What could be better than delicious cold treats when the weather is hot and humid?

Doesn’t this look delicious? I’m not eating any of these (other than berries, maybe with whipped cream), but I can look, can’t I?

Here’s the recipe, from King Arthur Flour, Mocha Madness Ice Cream Pie.

Or just the Mocha Madness Ice Cream. I intend to make it, although I think I’ll leave out the cookies.

• 1 cup cold whole milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons espresso powder
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, Dutch-process preferred
• 2 cups (1 pint) cold heavy cream or whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 Oreo cookies, broken into small pieces

1. Whisk or mix together the milk, sugar, espresso powder, and cocoa till the sugar has dissolved.
2. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.
3. Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions.
4. Stir cookie bits into soft ice cream, and serve immediately.
5. For firmer ice cream, place in a covered container. Place in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours, until ice cream is as hard as you like it. Note: Freezing longer than this will make the ice cream rock hard; plan on softening at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or so before serving, if the ice cream has been in the freezer longer than a few hours.
6. Don’t have an ice cream maker? Simply pour the chilled mocha cream into a bowl, place the bowl in the freezer, uncovered, and stir the cream every hour. After about 4 hours or so, it’ll be soft-serve consistency. Continue to stir and freeze till it’s the consistency you like. While it won’t be as creamy as churned ice cream, it’ll be absolutely delicious. After 6 or more hours in the freezer, it’ll become quite hard. To serve, simply remove from the freezer for 15 minutes or so, to soften it enough to make it “scoopable.”
7. Yield: about 6 to 8 rich servings.

If this is too much, too rich, too fattening, OR just too much work, how about strawberry shortcake, with or without whipped cream or ice cream?

Or a fresh berry trifle? Very easy! This could even be made by combining fresh berries with purchased ingredients like Cool Whip, vanilla pudding and sponge or angel food cake.

Or this, which is something my mother made for me every birthday? It’s strawberry angel food cake.

Doesn’t this look refreshing? Martha Stewart can tell you how.

I love the looks of this one too. Healthy, delicious, and perfect for a crowd.

What is your favorite dessert for hot summer days? Or your favorite dessert to serve for a summer party?