50 Desserts for the Sweetest Memorial Day Weekend Ever
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When planning your Memorial Day menu, many people start by thinking about all the variations of pasta salad recipes, burgers, and grilling recipes for their outdoor cookout. But you don't want to forget about the Memorial Day desserts, either! Whether you go all out with a red, white, and blue dessert or keep things simple with a homemade crumble, this list has everything you need to sweeten your long weekend.
One thing we love about Memorial Day desserts is that it's the first opportunity to highlight those fresh summer fruits. Opt for rhubarb, blueberries, or strawberry desserts to put the perfect finishing touch on your meal. Doesn't a cobbler topped with scoop of vanilla ice cream sound like the most absolutely delightful way to unofficially kickoff summertime? Everyone will ask for seconds. No matter which of these summer desserts you choose, the key to making this Memorial Day weekend even better is to keep things easy. Try one of our creative no-bake desserts like grilled doughnut hole kebabs or an ice cream icebox cake. Or, if you're anything like the Drummonds, you'll probably stick to one of Ladd's favorites—a "can't-go-wrong, everyone-loves-it, super-easy-to-make, been-around-forever chocolate pie."
So what are you waiting for? Turn up the patriotic music and start planning your epic long weekend feast.
Ice Cream Icebox Cake
No need to turn on the oven to get a refreshing dessert! This icebox cake layers vanilla ice cream with crushed gingersnaps, blackberries and preserves, and lemon curd. Top it off with some whipped cream for a warm weather delight.
Get the Ice Cream Icebox Cake recipe.
American Flag Cake
Few things say, "Memorial Day!" quite like a gorgeous sheet cake. The only problem: You may not be able to snap a photo before your kids dive in and demolish this work of art, bit by bit.
Get Ree's American Flag Cake recipe.
S'mores Bars
S'mores are fundamental for celebrating being outside. Enjoy those flavors even without the campfire! These bars make it much easier (and safer!) to serve a crowd that's over for a backyard BBQ.
Get the S'mores Bars recipe.
Jello Cake
You know what's quintessential to the American experience? Jell-O. So celebrate with this vintage cake, which start with the best hack to speed things up: boxed cake mix.
Get the Jello Cake recipe.
Sheet Pan Ice Cream Sundae
Ice cream sundaes are always a welcomed dessert idea. But if you've got a lot of people coming over, assembling it on a sheet pan is a deliciously easy to way to serve your guests. Plus, you can make it in advance.
Get the Sheet Pan Ice Cream Sundae recipe.
Blueberry Pie
This show-stopping summer pie has a thick filling of fresh blueberries and a flaky, buttery lattice crust. The only thing that can make it better would be a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Get the Blueberry Pie recipe.
Fruit Pizza
This clever idea is basically just a giant sugar cookie topped with frosting and decorated with fruit. To keep things on theme with your Memorial Day party, make a patriotic pizza with mixed blue and red berries.
Get Ree's Fruit Pizza recipe.
Atlantic Beach Pie
If you can't choose between lemon and lime, use both! This zippy citrus pie has a surprising ingredient in the crust, too: saltine crackers! It gives the treat a salty-sweet flavor.
Get the Atlantic Beach Pie recipe.
Strawberry Cupcakes
There's no lacking in strawberry flavor in these cute cupcakes. There's fresh chopped strawberries in the batter, strawberries in the frosting, and a strawberry garnish on top for good measure.
Get the Strawberry Cupcakes recipe.
Funnel Cake
It might be the start of grilling season, but it's also the start of state fair season, too! And this classic fair treat is a must-have. Plus, the topping options are endless.
Get the Funnel Cake recipe.
Cookie Cake
This giant chocolate chip cookie cake will put a smile on anyone's face. Use red, white, and blue sprinkles for a patriotic theme or get creative with the frosting! You can also make it a day in advance.
Get the Cookie Cake recipe.
