Ah, summer time. A time when friends, family members, neighbors and even acquaintances come together to enjoy the magnificent weather and each other’s company. Picnics, barbecues, and other summer gatherings always include food. A summer gathering wouldn’t be the same without endless amounts of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

However, certain desserts just aren’t appetizing when the summer sun is beaming down on you. That 7-layer pie just isn’t the same when you feel like you’re melting. You need something light, fresh and tasty!

Instead of smothering everything in fudge, peanut butter, and other filling flavors, try one of these awesome summer flavors for your dessert of choice.

Piña Colada

If piña coladas don’t scream ‘summer’, we don’t know what other flavor would (except the 6 flavors below!). This sweet combination of coconut, pineapple and just a hint of rum (or a lot — your choice) is perfect for any type of event. Whether you’re catching up with old friends or inviting your family members over for a swim in the pool, any piña colada dessert recipe will hit the spot.

Check out these easy piña colada dessert recipes, or place your order for a scrumptious piña colada cheesecake from Chef Jo.

Key Lime

Sit back, relax and enjoy a bite of key lime anything! Any type of key lime dessert provides a fresh burst of refreshing and sweet flavor. Plus, you can make endless types of desserts using key lime!

Common key lime recipes include:

• Key Lime Pie
• Key Lime Bars
• Key Lime Cookies
• Key Lime Popsicles
• Key Lime Smoothies

Your options are limitless! However, if you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser, look no further than the key lime cakes from Jo’s Cakes and Catering.

Lemon

From lemonade to lemon bars, summer is not complete without eating something with the tart but irresistible lemon flavor. Lemon is a naturally light flavor, so it’s ideal for a wonderful dessert option when the weather is unbearably hot.

This summer, try any of these drool-worthy lemon recipes!

Mint

On a hot, Middle Tennessee summer day, all you want to do is cool off… but with something a little sweet! Desserts with mint, such as mint chocolate chip ice cream, are just what you need to cool down and relax. Plus, mint and chocolate are one of the world’s top combinations, especially for dessert!

Serve up some mouth-watering mint chocolate brownies, mojitos (make sure to use fresh mint!), grasshopper pie and other delicious desserts. Have you ever had a mint cheesecake? If not, you’re missing out.

Blueberry

Fresh blueberries are bursting with flavor! From muffins to smoothies to topping on ice cream, there’s so much you can do with this type of fruit. If you’re looking for a healthy dessert option, serve your guests some sweet fruit salad loaded with blueberries. After all, they do provide a wealth of health benefits!

Peach

You know how much Southerners love peach cobbler! Add some of that juicy peach flavor to your desserts this summer. Whether you choose to make peach crumble or peach frozen yogurt, be sure to indulge in the well-known southern peach flavor during the summer months.

Tropical Assortment

Combining flavors such as strawberry, coconut, pineapple, kiwi, papaya, banana and other flavors and fruits will give your dessert an overwhelming tropical flavor. What better way to enjoy the summer than with a tropical twist?

Which dessert flavor do you plan on trying this summer? Don’t forget to place your order with Chef Jo soon!