23 Cookout Desserts for Backyard Meals, Dessert Tables, and Summer Plates

A backyard cookout usually ends with people looking for one more bite after the grill cools down. Pick something that matches the table, the weather, or what you want to carry outside. Set it out after burgers, grilled mains, or a casual plate of sides.

A close-up of a delectable strawberry shortcake reveals layers of biscuit, whipped cream, and fresh strawberry pieces on a plate. In the background, a bowl of strawberries enhances the sweet temptation. — Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A dessert with a crumbly crust, creamy filling, a layer of red gelatin, topped with a whipped cream dollop and a strawberry slice, on a white plate with a spoon. — Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and strawberry Jell-O make Strawberry Pretzel Salad a 4-hour 30-minute dessert with 6 servings. Boiling water, brown sugar, butter, sugar, vanilla, Cool Whip, and fresh strawberries build the sweet-salty layers. It fits cookout dessert tables because the pan chills ahead and slices into squares when the meal moves outside. Keep it cold until serving so the layers hold their shape.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Peach Cobbler

Fresh peaches and a golden batter make Peach Cobbler a 1-hour dessert with 6 servings. Sugar, cinnamon, eggs, melted butter, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, and ice cream for serving keep the dish simple and fruit-forward. It fits backyard meals because one warm baking dish can serve the table after grilled mains. Spoon it into bowls and add ice cream while the cobbler is still warm.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler

Tangy Lemon Pie

A slice of lemon pie sits on a plate next to a pie with a slice removed. — Tangy Lemon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sweetened condensed milk and fresh lemons make Tangy Lemon Pie a 2-hour 45-minute dessert with 8 servings. Graham cracker crumbs, sugar, butter, egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, and powdered sugar build the crust, filling, and topping. It fits summer plates because the pie chills before slicing and brings a cool citrus finish. Add whipped cream just before serving.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Lemon Pie

Strawberry Pound Cake

A sliced bundt cake with a pink interior, topped with powdered sugar, glaze, and fresh strawberries. — Strawberry Pound Cake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fresh strawberry puree and a pink glaze make Strawberry Pound Cake a 1-hour 20-minute dessert with 12 servings. Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, salt, baking soda, buttermilk, vanilla, powdered sugar, and lemon juice build the Bundt cake and glaze. It fits dessert tables because slices hold well on a platter and can be made ahead. Serve with extra strawberries, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pound Cake

Fruit Pizza

A close-up of a vibrant fruit tart topped with slices of kiwi, strawberries, mango, grapes, and blueberries arranged in a decorative pattern. — Fruit Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A cookie-style crust and cream cheese filling make Fruit Pizza a 1-hour 45-minute dessert with 6 servings. Butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, flour, baking powder, salt, cream cheese, powdered sugar, kiwi, blueberries, strawberries, mango, and grapes build the base and fruit topping. It fits cookout plates because the round dessert cuts into slices like pizza. Chill before serving so the cream cheese layer stays neat.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza

Key Lime Bars

A close-up of dessert bars with a crumbly crust, creamy filling, and whipped topping, garnished with lime slices in the background. — Key Lime Bars. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Graham cracker crust and key lime filling make Key Lime Bars a 2-hour 40-minute dessert with 16 servings. Sugar, melted butter, egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, key lime zest, sour cream, salt, and whipping cream build the tart squares. They fit dessert tables because the bars chill, cut cleanly, and travel better than a whole pie. Serve cold with whipped cream on top.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Bars

Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting

Vanilla and lemon cupcakes with swirled pink raspberry buttercream frosting, each topped with a fresh raspberry, arranged closely together. — Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fresh lemon and raspberry buttercream make Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting a 1-hour 20-minute dessert with 14 cupcakes. Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, unsalted butter, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and buttermilk build the cupcake base. They fit cookouts because the portions are already set for a crowd. Let the cupcakes cool fully before piping the frosting so the tops stay clean.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting

Blueberry Cobbler

Fresh blueberries and cake-like batter make Blueberry Cobbler a 40-minute dessert with 16 servings. Butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, lemon zest, milk, vanilla, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon bring the berry filling and topping together. It fits backyard meals because the 9-by-13-inch dish can feed a larger table. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream after the cookout plates clear.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler

Strawberry Cookies

Freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry powder make Strawberry Cookies a 32-minute dessert with 24 cookies. Flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla create soft cookies with real berry flavor. They fit cookout dessert tables because cookies are easy to stack, carry, and hand out without plates. Serve them beside lemonade, fruit, ice cream, or a tray of bars for a simple sweet option.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cookies

Rhubarb Cake

Rhubarb, orange zest, and cinnamon make Rhubarb Cake a 1-hour 30-minute dessert with 10 servings. Butter, brown sugar, eggs, plain flour, baking powder, sour cream, extra rhubarb, raw sugar, icing sugar, and ice cream for serving build the tender cake. It fits summer plates because the tart rhubarb balances richer cookout food. Slice it after cooling and serve with powdered sugar or ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Cake

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

A close-up image of layered lemon raspberry cake slices topped with fresh raspberries and lemon zest. — Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sugar cookie crust and raspberry puree make Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars a 3-hour 10-minute dessert with 12 servings. Butter, egg, lemon peel, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, fresh raspberries, and extra garnish build the swirled cheesecake layer. They fit cookout dessert tables because the pan chills before cutting into bars. Serve cold so the filling stays firm and the raspberry swirl shows cleanly.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Lemon Pound Cake

