The 12 best recipes to bake in July
Here’s what you should bake (or in some cases, freeze!) this month.
People don’t talk about it, but July is actually one of the best months to bake. The market is overflowing with fruit that shines in everything from cobbler to shortcakes, plus there are opportunities to bake something on the grill or enjoy childhood favorites outdoors. Here’s what you should bake (or in some cases, freeze!) this month.
1) Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Bars
Making your own ice cream sandwiches has never been easier, thanks to no-churn ice cream (yes, that means no ice cream maker is required!) and a giant slab cookie. Bake a half-sheet pan-sized cookie, cut it in half, then sandwich the creamy ice cream between the layers. After an overnight freeze, you’ll be able to slice these into your very own, way-better-than-store-bought ice cream sandwiches.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Bars
Shop the recipe: Half-Sheet Pan
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches
2) Lemon-Blueberry Streusel Pie
If you stock your freezer with pie dough, summer fruit pie is always within reach. This single-crust beauty has a tart lemon filling, a layer of fresh blueberry compote, and, to gild the lily, some cinnamon streusel on top. Looking for a contender for your local pie contest? Here it is.
Get the recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Streusel Pie
Shop the recipe: Pie Pan
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Blue-Ribbon Blueberry Pie, Blueberry Key Lime Tart
3) Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
We'd argue that few things are more crowd-pleasing than an oversized chocolate chip cookie. In summer, take it one step further by baking the cookie supreme not in the oven but on your grill. This super-sized version is baked in a skillet for extra-crispy edges and a pleasingly gooey center. To serve, cut into wedges and top with vanilla ice cream, or simply add a few scoops of ice cream to the center of the skillet, hand out spoons, and let everyone dig in.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Shop the recipe: Callebaut Semisweet Chocolate Chips
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Maple Tahini Chocolate Skillet Cake, Skillet Cornbread
4) S'more Rice Krispies Treats
A mashup so perfect, we can’t believe we didn’t create this recipe sooner. Every bite of these S’more Rice Krispies Treats delivers the familiar trio of toasty graham crackers, rich chocolate, and gooey marshmallows, just like a freshly made s’more — with enough to share and no campfire required.
Get the recipe: S'more Rice Krispies Treats
Shop the recipe: Callebaut Semisweet Chocolate Chips
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Ultimate Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats, S'mores Icebox Cake
5) Iced Coffee Icebox Cake
Cold, creamy, and caffeinated, this dessert is the one to make on the hottest days of summer. Chocolate wafers and espresso cream are layered together in this cool dessert; 24 hours in the fridge transforms it into a soft, sliceable “cake.” If you want to keep your oven turned off, use store-bought cookies for a truly no-bake option, or consider baking your own chocolate wafers from scratch using black cocoa for cookies with an exceptionally deep flavor.
Get the recipe: Iced Coffee Icebox Cake
Shop the recipe: Loaf Pan Lifters Set of 2 and Black Cocoa
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Chocolate Icebox Cake, Chocolate Icebox Pie
6) Buttermilk Biscuit Cherry Cobbler
It’s cobbler season! Celebrate with this vibrant, juicy cherry version, which features a tender biscuit topping (that comes together in a flash with our new Buttermilk Biscuit Flour Blend). To ensure a thick — not runny! — filling, the cherries are baked on their own for half an hour, then the biscuit dough is dolloped on top and the cobbler returns to the oven to finish baking.
Get the recipe: Buttermilk Biscuit Cherry Cobbler
Shop the recipe: Buttermilk Biscuit Flour Blend and Scone and Muffin Scoop
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Easy Peach Cobbler, Peanut Butter Cookie Fruit Cobbler
7) Creamy Key Lime Pie Bars
Unlike classic Key lime pie — which is made with a baked filling containing egg yolks, lime juice, and sweetened condensed milk — these light, creamy bars are made with a posset-like filling. What’s that, you might ask? Possets are made by cooking dairy (in this case heavy cream) with an acid (typically citrus juice, in this case, Key lime juice), which causes a chemical reaction that naturally sets the mixture without the use of gelatin (or eggs). These cold, creamy, sliceable bars are a Test Kitchen favorite.
Get the recipe: Creamy Key Lime Pie Bars
Shop the recipe: Floribbean Key Lime Juice
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Key Lime Coconut Squares, Classic Key Lime Pie
8) Mexican Street Corn Cornbread
Inspired by tangy, creamy elotes, this cornbread is drizzled with lime-spiked crema and sprinkled with cilantro and Cojita cheese. It’s our new favorite way to bake with summer corn, and the best side to serve at any outdoor gathering this summer. (It can also be made gluten-free with Measure for Measure Flour!)
Get the recipe: Mexican Street Corn Cornbread
Shop the recipe: Round Cake Pan
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Triple Cornbread Loaf, Savory Spicy Corn Cake
9) Scarpaccia (Italian Zucchini Tart)
Run out of creative ways to use up a glut of zucchini? Enter this Italian tart. It’s made by thinly slicing a mountain of zucchini, then tossing it with flour, cornmeal, Parmesan, and spices and baking them into a golden, crunchy tart. Serve the scarpaccia on its own or pair it with a bold dip like green goddess or spiced hummus.
Get the recipe: Scarpaccia (Italian Zucchini Tart)
Shop the recipe: Half-Sheet Baking Parchment Paper
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Savory Zucchini Galette, Zucchini Fritters
10) Blueberry Bread
This quick bread has a sugary crust, pound cake-like texture, and lots of blueberries. Chopping the berries before mixing into the batter ensures there’s blueberry in every bite; hints of cardamom and almond, while optional, enhance their natural flavor.
Get the recipe: Blueberry Bread
Shop the recipe: Cloud Forest Cardamom
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Blueberry Scones, Sweet Corn and Blueberry Coffee Cake
11) Buss Up Shut (Paratha Roti)
A staple flatbread in Trinidad and Tobago, these paratha roti are known for their flaky layers, which are torn and ripped apart towards the end of cooking, giving them their signature appearance. The process results in irresistible piles of soft, chewy-yet-crisp bread that’s ideal for dipping in curry. This recipe takes time and patience, so it makes an ideal rainy-day activity or weekend project.
Get the recipe: Buss Up Shut (Paratha Roti)
Shop the recipe: Small Offset Spatula
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Roti Canai, Scallion Pancakes
12) Gluten-Free Brownies
Here’s a secret — we actually prefer gluten-free brownies to regular ones. The lack of gluten means each brownie has a tender, fudgy texture, and you never have to worry about overworking the batter. For a shiny, crackly top, make sure to include the optional chocolate chips called for in the recipe. (Need last-minute brownies? Stock up on our Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie Mix for dessert emergencies.)
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Brownies
Shop the recipe: Double Dark Cocoa and Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Gluten-Free Quick and Easy Fudge Brownies, Gluten-Free Zucchini Brownies
Want simple-yet-stunning summer recipes? Check out our 9 easy summer baking recipes, from cakes to cobblers.
Cover photo by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne.
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