31 Memorial Day Desserts That Won’t Melt, Smush, or Disappoint a Hungry Backyard

Desserts for Memorial Day need to be a little rough around the edges. They need to be able to withstand picnic table seating, an uncle hovering with a spatula, a warm drive in the car, and still taste good. I appreciate fancy desserts, but I’m not bringing a holiday dessert for a fancy sugar detail. These are easy win crowd pleasers, and I hope to come home with an empty pan.

1) Strawberry Sheet Cake

Although I enjoy shortcake, I enjoy it a lot less when I have to put together shortcakes for 18 people. Sheet cakes are even easier to make as they are made up of the same ingredients (vanilla, berries, cream) as the shortcakes. If you are worried about the whipped topping melting, you can leave the cake in the fridge as long as possible, take it out, and cut it quickly. The first piece has that summery, messy feeling.

2) Fruit Slab Pie

When I want to wow people without having to babysit a dozen mini pies, I make slab pie. It is kind of like pie, but logistically easier. It is simple to cut and easy to transport. It also feeds a small army. You probably don’t want to overthink what fruit to use. Cherry, apple, blueberry, or peach are all great options. If the juices leak a little bit, just think of it as rustic and keep going.

3) Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are the friend who shows up on time and actually helps clean up.

The somewhat routine experience of having the opportunity to eat rich grilled food becomes a little less routine in the middle of the afternoon. I usually like to take the time to chill them before I cut them into sections so I can have clean edges, even if the party isn’t clean. Because powdered sugar tends to travel a little too far, all the way to your elbow, a damp cloth might help you keep your knife clean.

4) Brownie Slab

Brownies will most likely sell out at the dessert table, making them the best choice to make. Fudgy brownies will also bake evenly, slice easily, and disappear quickly, especially if you bake them in a large slab. I have seen a teenager take a small piece of cake, come back four minutes later, and get a corner piece as if it were a mission. Corner pieces are always coveted at cookouts.

5) S’mores Bars

Supervising kids at a s’mores station can be mildly terrifying. S’mores bars offer the solution! You get chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker crusts. That means all the nostalgia without the sticky hands and fire hazards. Personally, I love broiling the marshmallows, but you have to be careful. It can change from “toasty” to “smoke alarm solo” in no time!

6) Banana Pudding Trifle

One of my favorite desserts has distinct layers that are creamy and somehow classy in a glass bowl. The cookies become tender in a very good way, and the bananas actually taste like bananas, unlike some fillers. Make it a few hours ahead of when you want to serve it so the layers have time to settle and mix. I once brought this to a party and someone said they don’t eat dessert, but then they actually went back for seconds. Nice, bud.

7) Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches is a great option for big groups since it needs to be prepared ahead of time. From a day in the sun, a cool and soft cake soaked in milk is very refreshing. It is better than you would think to just leave it in the pan. Just grab a serving spoon and take it with you. People will ask, looking a bit suspicious, “Is it really that moist?” To answer, yes. Yes, it is.

8) Coconut Macaroons

Macaroons are chewy balls of deliciousness. Their taste is toasty and they are very satisfying. Because macaroons are gluten free they can be enjoyed by people with gluten dietary restrictions. While I love chocolate bottoms the choice of no chocolate is also decent. They seem to disappear quickly so store a few for yourself.

9) Rice Krispies Treats

Brown butter might make these far better than you expect, and might raise them from the level of burnt-sugar-and-melted-chocolate cracker-sandwich nostalgia you might have to something you might consider talking about. They are fast, serve food to everyone, and do not mind waiting a bit. Use buttered spatula and press lightly: packing them too tightly will make them oddly tough.

10) Funfetti Sheet Cake

I will hold a public defense of Funfetti. It’s happy. It’s a birthday party in cake form! Even the crankiest of adults will “hover” around the dessert table as if it were “for the kids” Use quality vanilla and a light frosting so it doesn’t feel cloyingly sweet. If someone is eye-rolling, just serve them a piece anyway.

11) Blueberry Buckle

You may be wearing yesterday’s shirt, but you will still look like you just came from a bakery with a blueberry buckle and crumbly topping that is excellent for dessert and oddly seems to go with coffee the next morning too. The berries stain everything a lovely shade of purple, so just embrace the chaos. I’ve learned to bring napkins that can deal with a little mess.

12) Peach Cobbler

Cobbler is a perfect outdoor summer dessert option. It’s aroma seems as if more effort was put in than was actually done. The top layer becomes golden brown while the fruits transform into a jam-like consistency. It can be served warm, but since the magic trick for outdoor gatherings is served at room temperature, it is still fine to serve it at room temperature. If you plan on serving this dessert with ice cream, store the ice cream in a cooler and be ready for it to become ice cream soup in about two hours.

13) Strawberry Pretzel Salad

“Salty pretzel crust, creamy center, and strawberry gelatin layer” may sound odd, but this dessert is so unique that it’s hard to resist. You’ll be back for “one more sliver,” and when no one is looking, the dessert will be all gone! Everyone will be trying to settle the debate over whether it actually counts as a salad. Just remember, let the crust cool before adding the creamy layer, otherwise they will mix and lose that beautiful separation.

14) Key Lime Pie

I love key lime pie on hot days because it’s fresh and tangy. It is ideal for when you want a refreshing dessert with a bit of a kick. Make sure to let it chill completely so that the filling sets and is easy to cut. If you can only get regular limes, that is fine; most people will be consuming rather than litigating about the citrus pedigree.

