It’s been a rather cool summer so far, and I’m not complaining. Here in West Sonoma County, chilly summer evenings are part of the rhythm of the season. Being so close to the coast, the fog rolls in most afternoons and lingers into the morning. This past week, it stretched well into the day, leaving us with cool mornings and wonderfully mild afternoons.
I know it won’t last forever, so I’ve been taking full advantage of baking while I still can. Like many of the old homes around here, our little 1940s cottage has neither air conditioning nor much insulation, so we live very much at the mercy of the weather. Someday I’d love to have a simple outdoor kitchen tucked into a shady corner of the garden, a place to cook without heating up the house on those inevitable 90-degree days.
This week’s recipe roundup is a small celebration of summer’s sweetest gifts. There’s something almost sacred about fruit at its peak—a perfectly ripe peach eaten over the sink, sun-warmed berries picked and enjoyed straight from the bush, or a juicy plum plucked from the tree and savored before it ever makes it inside.
I’m not much of a dessert person most of the year, but summer always changes that. There’s something about gathering friends around the table and ending the meal with a simple fruit dessert that feels both effortless and memorable.
One of my favorite ways to make those desserts feel just a little more magical is by weaving in herbs from the garden. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. You can infuse herbs and flowers into cream, milk, or simple syrup, fold finely chopped herbs into whipped cream or sugar, or scatter a few edible flowers over the top before serving. Sometimes the smallest touch is all it takes to transform a familiar dessert into something really special.
Rose — goes beautifully with strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, and cream. A splash of rose water is especially lovely folded into whipped cream or a simple glaze.
Lemon verbena — bright and citrusy with peaches, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, and vanilla. Try infusing it into cream, simple syrup, or stewed fruit for a delicate lemony note.
Chamomile — honeyed and apple-like, perfect infused into cream for custards, panna cotta, ice cream, or whipped cream. It also makes a beautiful garnish when sprinkled over the finished dessert.
Lavender — best used with a light hand alongside blueberries, blackberries, apricots, honey, or shortbread. Makes a fragrant infused sugar, but a little goes a long way.
Lemon balm — fresh and gently lemony, wonderful folded into fruit salads, stirred into syrups, or tucked into macerating berries and stone fruit.
Calendula petals — cheerful edible petals that can be folded into cake batters like natural confetti or scattered over galettes, cakes, pavlovas, and ice cream for a pop of sunshine.
Borage flowers — delicate blue blossoms with a subtle cucumber sweetness, beautiful scattered over tarts, berries and cream, or any chilled summer dessert.
Below you’ll find a handful of my favorite summer sweets from the archives. I hope they inspire you to turn on the oven while the mornings are still cool, gather whatever fruit is in season, and grab a few herbs from the garden along the way.
A refreshing summer treat that pairs sweet strawberries with the gentle spice and floral notes of tulsi. Light, icy, and simple to make, it’s the perfect dessert for a warm evening.
A rustic French dessert with tender apricots nestled into a soft almond-scented custard. Simple and elegant, it’s a beautiful way to celebrate summer stone fruit.
Buttery shortbread cookies infused with bright lemon, delicate lavender, and tiny pops of crunch from poppy seeds, layered with creamy ice cream for a nostalgic summer treat.
A rustic free-form tart celebrating two of summer’s sweetest fruits. Juicy strawberries and peaches bake into a jammy filling, finished with a cloud of rosewater-infused whipped cream.
A creamy, no-churn aromatic ice cream that highlights the sweet-tart beauty of ripe plums, with warming cardamom and nutty pistachios.
A fresh take on a summer classic, with buttery biscuits, juicy strawberries, and a touch of bright lemon verbena folded into cream for a garden-inspired finish.
Enjoy! xx Sarah Kate
I’ve curated my favorite herbal pantry staples, kitchen tools, and everyday essentials to help you bring more nourishment and magic into your daily life. From teas and spices to thoughtful wellness picks, this collection makes it easy to stock your kitchen with ingredients that inspire ritual and joy.
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