These no-bake birthday cake bars are perfect for when you don’t want to turn on the oven

Summer birthday parties are fun and all, especially if we’re talking about a pool party. But the prep work leading up to party time can be a hassle, especially if you’re the one tasked with making the birthday cake. Turning on the oven is definitely to be avoided in the summer months, and that’s where this no-bake recipe comes in handy.

The no-bake birthday cake bar recipe from Betty Crocker is the best of both worlds. The bars still offer traditional birthday cake flavor, but they don’t require any time in the oven. Plus, they’re ideal for kids or adults — whoever is having a birthday that you happen to be celebrating.

Consider these bars the birthday version of Rice Krispies Treats. However, you won’t use Rice Krispies cereal. You’ll use Rice Chex combined with marshmallows, vanilla frosting, sprinkles and vanilla baking chips to create one delicious dessert.

Not only do these festive birthday cake bars seem absolutely yummy, but they’re also easy to make. This video from Betty Crocker’s YouTube Channel will show you how it’s done:

(If you’re looking for other ways to use up the rest of your Chex mix, consider whipping up a bowl of cinnamon-sugar Chex, which only requires the use of the microwave.)

Birthday Cake Desserts

Looking for other iterations on the birthday cake theme that aren’t an actual birthday cake? You have plenty of options. For example, a recipe from Pillsbury offers a cake alternative that does require a bit of cook time in the oven, but more than makes up for that fact later on: birthday party ice cream pie!

The crust is made using Pillsbury sugar cookies, which is why the oven will need to be used in this recipe. However, the cookies only need to bake for about 15 minutes. The recipe also requires mixing heavy whipping cream, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk to make the ice cream.

Once the pie is chilled in the freezer, it’ll be time to serve up some ice cold ice cream cake to your party guests:

Betty Crocker also has recipes for birthday cake-flavored munchies and more that will help you make not only the main dessert, but the party snacks, are birthday-cake flavored, too.

These birthday cake muddy buddies, for example, will have your guests practically eating cake by the handful:

You might even want to try Froot Loops new, limited edition birthday cake flavor, if you want to get really creative with your muddy buddies!

When it’s too hot for cake, but the party must go on, recipes like these are here to save the day. Enjoy!