Sliced lemon cake with glaze on parchment paper, next to lemon slices. — Lemon Pound Cake. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Lemon zest and lemon glaze make Lemon Pound Cake a 1-hour 15-minute dessert with 8 servings. Sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, lemon juice, sour cream, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, powdered sugar, milk or cream, and a pinch of salt build the loaf and glaze. It fits backyard meals because slices can sit on a platter without much fuss. Pair with berries, ice cream, or coffee.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake

Tangy Rhubarb Crisp

A baked dessert with a crumbly brown topping and red filling sits in a dish, with a portion served in a separate bowl. Spoons are present in both the dish and the bowl. — Tangy Rhubarb Crisp. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Rhubarb and ginger make Tangy Rhubarb Crisp a 1-hour 5-minute dessert with 4 servings. Sugar softens the rhubarb before butter, brown sugar, and plain flour become the crumble topping. It fits summer plates because the tart fruit and warm crisp can share space with ice cream after dinner. Serve slightly cooled so the filling thickens and the topping keeps its texture.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Rhubarb Crisp

Strawberry Earthquake Cake

A slice of cherry-topped cake with a creamy layer, served on a white plate. — Strawberry Earthquake Cake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Strawberries, cream cheese, and white chocolate make Strawberry Earthquake Cake a 1-hour 5-minute dessert with 8 servings. Vanilla cake mix, eggs, water, oil, melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, diced strawberries, and white chocolate chips build the 9-by-13-inch cake. It fits dessert tables because the pan serves a crowd in squares. Add extra strawberries or vanilla ice cream when the slices go out.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies

Fresh raspberries and white chocolate make Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies a 40-minute dessert with 9 blondies. Melted salted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, flour, and baking powder build the batter before the berries and chocolate are folded in. They fit cookout dessert tables because the square pan cuts into portable pieces. Cool completely before slicing so the blondies hold together on a platter.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies

S’mores Rice Krispies

Close-up of stacked dessert bars made with crispy rice cereal, marshmallows, graham cracker pieces, and chocolate drizzle. — S’mores Rice Krispies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Mini marshmallows, crispy rice cereal, and graham crackers make S’mores Rice Krispies a 35-minute no-bake dessert with 16 servings. Butter, vanilla extract, salt, and chopped semi-sweet chocolate bring the campfire flavor into bars without a fire pit. They fit cookouts because the squares travel well and can sit at room temperature. Cut them into neat pieces once the chocolate has set.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Rice Krispies

Strawberry Cake

Sliced strawberries and sour cream make Strawberry Cake a 55-minute dessert with 8 servings. Butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, and powdered sugar build the round cake with a fruit-filled crumb. It fits backyard meals because the cake can be baked ahead and served on a simple plate. Dust with powdered sugar and add fresh strawberries just before putting it on the table.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cake

Kool Aid Pie

A slice of cream pie on a white plate, topped with whipped cream. An orange slice and a drink are in the background. — Kool Aid Pie. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Orange Kool-Aid mix and sweetened condensed milk make Kool Aid Pie a 1-hour 5-minute no-bake dessert with 8 servings. Whipped topping and a graham cracker crust keep the ingredient list short while the refrigerator sets the filling. It fits warm-weather dessert tables because the oven stays off and the pie slices stay cold. Serve with extra whipped cream or citrus zest after chilling.
Get the Recipe: Kool Aid Pie

Strawberry Poke Cake

A slice of cake with a light pink and beige interior, topped with white frosting and sliced strawberries. — Strawberry Poke Cake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Strawberry gelatin and white cake mix make Strawberry Poke Cake a 4-hour 55-minute dessert with 16 servings. Water, butter, milk, eggs, boiling water, whipped topping, and sliced strawberries build the chilled 9-by-13-inch cake. It fits cookout dessert tables because the pan can be made ahead and cut into squares. Add the fresh strawberries right before serving for a clean top.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake

Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet

Delicious homemade watermelon sorbet served in a glass bowl with watermelon slices. — Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Ripe watermelon and lime juice make Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet a 1-day, 10-minute frozen dessert with 4 servings. Honey adds sweetness before the blended mixture freezes for 18 to 24 hours and spins on the sorbet setting. It fits summer plates because the cold scoops bring a lighter finish after heavy grilled food. Serve right away from the machine or respin if needed.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet

Strawberry Brownies

Two pieces of chocolate brownies with a swirl of red fruit, possibly raspberry or cherry, stacked on a surface with more brownies in the background. — Strawberry Brownies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fresh strawberries and melted chocolate make Strawberry Brownies a 55-minute dessert with 24 servings. Flour, salt, butter, semi-sweet or dark chocolate, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla build the brownie base, while strawberry puree swirls through the top. They fit dessert tables because the pan cuts into many pieces. Cool completely before slicing so the squares keep their shape.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Brownies

Vanilla Ice Cream

Heavy cream and vanilla bean make Vanilla Ice Cream a 4-hour 10-minute dessert with 8 servings. Sugar and pure vanilla extract keep the base short before it chills, churns, and freezes until set. It fits cookout desserts because scoops can top cobblers, cakes, brownies, and crisps from the same table. Let it soften briefly before serving so it scoops more easily.
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Ice Cream

Strawberry Shortcake

Cooked strawberries, biscuits, and whipped cream make Strawberry Shortcake a 37-minute dessert with 6 servings. Strawberries, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cold butter, buttermilk, whipping cream, and lime zest build the fruit and biscuit layers. It fits summer plates because the pieces can be assembled after dinner instead of sitting too long. Keep the biscuits and berries separate until serving.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake