74 Best Barbecue Desserts for Your Next Cookout

Updated on Apr. 03, 2025

Whether you're grilling in the backyard or bringing a dish to an outdoor potluck, these easy, breezy barbecue desserts will steal the spotlight at any summer cookout.

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You don’t have to be a grill master to contribute to a cookout. Summer barbecue desserts will turn heads and steal attention away from the other easy barbecue recipes. They might even entice your guests to skip dinner and head straight to the sweets! If you don’t already have a go-to dish, you’ll find one here. We gathered our best-reviewed and most summery-tasting desserts that fit right in at any backyard barbecue. Fair warning: Once people know what you’re capable of, you might be on dessert duty forevermore.

Expect to find classics like banana pudding, fruit pies, no-bake cheesecakes and many different ice cream recipes. These fan favorites are always safe options, but we’ve also included a few elevated desserts for adventurous eaters. Think s’more brownies, homemade popsicles, dessert pizza, icebox cakes and a few different spins on tiramisu.

Want to be the ultimate guest? One-up your own dessert with refreshing batch cocktail recipes that everyone will love to sip on all day long.

1/74

Banana Pudding

Total Time 35 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

2/74

Raspberry Crumble Bars

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: To give these fresh, fruity bars even more crunch, add a sprinkling of nuts to the yummy crumb topping. Everyone will want to indulge. —Leanna M. Thorne, Lakewood, Colorado

3/74

Pig Pickin’ Cake

Total Time 40 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina

4/74

Icebox Cake

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: You don't have to bake to serve a wonderful dessert! This icebox cake is made from chocolate wafers and whipping cream. It is so delicious.—Cindy Hawkins, New York, New York

5/74

Lemon Strawberry Trifle

Total Time 20 min
Servings 14 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington

6/74

Cookie Dough Ice Cream

Total Time 35 min
Servings 16 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: Ice cream isn't as hard to make as you might think. If you love cookie dough, you're going to want to try this chocolate treat. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7/74

Strawberry Tart

Total Time 30 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This creamy strawberry tart boasts a crunchy chocolate layer tucked next to the crust. Try making individual tartlets instead of one big dessert. —Dawn Tringali, Hamilton Square, New Jersey

8/74

Peach Crumble Pie

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A delightful summertime pie, this dessert is overflowing with fresh peach flavor. Each sweet slice is packed with old-fashioned appeal. The streusel topping makes this peach crumble pie a little different than the ordinary and adds homemade flair. —Sally Holbrook, Pasadena, California

9/74

Mixed Berry Tiramisu

Total Time 35 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Because I love tiramisu, I came up with this deliciously refreshing twist on the traditional coffee-flavored Italian dessert. Fresh softened berries star with crisp ladyfinger cookies and mascarpone cheese. Serve it from a glass bowl or in clear dishes to show off the luscious layers. —Najmussahar Ahmed, Ypsilanti, Michigan
10/74

Cookie Butter Pie

Total Time 20 min
Servings 2 pies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator: I tasted Biscoff cookie butter at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make it your own by using peanut butter or another kind of spread and matching toppings instead. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama
11/74

Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake

Total Time 30 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut combines beautifully with the tart lemon juice, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. Look for cream of coconut in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
12/74

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Total Time 15 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Our family loves dessert, and this chocolaty, layered treat is one of Mom's most-requested recipes. It's so easy to prepare this Oreo ice cream cake! —Kimberly Laabs, Hartford, Wisconsin

13/74

Strawberry Pretzel Pie

Total Time 45 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This cool no-bake strawberry pie is the perfect cure for your sweet tooth, especially in summer. Made with pantry staples, it is as easy as pie to make and has become one of my most requested warm-weather treats. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
14/74

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

Total Time 45 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
15/74

Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes

Total Time 1 hour 50 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This deliciously different dessert, with a soft inside and a crumbly crust, is made in the slow cooker in jars instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled shortcake jars and serve. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
16/74

