‘Summertime… and the livin’ is easy…’ except when you need to show up with something in your hand for a picnic or a gathering. Or maybe it’s too hot to cook! Or you’re having unexpected company… or you just want to add a dessert to a simple meal and really who wants to miss out on the summer fun slaving away in the kitchen? A lot of folks say- no matter how wonderful the meal is- what guests remember most is the dessert!

Here’s 3 Easy Summer Desserts that will be easy to assemble and unforgettable, I promise! Salted Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes, Fresh Strawberry Trifle and Tropical Grilled Pineapple will have your guests raving and you’ll be cool, calm and collected!

Salted Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes. Now really, who can resist that? And it’s really just an easy assembly of vanilla iced cupcakes from your favorite bakery (or make them yourself), microwave kettle corn and good quality caramel sauce (I found several high quality brands in the ice cream topping section)  Finish with a light sprinkle of sea salt and you’re done! An easy-to-carry dessert- just surround cupcakes with extra popcorn to keep them steady- assemble when you arrive and you’ll have an easy irresistible dessert!

Fresh Strawberry Trifle. If a show stopping dessert is what you need- this is it! You will need a good quality pound cake, at least a quart of fresh strawberries and for this- I would recommend whipping the heavy cream yourself! Cut up 1/3 of fresh strawberries, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup of sugar, let stand until strawberries have absorbed the sugar; drain the liquid (this strawberry juice is wonderful added to iced tea or lemonade!) Fold softened strawberries into 2/3 of the whipped cream (that’s the pink cream you see in the photograph)

Assemble Trifle by layering pound cake, fresh cut strawberries, pink strawberry cream; repeating until the Trifle bowl is full. Spread the remaining whipped cream over the Trifle and chill until ready to serve! Beautiful, delicious and easy!

Tropical Grilled Pineapple.  If the grill is already fired up, you’re more than halfway there to this luscious dessert. You will need fresh pineapple, vanilla ice cream, sliced almonds and grated coconut- feel free to guild the dessert with pineapple preserves found among most ice cream toppings at your local grocer. Most grocer’s sell fresh pineapple, peeled and cored, or cut and core your own. Slice pineapple into 3/4 to 1 inch slices, brush with honey and grilled 2-3 minutes or until slightly caramelized (don’t over cook) Lightly toast 3/4 cup of grated coconut and 3/4 cup of sliced almonds. That’s all the cooking required! Assemble by placing a slice of grilled pineapple on a plate, top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, pineapple preserves and finish with toasted coconut and sliced almonds. A tropical paper umbrella is also festive and fun!

I’ve loved having a few recipes for delicious, easy desserts in summertime or anytime- I hope these 3 will become a few of your favorites! And who knows you might be singing…’Summertime… and the livin’ is easy…’ and be cool, calm and collected too!

Love y’all, Camellia

*All photographs are obviously mine. * Feel free to make substitutions with homemade or purchased items!