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simply GRAND! a summer dessert - 3 ways!

  • Jul 20
  • 4 min read

Updated: 13 hours ago

Monday, July 20, 2026



Fresh strawberries, bright citrus, juicy peaches

and time spent with family…

It's hard to imagine a better recipe for summer!


Today's post is short and sweet as Laura celebrates these flavors of summer 

with three delightfully simple twists on the same recipe! 


Summer is the perfect time to keep dessert simple 

and let fresh, seasonal flavors shine!

This recipe combines the flavors of a traditional cheesecake

with some of our favorite summer fruits!

Pick your favorite—or better yet, make all three!




My family LOVES cheesecake 

and, as you may recall,  I’m always in search of simple and yummy recipes!

This one allows me to mix and match some of our favorite summer flavors, too.

It’s a real winner!

We hope you’ll agree!



Start with the Base!

Every version begins with the same simple, creamy filling.

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed

• 1 (8-ounce) container plain whipped cream cheese


Directions

In a large bowl, beat together the whipped topping and whipped cream cheese until smooth and well combined.


Now comes the fun part! 

You can make one full batch of your favorite flavor, 

or divide the filling into three equal portions and enjoy all three. 

(That's my favorite way because everyone gets to sample each one!)



Three Summer Flavors!

🍓🍋 Strawberry Lemonade - Sweet & Tangy!

Stir into one portion (or the full batch) of the filling:

• ½ cup thawed Strawberry Lemonade frozen concentrate 

• 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries    

 Mix until combined.

NOTE:  Use 2-3 Tablespoons Strawberry Lemonade frozen concentrate and ⅓-½ cup chopped fresh strawberries if dividing the Cool Whip/cream cheese mixture into 3 equal parts..



🍈 Key Lime - Bright & Refreshing!

Stir into one portion (or the full batch) of the filling:

• ½ cup thawed Limeade frozen concentrate

• 2 tablespoons freshly grated lime zest

Mix until combined.

NOTE:  Use 2-3 Tablespoons Limeade frozen concentrate and 2-3 teaspoons of lime zest if dividing the Cool Whip/cream cheese mixture into 3 equal parts..


🍑 Peach - Warm & Comforting!

Stir into one portion (or the full batch) of the filling:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Gently fold in:

• 1 cup peeled and chopped fresh peaches

Mix until combined.

NOTE:  Use ½ cup peeled and chopped fresh peaches, ½ tsp vanilla and ½ tsp cinnamon if dividing the Cool Whip/cream cheese mixture into 3 equal parts..




Assemble!

Spoon the filling into 12 mini dessert shells.  You could also divide the filling among several fillo pastry shells or spoon into dessert cups if you prefer.  Refristerate until chilled.


Garnish with whipped cream and fresh fruit!  Here’s what I did!

First I added a dollop of whipped cream to each dessert!


🍓🍋 Strawberry Lemonade - a slice of lemon and a slice of strawberry!

🍈 Key Lime - a slice of lime, a sprinkle of lime zest and a pinch of sea salt!

🍑 Peach - a peach slice and a sprinkle of cinnamon!

I also garnished with a small sprig of mint on the lime and peach desserts.  


Which one would you choose?

Strawberry Lemonade? Key Lime? Peach?

If you're anything like us... 

you'll probably decide you need all three!


We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas on today’s recipe!

Please share your comments at the end of this post!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!!



Most weeks, you’ll find us posting additional content on 

Instagram and Facebook - we’d love to have you follow us there!


We’ll be back soon with This Week’s Summer Spotlight 

as well as our latest post in our series Summer Play the GRAND Way!

Both posts will include fun ways to stay cool in the midst of summer heat!

If interested, it’s easy to sign up to subscribe to our blog!

That way, you won’t miss out when we publish a new post!



Whether you make one flavor or all three, 

we hope these simple little cheesecakes 

add a bit of sweetness to your summer. 


Share them at a family gathering, bring them to a neighborhood cookout, or enjoy one on the porch as the sun begins to set. However you serve them, our hope is that they become part of the moments that matter most. Because long after the last bite is gone, it's the laughter, the conversations, and the time spent together that we'll remember.






SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SITES FOR FEATURING OUR POST!

Tuesdays with a Twist from God's Growing Garden

Home Matters from Days Filled with Joy

A Morning Cup of Joe from The Cottage Market

Farmhouse Friday from County Road 407

Will Blog for Comments from Photo & Story Treasures


Thank you for featuring this post on your sites!

💗 💗 💗



💗 We are delighted to join the following link up parties and blog hops! 💗

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36 Comments


Jennifer Wise
4 days ago

I'm back again with congratulations--this is the Host's Choice from the Will Blog for Comments #89 linkup! It will be in the spotlight for the next 2 weeks (throughout #90). I'm also Pinning it for extra visibility. Thank you for sharing it with us. We look forward to seeing what more you'll share next time. Happy weekend.

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Our Grand Lives
2 days ago
Replying to

That's so exciting, Jennifer! Thanks for stopping by to let us know! We always appreciate you and your link up and we're especially tickled to be included in this week's features! See you soon for #90! 💕 L & L

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Jennifer Wise
6 days ago

Oh, boy! I love cheesecake, too. These look AMAZING!! I'd have to have one of each flavor. ;) Fresh fruit is a win for me every time. Thank you for sharing this with us at the Will Blog for Comments #89 linkup! Looking forward to seeing what more you'll share at WBfC #90, which opens Monday.

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Our Grand Lives
2 days ago
Replying to

I love that these desserts are small enough that you can try all three! I (Laura) ended up splitting one of each with my daughter and... yum! Thanks for the visit, Jennifer! 💕 L & L

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Amy Johnson
7 days ago

This looks so yummy!

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Our Grand Lives
2 days ago
Replying to

They are! 😋 Thanks for stopping by, Amy! 💕 L & L

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chickenruby
Aug 03

These look gorgeous. I do similar with meraginue bases as i'm gluten free. Thanks for sharing with #pocolo

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Our Grand Lives
2 days ago
Replying to

Your version sounds delicious, too, Suzanne! Thanks for sharing your idea! 💕 L & L

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Joanne Viola
Aug 01

These look cool, refreshing, and easy. I would love all of them :)

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Our Grand Lives
Aug 02
Replying to

It was definitely hard to pick a favorite! Thanks for stopping by! 💕 L & L

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grandma grandchildren

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