Trending Summer Treats Everyone’s Sharing

It’s summer, and that means scenes of cups filled with icy-cold refreshments and full-on Instagrammable treats! From creamy ice cream creations to fruity frozen favorites, everyone is photographing their favorite summer treats and posting them online. But what is it that makes these two treats so special? Why are some desserts going viral and others remain buried in the freezer aisle?

This summer, there’s been an explosion of whim and fancy on the food scene, with creative flavors, bright colors and sumptuous treats that taste as good as they look. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest lately, these revolutionary summer treats have likely made an appearance on your feed. Some are modern takes on classics, others are new creations that the internet has gone wild for.

In this post, we’ll shed light upon the sizzling summer treats that have got everyone talking. We’ll spend this newsletter exploring what makes them special, how you can make or find them, and why they have proved such a big part of summer fun. Prepare yourself for your new favorite icy confection — and how to possibly make it, too!

The Emergence of Social Media Food Fads

Before we get to the treats themselves, a few words on why summer desserts have become such a thing on social media. We’ve always loved to share food, but over the past few years it has taken on a whole new quality.

Why Do We Even Take Photos of Our Food?

There’s something magical about a beautifully built dessert that motivates us to take out our phones and aim for a picture. Frozen ones, especially summer treats, are so beautiful on camera with their vibrant color and fun texture that screams summer sensibilities. And when it’s hot as hell outside, people feel like you’re giving them a little slice of happiness when you share an image of something cold and delicious.

Nowadays social media platforms are providing us with an opportunity to discover new foods like never before. There’s a whole new market on the street — after one video of someone trying a unique ice cream flavor can get millions of views overnight. This sets off a loop where additional people are eager to try the treat, report their experience and fuel its growth.

The Power of Visual Appeal

Summer sensations that take off online tend to have a few traits in common. They are colorful, they are creative and many have an unexpected twist or a surprising presentation. Consider those ice cream cones with edible flowers on top, or popsicles with fresh fruit visible within; both look appetizing, as well. These treats are not only for eating — they’re edible art.

Frozen Jeweled Fruit Pops

2019’s most fashionable frozen treat this summer? Page’s super pretty, almost too-stunning-to-eat fruit ice pops. These are not your typical orange or cherry pops from the supermarket. We’re talking about a serious frozen confection with layers of real fruit, herbs and edible flowers.

What Makes Them Special

These bring something different to the game, because they’re made with whole hunks of fruit suspended in lightly sweet water, juice or coconut water. When frozen, they are like pretty gems or stained glass. Popular combinations include:

• Strawberries with fresh basil
• Blueberries and lemon slices
• Watermelon chunks with mint leaves
• Kiwi and pineapple layers
• Mixed berries with cucumber

How to Make Your Own

They’re so easy to make at home! You will need popsicle molds (they’re available online and at kitchen stores), fresh fruit, and the liquid of your choice. Here’s the basic process:

1. Wash, and chop your fruit into small bits.
2. Place the pieces of fruit into your mold in an alignment of your choice
3. Add your liquid (juice, coconut water or lemonade) to the fruit
4. Insert popsicle sticks
5. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours

The trick is to get inventive with presentation. And then some folks play up the layering by adding fruit with different colors for ombre effects. Others prefer random, natural positioning of mixed fruits throughout.

Whipped Coffee Meets Ice Cream

You know that thing where whipped coffee — a k a Dalgona coffee — took over the internet? Well, it’s back in a new iteration — as an ice cream topping and flavor. Now, coffee shops and ice cream parlors are serving whipped coffee as a fluffy, creamy topping for their frozen desserts, blending up a sweet treat that’s both invigorating and refreshing.

The Perfect Summer Pick-Me-Up

The trend combines two summer favorites — cold coffee and ice cream. The whipped coffee comes from the process of smoothing the instant coffee, sugar and hot water until it turns light and fluffy. When you drop it on top of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, you suddenly have a dessert worthy of the Instagram that tastes amazing.

Some creative variations include:

• Whipped coffee on top of coffee ice cream for a double dose of caffeine
• Green tea ice cream with matcha whipped cream
• Strawberry cream on strawberry sorbet

Where to Find It

Numerous local coffee shops have seized this trend, providing customers with whipped coffee ice cream drinks. Some places even allow you to tailor your order by selecting your ice cream flavor and whipped topping. If you can’t locate it locally, four ingredients and a hand mixer or whisk are all that’s needed to make this light buttery spread at home.

Cloud Bread Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cloud bread — those delightfully fluffy, pastel-colored clouds of bread that look like they’re made from cotton candy — has found its soulmate in ice cream sandwiches. These dreamy clouds are made with squishy, pillowy cloud bread acting as “buns,” sandwiching your favorite ice cream in between.

What is Cloud Bread?

Cloud bread is a bread made from egg whites and cream cheese, whipped together to resemble fluffy clouds. Food coloring can be used to achieve those pastel rainbow hues. When you bake it, it is soft and light which makes it ideal for sandwich making.

The Ice Cream Sandwich Revolution

With regular ice cream sandwiches, there are chocolate wafers or cookies throughout — not with a cloud bread one. It’s:

• Lighter and less cloying than heavy cookies
• Naturally sweet and not too sugary
• Colorful and fun to photograph
• Soft enough to not break your teeth when frozen

Flavor combinations are getting wild. Some of the most popular are rainbow cloud bread with vanilla ice cream, pink cloud bread with strawberry ice cream and blue cloud bread with cotton candy ice cream.

Mochi Ice Cream Explosion

Mochi ice cream is not a new invention, but this summer it’s everywhere. These little balls of ice cream nestled in sweet rice dough are rapidly reaching must-taste status, with variations on flavors and brands at a growing number of stores and shops across the country.

Why Mochi Ice Cream is Having a Moment

Mochi ice cream’s rise can be attributed to a couple of things:

Texture explosion: The chewy, tender mochi shell is wrapped around luscious ice cream to make a unique combination that people adore and can’t get enough of.

Perfect portion: Each piece of ice cream is enough for a snack or treat, not too much to finish, which can be perfect for a small serving on a hot day.

Variety of Flavors: Whether traditional (green tea, mango) or not (ube and black sesame), there’s something for everyone.

Popular Flavor Combinations

Classic Flavors:

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Green Tea
• Mango

Unique Options:

• Ube
• Black Sesame
• Salted Caramel
• Cookies and Cream
• Matcha

Rolled Ice Cream Still Churning Strong

Rolled ice cream (also known as Thai rolled ice cream, stir-fried ice cream, or even marble slab) remains a social media darling. Part of the experience is getting to watch your ice cream being made right in front of you, and the finished product always makes for a good photo.

The Making Process

Where rolled ice cream really shines, however, is in the way it’s made. A base for ice cream is poured over a very cold metal plate (usually -30°F). As it freezes, toppings are mixed in and chopped with metal spatulas. And it is, finally spread thin and scraped into gorgeous rolls that stand up in a cup.

The whole thing takes a few minutes and resembles performance art. Videos of rolled ice cream production have millions of views on social media sites.

Why People Love It

There are several benefits of rolled ice cream vs scooped ice cream:

• It’s done fresh right before your eyes
• You can make it your own with any other toppings you prefer
• The rolls appear (in photos or videos) to have incredible movement
• It has a bit of a different texture — denser and creamier
• It’s fun to watch being made

  

Boozy Popsicles for Adults

Not all summer snacks are for the kids! Alcoholic adult popsicles are all the rage for summer shindigs, poolside rendezvous or backyard barbecues. These grown-up pops emerge from the freezer ready to quench all your boss-level thirsts.

Popular Flavors and Combinations

Here are the bestselling boozy popsicles, which emulate timeless summer drinks:

• Margarita Pops – Tequila, lime juice & a splash of triple sec
• Piña Colada Pops: Ingredients include rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice
• Rosé Pops: Frozen Rosé wine with strawberries or peaches
• Mojito Pops: White Rum, fresh mint, lime and a little sugar
• Aperol Spritz Pops: Aperol, prosecco and orange slices

Making Them at Home

Popsicles for adults are pretty easy to make at home. The trick is not to overdo it with the alcohol — too much and your pops won’t freeze properly. A general rule of thumb is to have your alcohol content at 10-15% of the total liquid.

