18 Easy Desserts for Labor Day Cookouts

Labor Day cookouts deserve an easy dessert that feels festive without keeping you in the kitchen all day. Fruit cobblers, cheesecake bars, no-bake pies, patriotic treats, cookies, and gooey s'mores offer plenty of sweet options for sharing. Keep scrolling to find the perfect dessert for your holiday table.

Festive Puppy Chow

A bowl of Chex mix with red, white, and blue candies, sprinkles, and cereal pieces sits on a red plaid cloth with scattered candies around—perfect for cookouts or as an easy dessert for your Labor Day celebration. — Festive Red, White, and Blue Puppy Chow. Photo credit: Easy Gluten Free Desserts.

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This playful twist on classic puppy chow combines crunchy chocolate-coated cereal with colorful patriotic candy for an irresistible sweet snack. It is an easy treat for Labor Day cookouts, summer barbecues, or any festive gathering.
Get the Recipe: Festive Red, White, and Blue Puppy Chow

Buttery Gluten-Free Blueberry Crumble Bars

Two square blueberry crumb bars with golden topping rest on a gray plate—an easy dessert perfect for summer cookouts or Labor Day gatherings. — Buttery Gluten-Free Blueberry Crumble Bars. Photo credit: Easy Gluten Free Desserts.

Juicy blueberries are tucked between a tender buttery base and a crumbly golden topping in these easy dessert bars. Fresh or frozen berries work beautifully, making this a flexible treat for the end of a summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Gluten-Free Blueberry Crumble Bars

The Bite-Sized Dessert That Has Dad and the Kids Fighting Over the Last Crumbs

Square cherry crumble dessert with white icing drizzle on parchment paper, next to two forks and a red checked cloth—a delightful choice for cookouts or Labor Day gatherings, and one of the easiest desserts to share with friends. — Sweet Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars. Photo credit: Easy Gluten Free Desserts.

These cherry pie bars capture the cozy flavor of a classic fruit pie in a much simpler handheld dessert. A buttery shortbread base, luscious cherry filling, crumble topping, and sweet glaze make them especially tempting for a cookout dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars

Festive American Flag Fruit Pizza

Rectangular fruit pizza decorated like a US flag with blueberries in one corner and rows of sliced strawberries on a cream-covered crust; one piece is cut out—a festive and easy dessert perfect for cookouts or Labor Day celebrations. — Festive American Flag Fruit Pizza. Photo credit: The Domestic Spoon.

A soft cookie crust, creamy frosting, and fresh fruit come together in this colorful patriotic dessert. Its eye-catching design makes it a natural centerpiece for a summer cookout while still being simple enough for relaxed entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Festive American Flag Fruit Pizza

Creamy No-Bake Strawberry Lasagna

Two plates with layered strawberry dessert bars topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and white chocolate curls, next to a baking dish and whole strawberries on a marble surface—these easy desserts are perfect for cookouts or festive gatherings like Labor Day. — Creamy No-Bake Strawberry Lasagna. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

This pretty layered dessert combines a cookie crust with creamy cheesecake and strawberry layers for a cool, crowd-friendly treat. Since there is no oven involved, it is especially welcome during a warm Labor Day celebration.
Get the Recipe: Creamy No-Bake Strawberry Lasagna

Soft Frosted Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies (Chilled)

A round sugar cookie with pink frosting sits on a black wire cooling rack, making it a perfect easy dessert for summer cookouts or Labor Day gatherings, with parts of two other cookies visible nearby. — Soft Frosted Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies (Chilled). Photo credit: The Cozy Fork.

