Summertime Sweet Treats: Strawberry Surprise and Easy Key Lime Pie

Can you all believe it’s mid May?! Summer is knocking already! I do not know if I am prepared for the heat. But my belly is prepared for these yummy treats. As much as I love a pecan pie it’s too hot for all that. These two summertime sweet treats are light and fresh and hit the spot. Perfect for summer BBQ’s by the pool, family gatherings or the just the weekend. These are definitely make ahead of time and sit in the fridge treats. Both get better each day.

STRAWBERRY SURPRISE

I started making this dessert years ago. I would make it for my husbands co-workers. That’s where the name came from. It was a “hey is your wife going to make us that strawberry surprise dessert?” and we’ve called it that ever since.

Let’s get started by cutting your pound cake in thin slices. Your goal is to have enough for two layers. Then set aside. Grab your strawberries and give them a good wash. Remove the stems or their “hair” as my daughter says. I like to cut them in half and then thinly slice.

• 

• 

Alright now moving on to your wet ingredients. Aka the really yummy part. Add your sweet condensed milk, vanilla pudding, water and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix till blended well. Gently fold in your cool whip.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Now you will want to start laying it up! Using a 9×13 glass baking dish or a trifle bowl would be really pretty too. Start with a layer of pound cake, then your cool whip mixture and then strawberries. Repeat. Your last layer should be your gorgeous red strawberries! Cover and put in fridge. Leave in over night if you have time to make in advance. Tastes really good cold and when the pound cake has softened a bit. I’m a big fan of mushy desserts! 🙂

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

EASY KEY LIME PIE

This dessert is probably one of my all time favorites. It’s so creamy and fresh. Perfect for summer. There’s a couple of different ways of making this pie – one with egg yolks and one without. I have made both and highly recommend the yolk route. You get that really creamy custard texture. I usually make my own crust and use one of my beautiful pie pans but for this particular Easy Key Lime Pie I used a store bought crust because I was gifting this to someone. It tastes just as delicious using the store bought version. Plus it requires zero clean up! 😉

When I say easy I mean it. Don’t skip ahead or you’ll will miss the process! All you need to do is add your sweet condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, egg yolks and zest into a large bowl. I usually don’t even get out my big mixer for this. I just use a hand held mixer. Then mix till creamy smooth. Pour into your homemade crust pan or store bought graham cracker crust. Bake for 15-17 minutes into the preheated 350 degree oven. Do NOT brown the pie. It will look set but not browned. Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack. When cool, transfer it to the fridge. Chill pie thoroughly in the fridge for 3-4 hours before serving.

• 

• 

While the pie is cooling I like to make my whipped cream. I just do a traditional whipped cream. Heavy whipping cream, powered sugar and vanilla extract. In a large bowl, beat until stiff peaks form. Now this is when you can get creative. You can add your whipped cream anyway you like. Add a border of little star dollops or how I did here, add it right in the middle almost covering the whole pie. Then add some pretty lime slices, more zest if you’d like. I happen to have mint in my backyard so I added a sprig for extra freshness and color. Not only is this Easy Key Lime Pie delicious but oh so pretty!

I hope you make these this summer for your friends and family!

If you are craving chocolate head over and check out my Chocolate Cream Pie with Oreo Crust!

Happy Sweet Treats!
XOXO, Ivy

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.