Some are even including fresh herbs, chunks of fruit and edible flowers to make the boozy pops more visually appealing. These have become the norm at summer BBQs and are just as enjoyable as a traditional cocktail.

Fruit-Stuffed Ice Cream

Picture a watermelon sliced open and stuffed with layers of ice cream and sorbet. This brilliant pattern has turned fruit into an edgy bowl for your ice cream.

How It Works

The idea is simple and amazing. A huge piece of watermelon, pineapple or cantaloupe is hollowed out, and the cavity is filled with various flavors of ice cream. The whole thing is frozen rock solid, then cut into wedges that reveal lovely layers of fruit and ice cream.

Popular Combinations

Watermelon Boats:

• Watermelon sorbet and vanilla ice cream frozen in the hollowed watermelon
• Chocolate chips to pass as “seeds” on top
• Easy-to-serve wedges

Pineapple Paradise:

• Pineapple cored and filled with coconut ice cream and pineapple sorbet
• Make a tropical dessert that is also eye-catching
• Perfect for summer parties

Cantaloupe Creations:

• Packed with peach or orange sherbet
• Light and refreshing flavor combination
• Good for people who like desserts that are not too sweet

Nitrogen Ice Cream Drama

Liquid nitrogen ice cream shops are a destination for summers — where you go to watch your dessert get made. The dramatic clouds of vapor and the sudden freezing process lend themselves to impressive videos and photos that are likely to go viral right away.

The Science Behind It

Liquid nitrogen freezes at -320°F, far cooler than a typical freezer. It freezes the ice cream base in moments, so you get a super-smooth and creamy ice cream. There are also large vapor clouds that look cool but completely safe.

Why It’s Trending

There are many reasons people like nitrogen ice cream:

• It is fun to watch and share this dramatic prep
• It is so smooth and creamy in texture
• It can be flavored with anything
• The clouds of vapor are great photographic and video material
• It’s also new in a lot of places – which makes it feel special

Boba Tea Ice Cream and Pops

Boba (bubble tea) has merged with ice cream, and popsicles have been born. These desserts have everything you love about boba — the chewy tapioca pearls, sweet tea flavors, and creamy texture.

Boba Ice Cream Varieties

Several formats have become popular:

• Boba Ice Cream Bars: Filled with tapioca pearls, these bars have the classic boba texture in that bite.
• Boba Popsicles: Frozen boba tea on a stick, with tapioca pearls actually in the pop.
• Boba Ice Cream Scoops: Plain ice cream with boba pearls added in, sold at Asian dessert shops.

Flavor Options

Popular Tea Bases:

• Classic Milk Tea
• Taro
• Matcha
• Thai Tea
• Honeydew

Common Add-ins:

• Brown Sugar
• Coconut Jelly
• Red Bean
• Grass Jelly
• Lychee Jelly

DIY Freeze-Dried Candy

And one of the most surprising treats to go viral this summer is freeze-dried candy. Candy that would normally be regular candy is flash frozen and then thawed which removes moisture from it, resulting in an entirely different texture that’s similar to eating a small cloud of crunchy air.

What Changes During Freeze-Drying

When candy is freeze-dried:

• It becomes light and puffy
• Colors often become more vibrant
• Flavors intensify
• Texture shift from chewy to crispy
• Size usually increases

Some favorite candies for freeze-drying are gummy bears, Skittles, salt water taffy and marshmallows. The results are so far from the original that it’s akin to eating a completely different candy.

Why It’s Perfect for Summer

It’s perfect for anyone with a summer backyard, at the pool, on the boat or even in line at the ferry. Freeze-dried candy doesn’t melt like chocolate in the heat — making it perfect for outdoor activities. It’s also lightweight and packs up easily, which is why it appeals to campers and hikers.

Açaí Bowls Get Even Better

Açaí bowls have been trendy for years, but this summer they’re getting a 2.0 upgrade — in terms of creative toppings, artful arrangements and flavor bases. The bowls are not only nutritious, but Instagrammable to boot.

