- BBQ Desserts to Sweeten Your Next Cookout works best when the ideas are practical, easy to adapt, and flexible enough to fit different occasions. Use the suggestions below as a starting point, then tailor to your guest list and setup.
A great BBQ deserves a great dessert spread. Here are 12 BBQ dessert ideas spanning no-bake treats, fruit-based options, and crowd-pleasing classics.
Easy No-Bake Cookout Desserts
1. No-bake cheesecake jars - cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla layered with crushed graham crackers and fruit compote in individual jars; chill until set. 2. Cookie ice cream sandwiches - scoop softened ice cream between two soft, chewy cookies and roll edges in sprinkles or mini chocolate chips; Mrs. Fields cookies are ideal for this. 3. Peanut butter bars - peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted butter pressed into a pan, chilled, then topped with a layer of melted chocolate. 4. Icebox cake - layer graham crackers with whipped cream or pudding and refrigerate overnight; top with fresh fruit or chocolate shavings before serving.
Fruit-Based Desserts to Bring to a BBQ
5. Strawberry popsicles - blend ripe strawberries with lemon juice and honey; pour into molds and freeze until solid. 6. Key lime pie - fresh lime juice and sweetened condensed milk served chilled with whipped cream and lime zest. 7. Grilled pineapple - brush pineapple slices with melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar; grill until caramelized and slightly charred. 8. Ambrosia salad - canned fruit cocktail, pineapple, oranges, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows folded into whipped cream; chill a few hours before serving.
BBQ Desserts Everyone Will Love
9. Classic chocolate chip cookies - timeless, crowd-pleasing, and easy to transport. Order Mrs. Fields soft-baked cookies delivered to your doorstep for zero prep. 10. S'mores - no BBQ is complete without this campfire classic; set up a s'mores station with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars. 11. Watermelon with mint and feta - slice and serve with a sprinkle of mint and crumbled feta for a refreshing, effortless dessert. 12. Brownie bites - bite-sized brownies are easy to serve, require no cutlery, and satisfy chocolate cravings instantly; Mrs. Fields brownie bites are a no-prep option that always impresses.
Explore 12 BBQ desserts with planning tips and practical details that make the idea easier to adapt for any cookout.
Related ideas to explore next If you want to keep building on this topic, good next reads include How to Make Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches, The Best Ice Cream Social Ideas, and 10 Camping Desserts. They are useful for comparing techniques, finding adjacent inspiration, or choosing a Mrs. Fields option that fits a different craving or occasion.
FAQ
1. What is the best dessert to bring to a BBQ?
The best BBQ desserts are portable, don't require refrigeration for short periods, and can be served without plates or cutlery. Cookie ice cream sandwiches, s'mores, brownie bites, and popsicles all fit perfectly. For zero preparation, a Mrs. Fields cookie assortment or brownie bite box is the most reliably crowd-pleasing option that requires no work on your part.
2. What BBQ desserts can be made ahead of time?
No-bake cheesecake jars, icebox cake, peanut butter bars, popsicles, key lime pie, and ambrosia salad all benefit from being made the night before - they need refrigeration time to set properly and taste better when flavours have had time to meld. Cookie ice cream sandwiches can be assembled and frozen days in advance.
3. What desserts hold up well in summer heat at a BBQ?
Cookies, brownies, peanut butter bars, and fruit-based desserts (watermelon, popsicles kept in a cooler) hold up best in summer heat. Avoid anything with whipped cream or ice cream that will melt quickly. Keep cold desserts in a cooler with ice until serving time, and bring cookies and bars in a covered container to protect from insects and direct sun.
