Simple, No-Bake Summertime Dessert

Few people want to use the oven to cook a meal when it's hot outside, especially when preparing desserts. Fortunately, you can create delicious desserts that require little fuss and no cooking.

Pudding and Fruit Parfait

1 parfait bowl or another tall, clear serving vessel

2 bananas, sliced

5 to 6 strawberries, sliced

1 small container of blueberries

2 4-serving size boxes of instant vanilla pudding

Milk to make the pudding

1 box, round vanilla wafer cookies

1 large container of frozen whipped topping

Mix the pudding as directed on the box. Fold in three-quarters of the whipped topping afterward to make the pudding more creamy. Reserve the rest of the whipped topping for garnish.

Layer your parfait by starting with the wafer cookies, pudding and fruit, then repeat the layers until you reach the top.

Add the remaining whipped topping to the top of the parfait. Allow the dessert to set in the refrigerator for a little while as the wafer cookies slightly soften.

Spoon out servings of this cool, refreshing dessert.

For a healthier version, substitute no-sugar pudding mix, low-fat milk, lite whipped topping and reduced fat wafer cookies without compromising much on the flavor.