Just because the star of barbecues are burgers, steaks, and all things savory doesn’t mean you should forget dessert! Barbecues are all about eating and spending quality time with family and friends. You might as well have a sweet ending to that fabulous feast. These 24 easy desserts aren’t only yummy, but they’re also fitting for barbecues and tailgating parties. I guarantee you, when you’re headed to a barbecue, these sweet delights will not disappoint. What are you waiting for? Let’s get cakin’!
1. Lime Lemon Poke Cake
What’s a poke cake, you ask? Well, it’s literally cake that you poke! You do this to infuse the holes with fillings to give it more flavor. This poke cake infuses a fluffy sponge cake with citrusy lime and lemon flavors. The finished product? A phenomenal cake that’s a cross between lemon pudding and key lime pie!
2. Butterscotch Bars
Oh boy. These bars are to die for. You can’t get that gooey goodness from any other dessert! And the rich butterscotch flavor is absolutely stunning. As if they weren’t heavenly enough as it is, you can also top them with coffee frosting. It’s optional, but it’s so easy to make. You just need coffee granules, water, butter, and sugar, so why not go for it? And you know what I love about desserts in bar form? They’re easy to transport, making them perfect for barbecues, picnics, and tailgating parties!
3. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake in a Jar
To me, dessert is always a must! Whether it’s a decadent cake or a refreshing fruit, I have to end every meal with dessert. I’ll even pack dessert on the go if need be! This lemon blueberry cheesecake in a jar is perfect for transporting. There is just something so special about this cheesecake. It’s so rich and crumbly my mouth is already watering just thinking about it. And then you infuse it with lemon juice and top it with blueberries? That just makes it even more divine! Did I mention that this dessert does not require baking? This cheesecake could not get any better.
4. Peach Crumble
People may think peach crumble is old-fashioned, but it’s so good. Let’s bring it back! The crispness… the butteriness… the decadence… I can go on and on! Snappy and juicy peaches are marinated in sugar, lemon, ginger, and cinnamon, and then topped with a buttery, crumbly crust. This dessert has it all! The best part about this rustic dessert is that it comes together so easily. It just takes a few minutes to prep, and the rest is up to the oven!
5. Coconut Ice Cream
With this sweet and refreshing coconut ice cream, your barbecue will be the talk of the town! It’s so rich and creamy, you’ll be surprised to know it’s dairy-free! You don’t even have to have an ice cream maker to make this fabulous dessert. All you need are coconut milk, vanilla, salt, and a sweetener! You can end there, or you can infuse it with other flavors by adding coffee, peanut butter, strawberries, cookie dough, or whatever ingredient you want!
6. Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake
This sweet and summery strawberry shortcake is utterly delightful. Thanks to the ever-dependable Bisquick mix, it comes together in no time! Just picture fluffy biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream all stacked together to create the most spectacular sweet treat. It’s so insanely good that your guests might see it as the star of your barbecue!
7. Lemon Meringue Pie
Sweet and tart lemon custard resting on a crumbly crust, topped with toasted meringue? Aah… the classic lemon meringue pie. The tangy lemon flavor makes it the perfect summer sweet! If you feel like there’s something missing from your barbecue, this is the answer.
8. Banana Split Lasagna
I love ice cream. I love bananas. And I love no-bake desserts. So you can just imagine how ecstatic I was when I saw this recipe for a no-bake banana split lasagna! This banana split has a whopping five layers of goodness: crust, cream cheese filling, strawberries, pineapple, banana cream pudding, and whipped cream. Finished off with a drizzle of chocolate syrup, it’s the ultimate dessert!
9. Pina Colada Cupcake
Just typing this dessert alone already made my heart skip a beat. That’s how exciting this cupcake is! This barbecue dessert is a tropical paradise in cupcake form! This fluffy pineapple cupcake has a coconut buttercream frosting and is topped with pineapple slices, shredded coconut, a cherry, and a drink umbrella. It’s all the goodness a pina colada has to offer.
10. Icebox Cake
Everyone at your barbecue will swoon over this icebox cake! It’s sweet, refreshing, and heavenly. This dessert is made of layers of graham crackers, whipped cream, and refreshing summer fruits. I’m using bananas and strawberries in this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite fruit combos. Since it’s a no-bake confection, it’s super easy to make! You just layer all the ingredients in a rectangular container, pop it in the fridge, and you’re done. The only challenging part about it is having to wait as it chills! With this dessert, waiting is key. The graham crackers need time to soften and transform into moist and tender cake layers. But it’s definitely worth it.
11. Cream Cheese Brownies
Can’t decide between cheesecake and brownies? Why don’t you put them together and make one phenomenal dessert? These cream cheese brownies combine the richness of cheesecake and the fudginess of brownies. Just picture your favorite brownie swirling with a creamy custard. It’s madness, and I’m sure you’ll love it. I know what you’re thinking: two recipes in one? That has to require a ton of ingredients! But nope, the additional cheesecake swirl only calls for 4 ingredients: cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and an egg.
