Top 20 summer baking ideas

For the ultimate selection, see our summer baking collection.

Our favourite summer bakes

1. Boozy cakes

Add a boozy kick to your bakes with our cocktail-inspired cakes. Our Pimm’s cake channels the flavours of a classic summer drink. Or, try a mojito cake, packed with zingy lime and cooling mint. Our gin & tonic cake is infused with juniper berries and an alcoholic hit, or pile summer fruits like citrus and berries on top of this sangria cake.

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See more boozy bake recipes.

2. Galette

Making a galette is a great opportunity to showcase seasonal summer fruits. Bake this peach version with a crunchy brown sugar crust. Use up a bunch of cherries while they’re at their best in this cherry & almond frangipane galette. For a super-simple dessert, try this five-ingredient caramelised banana & chocolate galette. Try this savoury tomato galette if your guests don’t have a particularly sweet tooth. Bursting with colour and flavour, it tastes perfect when eaten hot or cold.

See more galette recipes.

3. Fruity cheesecake

Perennially popular, cheesecake works with most fruit, but one of our favourite recipes is this triple-layered strawberry version. Try this impressive layered lime cheesecake, full of zingy citrus flavours. Keep things simple this easy lemon cheesecake. If you don’t have time to bake or set a traditional cheesecake, try this no-cook strawberry cheesecake eton mess. Combining two classic desserts, it can be ready in just 20 minutes.

See more cheesecake recipes.

4. No-bake cake

When it’s too hot to turn on the oven, consider an easy no-bake dessert. This chocotorta, a simple Argentinian treat made with thin chocolate biscuits, dulce de leche and soft cheese, takes just 20 minutes to prepare. Another excellent option is an ice cream cake, such as the Club Tropicana ice cream cake. Made with store-bought ingredients, it’s a showstopping dessert that requires minimal effort.

See more fridge cakes and no-bake cheesecakes.

5. Sourdough

Sourdough is a great investment project for those long summer months. Begin with our sourdough starter, then bake a classic loaf like this white sourdough. Alternatively, try our rye sourdough for a deep malty flavour. Assemble a sourdough pizza for a scrumptious dinner.

If you’re bored of a loaf, read our helpful guide on making the most of your sourdough discard.

See more sourdough recipes.

6. Super scones

Outdoor afternoon tea just might have the edge on the indoor version. Pile your cake stand high with cucumber sandwiches, delicate cakes and mandatory scones. Try our sweet versions like these Pimm’s scones, or savoury options like cheddar scones. There’s no need to turn on your oven either – make them in an air-fryer with our air-fryer scones recipe. Plus, everyone can enjoy a scone with our gluten-free scones.

See more scone recipes.

7. Sausage rolls

The ultimate emergency picnic addition – try experimenting with extra flavours like herbs or cheese. These onion & thyme sausage rolls are loaded with chutney and wholegrain mustard. Our nduja sausage rolls make the most of this spicy Italian salami paste. Make a chicken version with these summer sausage rolls or a plant-based option with our vegan sausage rolls.

See more sausage roll recipes.

8. Turnovers

A roll of puff pastry will see you right whatever the season. Jam turnovers are a great way to experiment with different fruity flavours. For a savoury version, try ham, cheese & mushroom turnovers.

See more puff pastry recipes.

9. Perfect pavlova

This cloud-like retro dessert has stood the test of time. Bring it up to date by baking in a rectangular tray and using rose water and edible flowers. Scatter it with summer fruit to avoid any mention of 70s dinner parties. Impress your guests at the next summer gathering with a brown sugar pavlova adorned with passion fruit, strawberries, raspberries and pineapple. Try our lemon curd pavlova for a light and zesty finish to an al fresco dinner or summer cocktail party.

See more pavlova recipes.

10. Brownies

Chocolate brownies work well with all manner of summer fruit – go for strawberries, raspberries or cherries in milk chocolate brownies, or tailor your brownie base to suit your diet with our vegan brownie recipe or gluten-free brownie recipe.

