4 Super Simple (And Oh-So Scrumptious) Springtime Desserts

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Spring is a time of renewal, with vibrant blossoms bursting in rainbow colors next to rows of tantalizing fruits grown in the rich soil of fragrant garden beds. One of my favorite ways to celebrate the end of winter during this bright season of possibilities is to take advantage of the fresh produce available in my backyard. I'm always on the hunt for desserts that embody the flavors of spring, and these four simple recipes are perfect for family or company at your next garden party.
 

Sunshine State Orange Cake

I live in a warm climate where fresh oranges are available all year, so many of my recipes (ranging from desserts and tropical drinks to BBQ marinades and salads) include this delicious, juicy fruit.

Makes 1 bundt cake

1 box yellow cake mix

1 box instant vanilla pudding

1 cup fresh orange juice (from 4-5 medium-sized oranges or fresh OJ from a carton)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 large eggs

For the glaze:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon orange zest

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the first 7 ingredients together in a bowl until the batter is smooth. Pour into a greased bundt cake pan and bake for 45 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes. Carefully remove cake from pan by running a long knife around the edges and inverting the cake onto a serving platter. Let stand for 20 more minutes. While the cake cools, mix glaze ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle glaze over the cake and serve.


Spring Berry Cobbler

Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the fresh berries of the season (or whatever berries you have on hand). You can also use apples, pears or peaches in this versatile recipe from My Midlife Kitchen.

8 servings

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 cup fresh blackberries

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 cup quick-cooking oats

2 1/2 cups Bisquick

1 1/2 cups sugar

Wash berries and let dry at room temperature. Preheat oven to 375. Mix berries together and pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Melt butter and pour into the dry ingredients, mixing them together until the batter turns into a crumbly consistency. Pour the crumble evenly over the berries. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until berries begin to bubble up and the cobbler turns a light brown. Serve by itself or with toppings such as vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.


Easy Key Lime Pie

My mother's award-winning key lime pie recipe was one of my all-time favorite desserts. There's something so decadent about its silky smoothness and tart yet sweet finish. The puffy meringue also takes this pie over the top in deliciousness.

6-8 servings

1 pre-made or homemade 9-inch graham cracker pie crust

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup key lime juice

1 teaspoon grated key lime rind

2 egg yolks

For the meringue:

2 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

6 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325. In a medium-sized bowl, blend condensed milk, lime juice, lime peel and egg yolks until thickened. Fill the pie shell and bake for 10-15 minutes or until center of pie is no longer jiggly. Let cool. In a smaller bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together with an electric or hand mixer until it starts to form soft peaks. Gradually whip in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the peaks become stiff. Slowly mix in the vanilla. Pour this evenly over the entire pie. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until the meringue peaks turn golden brown. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

 
Strawberry Trifle

If you're looking for a light, fresh dessert to celebrate the season, you can't go wrong with a fruit trifle. This recipe from Taste of Home

is simple yet elegant when served in a glass bowl. It's the perfect dessert for a spring garden party!

10 servings

1 cup 2% milk

1 cup sour cream

1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

8 cups cubed angel food cake

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

In a large bowl, beat together the first 4 ingredients. Fold in the whipped cream. Place half of the cake cubes in a 3-quart glass bowl. Arrange a third of the strawberries around the side of the bowl and on top of the cake pieces. Top with half of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining strawberries. Refrigerate for 2 hours. If desired, you can pour sweetened whipped cream over the top before serving.

 
What's YOUR favorite dessert when it's warm outside? Let us know in the comments below.