From easy no-bake cheesecakes to fresh fruit pies, these red, white and blue Labor Day desserts will be the highlight of your holiday barbecue or potluck.
1/50
Cherry Pie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Immensely customizable, these festive fruit bars will become a must-have any time of year. Cherry pie filling brings all the bright color to the party, but blueberry or apricot works great too. Or, try a Black Forest variation by adding a handful of mini chocolate chips.
2/50
Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake is inventive and yet familiar. Be sure to use a springform pan so you can easily remove the pan from the cake. If the cake breaks while you're transferring it to the serving plate, just push the pieces back together, pressing gently. —Stella Ohanian, Porter Ranch, California
Think of this delicious dessert as strawberry shortcake meets tiramisu. As with other no-bake summer desserts, you chill the cake overnight to ensure the ladyfingers, sweet mascarpone filling and balsamic strawberries set up properly.
3/50
Grilled Peach Sundaes
From the Recipe Creator:
These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s a jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Making use of the grill that you already have going for Labor Day, this dessert is simple to prepare and will get raves. It’s basically a peach crisp that doesn’t require an oven. If you don’t have waffle bowls handy, simply serve the peaches in small bowls topped with ice cream.
4/50
Berries & Cream Torte
From the Recipe Creator:
It's so easy to see why this fruity dessert always impresses dinner guests. I sometimes substitute sliced bananas for the berries. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
Bake thin cake layers to fill with a fluffy whipped cream and fresh fruit. Mix up the berries as you see fit—strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and even sliced stone fruits work!
5/50
Bomb Pop Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
The sound of the ice cream truck has even my husband running out to the curb with money in hand. Our neighborhood has a big potluck on the Fourth of July, so I decided to make cookies that resemble Bomb Pops. These were a big hit! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Instead of chasing down the ice cream truck, make a few batches of these adorable bomb pop cookies for a sweet summer dessert. They’re perfect for Fourth of July parties, Labor Day cookouts or any time you want a little red, white and blue.
6/50
Blueberry Cream Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I ask my family which pie they'd like me to make, everyone gives the same answer: blueberry cream pie! This refreshing dessert has an enticing cream layer topped with lots of plump blueberries. —Kim Erickson, Sturgis, Michigan
This pie is perfect for those days when you go to the farmers market or a u-pick farm and come home with more blueberries than you know what to do with. Have fun with the decoration—patriotic stars work for all the summer holidays.
7/50
Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re tight on time, you can use store-bought cookies, but I highly recommend making these oatmeal chocolate cookies from scratch. The dessert sandwiches are pure fun. Sometimes I decorate the sides of the sandwiches with colorful jimmies. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Make these delicious oatmeal cookies from scratch, or store-bought cookies are perfectly fine. Roll the sides in colorful jimmies for an extra-fun presentation.
8/50
S’mores Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon-graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Why go with one summer dessert when you can have two in one bite? Top these fudgy brownies with mini marshmallows, Golden Grahams and chocolate, and your s’mores dreams are made.
9/50
Peach Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
When ripe peaches finally arrive at local fruit stands, this is the first recipe I reach for. The tart is perfection—a delightful way to celebrate summer! You can make the tart with other varieties of fruit too. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
This tart recipe is a great way to showcase beautifully ripe summer peaches. The shortbread crust can be made ahead of time. Once filled with peaches, bake the tart until they’re soft and bubbly and ready for a dollop of whipped cream.
10/50
Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Like mini ice cream cakes, these red velvet cupcakes get a layer of blue ice cream (either blue moon flavor or vanilla tinted with blue food coloring). A swirl of creamy marshmallow topping and star-spangled sprinkles give them a festive twist.
11/50
Jumbleberry Crumble
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend brought this delicious, down-home dessert to church and was kind enough to give out the recipe. Everyone enjoyed it so much and just showered her with compliments! It’s especially wonderful served warm or with a dollop of creamy whipped topping. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Is it a crumble or a crisp? Either way, this quick fruit dessert can be made in individual servings or in one larger pan that feeds a group. Any kind of summer berries will do here, from strawberries to blackberries and everything in-between. Top the crumble with your favorite ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream.
12/50
Lemonade Icebox Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
You will detect a definite lemonade flavor in this refreshing pie. High and fluffy, this dessert has a creamy, smooth consistency. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia
This is a potluck superstar! The creamy lemon pie takes a few hours to chill—it’s a favorite summer recipe to make ahead so you can prepare for other festivities.
13/50
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! Use your own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York
Whether you have too much rhubarb growing in your garden or you can’t pass up the stalks at the farmers market, this beautiful cake makes good use of it. It’s one of our favorite rhubarb desserts for picnics, potlucks or any summer gathering.