See more brownie recipes.

11. Pound cake

Make this lemon & buttermilk pound cake for a perfect addition to an afternoon tea. Bake this vibrant blood orange pound cake for bold citrus flavours. For something more versatile, try our easy vanilla pound cake.

See more easy cake recipes.

12. Savoury tarts

Ideal for summer lunches, picnic baskets, garden parties and more, a layered quiche or savoury tart is the perfect way to up your vegetable intake in an indulgent fashion. This version contains spinach, hearty bacon & bold roquefort. If you have a leftover jar of pesto in your fridge, our easy pesto, cheese & pea tart is a great way to use the rest up. And to make a star of seasonal tomatoes, try our tomato tarts with roasted garlic & goat’s cheese.

More quiche and savoury tart recipes.

13. Ice cream cake

Creating this sensational peach & red berry ice cream cake is easier than you might imagine. Once you’ve baked your sponge, use the same tin to layer it with homemade mascarpone ice cream – no churn needed. Another impressive dessert is our lemon meringue ice cream cake, which is simple to make yet utterly showstopping. Guests will be astounded that it only took 20 minutes to prepare.

See more ice cream cake recipes.

14. Pasties

There’s nothing quite like the sheer delight of devouring a beef pasty on a sunny beach in Cornwall, but you can definitely bring that blissful feeling home. Opt for the authentic route with traditional ingredients like genuine beef skirt or chuck. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, take a detour with these tantalising chicken tikka pasties; they’re an ideal addition to any picnic spread.

See more pasty recipes.

15. Fruit tart

Whether you prefer a delicate patisserie-style crispy base, a comforting puff pastry enclosure, or something in between, the combination of fruit and pastry is undeniably one of the most exquisite pairings in the culinary world. For a delightfully easy dessert, indulge in our rustic strawberry tart. Or, for a vibrant and eye-catching option that embodies the essence of summer, treat yourself to our mango & passion fruit curd sunshine tart.

See more fruit tart recipes.

16. Arctic roll

Cool down this summer by combining cake and ice cream into one mega dessert. This clotted cream version is loaded with fresh raspberries and raspberry jam, rolled in a light sponge. Or, try using up a punnet of strawberries with this classic arctic roll.

See more swiss roll recipes.

17. Vegetable cake

Around June, courgettes begin to grow in abundance. We have lots of ways to use up your glut, and we like them most in a moist, light cake like our courgette, lemon, & thyme cake or our courgette & orange cake with cream cheese frosting.

See more garden glut cakes.

18. Layer cake

A scattering of mixed summer berries can effortlessly elevate even the most straightforward layer cake. Our raspberry layer cake, ready in an hour and serving up to eight people, makes an ideal summer barbecue dessert. The zing of our easy lemon layer cake perfectly offsets the richness of the soft cheese icing, making it a delightful choice for afternoon tea. Meanwhile, our pistachio cake strikes a perfect balance with its light, fluffy, and creamy texture, complemented by the zest of lime and the sweet-tart flavour of raspberries.

See more layer cake recipes.

19. Picnic pies

Don’t reserve your pastry skills for rib-sticking winter pies – picnics are the perfect opportunity for a veritable pie showcase. Set up some al fresco dining in your garden and serve these pork, apricot & pistachio puff pastry pies, studded with fruit and nuts. For a vegetarian friendly version, try this veggie rainbow picnic pie.

See more picnic pie recipes.

20. Crumble cake

Combine a fluffy sponge cake with a crunchy crumble topping for the ultimate mash-up. This cherry crumble cake is loaded with juicy summer fruit. Or, use up a glut of rhubarb with these tasty rhubarb crumble muffins. For a super-simple version, try our apple crumble loaf with a hazelnut topping.

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Does baking happen all year in your kitchen? We’d like to hear your warmer weather recipes.