Viral frozen fruit shaved ice hack is the easiest dessert of summer

A new viral summer dessert is taking the place of past seasonal sweets as food creators everywhere try an easy, at-home hack to make shaved ice using their favorite frozen fruit and a grater.

Like all popular trending food hacks and recipes on social media, this idea from "First Generation" cookbook author and creator Frankie Gaw is getting mass attention for its ease and customizability.

The gist is simple: Freeze your favorite fruit -- people have done this with peaches, oranges, strawberries and watermelon -- grab a microplane zester, or other fine grater, and shave the frozen fruit directly into a bowl. The "shaved ice," as most are calling it, then gets an array of accompanying textures and flavors from toppings like sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, toasted nuts, honey and more.

The flavor and topping combinations are endless, but here a few popular takes on the trend below to try at home this summer.

"All you need is frozen strawberries and a grater," Gaw wrote alongside this video, which has amassed over 685,000 likes on Instagram. "I topped mine with condensed milk, crushed peanuts, and black sesame."

A post shared by Frankie Gaw (@littlefatboyfrankie)

After his strawberry version went viral, Gaw attempted the dessert a second time using frozen oranges to create a nostalgic summer ice cream flavor -- orange creamsicle.

"I’m trying not to be the shaved ice guy but this was too good not to share," he wrote on Instagram. "Make this orange creamsicle dream for this hot, hot summer."

A post shared by Frankie Gaw (@littlefatboyfrankie)

Carolina Gelen racked up 161,000 likes on Instagram for her peaches and cream version of Gaw's dessert idea, below.

It's the dessert she said she "can't stop making" because "it’s so tasty, so refreshing, perfect for a hot summer day."

To the tart and sweet frozen shaved peaches, Gelen adds rich brown sugar and tops the bowl with fresh whipped cream. Watch how she makes the full recipe below.

Ingredients

1 to 2 peaches

1/2 cup whipped cream

Maple syrup or brown sugar syrup

Brown sugar

Pistachios

Directions

Wash and freeze the whole peaches in the freezer overnight.

To serve, add a dollop of sweetened whipped cream to the serving bowl, grate the frozen peach using a microplane or fine-zested, and drizzle with maple syrup or brown sugar syrup, pistachios and more brown sugar on top.

A post shared by Carolina Gelen (@carolinagelen)

Alexa Santos hailed this as her "absolute favorite" hack that she's ever tried from food social media.

"Forever indebted to you @littlefatboyfrankie for the frozen fruit shaved ice inspo," she wrote on Instagram, crediting Gaw's creation. "This frozen watermelon version was so beyond wonderful, I can't even articulate it ... just try it plz."

Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients1/4 large watermelon, cut into batonsJuice of 1 lime2 teaspoons spicy honeyFlaky saltFresh basil leaves, for garnish

Directions

Using a microplane, carefully shave the frozen watermelon into small bowls. Use a paper towel in between the fruit and your fingers to keep them from getting too cold!

Top the shaved fruit with lime juice, spicy honey, and a sprinkle of flakey salt. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil. Enjoy immediately!

A post shared by Alexa Santos (@alexawhatsfordinner)

Chef, recipe developer and food stylist Jackie Bakula shared her riff on the trend using frozen pineapple.

A post shared by Jackie Bakula (@chef_jackieb)

Ingredients1/2 frozen pineapple, grated into a bowl1 teaspoon sweetened condensed milk1/2 lime zested

DirectionsFreeze 1/2 of a pineapple.Grate the pineapple into a bowl.Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk.Sprinkle with lime zest. Serve and enjoy!