23 Labor Day Desserts That Make Summer’s Last Weekend Worth Celebrating

There’s something a little bittersweet about Labor Day weekend. Summer isn’t officially over yet, but you can feel the season starting to slip away, which is exactly why I like ending it with a dessert worth gathering around.

I’ve learned that the best cookout desserts don’t need to be complicated. They just need to be easy to share, make the most of late-summer flavors, and give everyone one more reason to linger outside. These are the desserts I’d make when I want summer’s last weekend to feel like something worth celebrating.

Easy Chocolate Mousse

I whip real chocolate and heavy cream into fluffy individual cups whenever I want an easy end-of-summer treat. This chilled dessert sets up fast in the fridge while you enjoy your Labor Day cookout.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chocolate Mousse

Vintage Cherries in the Snow Dessert

Angel food cake cubes tossed with fluffy cream cheese and cherries make an effortless treat for holiday parties. You get a sweet, nostalgic dessert without ever turning on your oven during a hot afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Cherries in the Snow Dessert

Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Lemon Curd

Tangy lemon curd layered over a cool cheesecake base is my favorite way to cool down after grilling. These simple square bars bake fast and keep your Labor Day hosting completely stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Lemon Curd

American Flag Brownies

Dusting a pan of chocolate brownies with powdered sugar, berries, and red icing makes your holiday table festive. You can pull off a fun red-white-and-blue tray without needing any special decorating skills.
Get the Recipe: American Flag Brownies

Woolworth’s Icebox Cheesecake

Fluffy cream cheese and lemon gelatin whipped over a graham cracker crust bring back classic end-of-summer memories. This airy pie sets up cold and firm in your fridge while you relax outside.
Get the Recipe: Woolworth’s Icebox Cheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake Trifle Cups

Individual glasses filled with tender cake pieces, sweet cream, and tart lemon curd save busy hosting days. These bright little cups look fancy on a party table but come together in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cheesecake Trifle Cups

Heaven on Earth Cake

Cubed angel food cake, cherry pie filling, and vanilla pudding layer together into the sweet star of summer. This easy no-bake dessert tastes even better when you make it a day ahead.
Get the Recipe: Heaven on Earth Cake

No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake

Dark chocolate and crunchy pistachios are my favorite pair when I need an impressive crowd-pleaser for guests. Rich chocolate cream poured over a nut crust lets your fridge do all the work.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake

Berry Yogurt Bark

Spreading plain yogurt onto a sheet pan with fresh berries creates a cool, healthy treat for hot afternoons. Frozen red and blue berries give your holiday snack table a fun, patriotic feel.
Get the Recipe: Berry Yogurt Bark

Chocolate Icebox Cake

Tender chocolate cake layers and fresh whipped cream chill together into a rich, cool party treat. This simple cake is easy to slice and serves a crowd at your end-of-summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Icebox Cake

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Rich peanut butter filling pressed into a dark cookie crust gives you a heavy, decadent slice every time. This cold pie needs zero oven time and slices cleanly straight out of your fridge.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Moist Almond Flour Lemon Bread

Fresh lemon juice and nutty almond flour create a tender, citrusy loaf for your long holiday weekend. Slice this simple loaf for an easy afternoon treat alongside iced tea on the porch.
Get the Recipe: Moist Almond Flour Lemon Bread

Key Lime Lush

A buttery cracker crust topped with tangy lime filling and fluffy cream cheese makes the best summer ending. This icy dessert sets up quickly in the fridge while you enjoy time with family.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Lush

High Protein Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

Cottage cheese blended with cocoa powder creates a silky, chocolatey pudding that takes seconds to make in a blender. Pour this cool treat into small jars for a simple snack on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: High Protein Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie Treats

Cinnamon cereal melted with soft marshmallows and drizzled with white chocolate makes a fun, crunchy party snack. You can whip up a big batch of these sweet bars in ten minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie Treats

Basil Peach Cobbler

Juicy summer peaches baked under a buttery oat topping bring sweet comfort to your holiday dinner table. Fresh basil adds a special twist to this warm dessert that bakes right beside dinner.
Get the Recipe: Basil Peach Cobbler

Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Cake

Stacking graham crackers, sweet cream, and cherry filling in a dish makes holiday prep completely effortless. The crackers soften into a tender cake texture as this pan chills in your fridge.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Cake

Strawberry Slab Pie

Fresh strawberries baked inside a flaky pastry crust make a sweet, messy treat made for sharing outdoors. Slice this easy slab pie into big squares to feed a full crowd at your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Slab Pie

Ambrosia Fluff Salad

Juicy mandarin oranges, pineapple, and soft marshmallows stirred into a sweet cream base take five minutes to prep. This vintage fruity side dish goes straight from your fridge to the patio table.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fluff Salad

Pecan Peach Crisp

Sliced peaches tossed with cinnamon and topped with a crunchy pecan oat layer make a cozy summer dessert. You can pull together this warm fruit crisp in minutes using basic pantry staples.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Peach Crisp

Strawberry Shortcake Casserole

Tender biscuits, sweet cream, and fresh strawberries layered into one pan give you classic summer flavor fast. This easy recipe feeds a crowd with almost no hands-on work in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Casserole

Peach Dump Cake Recipe (With Yellow Cake Mix!)

Canned peaches and yellow cake mix topped with butter bake into a warm, bubbly fruit dessert effortlessly. Two minutes of prep work give you a sweet dish that rescues your party menu.
Get the Recipe: Peach Dump Cake Recipe (With Yellow Cake Mix!)

Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars

Tart cranberries and sweet orange zest baked over a creamy cheesecake base make a wonderful holiday treat. These colorful squares slice easily and add bright flavor to your end-of-summer dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars

Make the dessert, gather everyone outside, and give summer the send-off it deserves.