Cool Desserts

No matter what time of year it is, you still feel like a good dessert or sweet treat to snack on. This is not, however the the best season to bake. It's too hot and your kitchen probably feels like an oven anyway. If that's the case then stick with easy to make desserts that require little or no fuss. You'll still have a sweet treat but without the sweat.

Fruit is always a good starting off point. This is the season for rich berries that can be made into an easy shortcake. Take any pound or angel food cake , slice and serve with fresh berries and a side of Cool Whip or even freshly whipped cream. You can mix fruits like strawberries and blueberries or try a new spin with fresh cut peaches. This is a light dessert and also makes a good treat for summer birthdays. A fruit parfait is excellent. Layer peaches, cut melon and berries in a tall glass. If you want a bit of fizz. add a splash of club soda or seltzer. This is a wonderful on hot evenings when you're craving something sugary but light.

Never discount instant puddings or Jello during the summer. These are a snap to make and work well with just about everything. There's nothing like a quick creamy pie where all you have to do is fill a prebaked pie shell with pudding. A really fun and quick dessert is a banana chocolate pie. Filled a chocolate pie crust with a layer of instant chocolate pudding. Add topping and right before you serve it , arrange sliced bananas on top. Another fun one is an instant zabaglione pie. This involves vanilla pudding , a splash of Marsala and Cool Whip or nay whipped topping (see recipe below).Jello, that old standby, makes another quick dessert. For a bubbly frothy variation add ginger ale or club soda. This is perfect for kids parties and isn't as messy as cupcakes or cookies in hot weather.

Another easy dessert ingredient is ice cream. This is great not only for sundaes and soda but also as a base for ice cream pies and tarts. A really fun but classy dessert is filling premade tart shells with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, adding a layer of slivered almonds and then whipped cream and strawberries. It's a spin of a baked French tart with the ice cream standing in for the custard. Don't forget that new standard, the ice cream sandwich . Get a fun flavor, such as mint chocolate chip or cherry swirl and put between two large cookies. You can then roll the sandwich in sprinkles or chopped nuts for added decoration.

It's easy to make a satisfying , sweet treat this summer without firing up the oven. Just use pre made ingredients and your imagination. You're bound to come up with a treat that's just as good as any fresh baked cake or pie.

Easy Zabaglione Pie

1 prebaked pie shell, preferably graham cracker crust.
1 package instant vanilla pudding
2 -3 tablespoons Marsala wine
Whipped topping.

Make pudding according to package instructions. Fold in Marsala wine and then pour into prebaked pie shell. Let set. Cover with whipped topping or whipped cream when ready to serve.