Sunshine, barbeques, and pool parties – summer is all about fun in the sun. But what’s a summer party without a delicious cake to top it all off?
Sun-drenched days and warm nights deserve equally delightful cakes – and no, not your usual cake heavy with frosting and fondant. We’re talking about classic fruit-filled treats to creamy, zingy delights to chill off your taste buds.
Chances are you’ve been on the hunt for those, so consider yourself lucky because today we’ve got 25+ easy breezy summer cake ideas for you, bursting with the vibrant flavours of the season!
Contents
- 1 Beat the Heat with These Easy Summer Cake Ideas
- 1.1 1. Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
- 1.2 2. Peach Melba Cake
- 1.3 3. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
- 1.4 4. Watermelon Cake
- 1.5 5. Mango Mousse Cake
- 1.6 6. Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- 1.7 7. Peach & Plum Skillet Coffee Cake
- 1.8 8. Coconut Cream Cake
- 1.9 9. Raspberry Lemonade Cake
- 1.10 10. Orange Creamsicle Cake
- 1.11 11. S’mores Cake
- 1.12 12. Banana Split Cake
- 1.13 13. Mojito Cake
- 1.14 14. Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Nectarine Compote
- 1.15 15. Strawberry Shortcake
- 1.16 16. Angel Food Cake with Berries
- 1.17 17. Frozen Lemon Icebox Cake
- 1.18 18. Rhubarb & Elderflower Cake
- 1.19 19. Gin & Tonic Cake
- 1.20 20. Summer Squash Pound Cake
- 1.21 21. Patchwork Quilt Cake
- 1.22 22. Cherry Cola Cake
- 1.23 23. Gooseberry & Almond Cake with Elderflower Drizzle
- 1.24 24. Mango Carrot Cake
- 1.25 25. French Yoghurt Cake with Apricot Cherry Compote
- 1.26 26. Mascarpone Cheesecake
- 1.27 27. Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake
- 2 5 Bonus Summer Cake Ideas For Kids
- 3 Suns Out, Buns Out
Beat the Heat with These Easy Summer Cake Ideas
Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, a casual backyard BBQ, or just want to treat yourself to something sweet, these easy, fun, and delicious cake recipes will surely become your favourite this summer.
1. Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
This sunshine of a cake combines bright lemon zest with plump, juicy blueberries and topped with cream cheese frosting for a refreshingly light dessert.
It’s super easy to prepare and is ideal for those casual get-togethers!
2. Peach Melba Cake
Elevate your summer fruit game with this light and airy vanilla layer cake.
It’s sandwiched with juicy peaches and creamy vanilla mousse, then drizzled with a sweet raspberry sauce. Serve it with a side of sparkling wine for a festive summer treat!
3. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
With caramelised pineapple rings and a buttery cake, this retro dessert is making a delicious comeback this summer.
It’ll make a fun centrepiece for brunch or evening tea and is sure to bring back many childhood memories.
4. Watermelon Cake
It’s not just a party trick! This unique no-bake cake uses carved watermelon as the base, layered with fresh fruit and whipped cream.
It’s low-sugar, naturally gluten-free, extra hydrating in warmer weather, and is perfect for a summer potluck!
Also See: 16 Beautiful & Funny 50th Birthday Cake Ideas
5. Mango Mousse Cake
This mango mousse cake, featuring layers of moist vanilla sponge, fresh mango mousse, and fresh mango puree, is great for those hot summer days when you want something cool, light, and creamy.
It’s easy and too delicious to not share at your next summer party!
6. Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Don’t give away those excess garden zucchini just yet! This surprisingly delicious snack cake is packed with moist chocolate flavour and hidden veggie goodness.
No assembly or decorating is required, and its rich and fudgy flavour will perfectly complement any summer BBQ!
7. Peach & Plum Skillet Coffee Cake
The warm flavours of cinnamon and nutmeg pair beautifully with the tart, sweet flavours of summer stone fruits.
A cosy treat to serve with a hot cup of coffee on a slightly cooler, lazy summer evening!
Check Out: 15 Memorable & Hilarious 40th Birthday Cake Ideas
8. Coconut Cream Cake
Escape to the tropics with this heavenly coconut cream cake as light as a cloud and fluffy as a pillow, topped with fresh, zesty pineapple chunks and toasted coconut flakes.
Sweetened or unsweetened, its fresh flavour is the perfect ending to a spicy summer meal.
9. Raspberry Lemonade Cake
No point debating between tart raspberries and tangy lemonade flavours when you can have both! Double the filling, double the fun – this recipe blends the rich, tangy, sweet flavours of two seasonal fruits in a fun and refreshing summer cake.
10. Orange Creamsicle Cake
Remember those orange creamsicles from childhood? This easy, magical cake captures that nostalgic flavour with fluffy orange and vanilla layers, making it a hard-to-resist summertime staple for any occasion. Best served when refrigerated!
11. S’mores Cake
Relieve those outdoor summer night gatherings with this s’mores cake, complete with graham cracker crumbs, dark chocolate drizzling, and toasted marshmallow frosting.
It’s crunchy outside and gooey inside, combined to make a sure-to-please summer treat!
12. Banana Split Cake
All the tropical flavours of a banana split in cake form – banana slices, chocolate, crushed pineapple/strawberry over cream cheese, finished with maraschino cherries, peanuts, and hot fudge sauce on top.
Better save yourself a piece in advance, because this no-bake summer dessert is vanishing in no time!
13. Mojito Cake
Inspired by the classic cocktail, this cake packs a refreshing punch of lime and mint flavours with a slight hint of white rum, making it a fun, adult-friendly summer treat.
14. Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Nectarine Compote
This surprisingly straightforward, no-bake cake features a rich, tangy goat cheese filling and sweet nectarines.