Blueberry Pie Recipe

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I've been making this blueberry pie recipe for decades since the ingredients for the filling are readily available in Michigan. Nothing says summer like a piece of fresh blueberry pie! —Linda Kernan, Mason, Michigan

17/74

Strawberry Banana Pudding

Total Time 20 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I add in additional fruit to get a little closer to all those servings you need every day. You can also try using different flavored puddings and fruit to switch up the recipe. —Jackie Termont, Richmond, Virginia

18/74

Giant Buckeye Cookie

Total Time 35 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, Ohio
19/74

Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream

Total Time 35 min
Servings 1-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator: This rhubarb crumble ice cream combines two of my favorite desserts into one fantastic creation! If you close your eyes, it actually tastes like you're taking a bite of fresh rhubarb crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Throw this into a waffle cone and enjoy a classic summertime treat! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
20/74

Lemon Raspberry Buckle

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I've given a fresh summery twist to the classic blueberry buckle everyone loves by replacing the blueberries for raspberries (my favorite) and adding sweet and tart lemon curd. This berry buckle cake recipe tastes great with vanilla ice cream! —Jenna Fleming, Lowville, New York
21/74

Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

Total Time 35 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: While growing up, I loved treats from the ice cream truck that rolled through my neighborhood. This ice cream cake is inspired by one of those crunchy, strawberry novelties. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
22/74

Key Lime Cream Pie

Total Time 40 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing—perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, and everyone asks for the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida
23/74

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars

Total Time 45 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These cheesecake bars layer a buttery pecan shortbread crust with a rich and creamy filling and sweet-tart strawberry rhubarb jam. For larger squares, cut into nine bars instead of 16. —Amanda Scarlati, Sandy, Utah
24/74

Peach Cobbler Cookies

Total Time 45 min
Servings about 4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My sister brought me fresh peaches one year, and we decided to make these fruity cookies. They also make fantastic ice cream sandwiches—just put some vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a delicious summer treat! —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa
25/74

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

Total Time 35 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My granddaughter Sydney has acquired a love of baking. While I was visiting her in Tampa, we made these light, fluffy cupcakes. She's a natural—they turned out fantastic! —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
26/74

Banana Split Cake Bars

Total Time 50 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Summer isn’t summer without a banana split or two, and these fun bars bring that same delicious flavor in potluck-perfect form. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming
27/74

Mango Sorbet

Total Time 25 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: You'll love the sunny color and fruity flavor of this light dessert. If you can't find mangoes, substitute fresh peaches. To peal peaches, drop them into boiling water for a few seconds. Then you can easily slip the skins right off. —Test Kitchen
28/74

Cherry Hand Pies

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: There's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
29/74

Slow-Cooker Tropical Orange Cake

Total Time 4 hours 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Inspired by the fruity tropical flavors of my all-time favorite yogurt, this makes for a fresh, fun and comforting treat. Try it for a beautiful dessert that is ridiculously easy to prepare! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
30/74

Lemon Tiramisu

Total Time 30 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I created this recipe to please everyone in my family. It's a cross between cheesecake and tiramisu, with a refreshing lemony flavor. Garnish with fresh berries if you have them on hand. —Monica Marolt, Willowick, Ohio
31/74

S’mores Brownies

Total Time 50 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon-graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
32/74

Mango Cheesecake

Total Time 45 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Cheesecake is my mom's favorite dessert. I made this especially for her on Mother's Day to thank her for being such an awesome mom. Decorate to your own taste! —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
33/74

Strawberry Banana Popsicles

Total Time 10 min
Servings 12 pops
From the Recipe Creator: These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
34/74

Blackberry Cobbler

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Alabama has some tasty fresh berries. Several decades ago, my mama was going to pick blackberries to make a cobbler, but she went to the hospital to have me instead! This wonderful dessert is her mama’s recipe. —Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama
35/74

Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars

Total Time 50 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
36/74

Coconut Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 9 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This simple yet satisfying coconut cookie recipe has been around for generations. Pressing a fork into the top gives the look of an old-fashioned washboard. —Tommie Sue Shaw, McAlester, Oklahoma
37/74

