Summer Dessert Hacks

Long, sunny days and warm summer nights are the perfect excuse to treat yourself to something sweet. Whether you’re planning a poolside party or just looking to cool off, there’s no need to spend hours in the kitchen—or heat up the house! That’s where our Summer Dessert Hacks come in.

We’ve rounded up a mix of brand-new recipes and creative classics to help you whip up shareable summer sweets using Martin’s® Famous Potato Rolls and Bread—with a few clever twists. From no-bake pies to ice cream creations, these ideas are designed to be quick, simple, and totally delicious.

Keep reading for 7 sweet ways to hack your dessert game this summer—plus a chance to win a special prize in our Summer Fun Season Sweepstakes!

1. Cool Down with a Masterful Ice Cream Creation

Nothing says summer like a banana split—and this version comes with a Martin’s twist! Our Banana Split French Toast Boat recipe transforms Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls into a mini vessel for all your favorite sundae toppings.

Start by slicing three rolls in half and dipping them in a simple French toast batter. Once pan-fried to golden perfection, they’re shaped into shallow “boats” and filled with a halved banana, three scoops of assorted ice cream (classic Neapolitan style!), strawberry topping, caramel drizzle, whipped cream, fresh berries, rainbow sprinkles, and—of course—a cherry on top. It’s an eye-catching centerpiece for any summer party and a fun way to serve individual sundaes with a gourmet touch.

Looking for more frozen fun? Try these cool ideas:

• Grilled Swirl Bread Ice Cream Sandwiches – These sandwiches are made with Martin’s Swirl Bread, lightly grilled, then filled with creamy ice cream for the perfect hot-and-cold treat.
• Churro French Toast Ice Cream Sandwich – Inspired by the classic Spanish snack, this dessert combines cinnamon-sugar French toast with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
• Ice Cream Bowls – Hollow out Martin’s Sweet Dinner or Party Potato Rolls to form edible bowls that hold your favorite scoops and toppings—no dishes required!
• Peach Ice Cream Sandwiches – Juicy summer peaches pair with vanilla ice cream and Martin’s Rolls for a sweet-and-fruity sandwich you’ll want on repeat.
• Exploding Milkshakes – Over-the-top milkshakes like our S’mores, Vanilla Sprinkles, and French Toast versions are loaded with mix-ins and finished with Martin’s-inspired garnishes for the ultimate indulgent drink-dessert combo.

2. Dip into Fruity Summer Flavor with Sweet Roll “Crackers”

Craving a refreshing treat that’s perfect for snacking and sharing beside the pool or patio? Try our Key Lime Pie Dip—a creamy, citrusy spread that delivers all the tropical flavor of the classic pie without the hassle of baking.

What really sets this recipe apart is the clever use of Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls as the dippers. Each roll is flattened, sliced into bite-size strips, and baked until lightly crisped, transforming them into soft yet sturdy “crackers” ideal for scooping. Paired with a sweet and tangy lime and cream cheese base, it’s a bright, no-fuss dessert that’s perfect for any summer gathering.

Bonus: The vibrant green hue (thanks to a small drop of food coloring) adds a festive pop of color to your snack table—making this treat as eye-catching as it is tasty.

3. Skip the Oven with No-Bake Breadcrumb Crusts

Too hot to bake? No problem. With this clever trick, you can make an easy pie crust using homemade breadcrumbs from Martin’s rolls or bread—no oven required. Our Rocky Road Freezer Pie is the ultimate example of this genius summer hack.

Start by drying out or toasting a pack of Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, then pulse them into fine breadcrumbs. Mix with melted butter and brown sugar to form a sweet, crumbly crust that presses easily into a pie dish—no need to bake. The filling is equally simple: fold whipped topping into instant chocolate pudding and mix in mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts for that signature Rocky Road flavor. After a few hours in the freezer, it’s ready to slice and serve.

Want more no-bake pie inspiration? Check out our Unique Dessert Recipes blog post for a few similar ideas, including a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie variation using the same breadcrumb method.

4. Reimagine a Campfire Favorite: Indoor S’mores Treats

You no longer need a campfire to enjoy the gooey, chocolatey goodness of s’mores. These indoor recipes bring the classic combo of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow to life—with some fun Martin’s twists!

Try our S’mores French Toast Tower (shown above) for a breakfast-meets-dessert mashup featuring layers of Martin’s Swirl Bread dipped in chocolate and marshmallow coatings, then stacked high and topped with crushed graham crackers. Or go full carnival mode with our S’mores Roll—a deep-fried Party Potato Roll stuffed with chocolate-hazelnut spread and marshmallow fluff.

