Bringing a delicious dessert to a BBQ party is a great way to impress the host and other guests. With so many tasty options, it can be hard to settle on just one dessert to make and bring. Here are some tips on the best desserts to consider and how to transport them to a BBQ.
Fruit Desserts
Fruit desserts are a refreshing, lighter option perfect for summertime BBQs. They are also easy to transport:
Fruit Salad
A colorful fruit salad is a crowd-pleasing choice. Use a variety of fruits like watermelon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi. Toss the fruit with a dressing like honey-lime or an orange juice based dressing. Serve the salad in a clear bowl so the vibrant colors show. Keep the salad chilled until ready to serve by nesting the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice.
Baked Apples
Core and fill apples with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and chopped nuts. Bake until tender but still holding their shape. Allow to cool completely before transporting so they don’t get mushy. Place each apple in a small plastic bag to prevent leaks.
Fruit Kabobs
Thread cubes of pineapple, mango, strawberries, and grapes onto skewers. Brush with honey or dip in melted chocolate for extra decadence. Transport kabobs lying flat and separated by wax paper in a rigid container.
Banana Pudding
Layer sliced bananas, vanilla pudding, and vanilla wafers in a pan or trifle bowl. Top with whipped cream before serving. Keep chilled with ice packs or in a cooler until ready to serve.
Cookies and Bars
Cookies and bars require minimal utensils to serve and satisfy any sweet tooth.
Cookies
Choose an easy drop cookie like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, or peanut butter. Transport in a plastic container separated by wax paper.
Blondies or Brownies
Cut into small squares that can easily be eaten by hand. Bring to room temperature before serving if refrigerated. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil for transit.
Lemon Bars
A citrusy lemon bar is a refreshing option. Cut into small squares and transport in a disposable foil pan or plastic container.
Pies and Cobblers
Pies are a quintessential backyard BBQ dessert. Mini versions are ideal for transporting and serving.
Mini Pies
Make bite-sized pies in a muffin tin. Favorites like apple, blueberry, cherry, or pecan work well. Transport in the muffin tin or carefully move to a plastic container.
Hand Pies
Form a pie crust round a filling like berries, peaches, or apples. Seal into a half moon shape. Bake until golden. Let cool completely before stacking with wax paper between layers.
Peach or Berry Cobbler
Make cobbler using small individual ramekins or disposable aluminum pans. Transport in a rigid container like a cardboard box to prevent shifting. Top with ice cream just before serving.
Cakes and Cupcakes
A frosted cake always makes a grand entrance at any BBQ. Transport individual servings for convenience.
Cupcakes
Fun flavors like lemon, red velvet, or chocolate are sure to be hits. Frost with buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Transport in a cupcake carrier with liners sealed.
Cake Pops
Mix crumbled cake with icing and form into balls. Dip into candy coating and decorate with sprinkles or drizzle with chocolate. Insert sticks and transport in blocks of foam or sturdy boxes.
Mini Mason Jar Cakes
Bake single-serving cake layers right in mason jars. Frost and decorate with fruit or candies. Transport securely in a rigid box or cooler with the lids sealed.
No-Bake BBQ Desserts
No-bake desserts require no oven and minimize mess. Their chilled textures also make them extra refreshing.
Cheesecake Cups
Blend cream cheese, whipped cream, and lemon; spoon into mini phyllo shells. Top with fruit. Keep chilled until serving time.
Chocolate Mousse
Whisk cream into melted chocolate and spoon into small cups or glasses. Chill until set. Top with berries before serving.
Banana Pudding
Mix milk, pudding mix, sliced bananas and vanilla wafers. Refrigerate until thickened. Top with whipped cream. Keep chilled.
Trifle
Layer pound cake, pudding, fruit, and whipped cream in a glass bowl. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Tips for Transporting Desserts
- Chill items like cheesecake and mousse cups until ready to serve. Pack in a cooler with ice packs.
- Transport pies, cakes, and cobblers in rigid containers like boxes to prevent shifting.
- Cookies and bars can go in plastic containers or disposable trays sealed with plastic wrap.
- Prevent messes by sealing items in individual bags or containers.
- Transport kabobs and fruit salads chilled in bowls nestled into ice.
- Bring serving utensils, plates, napkins, forks, etc as needed.
- Add a serving spoon or fork if items will be served from one dish.
FAQs
What dessert travels well to a BBQ?
Cookies, bars, mini pies, cupcakes, cake pops, fruit salads, kabobs, and no bake options like mousse and cheesecake travel well. Avoid anything with runny icing or fillings.
How do you keep desserts cold at a BBQ?
Transport chilled desserts in a cooler with ice packs. Nestle bowls into ice to keep fruit salads and trifles chilled. Provide a small cooler just for desserts.
What are easy desserts to make for a BBQ?
Cookies, bars, baked fruit, fruit salads, cake/cupcakes from a mix, and no bake desserts are all simple options. Or pick up something pre-made from the bakery.
Should you make dessert for a BBQ?
Bringing dessert is thoughtful. Homeade desserts show extra effort. Store bought also works well for no hassle options.
What dessert goes good with BBQ?
Fruit based desserts pair great with savory BBQ flavors. Pies, cobblers, cookies, and anything chocolate are always welcome. Avoid really rich options.
Conclusion
Desserts are the sweet final note to a BBQ. Fruit salads, cookies, mini pies, and no-bake treats travel easiest. Chill when needed and bring serving tools. Most importantly, coordinate with the host so your dessert contributions complete the menu. With so many delicious options, you’re sure to find the perfect BBQ dessert to make and bring along.