15) Cookie Bars

Instead of doing the whole scoop-bake-repeat process to get cookies, I just make cookie bars. The fact that they are cookie bars is obvious to everyone. You can see how the edges of the cookie are slightly bronze, while the middle is still soft. If you enjoy the sweet and salty combo, like me, you can even sprinkle some flaky salt. Also, they are sturdy enough to be transported without breaking.

16) Icebox Cake

Icebox cake appears to be a successful prank. The way to construct it is to layer cookies with some cream, refrigerate it overnight, and the next day it cuts like a cake with its soft layers, plus no baking is required. However, it is a sponge type thing and must be kept cold until served.

17) No-Bake Cheesecake

Single-serving cups facilitate easy service as there is no cutting needed and no concerns about who touched what. Customization is easy as you can add toppings such as berries, lemon curd, chocolate shavings, or other toppings that you may have. If you are worried about heat, you can put them in a cooler and take them out in smaller portions. People enjoy desserts that are a little bit fancy, but feel like home.

18) Lemon Ricotta Cake

Lemon ricotta has a soft texture and a bright flavor profile. It has the right amount of richness, without being too heavy. Additionally, it contributes lovely visual appeal to a buffet table, is easily portable, and provides a cheerful note to the end of a meal.

Spoon some of this over the berries (you can toss them with a little sugar and maybe an extra squeeze of lemon) and you have a dessert that tastes like summer without being fussy.

To allow a self-service experience, store whipped cream in a cool container.

19) Cherry Dump Cake

Dump cake may not win any beauty pageants nor do they have the most glamorous name, but there’s something oddly soothing about them. Baked together, they are fruit filling, cake mix, and butter. Once baked, the mixture forms a cobbler-like dessert. This dish would be ideal if you are attempting to juggle grilling, children, and an impromptu shortage of clean mixing bowls. It’s forgiving and can be served warm or at room temperature.

20) Texas Sheet Cake

This cake is excellent for big gatherings as it is fast to bake (and uses a shallow pan) and can be easily cut into many slices. I find it oddly soothing but it does have a bit of an old feel to it. It comes out surprisingly chocolatey without requiring any pricy chocolate. Usually it is the first dessert that is gone.

21) Oatmeal Creme Pies

Homemade oatmeal creme pies have the nostalgic taste of store-bought ones, but the texture is way better. The cinnamon and vanilla cream filling cookies pair nicely with some iced tea. The hand-held nature of these treats is especially relevant because seating is often hard to come by at outdoor gatherings. Just remember to make them a day in advance, and to cover them to keep them soft!

22) Berry Trifle

I have no issue with using pre-made pound cake for a trifle, nor do I lose any sleep over it. When you combine cake cubes, berries, and whipped cream (or pudding), it feels like you’ve put a lot of thought into this dessert. You can also change it up: just swap in your preferred berries if you find some good ones at the store. The only real rule is to make enough since people come back to get more with a shocking level of confidence.

23) Brookies

It can be hard to decide what to have for dessert. Brookies are the answer! Combine the chewiness of cookies with the fudgy density of brownies. Plus, people will be curious to try them and will ask what they are. Pile up warm brookies and watch as the edges disappear!

24) Creamsicle Poke Cake

This dessert is likened to the sound of an ice cream truck approaching. The orange flavor adds a unique dimension, and the cream topping offsets the sweetness. It’s best chilled. Poke cakes are quite forgiving, which is a real plus when you are making a lot of other food.

25) Peach Crisp Bars

I find these extremely helpful. You’re not doing a million steps since the base and topping are usually the same mixture. They slice easily, and if you’re okay with some delightful crumbs, you don’t need plates. Use fresh peaches if they are in season; otherwise, frozen peaches will be fine.

26) Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

The simplicity of the process makes it easy for anyone to complete, dip, chill, repeat, as such the snacks do not take long to prepare. I will take them out to serve, as they need to be kept cool. I know people will eat them quickly. Cover the strawberries in melted chocolate, as it will be easier to set the chocolate and be less messy. They can be a bit more of a hassle compared to bars, but there are times when a little drama is nice.

27) Pistachio Fluff Salad

I appreciate potluck culture here. After some salty grilled meats, it is oddly refreshing. You can keep it simple depending on your household traditions, or include crushed pineapple or even marshmallows. Someone will ask about the recipe as if it were a secret family recipe.

28) Chocolate Pudding

A bowl of chocolate pudding is an excellent addition to any dessert table because it adds to the table’s variety. Not only is it soft and cool, it is also a dessert that doesn’t get boring for kids or adults. It is also quite simple to make chocolate pudding from scratch, but it can certainly be a store-bought mix as well, and there is no shame in that at holiday cookouts!

Do not skip the pinch of salt; it helps the chocolate taste more chocolatey.

29) Watermelon Cake

I wait for scorching hot days to serve this as it’s light and refreshing. This is a dry carved watermelon cake. Cover your cake like the cool dessert it is with whipped cream or yogurt and decorate with berries. Feels festive and hydrating, honestly, how many desserts do you hear that about? Slice it and serve it cold, watermelon waits for no one.

30) Mini Cupcakes

Mini cupcakes provide an opportunity to have a small dessert after a big platter of barbeque. To make sure everyone is happy, we offer a mix of vanilla and chocolate flavors. They are also ideal for kids who may want to run back outside mid-eating. When transporting them, it is important to have a securely fitting container, or you may end up with some modern frosting art.

31) Berry Crumble Bars

I like desserts that evoke a holiday spirit, but don’t go overboard with the decorations. These bars fit the bill with strawberries and blueberries for the colors, a buttery crumble, and an easy to grab base that holds them together. My preference is to chill them for a little bit to let the filling firm up. If you bring these to a gathering, it’ll look like you put in a lot of effort!