No-Bake Summer Treats to Beat the Heat

When the mercury rises, skip the oven and whip up these refreshing, no-sweat treats. Perfect for poolside snacking or backyard BBQs, these recipes are as fun to make as they are to eat. Let’s dive in!

1. Vintage Well Water Jelly (古井凉粉) 💎

Why It’s Magic: Crystal-clear jelly made with "82-year-old well water" (or filtered water!) for a nostalgic vibe.

Steps:

Boil 4 cups water + ¼ cup agar powder. Stir until dissolved.

Pour into molds. Chill 2 hours.

Make syrup: Simmer 1 cup brown sugar + ½ cup water until thick.

Cube jelly, top with fresh fruit, nuts, and syrup.

Pro Tip: Add edible flowers for Instagram-worthy flair!

2. Mung Bean Coconut Squares (绿豆凉糕) 🌱

Chewy & Nutritious: Packed with protein and fiber.

Ingredients:

1 cup soaked mung beans (steamed until soft)

¼ cup sugar

½ cup glutinous rice flour

1 cup coconut milk (or water)

Steps:

Mash beans + sugar + flour + milk into a paste.

Steam in greased pan 15 mins. Chill 2 hours.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Secret: Add pandan extract for Southeast Asian flair.

3. Mango Milk Jelly (芒果奶冻) 🥭

Tropical Sunshine in a Bite:

5-Minute Hack:

Simmer 4 cups milk + ½ cup sugar + ¼ cup agar powder.

Stir in 2 cups diced mango.

Pour into silicone molds. Chill until set.

Adult Upgrade: Drizzle with rum-spiked coconut cream.

4. Durian Shell Delight (榴莲壳果冻) 🦔

Zero-Waste Wonder: Use discarded durian rinds for fragrant jelly.

Steps:

Boil durian rind pieces in 6 cups water 10 mins. Strain.

Add ¼ cup sugar + ¼ cup agar to broth. Simmer.

Chill, cube, and toss with coconut milk.

Note: Durian-free? Use pineapple cores for similar texture.

5. Silky Double-Skin Milk (双皮奶) 🥛

Cantonese Classic Made Easy:

Ingredients:

3 cups whole milk

3 egg whites

2 tbsp sugar

Steps:

Whisk egg whites into milk + sugar. Strain.

Steam in ramekins 15 mins. Chill.

Top with mango, red beans, or honey.

Pro Move: Scrape off the coveted "milk skin" for extra luxury.

6. Pear & Chrysanthemum Jelly (雪梨菊花冻) 🌼

Cooling TCM-Inspired Treat:

Ingredients:

2 Asian pears (diced)

2 tbsp dried chrysanthemum flowers

¼ cup agar powder

Steps:

Simmer pears + flowers in 6 cups water 15 mins. Strain.

Add agar. Pour into jars. Chill.

Serve With: Lychee syrup and goji berries.

7. Rainbow Fruit Cubes (水果果冻) 🌈

Vitamin-Packed Fun:

Customizable Layers:

Layer kiwi, strawberries, blueberries in cups.

Boil 4 cups water + ¼ cup agar + ⅓ cup honey.

Pour over fruit. Chill 1 hour.

Kids’ Project: Let them arrange fruit patterns!

8. Pineapple Coconut Bliss (菠萝椰蓉糕) 🍍 THE SHOWSTOPPER

Tropical Vacation in Every Bite:

Ingredients:

1 pineapple (peeled, cored)

¼ cup tapioca starch

½ cup sugar

Toasted coconut flakes

Steps:

Blend pineapple + 1 cup water. Strain.

Simmer juice + starch + sugar until gluey.

Pour into tray. Chill 2 hours. Cube + roll in coconut.

Secret: Add chili salt for sweet-salty contrast.

Why These Treats Rule Summer

Heat-Free Prep: Zero oven time keeps kitchens cool.

Customizable: Swap fruits, adjust sweetness, go vegan with agar.

Kid-Approved: Jiggly textures + bright colors = instant hit.

Global Flavors: From Cantonese classics to tropical twists.

Pro Tips:

Agar vs. Gelatin: Agar sets faster and works for vegans.

Make-Ahead: Most treats last 5 days refrigerated.

Presentation: Serve in hollowed fruit shells for wow factor.

Final Bite: Which frosty creation will you try first? show off your summer masterpieces! ❄️