Piña Colada Cake
You don't need a trip to the beach to make this Memorial Day weekend feel special. Simply bake up a cake full of coconut and pineapple flavor and get a taste of the tropics at home.
Get the Piña Colada Cake recipe.
Blueberry Ice Cream
There's nothing more refreshing than homemade ice cream made with fresh, seasonal blueberries. You can enjoy a scoop on a bowl or cone or on top of your favorite summer pie.
Get the Blueberry Ice Cream recipe.
Lemon Icebox Pie
When planning your Memorial Day menu, a make-ahead dessert like this zesty lemon icebox pie is the way to go. You can spend more time with friends and family and less time in the kitchen.
Get the Lemon Icebox Pie recipe.
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries perfectly balance each other out in this springtime pie. For even more sweetness, sprinkle the top of the crust with crunchy turbinado sugar.
Get the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie recipe.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Crinkle cookies are a sweet delight, especially when they come in a bright lemon flavor. They're perfect for enjoying on a sunny day.
Get the Lemon Crinkle Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Cobbler
This old-fashioned cobbler is super simple, but still plenty patriotic for your Memorial Day feast. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Get the Strawberry Cobbler recipe.
No-Bake Key Lime Pie
You don't need to stand around a hot kitchen all day to make this twist on key lime pie. The cool, creamy dish comes together without turning on the oven.
Get No-Bake Key Lime Pie recipe.
Strawberry Pound Cake
You might remember those classic 7-Up pound cakes from when you were a kid. This one is just like that but flavored with seasonal strawberries instead.
Get Ree's Strawberry Pound Cake recipe.
Ice Cream Cake
You can't go wrong with ice cream for dessert, but this over-the-top cake takes things to the next level. To really make it look like a celebration, top it with plenty of whipped cream and cherries, of course!
Get the Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
Just like with other upside-down cakes, this rhubarb variation has a sticky-sweet topping once the cake is flipped out of the pan. To make sure nothing gets stuck in the pan, use a baking spray with flour and line the pan with parchment paper.
Get the Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake recipe.
No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
You only need 20 minutes to prepare this easy lemon cheesecake. After it chills in the fridge overnight, you'll have a light and lemony dessert.
Get the No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Cake
This simple seasonal cake has a thick batter that helps to keep the sweet strawberries from sinking to the bottom. To give it even more strawberry flavor, add fresh slices to garnish.
Get the Strawberry Cake recipe.
Blueberry Buckle
This crumbly cake is loaded with fresh summer blueberries so it's perfect for the spring and summer when berries are in season. Make it as a sweet kickoff to your cookout weekend.
Get the Blueberry Buckle recipe.
Neapolitan Ice Cream Bars
Here's a fun twist on Neapolitan ice cream! Instead of three ice cream layers, you have a chocolate crust, vanilla ice cream, and sweet strawberries on top.
Get the Neapolitan Ice Cream Bars recipe.
Fruit Tart
Looking to impress guests for the long weekend? Try making a restaurant-worthy steak dinner followed by this downright delicious fruit tart. Little do they know, how easy it is to make!
Get the Fruit Tart recipe.
Blondies
These cookie-like bars are the ultimate comfort food. They're loaded with pecans, browned butter, and sweet white chocolate chips.
Get the Blondies recipe.
Strawberry Pavlova
Give this light and airy dessert a patriotic twist by topping the pavlova with both juicy strawberries and blueberries! It'll be red, white, and blue… and tasty!
Get the Strawberry Pavlova recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake
These biscuit-like cakes are tender and crumbly—perfect for pairing with juicy strawberries and light whipped cream.
Get the Strawberry Shortcake recipe.
Brookies
If you can't decide between cookies and brownies, why not make both? These brookies are the best of both worlds.
Get the Brookies recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Trifle
This red, white, and blue dessert is sure to steal the show at your Memorial Day feast. But the best part is that it's so easy to make! You can even use store-bought pound cake.
Get the Red, White, and Blue Trifle recipe.
