May is packed with teacher appreciation, end-of-year school parties, Memorial Day cookouts, picnics with friends, birthdays and more, so I’ve been on the lookout for some easy and relatively quick dessert recipes that will still impress. If I can make them ahead so that I’m not rushing at the last minute with my three kids, then all the better. So, easy icebox pie recipes to the rescue!
These cool, refreshing desserts are easy to whip up a day or two ahead of time, then they can chill in the fridge while I’m tying shoes and rounding up birthday gifts. You know, normal parent life.
Related: Keep your kitchen cool with these 10 easy no-bake dessert recipes.
This tart and sweet Lemon Icebox Pie at Vintage Kitty (above) is a fab take on a classic. Make this one and you won’t regret it. The blackberries on the side are pretty perfect, but you can go with whatever fresh berries you find at your farmer’s market or grocery store. I happen to love blueberry compote over the top too.
These Mini Grasshopper Pies at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs are a perfect bite-sized dessert at the end of the night, with a bit of kick from Creme de Menthe. If you want to leave it out, you can sub in some mint extract and our natural green food coloring hack to get that pretty green color.
I’ve made this Mango Lemon Buttermilk Icebox Pie at Southern Living before—okay, I’ve made it a lot—and it’s delicious. The mango kicks it up a few notches from a classic lemon icebox, but it’s not so over the top that you’re wishing you’d just gone with the simple standard. Try this one. You won’t regret it.
Related: 7 delicious fruit dessert recipes for lazy summer evenings. Or, you know, whenever.
These Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Pies at Carlsbad Cravings give you just the right amount of decadent peanut butter and chocolate filling. Then again, if you’re throwing your diet to the wind this summer, go ahead and make it as a regular pie and serve it up in big, thick slices. We won’t judge.
I’m pretty sure that you can’t have a cookout down South without banana pudding on the menu, and this Banana Pudding Icebox Pie at Life, Love & Sugar is calling—no, screaming—my name. Do like we do down here in Tennessee and layer bananas, cream, and Nilla wafers with abandon. You won’t be sorry that you did. Trust me.
We’re dying to try this Nutella Icebox Pie at Fab Fatale, which is tweaked from this recipe at the Food Network. The alternating layers of Nutella and mascarpone look creamy, chocolatey, and delicious. Yep: Planning my next dinner party now. Because everyone knows menu planning starts with dessert!
This Birthday Cake Oreo Icebox Pie at Sweetest Menu is basically chocolate cream with crushed Oreos and sprinkles, and I see no problem with that. This over-the-top delicious recipe looks perfect for a kid’s summer birthday party. Or, you know, a grown up’s summer birthday party.
