This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Cold Southern desserts are what you want on a hot day, when heating up the oven makes the whole kitchen warm. Most of these dessserts are no-bake or icebox recipes. Everything chills in the refrigerator or freezer instead of baking (maybe a slight 10-15 minute bake). We’ve listed creamy pies, cheesecakes, homemade ice cream, and a few layered desserts that just need time to set. Some are quick enough for a weeknight, and others are easy to make ahead for a cookout or family gathering.

There’s a good range here, so you can match the dessert to the day. When you need something easy, the ice creams and no-bake pies take very little effort. When you’re feeding a crowd, the icebox cakes and layered desserts feed more people and slice cleanly straight from the fridge. A lot of these use pantry and freezer staples. Pick one that fits what you’re doing, get it in the refrigerator early, and dessert is handled without warming up the kitchen.

1
A slice of key lime icebox cake with cream and graham crackers, topped with lime zest, sits on a white plate with a fork beside it.
Key Lime Icebox Cake Recipe
A no-bake key lime icebox cake with layers of graham crackers and a tangy cream cheese, condensed milk, and key lime filling, chilled until the crackers soften into sliceable layers.
Get the recipe
2
A pie with a pink creamy filling in a crumb crust, topped with fresh raspberries and small lemon wedges, on a white wooden surface.
Raspberry Lemonade Pie Recipe
A cool and creamy Raspberry Lemonade Pie that blends sweet berries and tart lemon for the perfect summer treat.
Get the recipe
3
A hand is holding a waffle cone filled with several scoops of light brown ice cream. A blurred background shows a milk bottle and utensils.
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream Recipe
A rich, scoopable no-churn chocolate banana ice cream made with heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, ripe banana, and fudge. No ice cream maker required.
Get the recipe
4
A slice of cheesecake garnished with fresh strawberries, edible flowers, and a blueberry, served with a fork on a white background.
Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe
Lemon Icebox Pie is creamy and zesty, with fresh lemon juice and zest and Eagle Brand condensed milk–it’s a classic Southern staple!
Get the recipe
5
A round strawberry pretzel tart with a crust, cream cheese filling, and topped with sliced strawberries, strawberry glaze, and mini pretzels.
Strawberry Pretzel Pie Recipe
A no-bake strawberry pretzel pie with a brown butter pretzel crust, a real whipped cream and cream cheese filling, and a fresh strawberry layer.
Get the recipe
6
A cheesecake topped with swirls of whipped cream and round vanilla wafer cookies arranged around the edge.
Banana Pudding Cheesecake Recipe
A rich and creamy Banana Pudding Cheesecake with a Nilla wafer crust that’s bursting with banana flavor in every bite.
Get the recipe
7
bowl of banana ice cream.
Caramelized Banana Ice Cream
Caramelized Banana Ice Cream is a wonderful dessert for a summer party. It’s flavored from bananas caramelized in brown sugar and blended into a heavenly custard.
Get the recipe
8
A layered dessert bar with an Oreo cookie crust, creamy layers, whipped topping, chocolate pudding, and chocolate chips on a white plate.
Chocolate Lasagna Recipe with Oreos
Chocolate lasagna recipe with Oreos, silky pudding, thick Oreo crust, and crushed cookies on top. Cold, creamy, and no bake.
Get the recipe
9
A cookies and cream cheesecake cupcake topped with whipped cream, shown with a bite taken out, next to whole sandwich cookies.
Oreo Cheesecake Bites
Creamy Oreo Cheesecake Bites with a crunchy cookie crust and whipped cream topping make the perfect bite-sized dessert.
Get the recipe
10
A slice of chocolate cream pie with whipped topping and chocolate shavings on a plate, with more pie and a glass of milk in the background.
Chocolate Silk Pie
A rich and silky Chocolate Silk Pie made with a buttery Oreo crust, smooth chocolate filling, and fluffy whipped topping.
Get the recipe
11
A berry tart with a cream filling is topped with a crescent of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, sitting on a wooden surface.
Berry Tart Recipe
No-bake berry cream cheese tart with a graham cracker crust, lemony cream cheese filling, and fresh berries on top.
Get the recipe
12
A slice of raspberry cheesecake with a chocolate crust and chocolate topping, garnished with raspberries and mint, served on a white plate.
Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
A decadent Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake with Oreo crust, creamy raspberry filling, and smooth chocolate ganache topping.
Get the recipe
13
A slice of chocolate cream pie with whipped topping and chocolate shavings, served on a white plate.
No-bake Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
A rich, creamy no-bake chocolate pie with an Oreo crust and fluffy whipped topping—perfect for any chocolate lover!
Get the recipe
Add us as a Google Trusted Source
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

Read More About Me

Follow Lucy on social media:

Posted in:

You May Also Like:

Sign up with your email address to receive a 5-day series of Southern Cooking Secrets, followed by weekly emails with recipes and tips. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *