11 Best Barbecue Desserts For Your Next Cookout

Barbecue cookouts are a celebration of smokey tastes, grilled treats, and vibrant gatherings. But no outside meal is complete without a sweet dessert to make the day even better. Meats and sides are usually the most important parts of a meal, but the dessert is generally the best part. When picking a BBQ dessert, you need to think about flavor, ease of use, and a fun summer feel. This list has selections that go well with smokey tastes and hot summer days, whether you want fruity, chocolaty, or frozen desserts.

Each dessert is made to make your barbecue better, from grilled fruits to cooled pies to gooey bonfire favorites. These delights are not only easy to create, but they also pleasure everyone, young and old. If you’re going to have a BBQ, picnic, or pool party in your backyard soon, use this list to help you organize your dessert table. Find out about the 11 finest barbecue sweets that will make everyone want seconds and remember your cookout fondly.

1. Grilled Pineapple with Honey and Cinnamon

Grilled pineapple with honey and cinnamon is a simple yet tasty dessert that goes well with any BBQ. Grilling the pineapple brings out its natural sugars, which makes the outside caramelized and the inside juicy and soft. When you spread warm honey over the slices and sprinkle cinnamon on top, the sweet and spicy flavors get stronger, giving them a distinct tropical edge.

You only need to slice the pineapple, spray it lightly with oil, and put it right on the grill until grill marks form and the top is golden. The warm pineapple and chilly vanilla ice cream on the side make a delicious mix that your visitors will adore. It’s also naturally gluten-free and better for you than other sweets, which is why it’s a popular choice for people who want something lighter. Grilled pineapple shows that BBQ sweets don’t have to be hard to remember.

2. S’mores Dip Skillet

The s’mores dip skillet is a great new way to enjoy the classic campfire delicacy. You don’t need a stick or fire pit to enjoy all the gooey pleasure. You can make a boiling, luscious dip by placing chocolate and marshmallows in a cast iron pan and melting them over the grill. This dip is great for scooping up with graham crackers. The chocolate gets thick and gooey, while the marshmallows toast to a lovely golden brown.

This makes the perfect balance of creamy, crispy, and sweet. This dessert is easy to make and a big success at parties since everyone can dip in and eat it together. It also makes it easier for bigger parties because they don’t have to put together their own s’mores. The pan holds heat well, so the dip stays warm longer, which is great for lengthy talks over the grill. The s’mores dip skillet is the best choice if you want to feel nostalgic and pampered in one mouthful.

3. Grilled Peaches with Brown Sugar and Butter

Grilled peaches with brown sugar and butter are a fancy but very easy dish that shows off the best stone fruit of summer. When you grill peaches, the natural sugars in them turn into caramel, giving them a rich, jammy texture and a smokey flavor. A little melted butter and a sprinkling of brown sugar make them even sweeter, giving them a cozy and elegant flavor that goes well with everything.

You may eat this dish warm on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You may even add crushed nuts to give it some crunch and contrast. Grilling peaches makes them taste and feel better, turning a common fruit into a great treat. Grilled peaches are a great way to end a big barbecue meal in the summer, and they will dazzle your guests without taking up a lot of time in the kitchen.

4. Banana Boats with Chocolate and Marshmallows

Banana boats with chocolate and marshmallows are a pleasant and nostalgic dessert that will remind you of your youth. To create these, cut a banana in half lengthwise, leaving the peel on, and fill the inside with chocolate chips and small marshmallows. Put the whole banana on the grill, wrapped in foil, until the fillings are mushy and melted. The heat makes the banana soft and sweet, which goes great with the creamy chocolate and fluffy marshmallow topping.

This dessert is great for cookouts since it’s quick to put together, doesn’t make a mess, and you can add any number of things to it, like peanut butter, caramel, or chopped almonds. Kids who want to watch their treat cook over the grill will appreciate banana boats as a fun, participatory way to conclude a BBQ. It captures the fun of eating outside in the summer and is a creative, low-maintenance choice.

5. Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs

Strawberry shortcake kebabs are a fun and new take on the classic dessert that are great for outdoor parties. Start by putting pieces of pound cake and fresh strawberries on skewers. Then, grill them briefly to toast the cake and warm the fruit. The outcome is a wonderful mix of textures: the cake edges are crunchy, the insides are soft, and the strawberries are luscious. After grilling, pour melted white chocolate over the kebabs or serve them with whipped cream to make them even more delicious.

This dessert is easy to eat, interesting to look at, and easy to handle, so it’s a perfect choice for people of all ages. Also, the individual skewers are the right size for sharing and are great for informal get-togethers. The little char on the strawberries gives them a smokey flavor that goes well with their natural sweetness. This provides a unique twist to the classic shortcake profile. Strawberry shortcake kebabs are a great way to add class and ease to your next cookout.

6. No-Bake Cheesecake Jars

No-bake cheesecake jars are the best dessert to make ahead of time for a summer BBQ since they are both rich and cold. These single-serving jars have layers of crushed graham crackers, a smooth cream cheese combination, and fruit toppings like strawberries or blueberries. You can make them hours ahead of time and chill them until it’s time to serve them, which makes getting ready for a party easy. Their small, portable nature makes them great for eating outside, and guests adore the personal serving size.

The tangy cream cheese balances off the sweet fruit and the crunchy graham cracker base, making each mouthful taste great. You may add fruit puree or mint leaves over top for an additional touch. These jars not only taste great, but they also look great, making your dessert table seem more elegant. They are great for barbecues on hot summer days since you don’t need to use the oven.

7. Grilled Pound Cake with Berries

Grilled pound cake with berries turns a store-bought dessert into something really spectacular, so it’s a great addition to any barbecue menu. When you grill pieces of pound cake, the sugar on the outside turns into caramel, which makes the outside crispy and the interior soft and buttery. This dish is a wonderful blend of textures and flavors when served with fresh summer berries like raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries, and maybe a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of honey.

The grill gives the fruit a small smoky flavor that goes well with the sweet and tart flavors. This makes the whole taste experience better. This meal is quick to make, yet it seems fancy, so it’s good for both informal and more formal settings. The components are simple, so it’s easy to put together, yet the appearance is still spectacular. When you want something both familiar and special, grilled pound cake with berries is a sure thing.

8. Campfire Cones

Campfire cones are a fun and easy dessert for kids that you can make in just a few minutes and taste great. Start with putting small marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut butter, fruit, or any other delicious topping you choose in the waffle cones. Put them on the grill or near the embers and wrap them in foil until everything melts together. The heat makes the cone crispy and sticky, and the filling mixes together to make a sweet treat.

They’re easier to clean up than regular s’mores, and you can change them to fit your tastes or dietary restrictions. Campfire cones are also a fun way to get kids involved in cooking by letting them choose their own contents. These cones are a fun addition that makes your cookout dessert game better, whether you eat them around the fire or as the last course of a barbecue meal. They are quick, fun, and full of flavor, so everyone will love them.

9. Peach Cobbler in Foil Packets

Peach cobbler in foil packages is a sweet and easy treat that brings southern comfort to the barbecue. Just combine canned or fresh sliced peaches with sugar and cinnamon, then top with a quick biscuit or cake mix and wrap the whole thing in foil. Grill the packets until the filling is bubbling and the topping is done. The end product is a warm, delicious pie with a soft, crumbly crust and a smell that makes you want to eat it.

It’s easy to clean up and serve because each part is cooked separately. These foil packets also keep the cobbler warm until it’s ready to eat, so you can enjoy a dessert that was just grilled long after the main meal is over. After grilling, adding a dollop of ice cream immediately into the package makes this treat taste much better. It’s rustic, tasty, and quite filling—perfect for ending a BBQ with some warmth and a little sweetness.

10. Ice Cream Sandwiches with Homemade Cookies

Ice cream sandwiches with handmade cookies are the best thing to eat at summer cookouts since they are cool, creamy, and chewy. You can customize the flavor and texture of your cookies when you make them from scratch. You may make classic chocolate chip, oatmeal, or peanut butter cookies. Once the cookies have cooled, put your favorite ice cream between them and freeze until they are hard. The hard edges of the cookie and the soft middle of the ice cream make each mouthful taste great and feel good.

You can change these sweets in so many ways. You may use different ice cream flavors, add sprinkles, roll the edges in crushed almonds, or drizzle with chocolate. Ice cream sandwiches are a fun and nostalgic treat that people of all ages love. They’re also easy to grab and eat without plates or utensils. Make these ahead of time and freeze them until it’s time for dessert. They bring cool relaxation and a homey feel to every BBQ.

11. Lemon Bars with Fresh Zest

Lemon bars with fresh zest are the perfect way to end a cookout since they are both sweet and sour. The buttery shortbread crust offers a strong and rich basis, while the lemon curd layer delivers a bright citrus taste that cuts through heavier grilled foods. Using fresh lemon juice and grated zest makes a big difference; it helps the bars smell and taste brighter.

After they are cooked and cooled, a sprinkle of powdered sugar gives them a traditional appearance and a little sweetness. These bars are easy to move and serve, which makes them perfect for outdoor occasions where people want simple treats. Their bright yellow hue and tangy flavor provide a fun touch to any dessert table and are a lighter option than chocolate-heavy ones. Lemon bars are a classic dessert that adds a touch of class and sunlight to any summer meal or outdoor BBQ.

Last Thought

Desserts for the barbecue may make a wonderful picnic even better. The appropriate sweet snacks, like smokey grilled fruits and gooey chocolate desserts, mix well with savory food and bring people together. These 11 choices have a good mix of flavors, textures, and easiness that will please everyone, no matter their age or taste. There is a dessert here for everyone, whether you want something light and fruity or rich and indulgent. So get the grill going, get your favorite foods, and conclude your next cookout on a sweet, fulfilling note that everyone will remember.

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