16 Labor Day Desserts to Savor Over the Holiday Weekend
Summer’s coming to an end, it’s true. But why not sugar-coat it? There’s still plenty of time to enjoy seasonal fruits like peaches, blackberries, plums, figs, and melons in all kinds of sweet treats; still-soaring temperatures mean frozen delights remain in order, too. Here, we’ve gathered a selection of our favorite dessert recipes perfect for a summer send-off, from simple cakes such as spiced chocolate-pecan Texas Sheet Cake to celebratory stunners like classic Baked Alaska. We’ve also included grab-and-go choices, in case you’re planning a picnic or backyard barbecue. Here’s to the last hurrah of summer.
Mango-Blackberry Cobbler with Cornmeal Biscuits
Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
Fluffy drop biscuits made with masa harina are a terrific complement to this cobbler’s intensely fruity filling. It all comes together in a single skillet, so be sure to choose one that’s oven-safe.
Pineapple-Coconut Soft Serve
Savor the flavors of tropical coconut and pineapple with just five ingredients and five minutes.
Peach-Blueberry Pie
Give summer a last hurrah with this jammy pie showcasing peaches and blueberries. Tart lemon zest and juice in the filling balance the sweetness of the fruit; crunchy turbinado sugar baked into the golden top crust makes each bite even more compelling.
Tiramisu Sundae
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
Tiramisu gets the frozen treatment in this sundae, which features layers of tangy mascarpone-flavored whipped cream, coffee ice cream, crunchy ladyfinger crumbles, cooled espresso, and cocoa powder.Â
Plum Galette
Carson Downing / Food Styling by Annie Probst / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans
This gorgeous tart from legendary chef Jacques Pépin pairs in-season plums with a buttery, flaky crust that comes together easily in a food processor. Double down on plums with plum preserves for the filling, or use any fruit preserve of your choice.
Baked Alaska
Baked Alaska is the ultimate frozen showstopper if you want to go all out. Here we layer chocolate ice cream, pistachio ice cream, and raspberry sorbet, but feel free to customize the flavors as you please.
Mango Pie
Eva Kolenko / Food Styling by Natalie Drobny / Prop Styling by Nidia Cueva
Bursting with sunny mango flavor, this pie’s creamy filling comes together easily in the blender using canned mango pulp, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a touch of gelatin to make it sliceable. Adding ground black cardamom to the graham cracker crust provides warmth and sophistication.
Peach and Tomato Buckle
CEDRIC ANGELES
Juicy peaches and fruity cherry tomatoes make a lovely duo in this unique cake that’s perfect for late summer. The savory notes are further enhanced by olive oil, while the almond streusel adds a pleasant, sweet crunch.
Almond-and-Plum Snack Cake
A trio of butter, sour cream, and chunks of thick, sweet almond paste make this moist cake studded with red ripe plums and toasted almonds exceptionally tender.
Sugared Melon with Cardamom and Mint
Sugar, cardamom, and fresh mint are all you need to transform ripe melon into this memorable dessert from chef Vishwesh Bhatt. Ripe, peak-season cantaloupe, honeydew, or other muskmelon will all work beautifully here. Serve it over ice cream for an extra-special treat.Â
Prickly Pear Paletas
Prickly pears peak in August and September and yield a bright pink juice that colors these fun, summery ice pops from Justin Chapple.
Strawberry Icebox Cake with Maple-Ginger Cream
Straddle the seasons with summer berries and maple syrup in this crowd-pleasing make ahead cake.
Rocky Road Brownies
Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Joshua Hoggle / Food Styling by Marianne Williams
Gooey and chocolaty are the name of the game with these brownies, which are topped with mini marshmallows, bittersweet chocolate chips, and roasted almonds for the last few minutes of baking. Add a few smoked almonds to the mix for a s’mores-like toasted flavor.Â
Goat Milk and Corn Panna Cotta with Blackberries
Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson’s tangy panna cotta is the perfect end-of-summer treat, showcasing the season’s sweetest corn and tangy blackberries. A caramel corn garnish accents the delicate custard, providing a lovely textural contrast.
Peach-Buttermilk Ice Cream
Harness the fragrance of those final peaches with Lisa Donovan’s rich, tangy recipe.
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