Elevating the Grilling Experience with Sweet Finales
As an experienced barbecue pitmaster, I’ve spent countless hours perfecting the art of smoked meats, tender briskets, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. But you know what they say – the best is always saved for last. That’s why I’m excited to share my favorite grilled dessert recipes that will take your backyard BBQ to the next level.
Grilling isn’t just for savory dishes – it can work wonders on sweet treats too. The smoky, caramelized flavors from the grill perfectly complement the natural sweetness of fruits, cakes, and even ice cream. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or impressing guests at your next competition, these 12 irresistible grilled desserts are sure to be the talk of the party.
Grilled Peach Cobbler with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Nothing screams summer quite like a juicy, ripe peach. And when you grill them? Absolute magic. Start by halving and pitting fresh peaches, then brush them lightly with melted butter. Grill over medium-high heat until they develop those beautiful char marks and the flesh softens.
For the cobbler, I like to make a simple batter using flour, sugar, baking powder, and a splash of buttermilk. Spoon the batter over the grilled peach halves, then close the grill lid and let it work its magic for about 15-20 minutes. The result is a wonderfully warm, gooey cobbler with a slight smoky essence.
To really take this dish over the top, drizzle on a decadent bourbon caramel sauce. The rich, boozy notes perfectly complement the sweetness of the peaches. Trust me, your guests will be scraping the plate clean.
Grilled Pineapple with Toasted Coconut and Rum Glaze
Who needs a piña colada when you can have grilled pineapple? This tropical delight is the perfect way to end a backyard BBQ feast.
Start by slicing fresh pineapple into thick rings, then brush them with a mixture of melted butter, dark rum, and brown sugar. Grill the rings until they develop those irresistible char marks and the sugar caramelizes.
While the pineapple is grilling, toast some shredded coconut in a dry skillet until golden brown. This will add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to contrast the sweet pineapple.
Once your pineapple is charred to perfection, transfer the rings to a serving platter and sprinkle generously with the toasted coconut. Drizzle any remaining rum glaze over the top for an extra punch of flavor. Your guests will feel like they’ve been transported to a beachside paradise.
Grilled Banana Splits with Chocolate Sauce and Candied Nuts
Who says banana splits are just for ice cream parlors? This grilled version takes the classic dessert to new heights.
Start by slicing bananas lengthwise and brushing them with melted butter. Grill the banana halves over medium-high heat until they’re lightly charred and softened.
While the bananas are grilling, make a quick chocolate sauce by melting dark chocolate, heavy cream, and a touch of vanilla. For the candied nuts, simply toss your favorite nuts (I love pecans or walnuts) with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then toast them in a skillet until caramelized.
Arrange the grilled banana halves on a platter and top each one with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over the top and sprinkle with the candied nuts. The contrast of the warm, smoky bananas, cool ice cream, rich chocolate, and crunchy nuts is simply irresistible.
Grilled Pound Cake with Macerated Berries and Whipped Cream
Pound cake is a classic dessert, but grilling it takes it to the next level. Start by slicing a store-bought or homemade pound cake into thick, hearty slices. Brush the slices lightly with melted butter or olive oil.
Grill the pound cake over medium heat, turning occasionally, until you have those beautiful grill marks and the exterior is lightly golden. The grilling process will transform the texture, giving the cake a delightful crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior.
While the pound cake is grilling, prepare a quick macerated berry mixture. Toss together fresh strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries with a sprinkle of sugar and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Let the berries sit for about 15 minutes, allowing the juices to release and mingle.
To assemble, place a grilled pound cake slice on a plate and top it with a generous spoonful of the macerated berries. Finish it off with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The warm, grilled cake, tangy-sweet berries, and fluffy cream create a heavenly flavor combination.
Grilled Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Topping
When the temperature starts to drop, nothing beats a warm, comforting apple crisp. But why not take it up a notch by grilling the apples?
Start by peeling, coring, and slicing Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. Toss them with a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Transfer the seasoned apple slices to a grill-safe baking dish or pan.
For the topping, make a delicious oatmeal streusel by mixing together rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, and a dash of salt. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the grilled apples.
Close the grill lid and let the apple crisp work its magic for about 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Serve it warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. The smoky-sweet flavors will have your guests swooning.
Grilled Shortcake with Macerated Strawberries
Strawberry shortcake is a summer classic, but grilling the shortcake takes it to a whole new level. Start by making a simple buttermilk shortcake dough, then use a biscuit cutter to cut out individual shortcake rounds.
Brush the shortcake rounds lightly with melted butter and grill them over medium heat until they’re golden brown and slightly charred on the outside. The grilling process will create a wonderfully crisp exterior while keeping the interior soft and fluffy.
While the shortcakes are grilling, prepare a batch of macerated strawberries. Toss fresh strawberry slices with a bit of sugar and let them sit for about 15 minutes, allowing the juices to release and mingle.
To assemble, place a warm grilled shortcake on a plate and top it with a generous spoonful of the macerated strawberries. Finish it off with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The smoky-sweet flavors and contrasting textures will have your guests begging for seconds.
