Summer baking ideas to celebrate the season

Embrace the sweet flavours of summer with our easy baking and dessert ideas. From juicy seasonal fruits to light meringues and creamy ice creams, these recipes are made for warm days and relaxed entertaining.

Food Editor

Olivia Ferguson

Best summer baking and dessert recipes

With an abundance of seasonal fruit, (hopefully) warm enough weather for ice cream, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate together outdoors, summer is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen and whip up something sweet. Discover our pick of baking and dessert ideas designed to be enjoyed in the sunshine, from easy cakes bursting with seasonal flavour to dinner party-worthy desserts, family-favourite cookies, and no-bake treats for the hottest days.

Summer recipes

Summer cakes

Give your cakes a summer upgrade by using the best seasonal summer ingredients.

Inspired by our iconic Passion Star Martini cocktail cans, this picture-perfect cake is soaked in a passion fruit and Prosecco syrup, then filled and topped with passion fruit buttercream and fruity meringue kisses.
Our strawberry and custard cupcakes feature fresh and juicy Red Diamond Strawberries – a true summer star.
This easy citrus loaf cake is made with lemon and lime yogurt to keep the sponge super moist.
For something lighter, this polenta cake isn’t too sweet and is gluten-free.
Summer dinner party on the cards? Our pistachio and white chocolate lava cake pairs rich Pistachio Crème with tangy raspberry sorbet.

Cake recipes

Summer desserts

Keep your summer sweet with a light and fruity pudding.

A summery twist on a restaurant classic, this white chocolate traybake panna cotta is topped with sweet raspberries and crumbled pistachio and almond cookies for added texture.
Can't get enough pistachio? This easy pistachio cheesecake is made with pistachio and almond biscuits and a crunchy, nutty topping – it's a proper showstopper.
If you're entertaining, these elegant-but-easy apricot, honey and mascarpone tarts will go down a treat.
Our chocca mocha baked Alaska looks seriously impressive, but it's easier than it looks thanks to the ready-made sponge.

More baking ideas

No-bake treats

Keep your cool with dessert ideas that don’t require baking in the oven.

Ideal for preparing in advance, this classic summer pudding takes the pressure out of hosting – it's packed with vibrant mixed berries and served with sweet cream.
Nothing says summer quite like our strawberries and cream tiramisu, with layers of crumbly biscuits, whipped mascarpone and fresh strawberries.
Pile scoops of rich ice cream with crunchy meringue nests with our Black Forest meringue stack, topped with plump cherries.

More dessert recipes

Irresistible cookies

Keep everyone entertained during the summer holidays by baking a batch of cookies together.

These gluten-free chewy almond biscuits cleverly swap flour for ground almonds and use raspberry chocolate for a summery flavour twist.
Make a giant frying pan chocolate chip cookie and serve it warm from the oven, loaded with rich vanilla ice cream, for an indulgent summer treat.
Go all out with these loaded Percy Pig cookies, with a generous spread of pink icing, colourful sprinkles and a cherry Percy Pig on top.

More fruity recipes

Pick-of-the-crop M&S summer produce

Give your summer baking an upgrade with the very best seasonal summer fruit. Whether it’s our sweet and tart Red Diamond Strawberries or mighty King Blueberries, we've got the pick of the crop at M&S. Expect to find plump raspberries and cherries, and tree-ripened peaches and nectarines. A delicious dessert or baked treat is the perfect way to celebrate the season's harvest.

See what’s in season

Published 07/05/2026