Best Cold Desserts and Frozen Treats for Summer

From classics like ice cream cones and popsicles to creamy indulgences like frozen custard concretes and layered cakes, these tasty treats are often sweet and memorable parts of any summer. In this guide, find out more about the following topics:

● Popular cold desserts and frozen treats

● Recommendations of which cold or frozen desserts to serve for different summer events

● Unique frozen treats at Freddy’s

Keep reading to explore a wide variety of cold desserts and frozen treats, including the ones on the Freddy’s menu, and to discover some suggestions for which ones to serve at common summer events!

Types of Cold Desserts and Frozen Treats

Impromptu occasions and planned activities alike call for delicious cold desserts, especially during the warmer months. Fortunately, there are plenty of frozen treats and other chilled selections to choose from, many of which can be purchased or made at home. In reviewing the list below, the suggestions here may jog your memory about favorite recipes or encourage you to try a new treat in order to make a summer day extra special.

Frozen custard, ice cream and other frozen desserts

While frozen custard and ice cream may be some of the first frozen treats to come to mind, The Spruce Eats lists other options like sorbet, gelato, granita and even snow cones as some other delicious possibilities. Cups and cones are popular vehicles for several of these sweet summer treats. However, selections like ice cream or frozen custard are also frequently used in other desserts such as sandwiches, pies or cakes. If you’ve already experienced the difference between frozen custard and ice cream, maybe this summer is when you try making a frozen custard recipe at home for a special occasion.

Popsicles

The store-bought options for this treat are numerous, but homemade popsicles can be a great way to use up extra juice, fruit or even yogurt. Plus, these frozen treats can serve as both a refreshing dessert and a snack or meal option, depending on what you include in them. For example, The Kitchn offers guidance on making yogurt-based popsicles to enjoy as a treat or an on-the-go breakfast idea.

Sandwiches

S’mores may reign supreme as a warm dessert sandwich for any season, but the sandwich is also a celebrated form of cold dessert. Curious about which ice cream sandwiches available at local grocery stores are the best? Consider holding your own taste test experience as a fun summer activity and dessert idea or simply check out the recent evaluation of these frozen treats from Wirecutter. To make your own ice cream or frozen custard sandwiches at home, all you really need is a pint of Freddy’s frozen custard and a batch of your favorite cookies. Simply Recipes shares one variation of this approach in addition to several tips for assembly and storage.

Bars

Of course, there’s the frozen bar in its foil wrapper with the polar bear. Whether you love fruit or chocolate, there are also numerous flavor combinations for ice cream bars on a stick. However, other homemade frozen and cold desserts are also served in a square, rectangular or round format, such as mini no-bake cheesecakes or this bar recipe from Allrecipes, which includes ice cream sandwiches as one of the ingredients!

Sundaes

Encourage creativity and customization with sundaes as your choice of creamy, cold dessert. To level up your sundaes this summer, you may not only find an ice cream or frozen custard recipe to serve as the base for these treats but also create a sundae bar with an array of toppings.

Puddings and Custards

In addition to what’s in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, pudding can be an easy treat to prepare at home, whether using a mix or making from scratch. A recipe like this one from Budget Bytes illustrates just how quickly a bowl of tasty pudding can come together, although it does take time to set if you plan to enjoy it cold. For a cool, not frozen custard treat, the smooth, rich and creamy decadence of a dish like crème brûlée is another possibility.

Parfaits

The versatility of parfaits makes them an ideal choice for a variety of sweet preferences. To make this cold dessert, pudding or custard are often used, though ingredients like yogurt or whipped cream can also be featured. In terms of the other layers, the possibilities mirror common sundae bar toppings, such as crushed cookies, nuts or fruit. For parfaits that leverage the peak sweetness of summer fruit, consider a recipe like this strawberry-based parfait from Fifteen Spatulas.

Pies and Cakes

From peanut butter pie to a layered ice cream cake, many cold desserts may not even require the use of an oven. Need some recipe inspiration? Southern Living offers this collection of no-bake desserts and a list of over 30 cold desserts that may just make you a little nostalgic.

Best Cold Desserts and Treats for Summer Events

While the arrival of an ice cream truck may be a happy surprise for various occasions, planning what sweets to serve in advance ensures that you’ll be ready when it’s time for dessert! Below, find some suggestions for what cold desserts and frozen treats to serve at common summer events.

Picnics

From the beach to the backyard, a picnic can make any mealtime feel extra special. Summer is often the ideal season for these outdoor dining experiences. Since they typically need to be kept cold but not frozen, parfaits, puddings or various no-bake desserts can simply hang out with the ice pack in your cooler, awaiting their time to shine! For National Eat Outside Day in August or whenever you want to spend some extra time outdoors, many cold desserts work well when a picnic is part of the plan!

Cookouts

If you are utilizing the grills sometimes available in park areas or while camping, then you may want to stick with the same cold dessert suggestions as listed for picnics. However, for summer cookouts happening where a refrigerator or freezer is present, there are several additional options to consider. Since people sometimes eat at different times during cookouts or prefer a break between their savory burgers and their cold desserts, individual portions work well for these less formal and sometimes fluid events. You might prepare a platter of bars or a basket of wrapped frozen custard sandwiches or popsicles with which to circulate periodically and then put back in the refrigerator or freezer. This approach offers a choice of timing (and potentially also the treat itself) and ensures that warmer temperatures don’t melt your sweet offerings!