What Makes a Great Açaí Bowl

The most delicious açaí bowls are created with the base of a thick purée using açaí berries, which come from Brazil. The base is then garnished with fruit, granola, coconut and other healthful provisions. This summer’s trends include:

• Artfully arranged fruit that resembles flowers or rainbows
• Superfood options, such as chia seed, hemp hearts or goji berries
• Plant-based alternatives such as pitaya (dragon fruit) and blue spirulina
• Cute little drizzles of nut butter
• Edible flowers for extra beauty

Beyond Basic Toppings

Açaí bowl creatives are getting fancy with their toppings:

• Fresh passion fruit pulp
• Bee pollen
• Cacao nibs
• Homemade granola clusters
• Fresh mint leaves
• Coconut chips in various flavors
• Freeze-dried fruit for extra crunch

Cookie Dough Bites on Everything

Cookie dough that’s safe to eat has gone from a stand-alone treat to the topping of all kinds of summer desserts. These safe-to-eat cookie dough nuggets are turning up in ice cream and on milkshakes, perched atop brownies and even stirred into coffee drinks.

The Safe Cookie Dough Movement

The traditional cookie dough has raw eggs and uncooked flour, which can make people sick. And since cookie dough is made without eggs and contains heat-treated flour, it’s 100% safe to eat raw, no baking required. This has only opened up new flavors for cookie dough you can incorporate into your poolside refreshments.

Where You’ll Find It

Cookie dough is appearing in:

• Ice cream mix-ins
• Milkshake toppings
• Frozen yogurt add-ons
• Smoothie bowl toppings
• Popsicle pieces
• Even as a dessert filling

Classic Meets The New

The best trends are often basically better versions of classics. This summer, many classic treats have been given makeovers that make them feel fresh and exciting again.

Gourmet Snow Cones

Snow cones that aren’t just for kids anymore. Gourmet versions feature:

• Opting for real fruit syrups instead of artificial flavors
• Condensed milk drizzles
• Fresh fruit pieces
• Spicy-sweet kick: Chamoy and Tajín
• Cream toppings

Elevated Ice Cream Sandwiches

Traditional ice cream sandwiches are getting fancy with:

• Homemade cookies in interesting flavors (for example, red velvet or snickerdoodle)
• Multiple flavors of ice cream in one sandwich
• Rolled topping, like mini chocolate chips or sprinkles
• Caramel or chocolate drizzled over the top

Modern Push-Up Pops

The push-up pops from your youth are back, but this time they come with:

• Layers of varying ice creams
• Cake or brownie bits between ice cream layers
• Gourmet ingredients and flavors
• Fancy toppings with whipped cream and cherries

  

Why These Treats Matter

You may wonder why we should care so much about what summer treats and food trends are hot. These treats are more than just delicious, though; they symbolize something larger — creativity, community and connection.

Building Memories

Special memories are commonly associated with summer treats. Whether it’s getting ice cream after a day at the beach, sharing popsicles with friends or sampling a new dessert you discovered online, these rituals become woven into our summer narratives.

Supporting Small Businesses

And many of these popular treats have originated at small, local businesses — ice cream shops, cafés and specialty dessert stores. When we go out of our way to seek and share those treats, we’re supporting entrepreneurs and local economies.

Creative Expression

Food is a creative expression. The people behind these treats are artists in their own way, playing with flavors and textures and presentations to make something that’s one of a kind, memorable.

How to Sniff Out Trending Treats Near You

Want to sample some of these incredible summer treats yourself? Here are some suggestions for how to find them:

Use Social Media Search

Instagram and TikTok: There is no better source for local treats than Instagram and TikTok.

• Try searching #summertreats #icecream or even #dessertgoals with your city name
• Search through location tags to find hot dessert spots near you
• Follow local food bloggers that review treats in your area

Ask for Recommendations

Feel free to ask people where they got that amazing-looking treat they posted. Actually, most people are all too happy to share their favorite spots.

Check Review Sites

Yelp, Google Reviews and local food blogs often feature trending spots and seasonal offerings.

