While I absolutely love the taste of REAL whipped cream, it’s not always practical, especially in the heat of summer. Not to mention I am “whipping cream challenged” and have ruined more than one carton of whipping cream trying to make it myself.

So I’ve made Cool Whip my best friend for easy, no-bake summer desserts.

Check out a few of my favorites below. Each of these desserts takes only 15 to 20 minutes to prepare, though you’ll want to allow at least 3 hours to chill.

Do you have favorite summer dessert? Please share – I’m always looking for new recipes to try!

Graham Cracker Éclair Squares

One of my childhood favorites! I think I could eat the whole pan myself.

Layers of graham crackers filled with a creamy vanilla pudding/Cool Whip mixture and topped with chocolate frosting.

If you use canned chocolate frosting, heat it in the microwave for 20 seconds or so, then pour over the top (easier than spreading a thick frosting).

Recipe Here: Graham Cracker Eclair Squares

photo: kraftrecipes.com

No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

I recall having the boxed Jell-O No Bake Cheesecake as a kid. Recently my sister-in-law made this yummy dessert from “semi-scratch” and I was surprised at the simplicity of it. Very light and just sweet enough for a hot summer day. She said it was the only way her mom made cheesecake when she was growing up.

I can’t believe I never thought to make cheesecake like this before!

Don’t like cherries? Top with a different pie filling flavor (or even fresh fruit), or just leave it plain!

Use a store-bought prepared graham cracker crust, or make your own no-bake crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• In a small bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix well. Press into bottom of an 8 or 10 inch springform pan or pie plate. Chill until firm.

Recipe Here: No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

photo: food.com/Sharlene~W

Oreo Dirt Pudding Trifle

I found several variations of this recipe.

Some included broken chocolate cake pieces mixed in with the cookie layers, but that would require baking a cake, and then I wouldn’t be able to call this NO-BAKE.

Some used chocolate pudding instead of vanilla. That’s kind of a Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to issue to me. Either one is equally good.

Some also exclude the butter and/or cream cheese, and although those ingredients do make the cream layers thicker and richer, you really can’t go wrong with a simple mixture of pudding, Cool Whip, and Oreos.

Recipe Here: Oreo Dirt Pudding Trifle

Making this one for younger kids? Consider individual servings, complete with gummy worms.

photo: teenagetaste.com