Desserts for Memorial Day should be a bit rugged. Picnic table seating, a hovering uncle with a spatula, and the drive-warm car-combined with the expectation that they will still taste good. I enjoy elaborate pastries, but this isn’t the holiday for fussy sugary details. These are the simple crowd-pleaser sweets I grab when I want an easy win. And I want my pan to come home empty.
Contents
- 1) Strawberry Sheet Cake
- 2) Fruit Slab Pie
- 3) Lemon Bars
- 4) Brownie Slab
- 5) S’mores Bars
- 6) Banana Pudding Trifle
- 7) Tres Leches Cake
- 8) Coconut Macaroons
- 9) Rice Krispies Treats
- 10) Funfetti Sheet Cake
- 11) Blueberry Buckle
- 12) Peach Cobbler
- 13) Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- 14) Key Lime Pie
- 15) Cookie Bars
- 16) Icebox Cake
- 17) No-Bake Cheesecake
- 18) Lemon Ricotta Cake
- 19) Cherry Dump Cake
- 20) Texas Sheet Cake
- 21) Oatmeal Creme Pies
- 22) Berry Trifle
- 23) Brookies
- 24) Creamsicle Poke Cake
- 25) Peach Crisp Bars
- 26) Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
- 27) Pistachio Fluff Salad
- 28) Chocolate Pudding
- 29) Watermelon Cake
- 30) Mini Cupcakes
- 31) Berry Crumble Bars
1) Strawberry Sheet Cake
As much as I like shortcake, I like it a lot less when I have to assemble shortcakes for 18 people. Sheet cakes are simple and easy desserts that still have the same composition ( vanilla, berries, cream) and don’t take much energy to make. If you’re worried about the whipped topping melting, keep the cake in the fridge until you absolutely have to take it out, and cut it quickly. The first piece has that messy feeling in which summer has officially begun.
2) Fruit Slab Pie
I make slab pie when I want to impress and wow people, but I don’t want to babysit a dozen mini pies. It is like pie, but logistical. It is easy to slice, easy to carry, and feeds a small army. Pick your favorite fruit and don’t think too hard about it. Cherry, apple, blueberry, or peach? If the juices leak a bit, consider it rustic and keep walking.
3) Lemon Bars
Lemon bars are the friend who shows up on time and actually helps clean up. By mid-afternoon I have the urge to break the monotony of rich grilled food with something like that tangy filling and buttery crust. I typically chill them before cutting so the edges are tidy, even if the party isn’t. A damp cloth will be useful for your knife because powdered sugar gets everywhere–even on your elbow.
4) Brownie Slab
You should make brownies because they are the most likely to sell out at the dessert table. A thick slab bakes evenly, slices easily, and disappears quickly: especially if you err on the side of fudgy rather than cakey. I’ve seen a teenager take a small piece of cake, and four minutes later, come back for a corner piece as if it were a mission. Corners are currency at cookouts.
5) S’mores Bars
If you have tried to supervise a s’mores station with kids, you know how quickly it can become mildly terrifying. S’mores bars are the perfect solution: chocolate, toasted marshmallow and a graham cracker crust. All the nostalgia, none of the sticky hands and open flames. I enjoy broiling the marshmallows for a short time to get those brown blisters. Just be careful; it can change from “toasty” to “smoke alarm solo” in no time.
6) Banana Pudding Trifle
My soft spot dessert consists of layers that are simple, unapologetically creamy, and for some reason, quite classy in a glass bowl. The cookies end up getting tender in the best way possible, and the bananas taste like bananas instead of some filler. Prepare it a few hours in advance so the layers have a chance to settle and mingle. I once took it to a party where someone said they “don’t do dessert”, but then went back for seconds. Sure, buddy.
7) Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches is perfect for a crowd since it should be prepared in advance. After a hot day outside, the cool, plush consistency of the milk soaked cake is especially preferable. If you keep it in its pan and take a serving spoon with you, it travels better than you would think. Expect people to ask, quite suspiciously, \”Is is really that moist?\” Yes. It is.