Visit Farmers Markets

A lot of artisanal desserts are also sold at farmers markets in the summer. This is the perfect spot to discover unique, homemade goodies.

Making Your Own Trending Treats

Every trending bite doesn’t have to come from a retail shop or restaurant. Many are easy to replicate at home with basic ingredients and equipment.

Starting Simple

If you are new to summer confections, begin with something more manageable:

• Simple homemade juice and fresh fruit popsicles
• Basic ice cream sandwiches with premade cookies
• Fruit and nut yogurt bark
• Whole fruit juice ice pops

Investing in Tools

Some cheap tools can open up new possibilities:

• Popsicle molds (around $10-15)
• An ice cream maker (prices start at around $30)
• Blender for smoothie-based treats
• Piping bags for decorative toppings

Getting Creative

When you are OK with what’s described here, play around with:

• Combining unexpected flavors
• Creating layered effects
• Adding unique toppings
• Enhancing your treats’ photo aesthetic through color and setup

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the healthiest trending summer treat?

Some of the healthiest include açaí bowls and fruit-based popsicles. They’re enriched with vitamins, antioxidants and contain natural sugars from fruit as opposed to added sugars. Creating your own treats at home gives you the freedom to manage what kind of ingredients and how much sugar goes into them.

Are these treats expensive?

Prices vary widely. High-end treats from specialty stores might be $8-15, while your homemade ones could easily be a good bit less. Lots of trendy treats are also made with budget-friendly, easy ingredients when you make them at home.

Can I prepare most of these treats without special equipment?

Yes! Some of the treats require special equipment, but in the end, most can be improvised. Consider making popsicles in paper cups with wooden sticks, or treats akin to ice cream in an ordinary freezer rather than an ice cream maker.

How long will do-it-yourself frozen treats last?

Homemade frozen treats will keep, stored correctly in airtight containers, in the freezer for 2-4 weeks. For tastiest texture and flavor, eat your fruit-based popsicles within 2 weeks.

Why do certain sweets dissolve more quickly than others?

Fats, sugars and air content all influence how ice cream melts. Higher-fat ice creams melt more slowly; sorbets and fruit-based treats, faster. Stabilizers found in commercial products also retard melting.

Do any of these treats work for people with allergies?

Most trending treats can be made allergy-friendly. Most fruit popsicles are made with no dairy and therefore, usually vegan. When you make your own treats at home, you can easily swap in ingredients to adjust for allergies.

What turns a summer treat viral?

It’s all about visual appeal — bright colors, fun textures and interesting presentations photograph well. It also has to be accessible (not too hard to track down or make), and have a “wow factor” that encourages people to share it.

May I sell homemade versions of these treats?

The geographical location dictates regulations on the sale of food. In most areas, you need to be properly licensed and have your kitchen inspected and get food handling certification in order to sell food. Be sure to check local health department regulations before attempting to sell any food.

The Sweet Ending

Summer treats are not just about cooling down on a hot day; they’re about pleasure, and creativity, and sharing experiences with others. Whether you’re experimenting with the internet’s latest viral sensation, or sticking to your childhood favorite one, these treats are what make summer special.

This year’s hottest treats have shown us there’s always something new to be done with an old favorite — even in, say, frozen dessert. From beautiful fruit popsicles to dramatic nitrogen ice cream, from upgraded classics to new creations the world continues to innovate and delight us with summertime treats.

The best part? You don’t have to have a professional chef’s fingers, or expensive equipment, to join in the fun. Few of these are as difficult to make at home as you might expect, and playing around with flavors and presentations can be almost as much fun as eating the final result.

So this summer, dare yourself to do something different. It could be that rolled ice cream shop you keep stumbling upon on Instagram, or maybe you’ll make your own fruit popsicles using farmers market finds. Participate in the creation process, support local businesses and make some savory memories in the process.

Summer may be fleeting, but the memories we make — frequently involving special indulgences and shared moments of enjoyment — endure. So grab a spoon, get your phone ready for the perfect shot and dive right into the fabulous universe of trending summer treats. Your tastebuds (and Instagram likes) will thank you!