Labor Day is just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to sit back, relax, and savor the long weekend. Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash, enjoying a cozy dinner for two, or treating yourself to some solo downtime, the best way to wrap up any meal is with late-summer-inspired desserts that satisfy every sweet craving. We’ve rounded up our favorite Labor Day desserts to help you celebrate in the sweetest way possible.
Labor Day is more than just the unofficial end of summer (and for that matter, the end of white pants season). It’s an invitation to take a moment to celebrate the beauty of balance amid a busy season. It’s a chance to honor the work we pour into our careers, families, and passions, while also embracing the restorative power of rest. Think lingering alfresco lunches and late-morning coffee sipped without a to-do list in hand.
25 Labor Day Desserts to Make Your Long Weekend Even Sweeter
What better way to close out summer than with a spread of Labor Day desserts? Ahead, you’ll find everything from quick, crowd-pleasing treats to impressive recipes that are worth the extra effort. Whatever your holiday plans, these desserts will make your Labor Day weekend extra sweet.
5-Ingredient Fruit Sorbet
Celebrate summer’s sweetest flavors with this no-churn fruit sorbet. Bursting with summer fruits, it’s a light, refreshing way to cool down after a day in the sun. It’s as effortless as it is colorful (re: no ice cream maker required). Ideal for an easy Labor Day crowd-pleaser.
Honeydew Slushie
Part drink, part dessert, this honeydew melon slushie is a blended mix of creamy coconut milk, fresh mint, and a drizzle of honey. It delivers a cooling, subtly sweet finish that keeps that late-summer feeling going.
No-Bake White Chocolate Lemon Cardamom Slices
This recipe takes a few simple ingredients and transforms them into something entirely different. White chocolate helps sweeten and bind the base to create a smooth texture that’s so satisfying to sink your teeth into, while lemon brightens up that flavor profile. Match that with a craveable cookie crust and you have a dessert for the books.
Summer Fruit Fools
Another simple yet satisfying recipe, this berry fool is the answer to your dessert queries. Macerated berries meet whipped cream to create a dinner party dessert that’s blissfully easy on the host. One of the best parts? You can prep this beforehand and chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Labor Day desserts made easy.
Grilled Peaches with Honey
If you’ve ever had a grilled peach, you’re no stranger to its deliciousness. The sweetness gets ramped up with the charred edges’ welcome bitterness. All it takes are a few ripe peaches, a brush of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a drizzle of honey to create this delightfully simple dessert you’ll come to crave.
Mango-Basil Ice Cream
This dairy-free mango-basil ice cream proves that a short ingredient list can still bring big flavor. The combination of juicy mango, fragrant basil, and velvety coconut milk creates a sweet and simple end to Labor Day.
One-Bowl Brownie Recipe
As a lover of box brownies, I can assure you: this is the real deal. These brownies are, in fact, fudgy and capable of satisfying your post-dinner sweet tooth. And like any respectable brownie recipe, they’ll appease both center and edge piece people. Perfect for any (Labor Day) party.
Raspberry–Bourbon Mascarpone Tartlets
Who doesn’t love a cute little tartlet? These raspberry-bourbon mascarpone tartlets score in every category. They’re elegant, visually appealing, and 100% enjoyable for you and your guests. While this recipe is a little more involved than some of the other Labor Day desserts on this list, you can divide the workload over a few days to make assembly as easy as pie—er, tart.
Rum & Coffee Spiced Tres Leches
Tres leches is the perfect gathering dessert because it can be made a few days in advance. And that time spent in the fridge only enhances its flavor! This rum and coffee version uses, well, rum and coffee to flavor the soaking liquid. With cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, and three kinds of milk, you might be tempted to drink straight from the bowl. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
Brown Butter Bourbon Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is pure nostalgia. It’s great for whenever you crave a comforting dessert that’s simple to make and fun to enjoy. For this recipe, opt for Granny Smith and Gala/Pink Lady apples to avoid the dreaded mushy apple. Brown butter and a dash of bourbon send this apple crisp over the top—you definitely don’t want to miss out.
Berries & Cream Layer Cake
This berries and cream layer cake just looks festive, does it not? Cake, berries, and cream form a mesmerizing masterpiece that could be the centerpiece of any table. Besides looking and tasting gorgeous, I love that this cake is customizable, too.