Homemade Dole Whip
When the temperatures rise, this frozen treat is sure to cool you right down. It's sweet, tropical, and so smooth.
Get the Homemade Dole Whip recipe.
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Ice cream cake is always a good idea. This stunner is layered with graham crackers, whipped cream, and topped off with sweet berries.
Get the Strawberry Icebox Cake recipe.
Doughnut Hole Kebabs
Fire up the grill for this fun (and easy) dessert idea. The grilled doughnuts are served with a patriotic assortment of red and blue sauces.
Get Ree's Doughnut Hole Kebabs recipe.
Rhubarb Crisp
Ree Drummond is a big fan of all things rhubarb. "When you mix it with lots (and lots and lots) of sugar, it makes a pretty wondrous dessert!" she says.
Get the Rhubarb Crisp recipe.
Easy Strawberry Pie
Put seasonal strawberries front and center with this show-stopping summer pie. Serve it up on its own or add a dollop of whipped cream for garnish.
Get the Easy Strawberry Pie recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Salty pretzels, meet sweet strawberries! This surprising dessert is so refreshing.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
Rhubarb Pie
A little sweet and a little tart—the combination of apricot jam and fresh rhubarb makes for the perfect pie filling.
Get Ree's Rhubarb Pie recipe.
Blackberry–Cheesecake Swirl Ice Cream
If you're a cheesecake fan, you'll flip for this frozen dessert: It's the classic dessert in ice cream form.
Get Ree's Blackberry–Cheesecake Swirl Ice Cream recipe.
Chocolate Pie
Chocolate pie—this chocolate pie in particular—is one of Ladd's favorite desserts. In Ree words, it's the ultimate "can’t-go-wrong, everyone-loves-it, super-easy-to-make, been-around-forever chocolate pie."
Get Ree's Chocolate Pie recipe.
Blueberry Scones with Vanilla Icing
These scones are a staple at The Merc, and it's not hard to see why: They're out-of-this-world good. A sprinkle of pearl sugar gives them a little extra something.
Get Ree's Blueberry Scones with Vanilla Icing recipe.
French Silk Pie
Don't forget the chocolate shavings on this silky-smooth pie: They add sophistication and elegance to an otherwise down-to-earth dish.
Get Ree's French Silk Pie recipe.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Hot Fudge Sauce
Making your own vanilla ice cream is impressive enough, but why stop there? Add hot fudge sauce, and you're halfway to cookout stardom.
Get Ree's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Hot Fudge Sauce recipe.
Lemon Bars
Ree likes her lemon bars with a thicker cookie base. It's a great way to make a lighter dessert feel a little more substantial.
Get Ree's Lemon Bar recipe.
Blueberry Cobbler
Cobblers are a can't-go-without classic—especially in summertime. Add some fresh whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream to each guest's plate, and they're in for a treat.
Get Ree's Blueberry Cobbler recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches
There's just something so whimsical and fun about these chocolatey, peanut butter-y ice cream sandwiches. They'll have everyone at your cookout reminiscing about their childhoods.
Get Ree's Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe.
Cherry Pie
It is almost summer, after all—so celebrate the season with a juicy cherry pie! The unique filling here is flavored with a touch of balsamic vinegar.
Get the Cherry Pie recipe.
Classic Key Lime Pie
Transport your whole family to a beachside destination with these sunny slices. A buttery graham cracker crust contrasts beautifully with lighter-than-air filling.
Get Ree's Classic Key Lime Pie recipe.
Cherry Cobbler
This cobbler comes together in just one bowl. Once the batter is prepared, simply pour it into the skillet, top with cherries, and bake.
Get Ree's Cherry Cobbler recipe.
Key Lime Cakes in a Jar
Assembling each of these cakes is way easier than it looks—but your guests will think it took you hours. (And Mason jars just make everything cuter.)
Get Ree's Key Lime Cakes in a Jar recipe.
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