21 Desserts That Make Summer Cookouts Feel Special
BBQ gatherings call for desserts that are easy, crowd-pleasing, and able to hold their own next to smoky mains. Whether it’s something fruity, cool, or a sweet treat off the grill, the right dessert can make your cookout feel complete.
These recipes bring flavor without fuss, making sure your BBQ ends on a sweet note.
Peach Crumb Pie
Peach crumb pie is a true summer treat, combining juicy, ripe peaches with a buttery, crunchy topping that’s simply irresistible. This dessert is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings or picnics under the sun. Each bite offers a delightful mix of soft peach filling and a crisp, golden crust, making it a favorite for both kids and adults. Enjoy a slice of this peachy delight and experience the joy of summer desserts that bring everyone together. Get the Recipe: Peach Crumb Pie.
Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie
Crafting your own Gluten-Free Lemon Meringue Pie is incredibly simple, and this recipe offers a delightful twist with its chocolate crust. The rich, cocoa-infused base complements the zesty lemon filling beautifully, adding a layer of decadence to this classic dessert. It’s an irresistible combination that’s sure to impress. Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Lemon Meringue Pie.
Blackberry Crisp
Blackberry Crisp is such an easy dessert for any time of the year. It is a great way to use up lots of blackberries! You can make this crisp with fresh or frozen fruit. It’s also easy to make crisps gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. They can also be made with or without oats. Get the Recipe: Blackberry Crisp.
Blackberry Peach Galette
This Blackberry Peach Galette is the epitome of an easy summer dessert, bringing together the fresh, tart flavors of blackberries with the sweet juiciness of peaches. The galette is simpler to make than a traditional pie, with a rustic, free-form crust that envelops the fruit in a deliciously flaky embrace. Get the Recipe: Blackberry Peach Galette.
Peach Sorbet
If you’ve got a ton of peaches, make this easy Peach Sorbet. It is super easy, vegan, and the perfect no-guilt end-of-summer treat. You can make peach sorbet with or without an ice cream maker. No cutting up peaches either. Get the Recipe: Peach Sorbet.
Canning Cherry Pie Filling
Canning Cherry Pie Filling is a surprisingly simple process that can be done with either fresh or frozen cherries. This versatile ingredient opens up a world of culinary possibilities beyond just pies—think pastries, toppings, and more. Opting for homemade ensures a tastier, more natural product than anything you’d find store-bought. Get the Recipe: Canning Cherry Pie Filling.
Grilled Peaches Dessert | Easy Summer Dessert
Grilled Peaches with Blackberry Wine Sauce are such a simple yet elegant end-of-summer dessert. They also take less than 5 minutes to prepare. This time of year, I lament the loss of the sun and the inevitable end to my favorite cooking season: grilling. Get the Recipe: Grilled Peaches.
Cranberry Cherry Crisp
This Cranberry Cherry Crisp could truly not be easier and has the added bonus of being Vegan & Gluten Free! What a perfect holiday dessert that is also pretty healthy, with lots of antioxidants and fiber! Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cherry Crisp.
Cucumber Sorbet
Skip the fancy spa and make your own Cucumber Sorbet. It’s so easy and a great use for all of those cucumbers you are picking from your garden! Fresh cucumber recipes are hard to come by if you don’t want to do pickles or relish. This is one of the easiest uses for your excess of cucumbers! Cucumber Sorbet is a famous palate-cleansing recipe. Get the Recipe: Cucumber Sorbet.
Blackberry Pie Filling | Canning Instructions
This Blackberry Pie Filling is perfect for stocking your pantry for the winter. By canning this delicious mixture, you ensure that you can enjoy the taste of summer’s blackberries even during the colder months. The process involves cooking blackberries with sugar and a thickener, then sealing them in jars using a straightforward canning technique. Get the Recipe: Blackberry Pie Filling | Canning Instructions.
Peach Crisp Recipe
Peach crisp is an easy summer dessert that can be assembled in less than 15 minutes! This Peach Crisp Recipe is Gluten Free and Vegan! You can make crisps with or without oats, we prefer it with oats! Substitute nuts or just use flour to make it oat free! You can use canned peaches, frozen peaches or fresh peaches in this vegan peach crisp too! Get the Recipe: Peach Crisp Recipe.
Raspberry Sherbet / Sorbet
Super tasty and colorful, Raspberry Sherbet or Sorbet is an awesome treat that’s both dairy-free and vegan, making it a great choice for everyone. This frozen dessert can be made with either fresh or frozen raspberries, allowing you to enjoy its bright, tangy flavor any time of the year. Get the Recipe: Raspberry Sherbet / Sorbet.