Lemon Icebox Cake

Total Time 20 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: As refreshing as it is easy to make, this lemon icebox cake will become a family favorite. Using grated lemon zest in addition to lemon pudding mix gives it a bright lemon flavor. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

38/74

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Total Time 30 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These chewy bars are the perfect no-fuss contribution to a potluck or bake sale. I’ve discovered the trick is to get them into the refrigerator so the chocolate can set before they disappear! —Lorri Speer, Centralia, Washington

39/74

Peach Blueberry Cobbler

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Everyone loves a peach blueberry cobbler. This one is the perfect, scrumptious treat! If you're taking it to a party, you might want to make another one for yourself. There won't be leftovers! —Laura Jansen, Battle Creek, Michigan
40/74

S’mores Dip

Total Time 15 min
Servings 32 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We love making s'mores when we go camping or have a campfire in our backyard, and this easy dip allows us to enjoy this yummy treat any time of the year. I like to make this in a stoneware or cast iron dish to help it retain heat. Try substituting milk chocolate morsels for the semisweet or mini peanut butter cups or peanut butter morsels in place of the chocolate. —Patricia Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire

41/74

Frozen Peanut Butter and Chocolate Terrine

Total Time 30 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This terrine can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer. When served, it cuts easily, revealing the lovely layers of banana, peanut butter and chocolate. —Jennifer Jackson, Keller, Texas
42/74

Bomb Pop Cookies

Total Time 40 min
Servings 40 cookies
From the Recipe Creator: The sound of the ice cream truck has even my husband running out to the curb with money in hand. Our neighborhood has a big potluck on the Fourth of July, so I decided to make cookies that resemble Bomb Pops. These were a big hit! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
43/74

Strawberry Gelato

Total Time 35 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: You'll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey. Fresh raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for the strawberries if you prefer. If your berries are tart, add a touch more sugar or honey. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
44/74

Pina Colada Icebox Cake

Total Time 25 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This icebox cake has all the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
45/74

Pineapple Fluff

Total Time 25 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I often bring this salad to potlucks, and everyone goes crazy for the sweet and crunchy combination. Be sure to add the pretzel mixture right before serving to keep it crispy. —Beth Olby, Ashland, Wisconsin
46/74

Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops

Total Time 35 min
Servings 10 pops
From the Recipe Creator: These delicious ice pops can also be made with raspberries or blackberries. The rosemary sprig and lemon zest bring another layer of flavor. The pops are quick, easy, kid-friendly and freezable. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
47/74

Cheesecake Berry Parfaits

Total Time 15 min
Servings 2 parfaits
From the Recipe Creator: The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
48/74

Honeydew Granita

Total Time 15 min
Servings 5-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Make this refreshing summer treat when melons are ripe and flavorful. I like to garnish each serving with a sprig of mint or a small slice of honeydew. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
49/74

Cherry Delight

Total Time 20 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This smooth and creamy cheesecake-like treat is light, sweet and pretty, too. Convenience products make it quick and easy to prepare. “My husband also likes this dessert when I substitute blueberry pie filling,” notes Lanae Powell of McPherson, Kansas.
50/74

Orange Cream Pops

Total Time 10 min
Servings 10 pops
From the Recipe Creator: For a lower-fat alternative to ice cream-filled pops, try this citrus novelty. The tangy orange flavor will make your taste buds tingle, while the silky smooth texture offers cool comfort. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
51/74

Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 15 servings (3 cups lemon topping)
From the Recipe Creator: This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
52/74

Coconut Meringue Pie

Total Time 45 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We usually have a good selection of pies at our neighborhood get-togethers, but I always come home with an empty pan when I bring this classic. Friends line up for a creamy slice, topped with golden meringue and toasted coconut. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

53/74

Rainbow Jello Cubes

Total Time 30 min
Servings 9 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These perky gelatin cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion—pink and blue for a baby shower, school colors for a graduation party, and so on. Kids of all ages snap them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut
54/74

