25 Sweet Treats to Add to Your Labor Day Menu

Plan the perfect finish to your meal with ideas for fruity desserts, s’mores-inspired bites, ice cream sandwiches and more.

June 13, 2023

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Our Best Labor Day Desserts

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!

Get the Recipe: Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie

Fresh Peach Cake

Ina layers the local peaches, cinnamon-sugar, sweet cake batter and crunchy chopped pecans for a truly delicious summertime treat.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Cake

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.

Get the Recipe: Banana Cream Pie Dip

S'mores Brownies

Treat your cookout guests to a toasty, marshmallow-y, s'mores-inspired treat (no campfire needed) with Molly's delicious brownies.

Get the Recipe: S'mores Brownies

Mini Chocolate-Strawberry Cheesecakes

Treat your family and friends to individual cheesecakes made with a shortbread-almond crust and chocolate filling.

Get the Recipe: Mini Chocolate-Strawberry Cheesecakes

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!

Get the Recipe: Berries and Cream Ice Cream Cake with Chocolate Chip Cookies

Orange Meringue Cupcakes

These cupcakes are a citrus-lover's dream: We worked orange into the cake and the frosting!

Get the Recipe: Orange Meringue Cupcakes

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.

Get the Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Hot Dog Cookies

We dare you not to smile at a platter of these mini hot dog lookalikes.

Get the Recipe: Hot Dog Cookies

Chocolate Slab Ice Cream Sandwiches

Believe it or not, you only need 5 simple ingredients to make these absolutely swoon-worthy frozen treats.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Slab Ice Cream Sandwiches

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.

Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie Tartlets

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!

Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pie Bars

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!

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes

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.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Krispy Rice Squares

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.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Blackberry Crisp

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.

Get the Recipe: Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

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.

Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cheesecake Galette

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.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip and Mascarpone Cupcakes

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!

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cake

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?!"

Get the Recipe: Mile-High Mud Pie

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.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Dessert Pizza