Ready to be the star of your next summer BBQ? Bring one of these 19 easy dessert recipes to the table and watch as the compliments roll in. These sweet treats are designed to wow your guests and leave them asking for seconds (or thirds!).
From creamy cheesecake to Jello salads, there’s something for every palate. So, get ready to turn up the heat on your summer BBQ with these mouthwatering, easy-to-make desserts that are guaranteed to sweeten up your gathering!
Italian Ricotta Cookies
Italian Ricotta Cookies are soft, moist, and delicious. Their unique texture, provided by the ricotta, makes them perfect for a light summer dessert. With a hint of lemon, they are a refreshing treat that’s sure to impress at any summer event.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies
No Bake Pina Colada Cheesecake
These Pina Colada Cheesecakes are like a tropical getaway in dessert form! Made in Mason jars they are portable and their coconut-pineapple flavor will have you swaying to island rhythms. Summer + Cheesecake = Paradise.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Pina Colada Cheesecake
Easy Cheesecake Bars
Because who doesn’t love cheesecake? These Cheesecake Bars are portable, sliceable, and incredibly decadent. They’re a top-notch potluck dessert because they offer the richness of cheesecake in a fuss-free, easy-to-serve format.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesecake Bars
Watergate Salad
Watergate salad is a sweet and creamy make-ahead dessert that brings a touch of nostalgia to your summer cookouts. With its combination of fluffy whipped cream, crushed pineapple, and crunchy pistachios, it’s a delightful treat for all ages.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad
No Bake Haystack Cookies
No Bake Haystack Cookies are perfect for those warm summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven! With crunchy, sweet flavors and a delightful, airy texture, these cookies require minimal ingredients and time to prepare. Plus, kids love helping to make these fun, quick treats.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Haystack Cookies
Orange Fluff Salad
This vibrant orange fluff salad is the perfect make-ahead dessert for summer cookouts. With its creamy texture, citrusy flavor, and hints of sweetness, it’s a refreshing treat on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Orange Fluff Salad
Tie Dye Jello Cookies
These Tie Dye Jello Cookies are an edible celebration of sunny colors! The bright hues and fun patterns make these cookies an instant hit at summer get-togethers or just a day chilling at home.
Get the Recipe: Tie Dye Jello Cookies
Iced Lemon Cookies
Bake a batch of these Chewy Iced Lemon cookies that have a bold taste of fresh lemon in a soft buttery sugar cookie. A delicious recipe for the lemon lover and perfect for summer.
Get the Recipe: Iced Lemon Cookies
Kitchen Sink Cookies
Kids will love these loaded chocolate chip cookies that are filled with everything but the kitchen sink! Chocolate chips, candies, nuts, pretzels and potato chips turn the classic cookie into a sweet-and-salty treat.
Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookies
Coconut Bars with Chocolate Chips
These Coconut Bars with Chocolate Chips are a little slice of heaven. They are super easy to transport, can be cut to feed a crowd, and offer a sweet, tropical twist to the usual chocolatey desserts making them totally irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Bars with Chocolate Chips
Old Fashioned Pecan Cake Bars
Create a taste of nostalgia with old-fashioned pecan cake bars, a treasured family recipe featuring just 4 ingredients that come together to create a dessert that is both comforting and irresistibly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pecan Cake Bars
Peanut Butter Cookies
The easiest ever Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe with only a few ingredients and done in less than 20 minutes are a perfect staple for a quick dessert idea. Bring them along to your next potluck and watch them disappear.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cookies
Cool Whip Cookies
Cool Whip Cookies are refreshing, light, and packed full of zesty lemon flavor. They’re the perfect antidote to a hot summer day. With their tangy taste and soft texture, they’re like little bites of sunshine!
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies
Chewy S’mores Cookie
When you don’t have access to a campfire, these chocolate chewy s’mores cookies are the next best thing. They’re absolutely delightful with the marshmallow baked into the center.
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’mores Cookie
Banana Buttermilk Cake
Sign up for dessert and bring this amazing cake that everyone will love! It’s rich, moist, and infused with banana flavor, and the cream cheese glaze puts it over the top!
Get the Recipe: Banana Buttermilk Cake
Sugar Cookie Bars
Sugar Cookie Bars are sweet, simple, and an excellent way to feed a crowd at a summer picnic or gathering. They are lighter and less dense than traditional cookies, making them a less heavy choice for a summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Bars
No-Bake Macaroons
Whip up these delicious no-bake macaroons with only 5 ingredients. With their chewy coconut texture and sweet flavor, these delightful treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and easy to bring with you to a party.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Macaroons
Marshmallow Fruit Salad
Treat your tastebuds to a decadent marshmallow fruit salad made with Cool Whip. With just five simple ingredients, you can enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make dessert any time!
Get the Recipe: Marshmallow Fruit Salad
Lime Jello Salad
Lime Jello salad is a refreshing and nostalgic dessert that brings a burst of citrusy goodness to summer cookouts. With its vibrant green color and sweet-tart flavor, it’s a fun and playful addition to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad