with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel syrup to get the perfect dessert in a glass.
Icebox Cake Ideas
4. S’mores Cake
Take the classic S’more to the next level with this S’mores cake. The sweetest combination of chocolatey HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Bars, creamy marshmallow fluff, and crunchy graham crackers come together in this ultimate frozen dessert.
5. KIT KAT® Ice Cream Cake
Easy to make, no-bake and chilled to perfection, this Ice Cream Cake is creamy and full of crispy HERSHEY’S Kit Kat Bars with crunchy HERSHEY’S Chocolate Shell Topping. The perfect dessert for any outdoor occasion!
6. Neapolitan Delight Cake
This ice-cold treat will satisfy any flavor preference with the sweet, HERSHEY’S Strawberry Syrup and rich, HERSHEY’S Chocolate Syrup cream cheese filling surrounded by airy ladyfingers. The perfect combination of flavor and texture that is sure to be a hit for any summer gathering.
Frozen Pies & Chilled Desserts
7. Chocolate Bavarian Pie
Take your tastebuds on a trip with this frozen German chocolate pie with a sweet HERSHEY’S Cocoa filling thickened by gelatin and folded with whipped cream all within a crumby crust. Cover the pie loosely and store in the fridge to eat within 3 days for optimal quality. When transporting, make sure to keep it loosely covered and in between ice packs to maintain the cool temperature. Tip: Freeze pie for 4 to 6 hours or overnight for an extra cold treat.
8. Frosty Chocolate Chip Pie
This frozen chocolate pie will satisfy any chocolate lover’s sweet tooth. Super simple recipe with pre-made pie crust, cream cheese combined with melted HERSHEY’S Special Dark or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, and topped with whipped cream.
9. DOT'S Strawberry Pie
Give your strawberry pie a pretzel twist with this dessert that starts with a DOT’S HOMESTYLE PRETZEL Cinnamon Sugar crust, topped with a rich cream cheese filling and finished off with refreshing layer of strawberry filling. Perfect for your next picnic or summer BBQ.
10. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars
This quick and easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars recipe is not only delicious but eye-catching. Filled with REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter and cream cheese and topped with REESE’S Baking Cups and PIECES. It is the perfect chilled dessert for a school event or a family function to impress kids and adults alike.
11. Saucy Brickle Ice Cream Pie
Buttery, airy and filled with HEATH BITS O’ BRICKLE Toffee Bits. This elegant dessert has a burst of flavor with a vanilla wafer cookie crust, vanilla ice cream and toffee filling, and drizzled with a toffee mixture. Garnish with more HEATH Bits for an added crunch.
12. Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie
In a rush? This no-bake Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie is a quick dessert to impress at your next event. This recipe comes together with vanilla ice cream combined with REESE’S Peanut Butter Topping on top of a pre-made crumb crust. Finish it off with a drizzle of peanut butter and dig in!
Easy Frozen Desserts for Kids
13. Frozen S'mores Pops
S’mores aren’t just for eating around a campfire; they can also be enjoyed cold in popsicle form, prepared with layers of gooey marshmallow creme, crushed graham crackers, and delicious HERSHEY’S Chocolate. This twist on a classic S’more will have you wanting more.
14. Pool Party Candy Popsicles
This homemade candy popsicle recipe is perfect for those hot summer days. Comes together easily with variations of TWIZZLER’S PULL ‘N PEEL Candies or JOLLY RANCHER Hard Candies, pink lemonade mix, and gelatin. Kids will be entertained making them and eating them.
15. REESE’S Ice Cream Sandwiches With Peanut Butter Candy Crumbles
Upgrade store-bought ice cream sandwiches with REESE’S Snack Size Peanut Butter Cups and REESE’S PIECES to achieve the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. So simple to make and easy to store in the freezer whenever you need a snack for the kids or to satisfy a sweet tooth.
16. Three Clowns Sundae
This silly sundae is the perfect birthday treat or summer activity for the kids. With an ice cream scoop base, sugar cone hats and Hershey Candy toppings, this easy and totally customizable treat is sure to be the perfect entertainment for your next event.
More Frozen Dessert Ideas
Frozen Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate
It’s officially strawberry season! For this simple, refreshing summer dessert, dip frozen strawberries in melted HERSHEY’S Chocolate Chips. To best preserve the temperature and taste, store these strawberries in the freezer for up to 3 months. While transporting, loosely cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent moisture build up.
Ice cream is a classic summer staple, so add these toppings to your next bowl for a flavor and texture upgrade.
- Freeze some REESE’S PIECES and REESE’S Miniatures and sprinkle them on top.
- Crumble a few HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Candy Bars, with marshmallows and graham crackers for a S’mores twist.
- Add diced ALMOND JOY Miniatures or crushed Jolly Rancher Tropical hard candies for a vacation-mode treat.
- Add frozen bananas dipped in HERSHEY'S SUNDAE DREAM Double Chocolate Syrup.
Cool Tips for Serving Frozen Desserts
We know it’s tough to keep the mess and melt away with warm weather. Follow these tips and tricks for keeping your frozen desserts cool this summer.
How to store frozen desserts
- Prevent freezer burn by storing desserts in airtight containers or tightly wrap in plastic wrap.
- For desserts that need to be refrigerated, keep the dessert loosely covered to prevent moisture buildup and spoilage.
How to keep desserts cold when transporting
- Use an insulated cooler or thermal bag to maintain a cold environment.
- Place frozen gel or ice packs around the dessert.
- No ice packs? Freeze a water bottle which will work similarly.
How to keep desserts cold outside
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Use an insulated serving tray or cooler.
- Bring ice and fill a container that the dessert can be placed on top of.
How to keep desserts cold on dessert tables
- Keep the serving platter in an ice bath container or put flat ice packs or gel packs beneath the serving trays.
- Rotate desserts in batches while keeping the extras refrigerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
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To keep frozen desserts cold when storing, keep them in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. When transporting, use an insulated cooler or a regular bag with ice packs around the dessert. When serving, keep ice packs underneath the serving tray or pre-freeze the tray to keep the dessert from melting.
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Frozen hot chocolate is made by creating a classic hot chocolate and blending it with ice to achieve a cold, slushy texture. Perfect consistency to add plenty of toppings.
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An icebox cake is a no-bake dessert made by layering cookies with whipped cream or pudding, then chilling it in the refrigerator. There are plenty of versions to test out with this dessert.
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Yes, chocolate syrup can be frozen, but note, there could be texture changes once it thaws due to the dairy components. Store-bought syrups like HERSHEY’S Syrup will freeze better than homemade syrups.
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Yes, fondant can be frozen, but it is important to wrap it tightly to prevent drying and put it in a freezer-safe bag to prevent it from absorbing moisture and to preserve its workability.
For more on fondant, visit this link: all about fondant
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Frozen strawberries are very versatile and can be used in recipes like a Double Strawberry Milkshake or Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