Apricot Upside-Down Cake

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My Aunt Anne, who is a great cook, gave me a taste of this golden upside-down cake and I couldn't believe how delicious it was. Apricots give it an elegant twist from traditional pineapple versions. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
55/74

Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits

Total Time 30 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This strawberry shortcake is the perfect ending to any meal. Homemade biscuits and fresh berries shine in this classic dessert.
56/74

Chocolate Mousse

Total Time 20 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: A friend shared this rich, velvety mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
57/74

Margarita Cake

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes are delicious, too. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

58/74

Peanut Butter Whipped Cream Frosting

Total Time 10 min
Servings 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator: A luscious peanut butter whipped cream frosting is just a few ingredients away. Try it piped over your favorite chocolate cupcakes or dolloped onto hot chocolate. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
59/74

Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

Total Time 50 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: As someone who grew up in the country, I love getting out into nature whenever I can. I also love home-style recipes, including these yummy brownies. —Carol Prewett, Cheyenne, Wyoming
60/74

Blueberry Ice Cream

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 1-3/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator: The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
61/74

Cannoli Cheesecake

Total Time 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I make this cannoli cheesecake in the summer for a flavorful and refreshing treat. I love the added bonus of not having to turn on the oven in hot weather. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
62/74

Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice

Total Time 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: If you didn’t think watermelon and cilantro could go together in a dessert, this recipe will be a pleasant surprise! Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and a sprig of cilantro on top for extra flair. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
63/74

Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle

Total Time 25 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: After my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
64/74

Fudge Pops

Total Time 20 min
Servings about 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This chocolate frozen dessert is the perfect summer treat! Invite your kids into the kitchen to help you stir the pudding. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
65/74

Coca-Cola Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

66/74

Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
68/74

Rhubarb Crumble

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: To tell you the truth, I'm not sure how well my strawberry rhubarb crumble keeps—we usually eat it all in a day! You can skip the apples and strawberries in the recipe, which I do sometimes. But they do make this quick, easy dessert extra good. —Linda Enslen, Schuler, Alberta
69/74

Bee Sting Cake

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The bee sting cake, or bienenstich, may look daunting, but it's well worth the effort. Take the steps one at a time and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
70/74

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: When I make these yummy treats with my young grandson, Ben, I use an extra-big mixing bowl to prevent the flour and other ingredients from flying all over. He seems to enjoy making the cookies almost as much as eating them!—Chantal Cornwall, Prince Rupert, British Columbia

71/74

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This luscious lemon poppy seed cake recipe uses cake mix and pudding mix for an easy dessert highlighting the classic flavor combination. —Betty Bjarnason, Egbert, ON
72/74

Angel Food Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, airy angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa

73/74

Summer Dessert Pizza

Total Time 50 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Especially refreshing during the summer months, this dessert lets fresh fruit shine. —Ida Ruth Wenger, Harrisonburg, Virginia

74/74

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Total Time 30 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

Barbecue Desserts FAQ

What desserts go well with barbecue?

Ice cream recipes or treats made with summer fruits (like berry-filled pies) go best with barbecue. Frozen desserts cool down the body on a hot summer day and also cool down the palate after a particularly spicy rack of ribs. And fruity desserts using in-season berries or stone fruits always taste like summer. That said, you can’t go wrong with tried-and-true classics, like a pan of brownies or a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

What is the most popular dessert for a summer potluck?

The most popular desserts for summer potlucks contain the familiar flavors everyone seems to love. Fruit cobblers, banana pudding, lemon bars, double-chocolate brownies and ice cream cakes are basically guaranteed hits.

How much dessert should I bring to a barbecue or cookout party?

Assuming the party has a full menu of savory foods, we recommend planning on one to two servings per person of a full-sized dessert (like a slice of pie or cake). If you’re making a mini dessert (like small cookies or dessert dips), plan on making a little extra. Each guest might enjoy three to four bite-sized treats.