Yellow Plum Sorbet
Yellow Plum Sorbet is an incredibly easy summertime dessert- a super easy yellow plum recipe. Not only will the family (those 21 and older) love it, your guests will be impressed. This is spiked with a bit of Grand Marnier but you can eliminate that, if you’d like. Get the Recipe: Yellow Plum Sorbet.
Smoked Pineapple | How To Smoke Pineapple
This Smoked Pineapple with brown sugar rub is excellent for sweet desserts and as a side for your favorite smoked proteins. Serve it alongside chicken or seafood, or make a dessert with a simple pound cake and ice cream. Get the Recipe: Smoked Pineapple.
Apricot Pie
Apricot Pie is packed with summer flavors! It’s sweet, tart, and super easy to make. Use juicy apricots for a delicious filling, and if you’re short on time, a store-bought refrigerated crust works perfectly. Ideal for any summer gathering! Get the Recipe: Apricot Pie.
Rhubarb Crisp – Gluten Free, Dairy Free
This Rhubarb Crisp is a quick and delicious way to enjoy rhubarb pie flavors without gluten or dairy. Combining tart rhubarb with a sweet, crunchy topping, it’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions. Easy to prepare, this dessert is ideal for any occasion. Serve warm with dairy-free ice cream or coconut whipped cream for an extra special treat. Whether catering to dietary needs or looking for a new rhubarb recipe, this crisp is sure to be a favorite! Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Crisp – Gluten Free, Dairy Free.
Watermelon Sorbet
This easy watermelon sorbet is the answer to your summer snacktime cravings. It’s made with fresh watermelon, tart lemon and sweeteners in a blender or food processor and takes about 10 minutes to assemble. Use your Cuisinart ice cream maker or try the no-churn method (given) to make this sweet, refreshing watermelon sorbet recipe today. Get the Recipe: Watermelon Sorbet.
Campfire Banana Boats
These campfire banana boats are quick and easy to make and pair the distinctive flavor of bananas with chocolate, mini marshmallows, and graham crackers for that iconic s’mores appeal, along with sliced almonds and chopped strawberries. It’s a delicious campfire recipe, or you can even bake it in the oven if you aren’t camping. The combo of fruit, chocolate, and more makes this a really tasty dessert option. Get the Recipe: Campfire Banana Boats.
Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie
When rhubarb is at its peak of freshness, seize the opportunity to make this old-fashioned rhubarb pie. It offers a flavorful burst of summer that can be enjoyed any time of the year. This classic pie captures the essence of rhubarb’s tangy taste, wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust. Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie.
Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Easy recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake with a cake batter loaded with pineapple flavor features caramelized pineapples and cherries. It looks harder than it is! When making the best pineapple upside-down cake is this easy, we almost feel bad calling this a recipe! Get the Recipe: Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.
No-Bake Cherry Delight Recipe
Cherry Delight is the most simple but incredibly delicious no-bake dessert! Perfect to make ahead of time, this fluffy whipped dessert is packed with pineapple and supported by a crunchy graham cracker crust. Get the Recipe: No-Bake Cherry Delight Recipe.
The 12 Best 9×13 Cakes for When You Need Dessert Without the Fuss
A 9×13 cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion, offering a simple way to feed a crowd without the hassle. These cakes are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a go-to for family gatherings, potlucks, or just because. With a variety of recipes to choose from, each one is designed to impress and satisfy every sweet craving. Get ready to enjoy the ultimate 9×13 cakes that are as delicious as they are simple.
Get the Recipes: 9×13 Cakes.
These Layer Cakes Taste Like Sunshine and Long Weekends
Layer cakes aren’t just dessert—they’re a full-blown event. Tall, dramatic, and packed with flavor, these cakes bring serious wow without needing bakery skills. Each slice shows off thick layers, rich fillings, and just the right amount of frosting. They’re the kind of cakes people can’t stop staring at, then ask for seconds before they finish their first bite. These recipes don’t play it safe, and that’s exactly why everyone’s obsessed.
Get the Recipes: Layer Cakes.
Dinner in 30 Minutes That Aren’t Chicken or Boring
When time is tight and you’re looking for something quick, these 30-minute meals are the answer. Packed with flavor and made without chicken, these recipes offer a delicious variety of options to keep your meals exciting. Perfect for busy nights, these dishes will have you fed in no time without sacrificing taste. Enjoy simple yet satisfying meals that everyone will love!
Get the Recipes: 30-Minute Dinners That Aren’t Chicken.
14 Spring-Flavored Desserts That Aren’t Carrot Cake
Carrot cake had its moment—but Easter desserts don’t have to stop there. This lineup brings color, crunch, chocolate, and a little drama to your spring spread. Think cool pies, fluffy bars, creamy layers, and treats that actually get people excited. These are the desserts that disappear fast, get talked about even faster, and don’t leave you stuck grating carrots.
Get the Recipes: Desserts Aren’t Carrot Cake.
