In our world, the star of the barbecue isn’t steaks and hot dogs. It’s dessert!
You may not think about dessert when you hear the word barbecue, but believe it or not, desserts can be incredibly simple – and delicious – when you make them on the grill. We’re talking pies and donuts, s’mores and bread pudding, and of course, grilled fruit.
These easy-to-make summer BBQ dessert recipes mean a sweet time for everyone.
12 Tips for Making Dessert on the BBQ
Here are some of our favorite tips for making desserts on the barbecue:
- Choose the right grill – Make sure you have a grill with a lid to create an oven-like environment for baking desserts.
- Preheat the grill – Just like preheating an oven, preheat your grill to the desired temperature before placing your desserts on it.
- Use indirect heat – When baking desserts on the barbecue, it’s best to use indirect heat. This means placing your desserts away from the direct flames or coals to prevent them from burning.
- Use a baking stone or sheet – Place a baking stone or sheet on the grill grates to distribute heat evenly and prevent your desserts from sticking.
- Grease the grill grates – Before placing your desserts on the grill, lightly grease the grates to prevent sticking.
- Opt for sturdy desserts – Choose desserts that can withstand the heat of the grill, such as fruit skewers, pound cake, or grilled peaches.
- Wrap delicate desserts – If you want to grill more delicate desserts like pastries or cakes, wrap them in foil or use a grill-safe baking dish to protect them from direct heat.
- Don’t overcook – Keep a close eye on your desserts and avoid overcooking them. The high heat of the grill can cause desserts to cook faster than in a conventional oven.
- Use aluminum foil packets – Create aluminum foil packets to cook individual servings of desserts like apple crumble or fruit crisp. This helps to contain the juices and prevent them from burning.
- Get creative with toppings – Enhance the flavors of your grilled desserts with toppings like caramel sauce, whipped cream, ice cream, or toasted nuts.
- Experiment with flavors – Infuse your desserts with smoky flavors by using wood chips or adding aromatic herbs like rosemary or thyme to the grill.
- Keep it clean – Regularly clean your grill grates to avoid any residue or flavors from previous grilling sessions that might affect the taste of your desserts.
11 BBQ Essentials You’ll Need
To make desserts on the barbecue, here’s a list of essentials you’ll need:
- Heat-resistant gloves or mitts – These will protect your hands while handling hot grilling equipment.
- Baking sheets or mats – Use baking sheets or baking mats to create a flat surface for your desserts and prevent sticking.
- Skewers or grill baskets – Skewers are perfect for grilling fruits or making kebabs, while grill baskets can be used for smaller ingredients like berries or chopped fruits.
- Pastry brush – A pastry brush is handy for brushing butter, glazes, or sauces onto your desserts.
- Grill tongs – Use long metal tongs to flip and handle hot desserts and avoid burns.
- Grill brush or scraper – Keep your grill grates clean by using a grill brush or scraper to remove any residue from previous grilling sessions.
- Measuring cups and spoons – You’ll want to measure ingredients accurately, especially for baking recipes, so ensure you have measuring cups and spoons.
- Thermometer – A food thermometer will help you check the doneness of certain desserts, such as cakes or pastries.
- Cooling rack – A cooling rack allows air to circulate around your desserts, ensuring they cool evenly.
- Cast iron baking dishes – If you plan on making baked desserts like cobblers or crisps, you’ll need cast iron pans or baking dishes.
- Disposable foil pans – Disposable pans come in handy when making certain desserts, allowing for easy cleanup.
BBQ Dessert Recipes
- Grilled Donut Ice Cream Sandwich | Dad with a Pan – Day-old donuts become a warm ice cream sandwich smothered with a blueberry and blackberry reduction.
- Grilled Berry Peach Pie | Crazy for Crust – Pie on the grill? There’s no oven needed for this combo of peaches and berries.
- Grilled Strawberry S’mores | For the Love of Food – Adding strawberries to a s’more is sweet enough, but doing it on the grill is even sweeter.
- Foil Pack Chocolate Marshmallow Banana | Delish – Fluffy marshmallows and sweet chocolate chips make this the perfect campfire dessert.
- Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets | Gimme Some Grilling – Stuffed with tender, juicy apples, and topped with a crunchy streusel, these apple crisps go perfectly with a scoop of ice cream.
- Grilled Plums with Cookies and Ice Cream | Martha Stewart – Plums are a simple summer fruit that pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream and crumbled cookies.
- Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Balsamic Berries and Whipped Cream | The Meatwave – Bake this lemon pound cake up in your oven before placing it on the grill and adding sweet berries and smooth whipped cream.
- Grilled Summer Fruit Skewers | Delish – Pineapple, strawberries, and peaches come together on the grill for a dessert that’s both sweet and savory.
- Peach Upside-Down Cake on the Grill | Betty Crocker – Caramelized to perfection, this peachy upside down cake will have you wanting seconds.
- Baked on the Grill Brownies with Strawberries Dessert | Cooking Outdoors – This combination of ingredients made on the grill is just like a fancy restaurant dessert.
- Campfire Scones | Our Thrifty Ideas – Simple to make, these scones come together with some canned biscuit dough and a little cinnamon sugar.
- Grilled S’more Pizza Recipe | Honest & Truly – What kid (or grownup?) wouldn’t love this s’mores version of a pizza?
- Funky Monkey Grilled Cheese | One Sweet Mess – This is one sweet grilled cheese sandwich, with melted marshmallows, bananas, peanut butter, and of course, chocolate.
- Banana Butter Pecan Kabobs | Taste of Home – Butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon come together with pound cake to create a sweet, caramelized dessert that’s perfect with ice cream.
Remember, grilling desserts can be a bit different from traditional baking, so don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust cooking times and techniques based on your specific grill and dessert recipes. Enjoy experimenting with these delicious BBQ dessert recipes!
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