Special occasions

For birthdays, graduations, family reunions and end-of-summer parties, you may be looking for a cold dessert with a significant wow factor. Chilled pies or frozen layered cakes make delicious choices for just such occasions. For a showstopping dessert that leverages the love for another favorite frozen summer treat, consider making your own ice cream cake. The Preppy Kitchen offers recommendations for different flavors, preparation tips and a recipe for a cake that includes multiple chocolate components and OREO® Cookies.

Holiday Parties

While they may not mark the official start and end of summer, people often use holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day to frame this season. Cold desserts are often a beloved part of the menu at annual celebrations of these official holidays and others. In fact, many of these treats are also featured on unofficial food holidays, as highlighted in the dessert holiday guide from National Today. National Cheesecake Day, National Ice Cream Sundae Day and National Frozen Custard Day are just a few of these festive food occasions that happen during the summer. For a fun and interactive dessert idea for a future holiday party or special occasion, consider creating a sundae bar or another DIY dessert experience, such as a build-your-own parfait or ice cream sandwich station. If you are having these holiday parties or any other events catered, the Freddy’s catering menu includes what you need for a tasty sundae bar, as well as similarly customizable savory options like burger and hot dog bars.

Unique Frozen Custard Treats at Freddy’s

At your local Freddy’s, we’ve got classic and customizable summer treats, unique creations and ingredients you can use in making your own frozen or cold desserts at home. Sip up familiar treats like a MUG® Root Beer Float, as well as shakes and malts. Scoop up some deliciousness with our flavorful selection of sundaes or create your own treat with your favorite custard flavor and toppings. While you can incorporate various baked goods in your frozen custard treats, we also offer Chocolate Chip Custard Sandwiches made with rich vanilla frozen custard (available individually or as a 4 pack). Looking for something a little more unique to savor this summer or otherwise? Check out the following options:

Frosts

Freddy’s frosts are unique sippable treats that feature Freddy’s vanilla frozen custard in combination with various other flavors. From the citrusy burst of all-natural lemonade to the many flavors of Dr Pepper®, these refreshing blended treats are excellent options for a variety of occasions. Cool off with one after spending the day outside or during an outdoor concert or movie night. Try the Orange Cream Frost, Lemon Cream Frost or limited-time only Dr Pepper® Frost (if available) today!

Concretes

For a customizable treat that’s perfect for scooping up by the spoonful, frozen custard concretes are a portable treat that’s a tasty choice for a variety of summer events. Need a sweet after a long day or as the perfect finish to a meal? Choose one of the many concretes at Freddy’s. On our menu, you’ll find treats featuring a choice of frozen custard in combination with options like peanut butter, chocolate, cookies, brownies, cheesecake and fruit. For example, the Signature Turtle includes hot fudge, hot caramel and toasted pecans, and the Strawberry Dreamcake incorporates strawberry puree, cheesecake pieces and cinnamon streusel. Whether you choose one of the available concretes or create your own, you can further customize the size of your treat, choice of custard and toppings. Don’t forget that concretes and other frozen custard treats are also available as an upgrade for our various combo meals!

Seasonal Custard Specials

At Freddy’s, you’ll find treats to suit your summer occasions, as well as special events and offerings of our own. For example, limited-time only seasonal specials often pop up on the menu during the summer and throughout the year. One such menu selection, the Key Lime Pie Concrete, combines creamy vanilla frozen custard with an entire slice of this classic summer cold dessert. Most recently, the 13-week Summer Custard Tour showcased a variety of scrumptious flavor combinations. Some weeks of the tour featured holiday specials like the Red, White & Blueberry Concrete and the Root Beer Float, while others highlighted creative combinations such as the Bananas Foster Shake and the Peanut Brownie Concrete Made with Butterfinger®. While many of these special seasonal custard flavors can be made any time through the create your own feature, their arrival this summer offered the opportunity for extra special summer treat times.

Sundae Bar Catering

The availability of pickup and delivery at many Freddy’s locations makes it easy to order any of the frozen custard treats for enjoyment at home or another destination of choice, not to mention pints or quarts of our frozen custard for use in (or on!) a variety of desserts. While there are many cold desserts that are sure to impress your guests, the presence of a sundae bar can make for a truly memorable summer event. With Freddy’s sundae bar catering, you’ll have everything you need to make delicious sundaes. Each order is designed to serve 10 guests and includes 2 quarts of frozen custard (one of chocolate and one of vanilla), as well as a variety of assorted toppings such as hot fudge, strawberries and various candy and cookie pieces. We also offer brownie trays if you want to incorporate these decadent bites too.

Cold desserts and frozen treats are the perfect choices for a variety of summer moments and events. If frozen custard is what you’re craving, Freddy’s has many options available. To make the most of your sweet and savory orders, remember to sign up for Freddy’s Rewards today!