Our Best Labor Day Dessert Recipes
It’s time for the last big cookout of the season and, if you’re anything like us, you’ve already started planning a menu that includes summery appetizers as well as some classic dishes like burgers and slaw to round things out. Now it’s time to think about desserts. And, oh boy, do we have some delicious ideas. You’ll find plenty of options in this roundup (from fun frozen delights to no-bake treats) but there’s no denying that pie is always a crowd-pleaser. This version is sure to appeal to lemonade lovers big and small; it’s got a velvety filling that’s bursting with citrus-and-berry flavor—making it the perfect slice of summer!
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Photo: Renee Comet
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Berry Dessert Lasagna
Layers of pound cake "noodles" stack up with fresh raspberry sauce, whipped cream, coconut and blueberries into a chilled trifle that mimics lasagna without the fuss. It's a make-ahead crowd-pleaser that just needs a few hours in the fridge to set before slicing and serving.
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Photo: Simple Alien
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Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars with Brûléed Marshmallow
Rich chocolate melds perfectly with creamy peanut butter, creating an ideal pairing of flavors from the very first bite. The toasted marshmallow on top adds a delightful twist and introduces a hint of smokiness and a gooey texture. The blend of sweet and savory, crunchy and soft makes these bars an irresistible treat.
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Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
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Banana Cream Pie Dip
A ring of caramelized bananas adds a bit of flair to this crustless version of a classic banana cream pie. Scoop it up with vanilla wafer cookies to add some crunch.
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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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No-Bake Chocolate-Pretzel-Peanut Butter Squares
Trisha Yearwood’s No-Bake Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter Squares are the ultimate stress-free Labor Day dessert—rich, salty-sweet, and irresistibly satisfying without ever turning on the oven. Perfect for celebrating without the sweat!
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Photo: STEPHEN MURELLO ©
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Spicy Smoky S'mores Bars
Graham cracker crust meets chipotle-spiked melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows for a s'mores bar with an unexpected kick. It cuts into 24 squares so it's built for a crowd who likes their sweets with a little heat.
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Photo: Alice Gao ©
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Fresh Peach Cake
Ina layers the local peaches, cinnamon-sugar, sweet cake batter and crunchy chopped pecans for a truly delicious summertime treat.
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Photo: Alice Gao ©
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Fresh Blackberry Crisp
Late-summer blackberries are juicy and sweet. Turn them into dessert by topping them with a brown sugar crumble and baking to golden-brown perfection.
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Easy Lemon Sunshine Bars
There are just some treats that will always please a crowd. Lemon bars fit that bill. These are zingy, lemon-packed bars that bring the sunshine and will become a favorite if you’re looking for a golden standard without the fuss.
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Grilled Angel Food Cake with Citrus Compote
There's nothing we love more than throwing a dessert on the grill—especially when we're talking about a cake that gets just a touch of caramelized sweetness from the heat of the grates.
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S'mores Dip
S'mores are an essential part of any summer get-together so why not thow an extra pan on the grill while you're cooking and make this ooey, gooey dip for dessert?
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Peach and Blueberry Crumbles
Ina Garten’s Peach and Blueberry Crumbles are a warm, comforting way to savor peak summer fruit, with juicy peaches and blueberries bubbling beneath a golden, buttery topping. It’s rustic dessert perfection made for sun-soaked evenings!
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Berries and Cream Ice Cream Cake with Chocolate Chip Cookies
Strawberries get tossed with sugar and bourbon for extra sweetness before they're layered with chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. The hardest part of making this cake? Waiting for it to freeze!
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Photo: Armando Rafael
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Orange Meringue Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a citrus-lover's dream: We worked orange into the cake and the frosting!
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Peanut Butter Krispy Rice Squares
Marshmallow cereal treats make the perfect cookout dessert. They’re super simple to whip up, can be made ahead and are easy to customize. Molly adds peanut butter, crushed graham crackers, chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles to hers.
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Photo: Stacy Howell
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Grilled Peach Crumble
You’re already grilling. Why not throw some ripe, summer stone fruit onto the grates and serve up a truly amazing seasonal dessert?
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Photo: Matt Armendariz
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Hot Dog Cookies
We dare you not to smile at a platter of these mini hot dog lookalikes.
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Chocolate Slab Ice Cream Sandwiches
Believe it or not, you only need 5 simple ingredients to make these absolutely swoon-worthy frozen treats.
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Photo: Anna Williams
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Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes
Don't forget to add a scoop of ice cream on top when you're savoring warm strawberries and sweet, buttery shortcake!
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Photo: Anna Williams
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Blueberry Cheesecake Galette
Try this alternative to cheesecake, made with flaky pastry dough, sweet cream cheese and bursting blueberries for a Labor Day dessert that can be sliced and served to a crowd.
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Strawberry Icebox Cake
The icebox cake is a classic for a reason: it’s the impressive dessert that anyone can make! Just layer, refrigerate and wait!
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Mile-High Mud Pie
Ree says, "I went big on this ice cream pie and layered some of my favorite flavors, like coffee, chocolate and caramel. What’s not to love?!"
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Photo: Armando Rafael
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Mini Chocolate-Strawberry Cheesecakes
Treat your family and friends to individual cheesecakes made with a shortbread-almond crust and chocolate filling.
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Grilled Dessert Pizza
When you’re grilling and chilling, this sweet, hazelnut spread-topped pizza makes the perfect dessert. Trisha tops hers with dried tropical fruit but bananas and sliced strawberries would be delicious too.
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No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Too hot to turn on the oven? Don’t sweat it! These tasty no-bake treats are perfect for your Labor Day cookout.
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Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Our favorite way to upgrade this classic frozen treat? Sandwich the ice cream between two fudgy brownies. A few colorful sprinkles around the edges make the perfect finishing touch.
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Photo: Sully Sullivan
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Key Lime Pie Tartlets
These sweet-and-tangy tarts are perfect for any weekend cookout — Labor Day included. Make these individual treats the morning of your get-together and put them in the refigerator to chill. All you'll have to do when you're ready to serve dessert is make a quick whipped cream, for topping.
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S'mores Brownies
Treat your cookout guests to a toasty, marshmallow-y, s'mores-inspired treat (no campfire needed) with Molly's delicious brownies.
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Blueberry Pie Bars
Inspired by a classic summertime favorite, these dessert bars taste just like a fresh-baked blueberry pie. Better make a double batch!
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Quick and Easy Fruit Tarts
The secret to Ree's simple (and speedy) dessert? She uses frozen, store-bought puff pastry instead of making a crust from scratch.
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Whoopie Pies
Enjoy more time with your guests by making these small pies ahead of time; store them tightly in a sealed container for up to one week.
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Baked Alaska
This can't-miss ice cream cake is topped with a fluffy toasted meringue. (Yum!) And, guess what? Making it is easier than you think.
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Photo: Tara Donne ©
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Chocolate Chip and Mascarpone Cupcakes
The combination of chocolate and mascarpone cheese creates an unforgettable cupcake. A sweet swirl of creamy ganache (instead of traditional frosting) takes these handheld cakes to the next level.
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