Since before the dawn of civilization, humankind has harnessed the power of fire to enhance the quality and flavor of food. Even today, we’re hard-wired to love the smell of sizzling wood, the sight of wafting plumes of smoke, and the musky taste of charcoal that comes from food cooked over an open flame.
It should come as no surprise, then, that barbeques and cookouts are still a time-honored tradition celebrated by cultures around the world. In fact, you might have a barbeque scheduled in your calendar right now.
But here at Whisked!, we don’t believe that all glory belongs to the master of the flame. We know that the only things tastier than fire-cooked food are what comes after: the desserts. That’s why we’ve curated this list of 9 mind-blowingly good desserts that you can bring to brighten up any barbeque.
Individual Key Lime Pies
Via Food Network
Nothing says summertime like the taste of key lime (hey, that rhymed!) Not just adorable, these mini key lime pies are relatively simple to make, and are sure to “unlock” the sweet tooths of everyone at your barbeque. Keys, please!
Blackberry Chip Ice Cream
Via Food Network
It’s official, folks: ice cream is America’s #1 favorite dessert on the 4th of July. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at making some of your own homemade ice cream, now’s the perfect time! We love how this recipe incorporates fresh blackberries and chocolate chips to make the best blend of fruity, chocolatey goodness you could ever ask for. Just make sure to save room for seconds!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Via Food Network
Cookie, candy, and ice cream aficionados can all agree that this classic, easy-to-make recipe is a summertime favorite. Pro Tip: if you want to take this dessert to the next level, buy chocolate chip cookies online from Whisked!
Peach Crisp
Via Delish
It’s crispy! It’s fruity! It’s just like grandma used to make! This recipe for Peach Crisp (not to be confused with a peach cobbler) incorporates old-fashioned oats for a crispy, crunchy topping above a bed of soft, cinnamony peaches.
Serve with vanilla ice cream for a refreshing summer treat that goes well with any meal of the day.
S’mores Krispie Treats
Via Delish
Here’s a fun fact: all kids love the taste of S’mores. But if you’d rather keep your little ones from being covered in melted chocolate and marshmallow from head to toe, try serving them these fun make-ahead S’mores Krispie Treats!
Unlike a regular s’more, these yummy delights use cereal (either Rice Krispies or Golden Grahams) instead of graham crackers for a game-changing twist on this old campfire favorite.
Trash Brownies
Via Delish
If there was ever an award given for “The Best Dessert with The Worst Name”, these trash brownies would bring home the gold medal. Thanks to a deceptively delicious blend of flavors, textures, and toppings, this could just be the best dessert you’ll ever make.
Bring a batch along to your next barbeque -- soon you’ll have the most famous trash this side of New Jersey! (No offense to our friends in the Garden State, of course.)
Strawberry Panna Cotta
So, you want to bring a cool, refreshing dessert to this week’s barbeque, but you don’t have time to make ice cream? Well, we’ve got a recipe for you! This Strawberry Panna Cotta has a delicate fruity flavor that’s perfect for any occasion.
Best of all, you’ll only need a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes of prep time. Why buy store-bought when you can go homemade?
Frozen Candy Banana Pops
Via RealSimple
We loved making these as kids, and they’re a great way to sneak a full serving of fruit into your dessert! This particular recipe uses Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as its outer layer, which works surprisingly well when paired with frozen bananas.
The hardest thing about making this recipe is waiting for the chocolate to cool-- you’re gonna want these, and you’re gonna want them ASAP.
Campfire Cupcakes
Via Delish
If only our pre-civilization ancestors could lay their eyes on this, the absolute pinnacle of human dessert engineering and the most appropriate dessert that could ever be consumed after eating a meal made from fire. Granted, you’ll need an oven and a lot of icing to make these adorable delicacies, but the results will be well worth it.
The only downside: you’ll need to make plenty for your next cookout, because these will go FAST.
If you want to save yourself some time but still want to be a BBQ hero you can order desserts online from Whisked! Just make sure to demonstrate restraint and not eat all the sweat treats beforehand.
About the author, Jenna Huntsberger
Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Jenna moved to DC in 2005 to work in nonprofit communications. After deciding her real passion was pastry, she founded Whisked! in 2011, selling baked goods at a local farmer's market. Today, Whisked! cookies and pies are carried in more than 100 retail locations, and have been featured in publications like the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, and NPR.
