Dairy-Free Strawberry Mint Cupcakes
Cupcakes are fun whenever and wherever you have them, but they’re particularly fun at a backyard BBQ. Cupcakes are easy summer desserts for a crowd that can be customized to fit your own tastes (or the tastes of your guests). These Dairy-Free Strawberry Mint Cupcakes make the most out of strawberry season and turn this ripe, red berry into a star for this sweet treat. As an added bonus, they’re moist, vegan and dairy free, too! The cupcakes use our Unbleached White All Purpose Flour for a fluffy, smooth texture. Both the buttercream and topping use fresh mint and juicy strawberries to create a light yet fruity flavor. Whether you’re taking these to a casual cookout along with one of your favorite BBQ side dishes or you’re heading to a more elegant affair, guests are sure to swoon over these sweet summertime treats. If you are a super strawberry fan, consider pairing these cupcakes with Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream from The Little Epicurean (because there’s no such thing as too many strawberries in the summertime). Maryanne uses fresh strawberry puree swirled into a creamy buttermilk ice cream to create a delicious and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for hot summer afternoons.
Amaretto Lemon Cassava Sugar Cookies
Another one of our favorite flavors for cookout desserts is lemon! These Amaretto Lemon Cassava Sugar Cookies combine the classic almond and cherry flavors of amaretto with fresh lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla for the ultimate BBQ dessert. Whip up a big batch of these and bring them to your next backyard gathering to delight and surprise a crowd. As an added bonus, Cassava Flour makes these delicious cookies gluten free and offers a mild flavor and texture that’s perfect for baking. Another one of our favorite BBQ dessert ideas are ice box pies, and if you’ve never made one, you’re in for a true treat. This Lemonade Ice Box Pie from Taste of Home is fluffy and tangy, with a smooth lemonade flavor that’s reminiscent of the summer season. Garnish your pie with lemon slices for a bit of extra decadence and serve it alongside cups of iced coffee. Guests will never want to leave!
No Bake Fruit Tart
Fruit tarts are a fantastic and refreshing addition to any backyard BBQ. This No Bake Fruit Tart is easy to make and comes together with a no-bake crust! Courtesy of Lynda from Southern Kissed, it’s the type of dessert that adds a beautiful pop of color to your picnic table. It’s great for gluten free gatherings, as the crust is created with Almond Flour and Organic Coconut Flour (in addition to ingredients like ground cinnamon, maple syrup and coconut oil). Made with a cream cheese filling and fresh fruit topping, it’s a light, tasty and refreshing treat that all your guests will love. Feel free to get creative with your fruit toppings of choice depending on what’s in season in your area. Blueberries, ripe strawberries and citrus are always welcomed ingredients. If you’re a tart lover at heart, this Summer Fruit Tart with Almond Cream from the brilliant David Lebovitz combines juicy fruit and a rich, almond frangipane. It’s a good option for a BBQ, as the frangipane makes it easy to slice. It also keeps well, so it’s good for leftovers (particularly if eaten the following morning on the front porch with a cup of coffee). David uses nectarines, as opposed to peaches, to give his tart an assertive flavor.
Raspberry & Coconut Oatmeal Macaroons
Raspberries are naturally bursting with the flavors of summer. When it comes to BBQ dessert ideas, they’re a perfect choice if you’re looking to bring something light and fresh to the picnic table! In this recipe for Raspberry & Coconut Oatmeal Macaroons, raspberries are combined with white chocolate for a delightful gluten free and vegan treat. The cookies are made with Coconut Flakes, Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and aquafaba, the liquid from canned garbanzo beans, in place of traditional egg whites. These cookies take only 15 minutes to prep and are an excellent choice if you have some little hands looking to help in the kitchen! This particular recipe makes 12-16 cookies, so you’ll most likely want to double or triple it depending on the size of your backyard party. As another option for showcasing the flavors of raspberries, try this recipe for Raspberry Granita from Genius Kitchen. It’s made with sugar, fresh raspberry and lemon juice, and is the ultimate treat when trying to cool down on a hot summer day. If you find yourself in a place that’s especially warm in the evenings, your guests will be forever grateful for this cool, clean summer dessert.
Gluten Free Strawberry Rhubarb Galette
Galettes are wildly easy to throw together and always look elegant and sophisticated when placed on the table. They can be put together fast with whatever sort of fresh berries or fruit you have on hand and are way easier to make than a traditional cake or pie. In this recipe for a Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Galette, cardamom and vanilla are added for a lightly spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet and tart fruits. Use our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for the crust to keep your gluten free guests happy and their sweet tooth satisfied. Keep in mind that unlike wheat flour crusts, this crust will perform best and be most pliable when it’s cool, but not completely chilled. Chill it for the time that it takes to make the dough, then use it up right away! If you do choose to make it in advance and let it chill until its firm, remove it from the fridge 15 minutes before using it. If you become a fan of these ingredients like we are, try this Old Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. The colors are beautiful for a picnic table and the buttery topping of crisp oats make it the perfect dessert to serve alongside a big dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Use Bob’s Red Mill Quick Cooking Rolled Oats to ensure an unbelievable texture and crisp. Nothing says a classic summertime treat like an old fashioned fruit crisp that highlights all the best flavors of the season.
More Light and Delicious Summer Dessert Ideas
Once you’ve mastered the art of all the desserts above, try whipping up one of these classic favorites. Remember you can always go simple with just fresh berries, fruit or melon on a warm summer evening, and you can never go wrong with a baked good that combines these flavors, either! As our friend Tasia Harper of Two Sugar Bugs like to say, “[my] top baking tip is to have fun!” We couldn’t agree more!
- Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Popsicles from Joyful Healthy Eats
- Vanilla and Chocolate Protein Popsicles from Bob’s Red Mill
- Easy Key Lime Cheesecake Bars from Joyful Healthy Eats
- Strawberry Shortcake from Bob’s Red Mill
- Berry Cashew Cream No Bake Bars from Food, Faith, Fitness
- Roasted Blueberry Ice Cream from Bob’s Red Mill
- Chocolate Acai Ice Box Cake from Bob’s Red Mill
- Peach Cheesecake Galette from Bob’s Red Mill
