Tasty Tropical Desserts to Brighten Up Your Day
These easy, breezy treats are the next best thing to a sun-soaked getaway.
Sunny Citrus Cheesecake
If you’re in need of a cheerful pick-me-up, these tropical desserts will do the trick! “This beautiful layered cheesecake takes a bit longer to make, but the end result is so worth it! Citrus seems to be the perfect ending for an Easter meal, and the bright flavours really shine in this dessert.” —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Sunny Citrus Cheesecake.
Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes
“This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled pineapple shortcake jars and serve.” —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Get the recipe for Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes.
Homemade Mango Marshmallows
“Homemade marshmallows are much better than bagged ones. I had yummy results when I flavoured my recipe with mango nectar. Look for it in your store’s Mexican food section.” —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Get the recipe for Homemade Mango Marshmallows.
Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum Sauce
“Pineapple, rum and sugar have a longstanding and flavourful relationship that takes on new meaning when you add ginger and butter and turn up the heat.” —Jamie Miller, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Get the recipe for Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum Sauce.
Tropical Compote Dessert
“To make a more adult version of this recipe, use brandy instead of the extra tropical fruit juice.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Get the recipe for Tropical Compote Dessert.
Pina Colada Icebox Cake
“This icebox cake has all of the flavours of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island!” —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Get the recipe for Pina Colada Icebox Cake.
Hawaiian Dream Cookies
“These cookies are lovely as they are, but I’ll sometimes use a light-coloured sanding sugar for the top: First, lightly brush the top cookie with cream, then sprinkle with sanding sugar. This can be done before or after placing the cookie on top of the filling.” —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Get the recipe for Hawaiian Dream Cookies.
Mango Glace with Pineapple Pomegranate Salsa
“I’d like to say this dish was a brilliant idea that came from expert planning. But the truth is that between the quickly ripening fruit on my counter and the 100-degree heat, it pretty much invented itself! Very ripe fruit eliminates the need for extra sugar.” —Jodi Taffel, Altadena, California
Get the recipe for Mango Glace with Pineapple Pomegranate Salsa.
Pineapple Coconut Tassies
“These cookies may sound and look fancy, but they’re rather easy to make. Their simplicity makes them an ideal choice for baking with children. My granddaughter enjoys helping me measure the ingredients. Children also can help shape the dough into balls, and then you can finish them together.” —Connie Shuff, York, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Pineapple Coconut Tassies.
Pineapple Coconut Upside-Down Cake
“This pineapple coconut upside-down cake is one of my favourites! The tropical flavours remind me of being on vacation with my family in the Caribbean. It brings back so many fun memories.” —Stephanie Pichelli, Toronto, Ontario
Get the recipe for Pineapple Coconut Upside-Down Cake.
Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie
“Summer is peak season for Key limes—a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavour. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top that makes it stand out as a crowd favourite.” —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
Get the recipe for Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie.
Lemon Coconut Bites
“The tangy lemon flavour of this layered bar dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It takes me back to selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl.” —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Get the recipe for Lemon Coconut Bites.
Caramelized Pineapple Sundaes
“Whenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla’s nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise.” —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Get the recipe for Caramelized Pineapple Sundaes.
Coconut Key Lime Thumbprints
“This is the cookie recipe I created for the Las Vegas World Food Championships 2013. It’s similar to a shortbread thumbprint cookie, but with lots more personality.” —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida
Get the recipe for Coconut Key Lime Thumbprints.
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
“For a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top.” —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan
Get the recipe for Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins.
Pina Colada Zucchini Bread
“At my husband’s urging, I entered this recipe at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and won first place! I think you’ll love the cake-like texture and tropical flavours.” —Sharon Rydbom, Tipton, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Pina Colada Zucchini Bread.
Lime & Gin Coconut Macaroons
“I took these lime and coconut macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown!” —Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico
Get the recipe for Lime & Gin Coconut Macaroons.
Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi Pops
“Kiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.” —Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi Pops.
Aloha Cupcakes
“A friend asked me to make a coconut and pineapple cupcake for a gathering she was hosting. Everyone agreed that this beauty took them to the tropics. The macadamia nuts are completely optional (the friend happens to be allergic), and the cupcakes are still fantastic without them.” —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Get the recipe for Aloha Cupcakes.
Lime Angel Food Cake
“For my husband’s family reunion, I took a store-bought angel food cake and turned it into this special dessert with a lovely lime cream frosting topped with toasted coconut. It went over big!” —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Lime Angel Food Cake.
Panna Cotta with Papaya Coulis
“Panna cotta is an Italian dessert that means ‘cooked cream.’ My friend and I developed a tropical version that’s rich, creamy, tangy and so refreshing.” —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Get the recipe for Panna Cotta with Papaya Coulis.
Frozen Key Lime Delight
“In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it looks like sunshine.” —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Get the recipe for Frozen Key Lime Delight.
Pineapple Breeze Torte
“This lovely torte features ladyfingers, a creamy filling and a crushed pineapple topping. It’s a special treat for my large family and a must at Christmas.” —Barbara Joyner, Franklin, Virginia
Get the recipe for Pineapple Breeze Torte.
After you’ve added these tropical desserts to your repertoire, check out our best-ever cheesecake recipes.
