Sun’s out, cake’s out! These easy summer cake recipes are made for warm breezes, potlucks, and laid-back evenings on the porch. Whether you’re craving a no-bake banana split cake, a zesty lemon bundt, or a chilled peach icebox cake, this collection is bursting with crowd-pleasers. Light, fruity, creamy, and cool—these summer dessert ideas are the perfect sweet escape for every kind of gathering.

Strawberry Angel Food Cake – A No-Bake Summer Dream

A plate with a slice of pink strawberry dessert topped with whipped cream, a strawberry slice, and a mint leaf sits in the foreground. In the background, a glass dish filled with more of the same dessert shows additional strawberries and whipped cream on top. Fresh strawberries and a pink striped cloth are also visible.
Strawberry Angel Food Cake – A No-Bake Summer Dream — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This strawberry angel food cake is a summer staple, made effortlessly with just four ingredients. Light, fruity, and refreshingly cool, it’s a perfect treat for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven. Keep it chilled and bring it out for picnics, potlucks, or beachside feasts.

Get the Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Angel Food Cake Recipe

Lemon Jell-O Poke Cake – Bursting with Sunny Flavor

A slice of lemon poke cake topped with creamy frosting, a small lemon slice, and a mint leaf sits on a white plate, surrounded by additional plates and garnished with mint leaves. Lemons and a baking dish with more cake are visible in the background.
Lemon Jell-O Poke Cake – Bursting with Sunny Flavor — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This vibrant lemon poke cake combines fluffy vanilla cake with a tangy lemon Jell-O soak for a citrus-packed treat. Topped with a lemony Cool Whip frosting, it’s a nostalgic favorite that delivers chill vibes and zingy summer flavor in every bite. Perfect for lake days and backyard BBQs.

Get the Recipe: Citrusy Lemon Jell-O Poke Cake

Sweet Cherry Dump Cake – The Easiest Summer Dessert

A close-up of a cherry dump cake served on a white plate with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. The cake is topped with a crumbly golden crust and shows vibrant red cherry filling. A baking dish with a partially served portion is in the background on a striped cloth.
Sweet Cherry Dump Cake – The Easiest Summer Dessert — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

This cherry dump cake tastes like summer in a pan—part cobbler, part cheesecake, and all comfort. With just a few ingredients, you get a dessert that’s perfect straight from the oven or topped with vanilla ice cream by the campfire. A guaranteed hit for any summer gathering.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

Southern Pound Cake – A Summer Picnic Classic

sweet buttery pound cake slices with blueberries and mint
Southern Pound Cake – A Summer Picnic Classic — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality.

With rich, buttery texture and iconic Southern roots, this sour cream pound cake is as perfect on a picnic blanket as it is on a holiday table. Serve it with fresh berries and whipped cream to keep things light and summer-ready. Ideal for porch sittin’ and sweet tea sippin’.

Get the Recipe: Southern Classic Pound Cake Recipe

No-Bake Banana Split Cake – Cool, Creamy & Crowd-Pleasing

A slice of dessert is served on a plate, featuring a layered crumb crust, creamy filling, diced strawberries, nuts, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and a cherry on top. Colorful sprinkles decorate the plate, and another slice is visible in the background.
No-Bake Banana Split Cake – Cool, Creamy & Crowd-Pleasing — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This layered banana split cake brings the ice cream shop to your summer table—without needing a scoop! With layers of buttery crust, creamy filling, fruit, and whipped topping, it’s a nostalgic dessert that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. No oven required, just chill and serve.

Get the Recipe: No-Bake Banana Split Cake Dessert

Best Strawberry Shortcake – The Taste of Summer Love

A layered strawberry shortcake on a white plate. The dessert features biscuit layers with whipped cream and sliced strawberries, topped with a strawberry and mint leaf. The background is a light pink striped cloth.
Best Strawberry Shortcake – The Taste of Summer Love — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Juicy berries, fluffy whipped cream, and tender shortcake biscuits—this classic dessert is the epitome of summer sweetness. It’s easy, nostalgic, and always the first to vanish at barbecues and picnics. Bring it out for your next gathering and watch everyone smile.

Get the Recipe: Best Strawberry Shortcake

Peach Icebox Cake – Chill Out with Layers of Bliss

A slice of creamy layered dessert topped with peach slices on a white plate, with a fork beside it. The dessert appears to have fluffy layers and visible chunks of peaches inside.
Peach Icebox Cake – Chill Out with Layers of Bliss — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Nothing beats a no-bake dessert on a hot day, and this peach icebox cake is summer’s sweetest answer. With juicy peaches and layers of graham cracker and whipped cream, it’s light, creamy, and ridiculously easy. Keep it in the fridge and slice whenever guests pop by.