8) Coconut Macaroons
Macaroons are sweet chewy wrecking balls. They are toasty and surprisingly satisfying. They are also gluten-free, so they are ideal for a guest list with some dietary restrictions. I prefer chocolate bottoms, but I guess not having chocolate is still an ok choice. Store a few for yourself; they disappear.
9) Rice Krispies Treats
These are for the part of me that still believes that ‘treats’ should be a little silly. They are quick, serve food to everyone, and do not mind waiting a bit. Brown butter elevates them from just cafeteria nostalgia to something worth talking about. Use a buttered spatula and press lightly: packing them too tightly will make them oddly tough.
10) Funfetti Sheet Cake
I will publicly defend Funfetti. It’s cheerful, and it tastes like a birthday party! Even the grumpiest adults will hover near the dessert table “for the kids.” Use good vanilla and a fluffy frosting so it doesn’t feel flatly sweet. If someone rolls their eyes, just give them a slice anyway.
11) Blueberry Buckle
You could be wearing yesterday’s shirt but you will still look like you came from a nice bakery with a blueberry buckle with a crumbly topping. It is great for dessert, but oddly seems to go with coffee the next morning too. The berries stain stuff purple, so just go with it. I’ve learned to bring napkins that can deal with a little mess.
12) Peach Cobbler
Cobbler is summer fancy comfort food. The fruit becomes jam-like, the top turns golden, and it all smells like you put in more effort than you actually did. If you can, serve it warm, but at room temperature is still good, which is the magic trick for outdoor gatherings. If you are going to bring ice cream, then keep it in a cooler and be prepared for it to turn into ‘ice cream soup’ within two hours.
13) Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This one is divisive, until it isn’t. Salty pretzel crust, creamy center, and strawberry gelatin layer may sound odd, but you will find yourself coming back for “one more sliver.” Make sure the crust cools before adding the creamy layer to keep them distinct. It’s the kind of dessert that vanishes while folks are still arguing if it qualifies as salad.
14) Key Lime Pie
Omdat dit vars en knapperig is, hou ek van die limoenkoek op warm dae. It is perfect for when you want a cool dessert with a little bit of a kick. Allow it to chill fully so the filling sets well and is easy to slice. If you can only find normal limes, it’s okay; most people will be eating and not litigating about citrus pedigree.
15) Cookie Bars
When I want cookies, but don’t want to go through the whole scoop-bake-repeat process, I make cookie bars. What they are looking at is clear to everyone, as the edges of the cookie become slightly caramelized while the center remains soft. If you like the sweet and salty combo (I know I do), you can add some flaky salt. They are also strong enough to survive being transported without crumbling.
16) Icebox Cake
Icebox cake seems like a successful prank. You layer cookies and whipped cream, refrigerate overnight, and the next day it slices like cake: soft layers, no baking required. It must be kept cold until serving since it’s essentially a creamy sponge thing. I’ve managed to pull together a charming outfit even at midnight before a party while half asleep.
17) No-Bake Cheesecake
Single-serving cups make serving easy. No need for cutting, and no worry about who touched what. Customization is also simple: add berries, lemon curd, chocolate shavings, or any other toppings you may have. If you are concerned about heat, place them in a cooler and take them out in batches. People love desserts that have a touch of elegance but feel like home.
18) Lemon Ricotta Cake
Lemon ricotta is soft, bright, and has the perfect amount of richness without being too heavy. It looks lovely on a buffet table, is easy to transport, and adds a cheerful touch to the conclusion 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. Store whipped cream in a chilled container and let people add it themselves.
19) Cherry Dump Cake
Though dump cake might not look pretty and has an unglamorous name, it has a strangely comforting soul. A fruit filling, cake mix, and butter combo baked into something that resembles a cobbler. It would be better if you’re trying to balance grilling, kids, and an unexpected lack of clean mixing bowls. Serve it warmed or at room temperature; it is forgiving.
