In this summer of rolling heatwaves, the last thing you may want to do is switch on the oven to prepare cooked desserts. If you are still craving a touch of sweetness, here are a few summer treats that don't need complicated recipes or lots of cooking.
Exotic fruit provides an easy shortcut to something that looks impressive while keeping preparation to a minimum.
Create a tropical fruit platter
Sometimes the simplest dessert is the most effective. Slice a selection of colourful exotic fruits and arrange them on a large serving plate or board.
Dragon fruit, mango, passion fruit and other tropical favourites can create a striking combination of colours, flavours and textures. Add a few fresh mint leaves for a finishing touch and let everyone help themselves.
Try frozen yogurt exotic fruit bites
For a particularly hot afternoon, turn exotic fruit into a refreshing frozen treat. Cut fruit into bite-sized pieces and arrange them in an ice tray. Take a cup of plain yogurt mixed with a little honey and vanilla and a dash of milk, and whisk in a bowl.
Spoon the yogurt mixture over the fruit pieces, and place in the freezer until frozen solid. For an extra layer of indulgence, you can enjoy the pieces topped with nut sprinkles and melted chocolate.
Passion fruit and cream
Scoop fragrant passion fruit pulp over softly whipped cream or thick natural yoghurt. The contrast between the rich, creamy base and the fruit's naturally sharp flavour makes an effortless dessert that feels far more elaborate than it actually is.
Let the fruit do the work
The beauty of exotic fruit is that it doesn't need much preparation to make an impression. Bright colours, unusual shapes and distinctive flavours naturally provide the visual appeal.
A carefully selected exotic fruit box can give you everything you need to experiment with simple summer desserts: no oven, complicated equipment or lengthy recipe required. Just chill, slice, assemble and enjoy.