Get the Recipe: Peach Icebox Cake Recipe

Strawberry Cheesecake – Sweet & Chilled for Summer

A close-up of a cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and strawberry sauce, with the sauce dripping down the side, displayed on a white cake stand.
Strawberry Cheesecake – Sweet & Chilled for Summer — Image Credit: Lauren’s Latest

This creamy strawberry cheesecake is a summer showstopper, layered with luscious cream cheese and crowned with vibrant berry topping. Chill it overnight and serve it straight from the fridge for a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for garden parties or evening dinners on the deck.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake

Lemon Bundt Cake – A Zesty Slice of Sunshine

A bundt cake topped with thick, white icing drizzled in stripes. Lemons and a bowl of frosting are in the background on a light-colored surface.
Lemon Bundt Cake – A Zesty Slice of Sunshine — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Made with fresh lemon juice and zest, this bundt cake delivers bold citrus flavor in every moist bite. It’s topped with a tangy glaze and cream cheese frosting, making it the perfect companion to a glass of iced tea under the sun. A timeless treat for lemon lovers.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

No-Bake Tiramisu Cake – Sophisticated & Summer-Ready

A slice of creamy tiramisu on a white plate, dusted with cocoa powder. A silver fork is placed on top, and a beige cloth napkin is in the background.
No-Bake Tiramisu Cake – Sophisticated & Summer-Ready — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This chilled tiramisu cake combines delicate ladyfingers with a rich mascarpone filling and just a kiss of coffee. It’s elegant yet simple, and the no-bake method makes it a must for hot summer evenings. Serve it with espresso or as a luxurious weekend treat.

Get the Recipe: No-Bake Tiramisu Cake Recipe

Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd – Tropical Bliss in Every Bite

A close-up of a coconut cake with creamy white frosting and toasted coconut flakes, with a slice being removed. In the background, a small plate holds lemon slices and forks.
Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd – Tropical Bliss in Every Bite — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This coconut cake with lemon curd filling is like a vacation on a plate. With a tangy-sweet flavor and airy texture, it’s an excellent choice for celebrating summer birthdays or just enjoying a breezy afternoon. Don’t forget a tall glass of lemonade to go with it!

Get the Recipe: Coconut Cake With Lemon Curd Filling Recipe

Blackberry Jam Cake – A Berry-Licious Summer Treat

A round cake with creamy white frosting and visible berry pieces, topped with fresh blackberries. A slice is partially removed, revealing light brown cake layers and a thin layer of filling inside.
Blackberry Jam Cake – A Berry-Licious Summer Treat — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

With spiced cake layers, blackberry jam, and a dreamy cream cheese frosting, this jam cake is made for sweet summer memories. It’s fruity, rich, and ideal for family reunions or picnic tables dotted with mason jars and sunshine. A true Southern delight.

Get the Recipe: Blackberry Jam Cake with Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Cake – Summer’s Boldest Layer Cake

A sliced red velvet cake with white cream cheese frosting on a plate. The cake has visible red layers and is garnished with red crumbs on top. A slice is separated from the main cake, showcasing the interior.
Red Velvet Cake – Summer’s Boldest Layer Cake — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Velvety, rich, and topped with luxurious white chocolate frosting, this cake is a celebration centerpiece. Serve it slightly chilled for a cool summer surprise that blends color and flavor beautifully. It’s bold, beautiful, and totally irresistible for party season.

Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake With White Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Chocolate Protein Mug Cake – Quick, Guilt-Free Summer Treat

A mug filled with a rich, gooey chocolate mug cake topped with several melted chocolate chips. There is a pink checkered cloth partially visible beside the mug.
Chocolate Protein Mug Cake – Quick, Guilt-Free Summer Treat — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Craving chocolate without the oven? This microwave-friendly mug cake is protein-packed, fudgy, and ready in five minutes. It’s a great single-serve dessert to cool your cravings during the warmest days—especially when topped with a scoop of frozen yogurt.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Protein Mug Cake

Hummingbird Cake – A Tropically Inspired Southern Favorite

hummingbird cake
Hummingbird Cake – A Tropically Inspired Southern Favorite — Image Credit: Butter and Baggage

This moist and flavorful cake combines bananas and pineapple for a fruity bite that feels like a summer breeze. Finished with cream cheese frosting, it’s a nostalgic dessert perfect for brunches, showers, or front porch lounging with sweet tea in hand.

Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Frosted Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Not So Classic Strawberry Shortcake – With a Frosted Twist

Not So Classic Strawberry Shortcake – With a Frosted Twist — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts

Forget biscuits—this version layers buttery cake, ripe strawberries, and luscious cream cheese frosting for a decadent twist on a summer classic. Perfect for birthdays or when you want to impress with minimal effort. It’s rich, sweet, and loaded with strawberry flavor.

Get the Recipe: Not So Classic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe With Frosting

Pumpkin Dump Cake – Cozy Flavor for Cool Summer Nights

A slice of pumpkin cake topped with crunchy pecans and a dollop of whipped cream on a white plate. The background includes colorful autumn leaves.
Pumpkin Dump Cake – Cozy Flavor for Cool Summer Nights — Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Who says pumpkin’s just for fall? This easy pumpkin dump cake brings cozy spice and creamy texture to summer campfires and breezy evenings. Serve it slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for the perfect contrast of hot and cold.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

Old-Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Southern & Summery

Slices of crumbly pound cake on a wooden board, with a tea bag nearby. A rustic knife is partially visible on a gray surface. Crumbs are scattered around the board.
Old-Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Southern & Summery — Image Credit: Easy Southern Desserts

This dense and velvety pound cake is elevated with a touch of citrus and cream cheese richness. It’s a deliciously sturdy cake that travels well—ideal for potlucks, picnics, and summer brunches. Top with berries or enjoy plain with coffee on a slow morning.

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake