17 no-bake desserts for your 4th of July get-together [Also Cayman Islands Constitution Day]

July 1, 2016

HOLIDAY RECIPES FROM THE KITCHN

Mango Coconut Icebox Cake
(Image credit: Faith Durand)

Come On Over! Menu for a Spring Housewarming Party

Summer cooking is all about minimalism, and the treats we whip up for the Fourth of July are no exception. We want things to be delicious, sure, but we don’t want to have to work that hard for it. If you’re looking for a dessert to bring to an Independence Day bash and have zero interest in turning on the oven, any of these picks below will work.
(Image credit: Leela Cyd)
1. How To Make a No-Bake Icebox Cake
Once you learn the formula for the icebox cake, you really don’t even need a recipe. Just choose your cookie, whipped cream flavor, and any fruit or extras you want to nestle inside.
(Image credit: Faith Durand)
2. No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
This dessert looks much fancier than it actually is. Thanks to a few key additions, your guests will be clamoring for the recipe. The rosewater whipped cream and the chocolate drizzle on top really, well, take the cake.

(Image credit: Jenny Huang)
3. Sweet & Savory Lime Granita
Granitas are great summer sweets, but this one has a bit of a secret. In addition to the lime juice, sugar, and water, it also has a tablespoon of fish sauce for that savory umami flavor. Not a fan of fish sauce? You can also substitute umeboshi vinegar made from plums.
(Image credit: Maria Siriano)
4. Strawberry and Pistachio Frozen Yogurt Bark
This updated take on chocolate bark uses Greek yogurt as its base instead. Mix in a bit of honey, vanilla, and salt, and then top with your favorite fruits and nuts for a seriously cool treat.
(Image credit: Kelli Foster)
5. No-Bake Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
While we love bringing this dessert to parties, we’re just as likely to make it at home as well. After all, sometimes all you need is a little sweet treat at the end of your meal. All you have to do is whip up the sweetened cream cheese filling, put a dollop in a hulled strawberry, and add your favorite topping.
(Image credit: Stacy Newgent for Bakeless Sweets)
6. Lemon Cream Icebox Cake
Lemon desserts are a refreshing change from ones that are chock-full of chocolate, and this icebox cake also has the added benefit of being super easy to make. The lemon-spiked whipped cream and layers of lemon curd really make this cake sing.
(Image credit: Leela Cyd)
7. How To Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient
You know it and you love it. We’re talking about the ultra-famous banana ice cream — that cold, creamy treat that only takes one ingredient and doesn’t require an ice cream maker. Take it to the next level by adding in a second ingredient like peanut butter or Nutella, or turning it into pops!
(Image credit: Sara Kate Gillingham)
8. Watermelon Popsicles
While you can just stick wedges of watermelon in the freezer and call it a day, we like these popsicles a bit better. The honey and lime juice add that little something extra, making these pops a bit irresistible. You can also add in mint, salt, or even a bit of booze if you like.
(Image credit: Faith Durand)
9. Mango Coconut Icebox Cake
This fluffy layered cake has a bit of a twist to it. The whipped cream is made more luscious with the addition of cream cheese and cream of coconut for sweetness. The generous use of coconut is the perfect complement to the ripe mango pieces.
(Image credit: Sabra Krock)
10. No-Bake Boston Cream Pie Strata
The key to getting the luscious, creamy texture on this layered Boston cream pie just right is making it a day ahead and chilling it in the fridge overnight, which gives the homemade pudding time to soften the graham crackers.
(Image credit: Emma Christensen)
11. How To Make Chocolate-Dipped Banana Bites
The next time your grocery store has bananas on sale, stock up with these tasty frozen treats in mind. Since the dipping can get a bit involved, we recommend making a big batch of them at once and keeping them in the freezer for whenever a craving strikes.
(Image credit: Stacy Newgent)
12. S’mores Pudding Icebox Cake
Our main gripe with regular s’mores is that it can be hard to get the texture just right. You either over- or under-roast the marshmallows, and the graham crackers can end up being a crumbly mess. This icebox cake takes care of the texture issues with layers of chocolate pudding and a marshmallow cream that’s been perfectly toasted with a kitchen torch.
(Image credit: Faith Durand)
13. No-Bake Lemon Cream & Coconut Icebox Cupcakes
Have you ever tried making icebox cupcakes? Instead of layering together many wafer cookies in one flat sheet, this recipe uses a few cookies stacked on their own to make perfect bite-sized treats. The lemon and coconut combo is one of our favorites — especially with a berry on top.
(Image credit: Nealey Dozier)
14. Chocolate Wafer Icebox Stacks
Take your icebox cakes to new heights with these towering chocolate and cream stacks. Yes, it’s a simple dessert, but you can flavor the whipped cream and comw up with inventive toppings. We’re always fans of adding a chocolate-covered espresso bean.
(Image credit: Anjali Prasertong)
15. Gingerbread Cookie Icebox Cupcakes
Think gingerbread is only for the holidays? Think again. These spice-laden no-bake cupcakes are the perfect way to turn homemade or store-bought ginger cookies into a softer, summer-ready treat.
(Image credit: Tessa Huff)
16. No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Verrines
Okay, so you will have to spend a couple of minutes at the stove to make the cream cheese custard for these single-serve verrines, but it’s completely worth it. If you don’t have individual lidded jars like these, you can also make them in ramekins.
(Image credit: Nealey Dozier)
17. No-Bake Nutella Peanut Butter Cookies
We couldn’t create a list of no-bake desserts without a classic no-bake cookie filled with oats and plenty of chocolate. This one also gets a nutty boost, thanks to the Nutella and peanut butter that get mixed in. Take these to a barbecue or picnic and we bet they won’t last long.