Woohoo! Summer is here and it is time to celebrate with a roundup of the BEST summer cakes, tutorials, recipes, and ideas!

When I think of summertime entertaining, I think of bright colors, beach and luau themes, fruity or even boozy cakes and frostings, and desserts that are as delicious as they are fun!

 

Whether you are planning a birthday party or a cookout with friends, you are sure to find something new to try from this collection of summertime cakes and ideas!

In this roundup, we’re sharing summer favorites from our site as well as from other cake pages! Enjoy scrolling through!

 

The BEST Cake and Cupcake Ideas for Summer Parties! 

First up, I love an ice cream theme, and this easy Ice Cream Cone Cake is perfect for summer! In this free cake video, I’ll demonstrate buttercream stripes, and this simple ice cream cone cake design! Ice Cream Cone Cake- Free Video Tutorial

 

 

 

 

I just LOVE these beachy flip flop cupcake toppers! They are so easy to make and so cheerful! These flip flops are made with simple candy coating.

Simply pipe, chill, and decorate! Perfect for pool parties, beach parties, and more- Find the free cupcake tutorial here: Free Flip Flop Cupcake Topper Tutorial!

 

 

Fault Line Cakes are so much fun! This technique involves building out the frosting around the “fault line”, which is a thinner layer of frosting. There are so many fun design options with this method, and one of my favorites is this watermelon version! Learn to make it in our Free Cake Tutorial!  

 

 

 

 

Next up, a watermelon cake and cupcakes! Watermelon cake and cupcake designs are always perfect for summertime parties!

Both of these buttercream designs are so simple, and great for all skill levels of cake decorating! Find the free step by step tutorial here: Watermelon Cake and Cupcake Tutorial!

 

 

 

Here’s even more fruity cuteness! I’ve fallen in love with this fruit themed cake! Eeeek! Any one of these brightly colored tiers would be adorable on it’s own, but all together it is just over the top! (via Pizzazzerie.com)

 

If you love Orange Dreamsicles, or even Orange flavored desserts, you MUST try this homemade Orange Dreamsicle Cake recipe!

The combination of moist orange cake layers, orange cream filling, and orange cream cheese frosting is out of this world. This has been an extremely popular recipe on our site (and at my house!) Tastes like summertime! Find the cake recipe here: Orange Dreamsicle Cake Recipe

 

 

 

Next, it’s time for a little Tie Dye Fun! In this free My Cake School tutorial, learn how to make a buttercream tie dye design as well as a tie dye cake on the inside! SO much fun and always a favorite for kids’ parties (or groovy 70’s themes)!

Find the tutorial here: How to Make a Tie Dye Cake!

 

Here’s a heavenly Pineapple Cake recipe that we just LOVE. Homemade yellow cake layers with a thick and flavorful Pineapple & Cream filling. This filling belongs in your recipe box as it can be whipped up in minutes!

 

 

It seems that Mermaid themed cakes are everywhere and I just love this beautiful Mermaid Cake by Gema Sweets (via Pinterest)

 

I also love this gorgeous Mermaid Cupcake! (via KerriCupcake)

 

Coconut and Lemon are a match made in heaven, which is why our next cake is one of my FAVORITES for spring and summer gatherings! This light and refreshing Coconut Lemon Cake consists of moist and delicious coconut cake layers with a lemon curd glaze, lemon whipped cream filling, and coconut cream cheese frosting.

YUM!

Don’t miss this amazing scratch recipe!  Coconut Lemon Cake

 

 

 

Time to swim! This sweet and simple swimsuit cake tutorial is perfect for beach themed parties, pool parties, and more!

You’ll also learn to make easy buttercream beach themed cupcakes! Find our free tutorial for these fun summer cake ideas here: Swimsuit Cake and Beachy Cupcakes! Free Tutorial!

 

 

 

Next up, these brightly colored Lilly Pulitzer-inspired cupcakes are fabulous for summer birthdays, beach parties, or even bridal showers!

We’ve shared a variety of design options for these preppy buttercream cupcakes- everything from sea turtles to shells, flowers, and even a simple monogram!

Whether you choose just one design or many, they are sure to be the talk of the dessert table! Find the free tutorial here: Lilly Pulitzer Inspired Cupcake Tutorial

 

 

We LOVE this next cake. You just can’t be the light and flavorful combination of White Chocolate and Raspberry! This homemade White Chocolate Raspberry Cake is pure heaven.  Find it here!: White Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Scratch

 

 

How about a GIANT popsicle? This easy popsicle cake is a great alternative to a sheet cake and it’s just SO cute.

This is a buttercream-frosted cake, and although this patriotic design is perfect for July 4th gatherings, you can easily change up the colors to fit any summertime gathering! Find the free tutorial here!: Popsicle Cake Tutorial.

 

 

I love this colorful, beachy cake by CakeHeaven by Marlene! Just look at that wave! Love!

 

Piña Colada Cake is perfect for any summertime fiesta! There’s just nothing better than the combination of moist coconut cake layers, crushed pineapple filling, and a hint of rum!