If you’re looking for cheesecake recipes, this will just do to impress the crowd.
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15. Strawberry Shortcake
Layers of tender, sugar-crusted buttermilk biscuits, juicy macerated strawberries, and whipped cream – what’s not to love?
This homemade all-American dessert will leave everyone speechless… at least until they all start fighting for seconds and thirds!
16. Angel Food Cake with Berries
Six ingredients – that’s all you need to whip up a light and fluffy angel food cake, a perfect canvas for a symphony of summer berries.
Pile on your favourites, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a stunning centrepiece!
17. Frozen Lemon Icebox Cake
No baking is necessary! Best when chilled, this icebox cake is cool, creamy, lemony, and, most importantly, super easy to put together.
The refreshing citrusy taste and smooth filling will have everyone asking for the recipe.
18. Rhubarb & Elderflower Cake
This cake combines the tartness of pink rhubarb jam with the sweetness of elderflower syrup for a stunning summer dessert – a taste explosion that’s as pretty as it’s yummy!
19. Gin & Tonic Cake
Love gin and tonic? This cake transforms your favourite drink into a dessert masterpiece with a fluffy lime sponge drizzled with gin and tonic syrup, all frosted with gin icing, and a limey punch.
It’s a fabulous showstopper for afternoon tea or a summer party.
20. Summer Squash Pound Cake
Got a garden flowing with summer squash? Put them to good use with this golden-brown pound cake! It’s moist, tender, and not overly sweet – a surefire hit among the crowd!
21. Patchwork Quilt Cake
With a homemade flavour and wonderfully tender crumbs, this cake is a delight.
Pile on the buttery vanilla frosting and decorate with assorted fresh berries in a pinwheel pattern for a beautiful and tasty dessert.
22. Cherry Cola Cake
This cake takes chocolate cake to a whole new level with a zippy cherry cola twist. It’s topped with marshmallows for an extra gooey and delicious treat.
Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an epic summer dessert!
23. Gooseberry & Almond Cake with Elderflower Drizzle
This cake is bursting with classic British summer flavours.
Sweet elderflower drizzle complements the tart gooseberries (a British summer staple!) and nutty almonds for a delightful flavour combo that’s perfect for a summer bake.
24. Mango Carrot Cake
Garden bounty never tasted so good! This vibrant carrot cake gets a tropical upgrade with the addition of mango juice, making it the perfect summer dessert.
It’s a fantastic way to use up fresh farmer market finds.
Also Read: 15 Unique 80th Birthday Cake Ideas
25. French Yoghurt Cake with Apricot Cherry Compote
Stone fruit season is the best time to bake this moist lemon yoghurt cake topped with a homemade apricot-cherry compote and a tangy crème fraiche drizzle for a delightful and healthy-ish summer treat.
26. Mascarpone Cheesecake
Craving cheesecake but dreading the heat? This no-bake version is your answer! Made with a creamy mascarpone filling on a vanilla wafer crust, it’s perfect for those hot summer days.
Stuff in the freezer for a few hours and top it with fresh berries and a drizzle of raspberry jam for that extra pop. Easy, breezy, and oh-so-delicious!
27. Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake
Impress your guests with this stunning summer dessert! Layers of creamy mascarpone, dark chocolate, and coffee and brandy-infused ladyfingers (or Savoiardi Boudoir biscuits) come together in a beautiful, refreshing cake perfect for an al fresco dinner party.
5 Bonus Summer Cake Ideas For Kids
Nothing makes your kiddo’s day more special than a cake that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat.
For those looking for some extra fun for the little ones, try these easy and creative summer cake recipes:
1. Oreo Ice Cream Cake
This super easy cake combines their favourites – crunchy Oreos, creamy vanilla ice cream, and gooey chocolate sauce – for the ultimate summer make-ahead dessert.
It’s no-bake and perfect for when the kids want a sweet treat without heating up the kitchen.
2. Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
These adorable treats look like ice cream cones but with a yummy surprise inside.
They’re filled with all the deliciousness of a cupcake, topped with creamy vanilla frosting, and dipped in rich chocolate glaze.
They’re so much fun to make and eat, they’re guaranteed to become a core memory for your little ones!
3. Apricot Swiss Roll
Sun-kissed apricots are the star of this summery Swiss roll!
It’s filled with a sweet apricot compote and drizzled with syrup, making it a sweet and fruity treat that’s easy to make and goes easier on little tummies on a lazy summer afternoon.
4. Red, White & Blueberry Poke Cake
This poke cake is bursting with red and blue stripes, just like the American flag. Layers of strawberry and blueberry gelatin come together for a fruity and refreshing flavour.
It’s a great dessert to make with the kids – and it’s super yummy too!
5. Jell-O Rainbow Cake
Classic for a reason! Each Jell-O layer of this magical cake is a different rainbow colour, creating a dazzling tie-dye effect.
Ideal for a hot summer birthday bash or any other occasion.
Even though it might not win any healthy food awards, the fruity flavours are unbeatable.
This particular recipe is easy but takes a little patience – mostly waiting for the colourful Jell-O layers to set. But hey, waiting for the rainbow to come together is half the fun!
Suns Out, Buns Out
Phew, that was a lot of cake! With all these 25+ easy and delicious summer cake ideas to try this season, your dessert game is about to hit a whole new level!
Whether you’re arranging a birthday bash, having a summer night get-together, or just need a sweet treat to beat the summer heat, there’s something here for every occasion and sweet tooth. And let’s be real – who doesn’t love a good slice of cake on a sunny day?
Summer baking is all about fun, so if you’ve got any favourite cake hacks, flavour combos, or crazy cake creations, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
We’re always looking for new and exciting recipes to share, so definitely let us know if there’s a particular type of cake you’d love to see.