Grilled Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie? Well, how about taking that classic treat and grilling it? This grilled cookie skillet is the ultimate indulgence.
Start by making your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough, then press it into a cast-iron skillet. Brush the top with a bit of melted butter to help it brown and crisp up.
Place the skillet directly on the grill and let the cookie cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is still slightly soft. The key is to get that beautiful char on the bottom while keeping the interior deliciously fudgy.
Once the cookie is grilled to perfection, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. The contrast of the warm, crispy cookie, cool ice cream, and rich chocolate is simply heavenly. Serve it up with some forks and let your guests dig in!
Grilled Cinnamon-Sugar Donut Holes
Who says donuts are just for the fryer? These grilled cinnamon-sugar donut holes are a fun and unexpected way to end your backyard BBQ.
Start by making a simple yeast-based donut dough. Once it’s risen, use a small cookie scoop or melon baller to portion out bite-sized donut holes. Carefully transfer them to the grill and cook until they’re lightly charred on the outside and cooked through.
As soon as the donut holes come off the grill, toss them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. The heat from the grill will help the cinnamon-sugar coating adhere perfectly.
Serve these warm, irresistible grilled donut holes with a side of chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for an extra indulgent touch. Your guests will be delighted by this creative twist on a classic dessert.
Grilled S’mores Skewers
S’mores are a quintessential campfire treat, but who says you can’t enjoy them at your backyard BBQ? These grilled s’mores skewers are the perfect handheld dessert.
Start by threading marshmallows, graham cracker squares, and chocolate squares onto sturdy metal or wooden skewers. Grill the skewers over medium-high heat, rotating them frequently, until the marshmallows are lightly charred and gooey.
For an extra special touch, consider using flavored marshmallows or swapping in different types of chocolate, like dark chocolate or peanut butter cups. You can even get creative with the graham crackers, using cinnamon-sugar or chocolate-dipped varieties.
Serve the grilled s’mores skewers warm, with any remaining melted chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping. Your guests will love the interactive experience of assembling their own personalized s’mores right at the table.
Grilled Fruit Skewers with Honey-Lime Glaze
Grilled fruit is a refreshing and healthy way to end a heavy barbecue meal. And by threading the fruit onto skewers, you create a beautifully presented dessert that’s easy to share.
Start by cutting a variety of fresh fruit into bite-sized pieces – think pineapple, mango, strawberries, and even grapes. Thread the fruit onto sturdy metal or wooden skewers, making sure to leave a bit of space between each piece.
For the glaze, simply whisk together honey, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Brush the fruit skewers generously with the honey-lime mixture before placing them on the grill.
Grill the fruit skewers over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until the fruit is lightly charred and the glaze has caramelized. The smokiness from the grill paired with the sweet, tangy glaze creates a truly irresistible flavor combination.
Serve the grilled fruit skewers warm, with any extra glaze drizzled over the top. Your guests will appreciate this refreshing and healthier dessert option.
Grilled Pound Cake Bites with Roasted Pecan Praline Sauce
This decadent grilled dessert is the perfect way to end your backyard BBQ feast. Start by cutting a dense pound cake into bite-sized cubes. Brush the cubes lightly with melted butter or olive oil.
Grill the pound cake bites over medium heat, turning occasionally, until they’re lightly charred on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside. The grilling process will add a wonderful smoky-sweet flavor to the cake.
While the pound cake bites are grilling, prepare a luscious roasted pecan praline sauce. Toast some chopped pecans in a skillet until fragrant and golden, then stir in brown sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt. Cook the mixture until it thickens into a rich, caramelized sauce.
Arrange the grilled pound cake bites on a platter and drizzle the warm pecan praline sauce over the top. The contrast of the crispy, charred exterior of the cake and the gooey, nutty sauce is simply divine. Serve it warm, and watch your guests savor every bite.
Grilled Banana Bread with Maple-Walnut Glaze
Banana bread is already a beloved dessert, but grilling it takes it to new heights. Start by slicing a loaf of homemade or store-bought banana bread into thick, hearty slices. Brush the slices lightly with melted butter or olive oil.
Grill the banana bread slices over medium heat, turning occasionally, until they’re lightly charred on the outside and warm and moist on the inside. The grilling process will create a delightful crust while preserving the soft, tender texture of the bread.
While the banana bread is grilling, prepare a simple maple-walnut glaze. Whisk together maple syrup, melted butter, and chopped toasted walnuts. The sweet, nutty glaze will complement the banana flavor beautifully.
Drizzle the warm maple-walnut glaze over the grilled banana bread slices and serve immediately. Your guests will be amazed by the depth of flavor and the irresistible texture of this elevated dessert.
As you can see, the grill isn’t just for savory dishes – it can work wonders on sweet treats too. I hope these 12 irresistible grilled dessert recipes inspire you to take your backyard BBQ to new and delicious heights. Remember, the key to success is experimenting with different flavors, textures, and cooking techniques.
So fire up that grill, grab your favorite ingredients, and get ready to wow your guests with the ultimate backyard BBQ bonanza. And if you need any advice or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Creekside BBQ – we’re always happy to share our expertise and help you take your grilling game to the next level.
