15 Desserts You Can Make on the Grill

June 24, 2019
Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Step away from that oven! Summer is here and we're ready to take full advantage of grilling season with these grilled dessert recipes. From apple pie a la mode to strawberrry shortcake, our favorite desserts you can make on the grill will help you beat the heat in the absolute sweetest way. 
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Grilled Apple Pie a la Mode

Antonis Achilleos, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Missie Crawford
Grilled Apple Pie a la Mode Recipe

Whether it’s in the backyard or around a campfire, this easy, on-the-spot recipe has all the elements of a perfect apple pie. Make sure to use apples that are the same size so they’ll cook at the same rate. The ice cream will melt quickly, so put it on the apples right as you serve them. 

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Grilled Banana Split

Antonis Achilleos, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Missie Crawford
Grilled Banana Split Recipe

This is a fun mashup between banana pudding and a sundae. You could even get the kids involved with this. Grilling the banana adds a little flavor, while charring the vanilla wafers makes for an interesting texture—together, it’s delicious. Banana pudding ice cream pulls everything together, so it’s definitely worth buying. 

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Grilled Pound Cake with Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup

Antonis Achilleos, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Missie Crawford
Grilled Pound Cake with Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup Recipe

Pound cake chars up really nicely on the grill and gets even grill marks. Don’t skip the syrup, because it’s packed with flavor. If you can’t find Meyer lemons, regular lemons will work just fine. The simple syrup will hold up for two weeks, so you can definitely make it ahead of time—or make extra and save it for later. 

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Grilled Bananas on Sugared Rum Toast

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen
Grilled Bananas on Sugared Rum Toast Recipe

Who knew toast could be so delicious? Brushed with butter, dipped in sugar, and grilled, the bread (a nice enriched challah) becomes almost brûléed. The riper the bananas, the quicker they will soften during cooking; be mindful when handling.

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Grilled Strawberry Shortcake

Time Inc. Video Studio
Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

We took a summertime favorite and made it even more… summery. This sweet and simple take on strawberry shortcake is accomplished on the grill, which means you can keep your oven turned off (as it should be during the toastiest months of the year). It’s a seasonal, fuss-free dessert that’s perfect for your next casual cookout. 

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Grill-Baked Apple Crisp

Thomas J. Story
Grill-Baked Apple Crisp Recipe

When it is warm outdoors, the last thing you want to do is heat up the house with the oven. Try baking on the grill using indirect heat. Assemble the simple crisp featuring two types of apples, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith, top with the buttery crust and bake.

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Grilled Pineapple Dessert Pizza

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Grilled Pineapple Dessert Pizza Recipe

For a delicious dessert pizza, top Homemade Pizza Dough with cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pineapple slices, drizzle it with a caramel topping, and sprinkle it with toasted pecans. 

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Chocolate-Raspberry Dessert Sandwiches

Photo: Stephen Devries; Styling: Lynn Nesmith 
Chocolate-Raspberry Dessert Sandwiches Recipe
While the coals are still hot, add this delicious dessert to the grill. Super tasty and super easy, these Grilled Chocolate-Raspberry Dessert Sandwiches really are as decadent as they sound. If you're feeling crazy, you can substitute Nutella for the dark chocolate squares.

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Grilled Chocolate-Hazelnut-Pound Cake Sandwiches

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Grilled Chocolate-Hazelnut-Pound Cake Sandwiches Recipe
Believe it or not, this difficult-sounding dessert comes together with only three ingredients in less than five minutes. Sure, you could use our Million Dollar Poundcake recipe instead of the frozen stuff--but we love how short this cook time is.
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Grilled Bananas with Ice Cream and Caramel

Photo: Kate Sears; Stylist: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Grilled Bananas with Ice Cream and Caramel Recipe
As if Grilled Bananas with Ice Cream and Caramel wasn't decadent enough—top off this dessert with coconut, chocolate shavings or chopped toasted pecans, walnuts or almonds.

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Rum-Macadamia Ice Cream with Grilled Pineapple and Coconut

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro; Leigh Ann Ross
Rum-Macadamia Ice Cream with Grilled Pineapple and Coconut Recipe
It's warm enough in the Keys to grill outdoors year-round. In less temperate climates, you can use a grill pan to cook the pineapple. Leftover ice cream is a treat served over waffles for a Boxing Day brunch. Change the liquor and nuts to vary the flavor of the ice cream.

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Grilled Peaches with Honey

Photo: Travis Rathbone
Grilled Peaches with Honey Recipe
This grilled peaches with honey recipe is a sweet but healthy treat for the perfect end to a summer party or barbecue. It may seem unconventional to grill peaches, but the process brings out flavors in the fruit that you wouldn't believe.
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Grilled Pound Cake with Brandied Red Plums

Photo: Jeffery Cross; Styling: Jeffrey Larsen
Grilled Pound Cake with Brandied Red Plums Recipe

When plums are at their juiciest best, they're great in a quick dessert. If you don't already have the grill going, just broil or toast the pound cake until golden.

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Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Peaches and Cream

Photo: © Con Poulos
Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Peaches and Cream Recipe
Bryan Calvert, chef and co-owner of James in Brooklyn, New York, loves the versatility of his supermoist lemon pound cake: He uses it to make everything from French toast to a stuffing for baked apples. At this time of year, he grills it until crisp and toasty, then tops it with warm, tender grilled peaches and whipped cream.

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Grilled Peach Cobbler

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Grilled Peach Cobbler Recipe
It doesn't get more summery than this easy grilled peach cobbler. Serve it hot off the grill or at room temperature--it'll be delicious either way, we promise. Crown it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra sweet touch.
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