Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, a time for backyard barbecues, poolside lounging, and celebrating with loved ones. But no celebration is complete without delicious desserts! Whether you’re hosting a potluck or bringing a dish to pass, this collection of 18 irresistible bakes has something for everyone. From classic fruit pies to Churro S’mores, we’ve got you covered for a sweet and memorable Memorial Day.
To brighten up these picnic-perfect bars even more, we add fresh lime juice to the batter for a citrusy sweet-tart kick. Customize with your own mix of available farmers’ market berries or try pitted fresh cherries, too, for equally delicious results.
This Confetti Ice Cream Cake was inspired by pastry chef Christina Tosi’s sprinkle-laden Birthday Cake served at New York City’s Momofuku Milk Bar. We flavor our ice cream with Maraschino cherries because a cake this vibrant needs an ice cream that can keep up. Use your leftover Confetti Cake scraps for birthday cake milkshakes, or use your hands to shape into little balls for a streusel-like garnish to pile on top of the cake.
My Mimi’s Black Bottom Pie is a legendary recipe, as full of sweet memories as it is flavor. Creamy, with just the right amount of bittersweet chocolate nestled at the bottom, this pie will inspire a whole new generation of devoted bakers. ~Brian Hart Hoffman
These Honey Buns, inspired by the common grab-and-go snack found in most grocery and convenience stores, are everything their packaged predecessor wishes it could be. Fried and then coated in a sweet Honey Glaze, these buns are both pillowy-soft and delicately crisp.
Beat the summer heat with our frosty Snickerdoodle Icebox Cake. Like a buried treasure, layers of miniature snickerdoodles lay hidden beneath alternating waves of cinnamon- and vanilla-scented cream. Each bite offers a delicious discovery of texture and taste.
Loaded with fresh berries, this pie gets a touch of warmth from cardamom in the filling. As for that buttery crust-there’s no butter. We added lard to give the crust a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture (but you can also substitute unsalted butter, if you prefer).
Embrace your inner child with this throwback treat. Faintly pink with homemade Strawberry Marshmallow and studded with the bright, concentrated sweetness of Oven-Dried Strawberries, these chewy, crunchy squares offer a joyful update on a childhood favorite.
The beauty of this Peach Upside-Down Cake is the golden, caramelized base it creates while the syrupy fruit bottom simmers underneath its topcoat. This cake beats them all—no contest.
Nothing compares to fresh cherry pie. This Washington Cherry Pie is simple and classic, sure to become a staple on your summer to-do list.
When temperatures spike, nothing beats the heat like an Ice Cream Sandwich. Build your own with these mix-and-match cookies and creams, and you’ll be the neighborhood hero this summer.
A finishing touch of sugar-coated sliced almonds gives this sweet berry-topped cake a tempting crunch.
If you are a crust addict, this Almond-Browned Butter Plum Pie is your dream come true. We added super-fine almond flour to the dough for subtle crunch—the perfect contrast to the juicy, sugared plum slices inside.
Both sweet and tart, lemon bars are as at home at a ladies’ luncheon as they are at a picnic. They’re like the little black dress of Southern sweets. This recipe will keep you stocked up all summer long.
Think of this as a giant, sophisticated take on a peanut butter cup. A decadent peanut butter mousse, studded with roasted, salted peanuts, tops a bittersweet ganache base and a chocolate cookie crust. This pie will grant all your peanut-loving wishes.
We fused all the flavors of the classic campfire treat into one dough. In the mood for ice cream sandwiches? Vanilla bean, rocky road, and fudge will all be delicious sandwiched between these chewy yet crispy-in-the-right-places cookie.
The reigning king of all sheet cakes, this easy Texas Sheet Cake is a chocoholic’s dream. A rich, fudgy cake cloaked in warm chocolate frosting with a sprinkling of pecans for added crunch? Yes, please!
Deep-dish pizza meets caprese salad in this crowd-friendly snack. Fresh herbs and sweet caramelized garlic flavor the crispy-edged bread, which is topped with warm pizza sauce and melty cheese and finished with a fresh basil and tomato salad. Serve it fresh from the oven or at room temperature—and preferably alfresco!
These Churro S’mores are a playful twist on the classic combo. Fried churro spirals are dusted with sweet cinnamon sugar and dipped in a spicy Mexican chocolate ganache before being sandwiched with a toasty vanilla bean marshmallow. Serve these fried delights while still warm and crunchy.
The post 18 Scrumptious Bakes to Sweeten Your Memorial Day Weekend first appeared on Bake from Scratch.