Summer Barbecue Desserts

Planning dessert for a cookout poses challenges—you probably won't have access to an oven, so fresh-baked pastries or hot sauces aren't a great option. Fortunately, there are plenty of great desserts that are served cold or at room temperature. We've collected pies, ice creams, puddings, and more that will make you want to save room for dessert at your next barbecue.

If the grill is still burning, then why not use it to make dessert? Cantaloupe turns into a sophisticated dessert when grilled and dressed with a sweet, vinegary peach agrodolce. Or try grilling slices of pound cake to serve with a basil-plum compote. And of course there's the most classic cookout dessert of all: s'mores. We love the classic Hershey's s'more, but if you're feeling ambitious you can make a homemade version with whiskey marshmallows, toffee-almond chocolate squares, and graham shortbreads.

At a summer barbecue, ice cream is a perfect way to cool down. The key to making ice cream at home is mastering a simple vanilla. It's delicious on its own, but also serves as a base for all kinds of other flavors, from fig to Vietnamese coffee. For something a little more unusual, try our roasted beet ice cream with mascarpone, orange zest, and poppy seeds from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, OH.

Creamy, cooling pudding is fantastic end to a barbecue. Banana pudding is a classic, with its sweet, comforting combination of vanilla wafers, vanilla pudding, and bananas. For something ultra-retro, try our buttermilk cookie salad.