Hot Hot Hot

Happy July!

It’s definitely warmed up here in New England, and I’ve heard many other places have been having heat waves as well. Summer is full of parties and barbeques and get togethers where you need to bring a treat to contribute and I hope that you’re able to find something on my site. I have a lot of great options that I know have always been crowd favorites when I bring them. In addition to what’s coming this month I also am sharing some favorite recipes that require little to no oven time to help keep you and your house cool even when you want something sweet to eat.

I thought about doing a bunch of fruity summer recipes, but I know not everyone enjoys fruit. So I’d say three of these feel really summery, two are fruit based but ANY of them would be perfect to bring to a get together and none of them are overly complicated.

Here’s what’s coming this month:

1.  Raspberry Tiramisu - I’m not a traditional tiramisu gal. I have a Spiced Chai Tiramisu that uses tea instead of coffee, but I wanted to make a summery fruity version. Ladyfingers soaked in raspberry syrup, raspberry mascarpone and a raspberry sugar dusting.

2. No Knead Dinner Rolls - As wonderful as regular kneaded, yeasted dinner rolls are I know that for some it might seem intimidating to start there, or maybe just don’t have the time. These no knead dinner rolls just stir together and wait. The only work you have to do is shaping! Ultra soft and fluffy.

3. Nutty Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Cookies - If you like a chocolate chip cookie with a little extra, these have tons of chocolate, butterscotch and nuts creating a cookie with all the right notes.

4. Spiced Blueberry Bundt Cake - A recipe I made years ago, misplaced my notes and then found when I moved. A blueberry bundt cake with a cinnamon spice layer and a cream cheese frosting.

5. S’mores Brownies - These brownies are crazy. A crushed graham cracker crust, a fudgy brownie layer and then toasted marshmallow top. S’mores older brother on steroids.

Summer No Bake Treats

I know when it’s hot, I don’t want to turn on the oven. Last month I gave you tips on baking in the summer time but this month I thought I’d share some of my best recipes that don’t require an oven, or might help you cool down and beat the heat.

Ice Box Cake - TRULY no bake, no oven. Layers of cookies and whipped cream resting in the refrigerator for a few hours creates a cake like texture that’s perfect for enjoying when you’re hot and want to make something with very little effort. I have both a Raspberry Ice Box Cake and a S’mores Ice Box Cake.

Rice Krispies Treats - Personally I use the stove top to melt marshmallows, but lots of people use the microwave. Otherwise, no heat needed. I have all kinds of rice krispies treats like Chai spice, Rainbow, Citrus, and Cookies and Cream.

Cold & Frozen Treats - Something cold like ice cream is always my first choice. If you’re like me, and you want to try making your own I have a Thai Tea Ice Cream recipe. Maybe you don’t have an ice cream maker, I’d recommend my Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Pie or maybe a Piña Colada no bake cheesecake.

Here’s to hoping one of these can help you stay happy and cool in the coming summer days.

Is there a recipe you’d love to see on the blog or something you can’t work out on an existing recipe? Let me know! Until next month, happy baking!