20) Texas Sheet Cake
This cake is perfect for large groups; it bakes quickly (and in a shallow pan) and is easy to cut into lots of slices. I find it oddly soothing, but it does feel a bit old-school. It comes out incredibly chocolatey without needing expensive chocolates. Typically, it’s the first dessert to disappear.
21) Oatmeal Creme Pies
Homemade oatmeal creme pies have the nostalgic flavors of the ones in the store, but with a better texture. Gently warmed cinnamon, soft oatmeal cookies and vanilla cream filling paired with iced tea. Because seating is often difficult to come by at outdoor parties, the hand-held nature of them is particularly relevant. Prepare them a day in advance and cover them to keep them soft.
22) Berry Trifle
I have no problem using pre-made pound cake for a trifle, and I rest easy in doing so. When you layer cake cubes, berries, and whipped cream (or pudding), it creates a dessert that looks like you really thought out your plan. You can also customize it: just substitute your choice of berries if you find some better ones at the store. The only real rule is to make enough, as people return with an alarming abundance of confidence.
23) Brookies
Most of us, when it comes to dessert time, can’t decide. Brookies are just for that crowd. You get the chewy edge of cookies and the dense fudginess of brownies. They also serve as a great way to ignite some conversation. People will always ask what they are, and then you get to say “brookies” as if it’s some perfectly ordinary term. Serve them warm and see the edges disappear.
24) Creamsicle Poke Cake
This is like hearing an ice cream truck from far away, but for dessert. The orange flavor brings everything to life, and the creamy topping balances the sweetness. Poke cakes are also very forgiving which is nice when you are preparing lots of other food. Chill it well; it’s better cold.
25) Peach Crisp Bars
I find these very useful. You’re not doing a million steps since the base and topping are usually the same mixture. They cut nicely, and if you’re fine with some blissful crumbs, you don’t need plates. Use fresh peaches if they are available; otherwise, frozen peaches will work.
26) Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Even though chocolate-covered strawberries look classy, the process is simply \\”dip, chill, repeat.\\” Since they need to be kept cool, I don\’t bring them out until just before serving. I know they will be eaten quickly. Use dried strawberries so that the chocolate sticks and sets easily. They are somewhat high-maintenance relative to bars, but there are times when a bit of drama is nice.
27) Pistachio Fluff Salad
This one represents “potluck” culture, and I mean that in an affectionate way. After a bit of salty grilled food, it oddly refreshing. Depending on your household traditions, you can keep it simple or include crushed pineapple or marshmallows. Someone will inquire about the recipe as if it’s a secret family heirloom.
28) Chocolate Pudding
A large bowl of chocolate pudding is a very relaxing addition to any dessert table. It is soft and cool, and is not boring for kids or adults. Making it from scratch gives it a deeper flavor and less sweetness, but a boxed version works too! No shame in that at a holiday cookout. Do not skip the pinch of salt; it helps the chocolate taste more chocolatey.
29) Watermelon Cake
This is my go-to for scorching hot days when I want to serve somthing light. You dry a carved watermelon cake, cover it with whipped cream or yogurt, and decorate with berries. Feels festive and hydrating—honestly, I probably don’t say that enough, if ever, about dessert. Slice it and serve it cold, watermelon waits for no one.
30) Mini Cupcakes
Mini cupcakes address the issue of wanting just a small portion after a large plate of barbecue. Combine vanilla and chocolate so everyone feels included. They’re also perfect for kids who might dash back outside in the middle of eating. When transporting them, a tight-fitting container is important; otherwise, you’ll arrive with some modern art made of frosting.
31) Berry Crumble Bars
I appreciate desserts that reference the holiday without turning into a themed craft project. These bars do just that, with strawberries and blueberries for the colors, a buttery crumble that tastes like you meant it, and an easy grabbing hold together base. They are best after a brief chill, once the filling firms up slightly. Bringing these will make you look put together, even if it’s only for an hour.