These copycat soda-shop cookies are soft, chilled, and finished with a creamy pink frosting. Their playful look and tender texture make them an easy crowd-pleaser for a casual Labor Day dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Soft Frosted Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies (Chilled)

Fresh and Fun Watermelon Pizza

Sliced watermelon topped with banana, blueberries, mango, coconut flakes, and dried banana chips, arranged on a wooden board with kiwi halves and extra toppings scattered around—this colorful spread is perfect for easy desserts at cookouts or festive Labor Day gatherings. — Fresh and Fun Watermelon Pizza. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

Thick watermelon slices become a colorful summer dessert when topped with fresh fruit and coconut. This naturally refreshing treat is especially fun for kids and makes a light alternative to richer cookout sweets.
Get the Recipe: Fresh and Fun Watermelon Pizza

Tropical Dole Whip Cupcakes

Cupcakes topped with swirls of white frosting and garnished with small slices of pineapple are arranged on a wooden surface, making them perfect easy desserts for any cookout. — Tropical Dole Whip Cupcakes. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

These soft pineapple cupcakes bring a taste of the tropics to your dessert table with airy Dole Whip-inspired frosting. They are a playful homemade take on the famous theme-park treat and a fun way to finish a summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Tropical Dole Whip Cupcakes

Easy Bisquick Blackberry Cobbler

Round white dish with baked berry cobbler, topped with five golden-brown biscuits, on a checkered cloth with a gold spoon nearby—a perfect choice for easy desserts or delightful cookout desserts. — Easy Bisquick Blackberry Cobbler. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

Juicy blackberries bake beneath a golden, buttery topping in this comforting summer cobbler. Serve it warm for a nostalgic finish to your cookout, especially with a scoop of something cold and creamy alongside.
Get the Recipe: Easy Bisquick Blackberry Cobbler

Easy Peach Dump Cake with Golden Cake Mix Topping

A plate and bowl of peach cobbler topped with whipped cream, with fresh peach halves and a striped towel in the background—perfect for easy desserts or Labor Day desserts at your next cookout. — Easy Peach Dump Cake with Golden Cake Mix Topping. Photo credit: Thermo Cookery.

Juicy peaches and a crisp, buttery cake topping make this dessert wonderfully simple and satisfying. It has all the cozy appeal of a fruit cobbler without requiring much fuss, making it ideal for relaxed holiday entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Easy Peach Dump Cake with Golden Cake Mix Topping

Vintage Banana Split Cake with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

This nostalgic no-bake dessert turns the flavors of a classic banana split into a fun layered cake. Bananas, pineapple, creamy frosting, and a cookie base make every bite fruity, rich, and delightfully reminiscent of an old-fashioned ice cream sundae.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Banana Split Cake with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

No-Bake Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

Fresh strawberries filled with creamy cheesecake make these bite-sized treats both pretty and refreshing. They require no baking, so you can put together a festive platter without heating up the kitchen before your cookout.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

Silky No-Bake Pink Lemonade Pie

This cool pie transforms the bright, fruity flavor of pink lemonade into a creamy dessert with a crumbly graham cracker crust. Its refreshing sweet-tart character makes it a lovely choice when you want something light and summery after a grilled meal.
Get the Recipe: Silky No-Bake Pink Lemonade Pie

Moist Red, White, and Blue Marble Bundt Cake

This tender vanilla Bundt cake gets a festive makeover with swirls of red, white, and blue. It is an easy patriotic dessert that looks special on the table while remaining wonderfully familiar and crowd-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Moist Red, White, and Blue Marble Bundt Cake

Classic 1950s Ambrosia Salad

This nostalgic ambrosia brings a sweet, creamy touch to the dessert table and has the easygoing charm of a classic potluck favorite. It is also convenient to transport and serve, making it a practical choice for Labor Day gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Classic 1950s Ambrosia Salad

Bright Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Lemon Curd

Creamy cheesecake and lively lemon flavor make these bars wonderfully refreshing for a warm-weather celebration. A smooth lemon topping adds a polished finish and gives each square a satisfying balance of tangy and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Bright Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Lemon Curd

Decadent Cherry Dump Cake

This easy cherry dessert lands somewhere between a fruity cobbler and a creamy cheesecake, making it especially indulgent. The golden baked topping and rich cherry filling are even more tempting when served with classic cold dessert toppings.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Cherry Dump Cake

Gooey S'mores Rice Krispie Treats

These playful treats combine chewy marshmallow cereal bars with the familiar flavors of campfire s'mores. Toasted marshmallows, graham pieces, and melty chocolate make them a fun handheld dessert for an outdoor Labor Day celebration.
Get the Recipe: Gooey S'mores Rice Krispie Treats