8 Fresh and Fruity Summer Dessert Recipes

By Lynn Miller
Updated May 29, 2013
Credit: Jonathan Kantor
Turn that farmers market bounty into a dessert with health benefits.
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Fruitapalooza

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Now that summer's almost here, it's time to start taking advantage of all the fresh, delicious fruit to be had. And what better way to enjoy it than in a dessert? From ice pops to cheesecake, these colorful new recipes are tasty, healthy, and refreshing.

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Melon Salad with Lime-Ginger Syrup

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Buy the best: Give cantaloupe and honeydew a whiff—ripe ones will taste sweet.

Ingredients: Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mint, limes, sugar, ginger

Calories: 139

Try this recipe: Melon Salad with Lime-Ginger Syrup

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Roasted Cherries with Cocoa-Mocha Granita

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Red hot: Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, antioxidant pigments that help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Ingredients: Cherries, lemon, cocoa, coffee, condensed milk, sugar, kirsch, vanilla extract, almond extract

Calories: 237

Try this recipe: Roasted Cherries with Cocoa-Mocha Granita

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Mini Peach Tarts

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Take a shortcut: Prefer peaches sans skin? Strip it off with a serrated peeler.

Ingredients: Peaches, pecans, phyllo dough, butter, sugar, nutmeg

Calories: 265

Try this recipe: Mini Peach Tarts

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Strawberry-Mango Ice Pops

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Mango prep: Place mango on a board, stem end down. Using a sharp chef's knife, slice down about 1/4 inch from center. Rotate mango; cut other side. Cut into spears or in a crisscross pattern in the peel; scoop out flesh with a spoon.

Ingredients: Strawberries, mango, sugar, mango nectar

Calories: 52

Try this recipe: Strawberry-Mango Ice Pops

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Lemon-Blueberry Eton Mess

Credit: Jonathan Kanter

Ingredients:

Blueberries, Greek yogurt, meringue cookies, lemon, sugar, triple sec, vanilla extract

Calories: 172

Try this recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Eton Mess

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Honey-Vanilla Poached Apricots

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Have it your way: The stone fruits in these recipes are interchangeable. Have peaches but no apricots? Use them (peeled) instead. Or try tossing in nectarines.

Ingredients: Apricots, almonds, Greek yogurt, honey, vanilla bean, Amaretto

Calories: 319

Try this recipe: Honey-Vanilla Poached Apricots

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Blackberry Cheesecake Cups

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Ingredients:

Graham crackers, blackberries, raspberry preserves, cream cheese, all-purpose flour, eggs, lemon, Greek yogurt, sugar, vanilla extract

Calories: 226

Try this recipe: Blackberry Cheesecake Cups

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Spiced Tortillas with Tropical Fruit Salad

Credit: Jonathan Kantor

Pineapple shopping: Choose one that's plump, with a firm body and fresh, green leaves. If you aren't going to use it right away, store it whole in the fridge.

Ingredients: Corn tortillas, pineapple, strawberries, shredded coconut, lime juice, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg

Calories: 258



Try this recipe: Spiced Tortillas with Tropical Fruit Salsa

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