Beyond Ice Cream: 11 Summer Treats That Beat The Heat

Summertime is here and the weather is really starting to warm up. It's the perfect time to hit the beach or throw a grilling party for all your closest friends. But even though we love being outside during the summer, sometimes it can be hazardous. There are painful sunburns, pesky bugs, and even dehydration that make summertime less than wonderful.

Click here for the 11 Summer Treats that Beat the Heat (Slideshow)

We all want to have fun in the sun while avoiding all the downfalls of heat, and a lot of the time we turn to ice cream to cool us off. Everyone loves to hear that ice cream truck jingle and there are so many flavors to choose from Essentially it's the perfect treat to battle the summer heat. But do you really want to be eating ice cream all summer? And what if you are lactose intolerant?

One good thing about summer heat is that it really gives us a chance to explore our options. There are so many frozen treats out there that go way beyond ice cream. We can expand our creative horizons to frozen chocolate-covered fruits and icy sorbets. After all, variety is the spice of life. 

The best thing is, most of these goodies you can make at home, which means skipping the ice cream shop. Even if you do have an ice cream maker at home, try out these treats for a little something different. You'll impress your friends with your creativity, and you'll keep yourself cool in the heat.

Pineapple Whip

This treat is a favorite at Disneyland, but you can make it right at home. It's so easy that you'll want to make it all the time. All you need is frozen pineapple chunks and milk, or a milk substitute if you're dairy-free. You can add a bit of sugar or sweetener if you like, and then you blend it all up. Fill a piping bag with the mixture and serve it in swirls like soft serve.

Brownie Pops

Brownies are delicious any season, but freeze them and they are perfect for summer. Start with any brownie recipe, and once they are fully cooled, stick a Popsicle stick in them. You can freeze them plain just like that, but we like to dip them in different frostings and dust them in sprinkles. It makes for a fun ice cream bar alternative.

Click here to see what other frozen treats can beat the heat.