As hot temperatures turn up earlier each year and stay longer, it is not only convenient but also cool to know a few recipes for the summer weather. Whether a drink, jelly or cake, the afternoon sun will not feel as scorching when there is a dessert to look forward to. On theme with the summer, none of these options will require an oven or heat–no need to heat up your home even more! Many of these recipes are 4 ingredients or less, and the majority are gluten-free, making them fun and simple for all students to enjoy.
Healthy Homemade Jell-O
With 3 simple ingredients referenced from One Lovely Life’s recipe, anyone can make jello with little more than a few cups of juice, gelatin and any sugar additive. The finished product can be paired with ice cream, added into a fruit salad, mixed into a drink or eaten as is. Jello-O is customizable and easy to make in a quick 15 minutes. Perfect for after a day in the sun.
Parfaits
Pick a fruit, add granola, sweetener and yogurt and done! Though more like an ensemble of foods rather than an actual recipe, parfaits are a tasty combo of ingredients perfect for mornings or snacks. With the added bonus of probiotics found in yogurt, a parfait is a perfect 5-minute, very low-effort, dessert for the summer.
Shaved Ice
Though it may be necessary to whip out a food processor, shaved ice is an easily addictive snack where the toppings dictate the taste. Sweet syrups from blue raspberry to cherry are a classic choice with some fruits or sweets to top. Or, borrowing from Korean Bingsu, people could top shaved ice with condensed milk, fruit or ice cream. A popular topping is red bean paste, which offers a rich texture to the dessert. No matter which toppings are used, shaved ice is a must-have for the summer times.
Easy Ice-Pops
Remember Pop-Ice or Fla-Vor-Ice? You can have that right at home this summer with this next recipe. From Cookin Canuk, these homemade ice-pops take a blender, any fruit, a sweetener and a mold. You can combine any flavor as long as it fits in a puree–really, the world is your oyster, or your fridge. Pair fruits with milk or yogurt to create a milkier flavor, and add honey to adjust the sweetness. If you are limited on ingredients, do not fret! Only one fruit is needed to make a few chilly popsicles. If you do not have a mold, use an ice cube tray and turn them into drink additives!
Sherbet
Fun fact, sherbet can either be spelled the mentioned way or as Sherbert, but both are pronounced “Shur-bit”. Summer usually brings an excess of watermelon and cantaloupe, if you have any extra lying at home (or any other fruits), freeze them first. You will need a lemon for its juice, some sweetener and some milk to achieve the results of a satisfying sherbet. This recipe also calls for a food processor, and there is a chance there will be extra for a dessert later!
These five simple recipes are great ways to sweeten your summer from the dry heat. They offer a convenient reprieve from the outside and are also good for sharing. Whether students are looking for a way to cool off or just to enjoy their break, these are five go-to recipes.
