The joy of indulging in a sweet treat is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Whether it’s the decadent richness of chocolate cake or the blissful tartness of raspberry pie, desserts offer a moment of pure contentment with every bite.

And there’s one surefire way to make that experience even sweeter: sharing it with others.

Preparing desserts and serving them to the people we love is the perfect way to spark conversation, laughter, and lasting memories. It’s a way to show we care, but even more importantly, it invites us to slow down and be present with one another.

Ready to share that childlike joy of eating a sweet treat? Keep reading for our favorite summer desserts that your loved ones will rave about long after the last crumb is gone.

1. Smores Sliders

The campfire is crackling. The night sky is twinkling. There’s just one thing you need to make your outdoor summer experience complete: s’mores!

These melty, fluffy, chocolatey summertime desserts are always a delight, but we’ve got a way to make them even more divine — serving them on our soft, pillowy Hawaiian Sweet Rolls. The result is a yummy, snackable s’more sandwich that’s heavenly to the last bite. Try our S’more Sliders today!

2. Marshmallow Cream Dream

S’mores aren’t the only way to enjoy marshmallows! Our Marshmallow Cream Dream is everything you want in a sweet treat — velvety, rich, and comforting. They’re perfect for serving to little ones (who love the pink swirled bread and oozing marshmallow cream), but don’t worry: adults will love them too. Whip up a batch of these easy summer desserts, stack them on a plate, and watch them disappear in no time.

3. Blueberry Cream Cheese Bake

We love summer baking recipes that can be enjoyed as a dessert or as a sweet and satisfying breakfast. If you feel the same, you’ll love our Blueberry Cream Cheese Bake. It’s an amazing mixture of light, spongy bread, silky-rich cream cheese and bright, tangy blueberries. Then it’s baked to golden-brown perfection, providing just the right amount of crisp in every bite.

Make a pan for your favorite people — but remember to save a slice for yourself. They’ll be gone in a heartbeat!

4. Ice Cream Sliders

Need to beat the summer heat? Cool down with our Ice Cream Sliders. These frosty treats feature rich, creamy ice cream served between our cloud-like Hawaiian Sweet Rolls. Get creative by choosing your favorite ice cream flavors or adding fun toppings like whipped cream, caramel drizzle, chopped nuts, and more. Make your own masterpiece!

5. Sweet Bread Pudding Parfait

Parfaits are a great option for those seeking healthy summer dessert ideas. With berries for antioxidants and eggs for protein, our Sweet Bread Pudding Parfait is both nutritious and delicious. Customize it with simple tweaks, like swapping vanilla ice cream for blended bananas or using raw honey instead of white sugar. Start with our recipe and make it your own!

6. Mini Sticky Buns

These petite sweets are perfect for large gatherings. You can make Mini Sticky Buns in batches of 12 using our Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, and they’re ready to eat in just 15 minutes. Your guests will love how each little cushiony bite provides a burst of brown sugar and buttery goodness. Plus, the warm aroma of cinnamon will waft through the air, which is always a welcomed perk. No need to tell your guests these bite-sized delights are ready — their noses will lead the way!

7. Donut Rolls

Who says you can't taste heaven? Our Donut Rolls are divinely delicious, instantly transporting you to a place of sweet, blissful indulgence. Made tender bread and a hint of rich vanilla extract, they’re effortless to make and fantastic for sharing. Add them to your list of summer desserts, but be warned — they’ll quickly become your favorite guilty pleasure.

8. Apple Crumble

Homey, comforting, and simply irresistible — there’s a reason why apple crumble is one of the most popular classic American desserts. It’s a delectable choice for any occasion and a sure-fire bet for second helpings.

We make our Apple Crumble with tart Granny Smith apples, a hint of cinnamon and hearty rolled oats for a wholesome, belly-filling dessert you’ll want to savor to the last spoonful.

9. Cannoli Dog

Need a summer treats to satisfy those relentless sugar cravings? Our Cannoli Dog recipe is guaranteed to do the trick. Close your eyes and imagine it — velvety ricotta cheese, decadent chocolate chips, and a splash of vanilla coming together in our fluffy, buttery hot dog buns. Sounds incredible, right?

Trust us: you’ll see plenty of smiling faces while lowering a tray of these homemade treats onto the table. They’re always the center of attention!