Longing for more ideas? Our s’more-worthy blog post features additional recipes that transform Martin’s rolls and bread into craveable s’mores-inspired desserts you can enjoy whenever you’d like.

5. Prepare Patisserie-Style Favorites with Ease

Classic desserts like cannoli, eclairs, and crème brûlée might sound fancy, but with a few shortcuts—and the help of Martin’s bread and rolls—you can recreate these bakery-worthy treats right at home.

Start with a cannoli-inspired creation—sweet, creamy, and full of flavor. Our Chocolate Chip Cannoli Bites use flattened Martin’s Potato Bread pressed into muffin tins and baked into crisp cups, then filled with a smooth ricotta mixture, orange zest, and mini chocolate chips. For a warm, brunch-ready twist, try the Cannoli Baked French Toast, which layers Martin’s Sweet Party Rolls with sweetened mascarpone and ricotta, then soaks the dish in a custard base before baking into golden perfection. Two takes—same beloved flavor.

Want to try your hand at more European-style treats? Our Eclairs (shown above) swap traditional choux buns for Martin’s rolls, which are sliced in half, filled with pastry cream, and topped with a chocolate glaze for an easy spin on a French classic. Or try our Crème Brûlée Bites: bite-sized Dinner Rolls filled with creamy custard and torched sugar for a caramelized finish that delivers that signature brûlée crunch.

With these easy upgrades, you can bring a little pastry shop flair to your summer table—no passport (or pastry degree) required.

6. Pack Pre-Made Snacks for On-the-Go Adventures

Summer is full of movement—road trips, beach days, family hikes—and your dessert game should keep up. These portable, make-ahead treats are perfect for tucking into picnic baskets, lunchboxes, or coolers for a sweet surprise wherever the season takes you.

For starters, try our Cinnamon-Sugar Snack Mix (shown above), a crunchy medley of cubed Martin’s bread, baked and coated with cinnamon, sugar, and butter. It’s a quick, oven-baked alternative to trail mix that disappears by the handful. If you’re looking for something a little more versatile, try these Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl Bread Treats—crispy strips of baked Martin’s Swirl Bread that deliver all the cozy flavor of a cinnamon roll, minus the mess.

For a fruit-forward option that travels well, our Cherry Hand Pies are a summer must. Made using flattened Martin’s bread, filled with cherry pie filling, sealed like a pocket, and baked until crisp and golden, these easy-to-pack pastries are great for grabbing on the go—no fork or plate needed.

7. Turn Your Favorite Cakes & Pies into Bread-Based Desserts

Love the flavor of your favorite pies and cakes but not the time or effort it takes to make them from scratch? These inventive recipes start with Martin’s bread or rolls and recreate classic desserts in a faster, fresher way—perfect for all your summer gatherings.

Try making Pineapple Upside Down Sticky Buns for a tropical twist on the traditional cake. Using Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, this recipe layers caramelized pineapple and brown sugar in a baking pan before baking into gooey, golden buns. Or, if coconut is your go-to summer flavor, don’t miss our Coconut Cream Pie Sweet Rolls, which pipe Martin’s rolls full of creamy coconut pudding, whipped topping, and toasted coconut for a refreshing, no-fuss treat.

You can also recreate other summer staples like Strawberry Shortcake Trifles using Cinnamon-Swirl Bread, or Peach Cobbler using Martin’s Potato Bread as the base for a bubbling fruit-filled dessert.

Lastly, bring in some Southern inspiration with our Lemon Chess Bread Pudding—a bright, citrusy spin on classic chess pie—or Mini Bread Puddings with Banana Sauce, which offer a rich, comforting texture and banana-pudding vibes in every bite.

From frozen treats to portable snacks, these Summer Dessert Hacks are all about making life sweeter—with less time in the kitchen. Whether you’re recreating a patisserie classic or layering your favorite flavors into a freezer-friendly pie, Martin’s® Famous Potato Rolls and Bread offer a deliciously versatile shortcut.

Try one, try all—and don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media by tagging @PotatoRolls. We love seeing how you bring the flavor of summer to life with your own twist!

Martin’s Summer Fun Season Sweepstakes

Looking for more ways to make your own sweet treats at home?

Enter Round 4 of our Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Ninja® Creami Ice Cream Machine—plus a bundle of Martin’s Sweet Dinner and Sweet Party Potato Rolls to get you started!

Round 4: Friday, June 13, 2025 at 9:00am ET – Friday, June 27, 2025 at 8:59am ET

Head to martinssummerfun.com to submit your entry form!

Related Blogs:

• https://potatorolls.com/blog/ice-cream-creations-for-the-heat-of-summer/