Summer is absolutely my favorite season. No matter how high the temperature climbs, I can’t get enough of the heat…except in my house. I love to be outside, to garden, to swim, to cycle, especially in very warm weather. But sweating in my kitchen is another story!
In an effort to keep my apartment cool, I avoid turning on my oven unless it’s really necessary. That means I grill outside a lot, and the amount of scratch baking I do is limited to special occasions.
Instead of depending on my oven, I get creative with store-bought cakes and brownies, adding extra little touches to make them spectacular. I also indulge in ice cream a little more often, which happens to be my favorite food in the world. It’s amazing what you can make with a tub or two of ice cream, and it’s so cold and delicious on a hot summer day!
We’ve come up with some fun new recipes in the Wilton Test Kitchens that can help you celebrate summer without adding any extra kitchen heat. There’s a Creamy Cherry Pie that is a delicious way to use all of the gorgeous fresh cherries that are in season right now. A Lemon Berry Trifle does the same for strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
Chocolate Chip Stacks are a fast weeknight treat for the kids. Switch up your day by serving Yogurt Fruit Pops for breakfast.
We put a twist on the kids classic PB&J sandwich by turning it into a Peanut Butter and Jelly No Bake Cheesecake. Let the kids help make Special Strawberry Shortcake Shapes for a rainy day activity.
And don’t forget the ice cream – Chocolate Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake is perfect for entertaining at home.
Here’s to great summer treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Beth is the Culinary Specialist in the test kitchen at Wilton. She spends her days examining Wilton products to make sure that they are up to par, helping refine ideas for new Wilton items, and developing fun and simple recipes. The recipes on all Wilton bakeware and Wilton.com originate in the test kitchen, and it’s Beth’s favorite part of the job. Before joining Wilton, Beth worked as a cake decorator and pastry chef. She’s baked, decorated, and delivered hundreds of wedding and birthday cakes, and loves the idea that in some small way, her creations have played a role in so many celebrations. When she’s not in the test kitchen, you can find Beth cooking and baking for her friends and family, and dining out all over Chicago. 