12. Peanut Butter Bars
Calling all peanut butter and chocolate lovers out there! This dessert is for you. With just 5 ingredients, you can make these fantastic no-bake peanut butter bars! It’s perfect if you’re the barbecue host because this dessert only takes 10 minutes of hands-on preparation. Easy-peasy and delicious? It’s the perfect combination.
13. Triple Berry Trifle
Three berries in a trifle? Yes, please! Layer upon layer of angel food cake, pudding, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries: now that’s what I’m talking about. This triple berry trifle is airy and refreshing! It’s perfect for those who want to end their meal with something light. You can assemble all these lovely layers in one large glass jar, but for your barbecue, I suggest you make individual servings.
14. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Moist and tender cake topped with caramel, pineapple rings, and cherries: that’s the stuff. This pineapple upside down cake is the most refreshing summer dessert there is! And you know why it’s perfect for barbecues? Aside from the fact that pineapple pairs well with grilled meats, the structure of the cake also makes it easy to transport.
15. Nutella Stuffed Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are already perfect on their own, but it couldn’t hurt to add a little something to make them even more special. As you may have guessed, I’m talking about Nutella. Sure, there’s an added step of preparing the Nutella filling, but I promise you, it’s worth it. The extra step isn’t even difficult! You just place dollops of Nutella on a parchment paper, freeze, and wait. When you bite into that cookie and that burst of Nutella oozes out of it — it’s priceless. I’m not a fan of surprises, but this one I love.
16. Blueberry Crumble
Sweet and juicy blueberries with a buttery and crumbly topping: that’s what this next dessert is all about. What makes this dessert so heavenly is the crumble. Other recipes will call for cold butter, but in this one, you’ll use melted butter. Not only will it make the mixing process so much easier and faster, but it also gives the topping a much crumblier consistency.
17. Peanut Butter Pie
Creamy peanut butter filling in a buttery crust? Oh yes! Like a giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, the beauty of this pie is just breathtaking. Okay, I may be biased because I’m in love with Reese’s, but hey, it is stunning! The marriage of the crisp crust and the sweet, nutty, velvety filling is truly spectacular. It may be a simple dessert, but I could not ask for more.
18. Lemon Bars
Sweet and tangy filling resting on a bed of buttery shortbread: these lemon bars are the epitome of summer desserts! They’re light, refreshing, and downright delicious. The lovely contrast of the crisp shortbread and the thick custard is perfection. And that dusting of powdered sugar on top? What a fancy way to finish off a dessert!
19. Banana Strawberry Macadamia Nutella Panini
As they say, there’s always room for dessert. This may not be the lightest of desserts, but I think it’s still perfect for barbecues! Even when you’re full, how can you say no to a Nutella panini with bananas, strawberries, and macadamia? Nutella and bananas may be old news, but have you tried combining the spread with strawberries? You have to! The decadence of the hazelnut spread mixes perfectly with the tartness of the berries. And the macadamia nuts? They add not just a crunchy contrast, but a buttery flavor as well. All together, this panini makes one indulgent and heavenly dessert. It’s definitely a must-try!
20. Raspberry and Cream Parfait
Layers of fresh raspberries and liquor-infused whipped cream make up this sweet and tart treat. Light, airy, and so refreshing, it’s a wonderful way to end a barbecue. This raspberry and cream parfait is not only delectable, but such an easy dessert to whip up. For the cream, you just beat together cream cheese, whipped cream, sugar, and liqueur. And then it’s just a matter of layering the berries and cream in fancy jars. Or if you want to take them to a friend’s party, just assemble them in disposable wine glasses!
21. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Truffles
This Reese’s-inspired dessert combines both peanut butter and chocolate to make one terrific truffle. Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter together? Just mix peanut butter cake crumbs with peanut butter cream, form it into small balls, and dunk in a chocolate sauce. These balls are sweet, moist, and so addictive, it’s hard to stop munching on them!
22. Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Bars
This gob-smacking dessert combines the goodness of key lime pie and cheesecake to make the most decadent bars. What’s not to love? You have cream cheese, sugar, and lime juice custard resting in a chocolate graham cracker crust. It’s then dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet and elegant finish. Sweet, creamy, refreshing, and easy to transport: it’s everything you want in a barbecue dessert!
23. Chocolate-Oatmeal Moon Pie
This spectacular chocolate-oatmeal moon pie is loved both by kids and adults alike. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser! It’s two oatmeal cookies loaded with dried cherries, chocolate chips, and pecans. Between the two cookies rests a sweet and fluffy marshmallow creme filling. I mean, how can you go wrong with that?
24. Pineapple Meringue Pie
This recipe transforms a classic lemon meringue pie and gives it a tropical twist. Instead of lemons, use pineapple instead. The flavor may not be the same, but it’s absolutely delightful! Take this with you to a friend’s barbecue, and I guarantee they will love it. Click on a star to rate it!
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