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
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
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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.
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.
This looks so yummy!
These look gorgeous. I do similar with meraginue bases as i'm gluten free. Thanks for sharing with #pocolo
These look cool, refreshing, and easy. I would love all of them :)