10. Coconut and Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is always a fan favorite. It’s a comforting dessert that’s ideal for serving a crowd since it can easily be made in large quantities. It’s also easy to customize with different flavors and ingredients. If you’ve been serving your guests the same tried-and-tested recipe, why not surprise them with something new? Our Coconut and Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding blends rich, luscious coconut milk with crunchy macadamia nuts and the deep toffee-like taste of brown sugar. Now that’s a flawless fusion!

11. Island Coconut Bars

No breezy backyard get-together is complete without refreshing summer desserts — the kind that take your taste buds on a tropical vacation.

Our Island Coconut Bars are just the ticket. Sprinkled with sweet, toasted coconut flakes and drenched in lush condensed milk, these bars are baked to a soft golden-brown finish. Quick tip: Make them even more tropical by adding diced mango to the mix before baking.

12. Ku’uipo Sweetheart Cream Puffs

Strawberries, cream, and powdered sugar make our Ku’uipo Sweetheart Cream Puffs an easy dessert to fall in love with. The juicy tartness of strawberries is perfectly balanced by the addition of sumptuous whipping cream, making these tiny temptations impossible to resist.

Feeling creative? You can swap out strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or even apricots! Experiment with other delicious flavors to find your favorite version of these summertime desserts.

13. Pani Popo

Pani popo is a traditional Samoan dessert made with rich coconut milk and soft, fluffy dinner rolls. Our Pani Popo Coconut Bread honors the simplicity of traditional recipes — no rare ingredients or complicated steps, just a delicious addition to your list of favorite summer desserts.

14. Pineapple Upside Down Bites

A summertime soiree calls for fun summer desserts that are both eye-catching and a delight to savor, like our Pineapple Upside Down Bites. These warm, buttery bites are topped with a caramelized pineapple ring and a glistening red cherry, while brown sugar adds a hint of syrupy sweetness and makes the tropical flavors truly sing on the palette. Simply put? They’re sure to be noticed as soon as they hit the table!

15. Cinnamon Rolls

Start your morning with the comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, made even better with King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls. These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls are soft, pillowy, and swirled with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, then topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze. Perfect for a weekend breakfast or a sweet treat any time of day, these rolls are a surefire way to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Whether you're enjoying them fresh out of the oven or reheated for a quick snack, these cinnamon rolls offer a sweet, comforting start to your day.

12. Tips for Making the Best Sweet Summer Treats

We’ve shared our favorite summer desserts and what makes them so delicious, but we aren’t stopping there. We want to help you create sensational culinary experiences for your guests, so we’re also sharing our top tips for making exquisite treats every time you entertain.

Here are five tips to keep in mind:

• Use Parchment Paper to Prevent Sticking: Nothing is more disappointing than having your dessert crumble or stick to the pan when you try to remove it. Using parchment paper can prevent both of these issues. Plus, it helps your desserts bake evenly!

• Always Preheat Your Oven: Baking requires a specific and accurate temperature. Otherwise, you risk overcooking or undercooking your dessert. Always allow your oven to fully preheat before placing your dessert inside.

• Add Extra Flair With Garnishes: Don’t underestimate the power of presentation. Even the most straightforward summer dessert recipes can be elevated with a garnish of fresh fruit, a drizzle of sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar.

• Test New Recipes in Advance: Testing recipes before you host an event or dinner party is always a smart idea. It allows you to identify any ingredients, measurements, or techniques issues before your guests arrive. Plus, a test run helps you gauge the overall execution of the recipe. You’ll get a sense of how long each step takes, how the ingredients behave, and if there are any unexpected challenges.

• Chill Your Cream Fillings: If you’re making summer desserts with cream fillings, like éclairs or cream puffs, chill them for at least an hour before serving. This helps the cream set and makes the desserts easier to handle and serve. Chilling desserts also helps them hold their shape better, so they don’t collapse or become messy when you cut into them.

Remember, even the best bakers have had their share of mishaps. Embrace the journey, keep a positive attitude, and enjoy the process of perfecting your skills. After all, the most important thing is the flavor!

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with King’s Hawaiian Recipes

We love sharing good summer desserts with our readers. But even more than that, we love how food fosters connection, celebrates community and enriches lives. That’s why make fresh, wholesome food products with genuine care and a commitment to excellence. So, whether you’re stocking up on pantry staples or looking for your next signature recipe, you’ll find what you need here — and it’ll always come with plenty of Aloha spirit.