8 Desserts (And 1 Cocktail) to Grill for Labor Day

From pound cake to sangria, say goodbye to summer with these nine sweet endings

By Joe Sevier
September 4, 2015

At the end of the summer, when you're already grilling anyway, there's no need to turn on another appliance. From grilled poundcake to an open-fire steamed pudding (yes, steamed pudding), these easy desserts are just one step away from laying out a bowl of fresh fruit and pint of ice cream. Plus, they'll keep you out of the kitchen—and away from that hot stove and oven—so you can enjoy more time where you belong: in the backyard, where the fun's happening.

Grilled Strawberries

Grilled Strawberries
Roasting strawberries over mellow, barely glowing embers turns them from bright red bulbs to plump crimson pillows of deeply sweet juice. Get the recipe for Grilled Strawberries »Matt Taylor-Gross

Pickled Stone Fruit and Burrata Flatbread

Pickled Stone Fruit and Burrata Flatbread
A light vegetarian lunch, or even savory summer dessert, the sugary pickling brine in this recipe helps the peaches and plums caramelize on the grill. Get the recipe for Pickled Stone Fruit and Burrata Flatbread »Michael Turek

Ultimate S'more

Ultimate S'mores
When making this deluxe campfire treat, look for square marshmallows—they fit the graham crackers better and give chocolate a wider surface on which to melt. Get the recipe for Ultimate S'more »Michael Kraus

Grilled Pound Cake with Basil-Plum Compote

Grilled Pound Cake with Basil-Plum Compote
The best of summer comes together in this satisfying dessert of grilled pound cake topped with a fruity, herbal compote. Get the recipe for Grilled Pound Cake with Basil-Plum Compote »Helen Rosner

Grilled Peaches with Honey-Almond Streusel

Grilled Peaches with Honey-Almond Streusel
These succulent grilled peaches are topped with almond flour streusel and drizzled with acacia honey, a sweet, unexpected treat for dessert or brunch. Get the recipe for Grilled Peaches with Honey-Almond Streusel »Leah Koenig
Houston, Chris Shepherd, Grilling, Cantaloupe

Grilled Cantaloupe with Peach Agrodolce

In this elegant dessert, cantaloupe is grilled until it caramelizes and is then dressed with agrodolce, a sour-sweet Italian sauce made by reducing vinegar and sugar. Get the recipe for Grilled Cantaloupe with Peach Agrodolce »Drew Anthony Smith

Wild Blueberry Steamed Pudding

Wild Blueberry Steamed Pudding
Whether on a campfire or backyard grill, this easily prepared dessert steams in a Dutch oven while you go about your business. Add a dollop of whipped cream or lemon curd to finish. Get the recipe for Wild Blueberry Steamed Pudding »Tara Donne

Ricotta Crostini with Chestnut Honey

Ricotta Crostini with Chestnut Honey
Summer dessert doesn't get easier than grilled bread spread with milky ricotta and drizzled with sweet, earthy honey. If you want to take it a step further, add a few slices of shaved melon. Get the recipe for Ricotta Crostini with Chestnut Honey »André Baranowski

Grilled Sangria

Grilling, Grilled Sangria
Whether it's juicing grilled limes into margaritas, charring tomatoes for bloody marys, or making this reimagined sangria with caramelized fruits, grilling your drinks will add smoky depth to every sip. Get the recipe for Grilled Sangria »Matt Taylor-Gross

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