Double Chocolate Skillet Cookie
What’s better than a giant skillet cookie that everyone can sink their spoons into? Cocoa powder, espresso powder, and chocolate chunks supply the chocolatey flavor while brown sugar, butter, eggs, etc., build the chewy cookie base. Top all of that goodness with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, and you’re on your way to dessert paradise.
Strawberries and Cream Pavlova
This recipe is the definition of a show-stopper. A crisp-yet-airy meringue base is piled high with sweet, juicy berries, creating a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcakes
Strawberry shortcake is another classic dessert you really can’t go wrong with. This version is also vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free—and yes, it tastes incredible, too. The only challenge? Keeping enough fresh-from-the-oven shortcakes out of your mouth to top with whipped coconut cream and macerated strawberries.
Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Raspberries and dark chocolate join forces in these bakery-style cookies to create a to-die-for combo. The frozen berries keep their bright flavor while melting into gooey chocolate pools, all wrapped in a chewy, golden-edged cookie.
Roasted Stone Fruit With Amarena Cherry Syrup
This fruit-forward dessert uses Amarena cherry syrup to flavor stone fruits, as each fruit flavor melds together as it roasts. The stone fruits’ juices and sour cherry syrup combine to create a vibrant and indulgent dessert. It’s almost like a cobbler, crisp, or crumble (seriously, what’s the difference?) without the pastry topping. Here, you’re isolating the flavors of each tart fruit as they’re married under that succulent cherry syrup.
Gluten-Free Lemon Bars
These foolproof lemon bars are as bright and cheery as I hope your Labor Day weekend will be. This gluten-free spin uses a graham cracker crust, sweetened by maple syrup instead of sugar, to lay the foundation for a zesty filling. There’s no shortage of lemon zest and juice in these tasty bars—because no one likes a lackluster lemon square.
Peach Crumble Icebox Cake
It’s time to talk about icebox cake, people! What’s easier than a cake you simply have to build and chill? First of all, as the name suggests, you don’t have to turn on the oven for this one. Score! It also resembles a layer cake when sliced, creating an elegant presentation. The cake’s layers suit each other well, with none outshining the other.
Vegan + Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies from Café Gratitude
Like the other diet-restriction-friendly recipes on this Labor Day desserts list, this chocolate chip cookie recipe is the real deal. Yes, it’s gluten-free and vegan, and yes, it’s also a home run. While gluten-free baked goods that aren’t dry can be few and far between, these cookies close the gap. They’re big and chewy, and everyone at your gathering can enjoy one or two without hesitation.
Almond & Blackberry Cream Pavlova
Pavlova scores for its incredible ease, yet it boasts an impressive and elegant appearance. It’s one of those recipes that turns out to be so much more than the sum of its parts, making it great for a Labor Day celebration! All it takes to craft this charming cake-like dessert is a simple meringue and tart berry cream you’ll swoon over. Blueberries and blackberries get coated with orange zest/juice, mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, and more to add depth to that almond meringue and create a delightful centerpiece for your table.
Stone Fruit Crisp with Cinnamon Crumble
Jammy, juicy peaches join forces with tart cherries to create a fruity base you could eat with a spoon. But if you’re team topping like me, you’ll love the crispy cinnamon crumble most. All of that served under a few scoops of vanilla ice cream? Perfection.
Oatmeal Cream Pies
Oatmeal cream pies are another classic that always puts a smile on my face. While yes, the Little Debbie variety is alarmingly delicious, this recipe breathes fresh, unprocessed life into the cherished classic.
Raspberry Tiramisu
This tiramisu is one of the best I’ve ever had. All of the components of a great tiramisu (strong espresso flavor, creamy mascarpone, vanilla bean seeds, and a chocolate element) are enhanced by the addition of tart raspberries and Chambord. The raspberries in each layer not only introduce an excellent flavor contrast, but they also bring a welcome freshness and bursting vibrance to each tasty bite. This one is a must-try.
Rhubarb Meringue Cake
Another effortless but elegant dessert, this rhubarb meringue cake will brighten up any table. Its meringue base is layered with whipped cream and rhubarb compote, then topped with another meringue to create a gorgeous layered cake your guests will swoon over. Dust it all with powdered sugar, and you have a winning dessert to end your meal.
Orange-Walnut & Honey Olive Oil Cake With Candied Citrus
This olive oil cake is decadent without tasting cloyingly sweet, and made all the better with a light, fluffy texture that’s enriched by buttery ground walnuts. Yum! Candied orange slices brighten things up while also lending a sweetness to the flavor profile. Drizzle all of that with a mouthwatering orange glaze and you’re set.
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