Mmmmmm…. keep this on your list of recipes to try. Your friends and family will love it! Piña Colada Cake Recipe

 

 

I love a cute buttercream cupcake cake and especially designs that are as EASY as this sweet Fish Cake! This cute and beachy cake design is perfect even for beginner cake decorators, and the Fish Theme is great for pool and beach themed parties!

Change up the colors to fit your theme (I always seem to bring pink and green into most of my cake designs- ha!) Enjoy this fun and free tutorial!: Fish Cupcake Cake Tutorial

 

 

 

Yummm!! Another popular dessert for summer months is this super moist and flavorful Pink Lemonade Cake from scratch!

This cake has just the right amount of lemony tartness, and we love it with our Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting! Find the recipe here: Pink Lemonade Cake Recipe

 

 

If you’ve followed my page for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I don’t do scary! So, this CUTE shark cake that I spotted on Pinterest is right up my alley. This is such an adorable, beachy cake design by Charity Fent Cake Design!

 

 

Here’s even more beachy cupcake cuteness! This is a tutorial from years ago but it still makes me smile! Everyone loves these easy fish cupcakes featuring lollipop cupcake toppers, as well as funny buttercream crab cupcakes!

Find the free cupcake tutorial here!: Beach Cupcakes Featuring Fish and Crab Cupcakes!

 

 

 

Time for a cookout! What would summertime be without a good cookout now and then? These cupcakes are my go-to for cookout cupcake fun because the toppers couldn’t be cuter (or EASIER)!!

Find our free tutorial here for mini hamburger and hot dog cupcake toppers!: Cookout Cupcake Tutorial

 

 

We all scream for ice cream! I have to include this one, as it’s always one of my most popular for summer!!

These ice cream cone cupcakes make for such a fun dessert display at birthdays or summertime gatherings, and the design is so simple that kids would love to help too! Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes- Free Tutorial

 

 

Strawberry Lemon Cake is another great combination of refreshing summertime flavors!! This recipe combines our FAVORITE homemade Lemon Cake Recipe with an amazing Strawberry Buttercream Frosting!

Hop on over for the recipe: Homemade Strawberry Lemon Cake.

 

Don’t forget about the giant Ice Cream Sundae pull-apart cupcake cake!! Another super cute, super easy cupcake design that is perfect for summer!   Ice Cream Sundae Cupcake Cake- Free Tutorial

 

This next “cake” makes me smile! For the fruit lovers, what could be better than a cake made entirely of fruit!? Such a fun idea (via PopSugar)!

 

 

 

This Peaches and Cream Layer Cake recipe is another great option! Moist peach cake layers (which contain bits of peaches) are filled with a luscious peaches and cream filling and are frosted with a layer of cream cheese frosting. So good and perfect for spring and summer birthdays (or just because)!

 

 

 

 

These adorable mini “Coconut Drink” Cakes are super simple to create, with chocolate cake and piped buttercream details! (Don’t forget the umbrellas and straws!!) Perfect for pool parties, luau themes, and more! Coconut Drink Cakes- Free Tutorial

 

 

Another favorite of ours is fondant quilling! This beautiful look is so elegant and simple to create! Find our quick free tutorial here: Fondant Quilling- Free Tutorial

 

 

I LOVE this adorable melting ice cream cone cake idea! How have I never made one of these? Definitely on my to do list. (As featured on Kara’s Party Ideas)

 

I LOVE brightly colored cakes and rainbow themes year round, but especially in the summertime when everything just seems a bit brighter!

In this free cake video tutorial, learn to pipe this fun and simple puffed buttercream pattern, complete with a rainbow cake topper!  Puffed Rainbow Buttercream Cake- Free Video Tutorial

 

 

Here’s another cocktail-inspired summer cake for you! This moist Margarita Cake with Tequila Lime Buttercream is the perfect balance of lemon, lime, and tequila!

This cake is so flavorful and perfect for summer entertaining! Find the deliciousness here: Margarita Cake Recipe

 

 

Now it’s time to Hoo Hoo Hula with this adorable Owl Cake Topper!! This is such a funny little cake topper for summer birthdays with beachy themes! Find the free tutorial here!: Hula Owl Cake Topper Tutorial

 

 

Here’s another flavorful scratch cake recipe that is perfect for summer! You’ll love this moist and delicious Cherry Cake Recipe!

Frost with Chocolate Buttercream or Ganache for a Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake, or try our fabulous Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting recipe to bring all of the cherry goodness to a whole new level. YUM!

 

 

Now from our Member Cake Video Tutorial Section-  A Little Flamingo Cake Fun!! This is a buttercream frosted cake with fondant accents.

We also have a this Sweet Mermaid Cake in our Member Cake Video Section!

 

Thanks for scrolling this this roundup of summer fun! We hope you found something that you’d like to try out!

Don’t miss our full collection of Free Cake Tutorials as well as our FAVORITE Cake, Frosting, and Filling Recipes in in our Recipes Section! (If you’d like to become a full member of our site for access to all of our video tutorials and more, check out our Join Page too! We’d love to have you!!)