Unforgettable Grilled Treats That Make Perfect Memorial Day Desserts

Memorial Day is a holiday when we remember and honor our dedicated military personnel who we’ve lost while bravely serving our nation. It’s a holiday when we truly appreciate our freedom and is also known for quality time with loved ones, enjoying the beautiful outdoors and backyard barbecues. So, as you get ready to fire up the grill and make your favorite hamburger and hot dog recipes, be sure to also think about which Memorial Day desserts you may want to serve.

From cupcakes and cookies to brownies and more, your neighborhood Food Lion offers tasty treats in the bakery department to make your Memorial Day preparation easy and delicious. Additionally, since you’ll probably be cooking on the grill for the holiday, it’s also an excellent opportunity to try some grilled desserts!

In this blog, you’ll find five simple ideas for treats that are prepared on the grill. From grilled fruit to cobbler and more, check out all of these sweet and smoky recipe ideas and decide which one your family will love most.

Grilled S’mores

S’mores are a favorite family treat, and this first Memorial Day dessert gives you the chance to enjoy it in a new and tasty way - cooked on the grill. Although this recipe still features the classic flavors of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers, you’ll be using mini marshmallows and semi-sweet chocolate chips instead. And for another twist, mix in some peanut butter, butterscotch or white chocolate chips.

But, you may be wondering - what’s the best way to eat these Grilled S’mores (since they aren’t sandwiched together)? Enjoy this recipe like nachos or for a mess-free experience, scoop out your portion onto a plate and use a spoon. The choice is yours!

Grilled Fruit with Ice Cream

As we get closer and closer to the summer season, temperatures continue to rise. And that means that ice cream becomes the dessert of choice for many people. After all, it’s tasty and helps you keep cool. But we’re talking about grilled treats, and you certainly can’t grill ice cream, right?

For this Memorial Day dessert idea, we’re grilling fruit and using that as a fresh topping for your favorite ice cream. Start by alternating strawberries and banana slices on wooden skewers and sprinkle some brown sugar over the top. Cook on both sides for about four minutes, remove the fruit from the skewers and add to the top of your bowl of ice cream along with chocolate syrup and any other sundae toppings.

Want to give this dessert a try? Check out the full recipe for Grilled Fruit Over Ice Cream here!

Grilled Mixed Berry Cobbler

You’ve probably had cobbler several times. It’s a tangy and sweet treat that tastes fantastic when topped with ice cream. And like we said above, ice cream is a great choice when it’s hot outside.

This Memorial Day dessert recipe is a little different than the traditional dish. It’s cooked on the grill! That’s right - after you’ve prepped your cobbler, you’ll place it in your preheated grill, and after about 40 to 45 minutes of cooking time (plus 10 minutes cooling), this dessert will be ready to enjoy.

On top of being grilled, which is so convenient while grilling other dishes on Memorial Day, there’s another reason this dessert is perfect for the holiday. With blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream topping, it’s red, white and blue!

Snag the full Grilled Mixed Berry Cobbler recipe here!

Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Donuts

For this Memorial Day dessert, you’ll only need nine ingredients total (and your grill, of course) to make this easy and oh-so-delicious strawberry confection. To start, you’ll core and slice the strawberries, mix in sugar and lemon zest and place in the refrigerator.

Next, combine the ricotta cheese, cream, cream cheese and powdered sugar, and whip until fluffy and fully combined using a hand or stand mixer. You’ll also want to store this in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble.

It’s then time to grill the donuts. Cut each one in half and grill inside down for about a minute and then flip and cook the glazed side for 30 seconds (just long enough to get some grill marks). And with that, you’re ready to assemble and enjoy these Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Donuts.

Want to make them red, white and blue? Simply add some blueberries to your sweetened strawberry mixture.

Grilled Pineapple á la Mode

Our last Memorial Day dessert idea is possibly the easiest of all on this list. And you’ll only need three ingredients - fresh pineapple (cored and sliced), vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup. That’s it!

And preparing this treat is just as simple. Start by grilling the pineapple, top each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with some caramel. But, if you want to get a little creative, add some shredded coconut for a pina colada flavor.

We hope these five grilled Memorial Day desserts have given you a little inspiration to make your family’s holiday extra sweet and memorable. Now, you can finalize your grocery shopping list and head to your local Food Lion where you’ll find all of your Memorial Day meal essentials at the low prices you know and love.

And to all of the dedicated military personnel, veterans and families, we cannot thank you enough for your service.