11 No-Bake Desserts For When It's Too Hot To Turn On The Oven
Photo by Christie Vuong.
As the temperature goes up, our will to turn on the oven for dessert goes down—precipitously. But there's still plenty of ways to end your meal on a sweet note without the heat. From jelly-based treats to no-bake cakes and a genius three-ingredient ice cream hack, here's some of our favourites.
Gelatina Mosaico (Stained Glass Jelly Cake)
Popular in Mexico and Brazil, this no-bake dessert is made from sweetened condensed and evaporated milks, and chopped Jell-O. You can set it in eight to 10 cups for a quick dessert fix, or in a Bundt pan for an easy summer stunner, as we've done here. This recipe makes a pretty firm-set cake; you can reduce the unflavoured gelatin amount by 1/4 for a wobblier one. Get this gelatina recipe.
Rhubarb Charlotte
This quick, no-bake dessert announces that rhubarb season is finally here. Beautiful and bright, rhubarb’s signature acidity is tempered by creamy mascarpone. Get this rhubarb charlotte recipe.
No-Bake Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake
Creamy, colourful and citrusy, this mascarpone cheesecake is a surefire summer hit. Add raspberries for a sweet, fruity finish. Get this no-bake lemon mascarpone cheesecake recipe.
The Easiest No-Churn Rhubarb Ice Cream
You don't need a stovetop—or an ice cream maker—to whip up this 3-ingredient treat. Get this no-churn ice cream recipe.
Milk Punch Marble Cake
This twist on tres leches cake can be shaken up in no time with store-bought pound cake. Caribbean milk punch is a silky, booze-forward drink studded with grated coconut. This recipe is courtesy of Zeke Goodwin, a Toronto-based food stylist and pastry chef. Get this milk punch cake recipe.
Mocha Ice Cream Cake
It takes just five ingredients and 25 minutes to whip up this unforgettable no-bake ice cream cake. Laced with espresso and topped with candy-shop chocolates, it’s the ultimate treat! Get this mocha ice cream cake recipe.
No-Bake Vegan Crispy Berry Rice Squares
Sweeten up your vegan rice crispy squares with freeze dried strawberries for additional crunch and a pop of colour. Get this crispy rice squares recipe.
Strawberry-Rose Falooda
The first time food editor Chantal Braganza tried this electric pink noodle dessert-meets-ice cream sundae was at Bombay Bhel restaurant in Mississauga, Ont.. What a delight: the slip of cold noodles, the crunch of black basil seeds, and whole milk and vanilla ice cream to mix it all together. While rose syrup is commonly used in falooda, you can swap it for strawberry syrup if you wish. Get this falooda recipe.
Frozen S'Mores Cake
This dazzling s’mores cake is a grown-up version of the campfire favourite, and an easy dessert that makes the summer season even sweeter. Get this s'mores cake recipe.
Lychee Martini and Negroni Jelly Shots
Jelly shots get a grown-up glow up with cocktail-inspired flavours. Get the recipe.
No-Bake Summer Fruit Tarts
This easy, beautiful and delicious creamy fruit tart is our favourite no-cook summer dessert. Get this summer fruit tart recipe.
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Chantal Braganza is a writer and editor living in Toronto. She is deputy editor, food at Chatelaine, a cookbook nerd, lover of vintage dish ware, and currently training for yoga teacher certification. Her first book, Story of Your Mother, is out with Strange Light Press.