14/50
Blueberry Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This blueberry coffee cake is my go-to recipe for all of our holiday get-togethers because it's perfect for breakfast or dessert. It's easy to make, and it's the most delicious coffee cake I've ever had. —Susan Ober, Franconia, New Hampshire
15/50
Homemade Cherry Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This ruby red cherry pie is just sweet enough, with a hint of almond flavor and a good level of cinnamon. The cherries peeking out of the lattice crust make it so pretty too. I like to make a few of these cherry pies throughout the summer. —Josie Bochek, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Most cherry pie recipes use canned pie filling, but we like to go fresh with this one if cherries are in season. It makes a big difference in the flavor.
16/50
Lemon Blueberry Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
Trifles are perfect when you need a delicious and impressive dessert in a pinch. Layer store-bought or homemade angel food cake, creamy lemon filling and fresh blueberries for a taste of summer in a bowl.
17/50
Patriotic Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring on the red, white and blue with these creative cupcakes, perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any favorite occasion. With some delicious colorful frosting and a careful arrangement, your sweet display will be a patriotic nod to our great American flag. —Rebecca Wetherbee, Marion, Ohio
Decorate cookies and cream cupcakes with festive red, white and blue buttercream and star-shaped sprinkles to make them really stand out on the dessert table. You can also go with a different flavor of cupcake.
18/50
Favorite Coconut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I turn to. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Set out bowls of red and blue berries next to this fluffy coconut cake for a patriotic Labor Day dessert display. Unsweetened coconut flakes work best here.
19/50
Grandma’s Star Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband's grandma would make these butter cutouts with only a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
Every kitchen should have a few star-shaped cookie cutters. The orange-scented icing in this recipe is like a blank canvas for any edible red, white and blue jimmies, pearls or festive glitter.
20/50
No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
Because this no-bake blueberry cheesecake doesn't contain eggs, it's lighter but also very creamy and refreshing. —Ken Gallagher, Hastings, Nebraska
No need for an oven with this light and airy cheesecake. Pureed blueberries create a lovely color and flavor, and you can always change up the crust by using graham crackers or gingersnaps.
21/50
Red, White and Blue Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
I changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
It’s amazing what you can accomplish with cream cheese, whipped cream and a few berries. Layer the strawberries and blueberries to look like a flag for Labor Day. Raspberries work too!
22/50
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
After my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
This easy Labor Day dessert couldn’t be quicker to make: Just mix instant pudding with frozen whipped topping, then layer it in a decorative bowl with fresh berries and store-bought doughnut holes.
23/50
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love a moist and creamy cake, this one’s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Just as no one can pass up a lemonade stand, no one can say no to this cake. You get citrus flavor from fresh lemon juice and lemonade as well as a layer of sweetness and tang from the cream cheese frosting. Decorate the cake with your favorite pink sprinkles.
24/50
Mixed Berry Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a delightful way to enjoy summertime fruits. If you're short on one of the berries, just make up the amount with one of the other fruits in the pie. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri
For this fruit pie, you can use a homemade pie crust, or keep it simple with a frozen or any premade crust. Layering berries in the pie is everything that makes summer great.
25/50
Patchwork Quilt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake has a great homemade flavor and tender crumb. Be sure to pile on the buttery frosting, which adds a burst of vanilla. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Let the cake, which has a terrific tender crumb, and vanilla buttercream frosting be your canvas. When it comes to organizing the berries into a pattern, be creative but don’t stress about it. It’s cake!
26/50
Lemon Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia
This beautiful cake bursts with fresh lemon flavor. Need something super elegant? Decorate the cake with edible flowers like nasturtiums, violets and pansies. If you love the citrus flavor, here are some of our other best lemon desserts.
27/50
Key Lime Pie Balls
From the Recipe Creator:
The classic creamy filling, graham cracker crust and burst of lime are all mixed together in every bite of these rolled cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Take all the flavors of a classic Key lime pie and roll them into a cookie! This is a kid-friendly recipe and makes a great rainy day activity. The citrusy treat is good any time of year.
28/50
Plum Poppy Seed Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe uses plums and poppy seeds for the most traditional Polish version of the dessert, but you can also use nectarines or even apricots. One tip: Do not push the plums into the batter. Just let them sit on top. They will sink in a bit as they bake. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Any seasonal stone fruit, like nectarines or apricots, works well in this recipe. The trick is not to push the fruit into the batter. Let it sit on top, and everything will sink while the cake rises around it.
29/50
Apple Rhubarb Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My family and friends always ask for my apple rhubarb pie for birthdays and get-togethers. Everyone loves the unique flavor that the rhubarb adds to this pie. —Sherri Moon, Decatur, Indiana
This recipe is a seasonal segue: Use crisp apples to usher in fall and the rhubarb you’ve been loving all spring and summer. The flavors are fantastic together, and it’s as good with a scoop of ice cream as any pie out there.
30/50
S’mookies
From the Recipe Creator:
S'mores are one of my favorite desserts. I wanted to create a cookie to replace the graham cracker—that's when my s'mookie was born. It's just as delicious as the classic. —Maria Davis, Hermosa Beach, California
These oven-baked s’mores-like cookies are the summer camp treat you need. The cookie has cinnamon chips, which add tremendous flavor. Sandwich the cookies around Biscoff cookie spread and broiled marshmallows.
31/50
Cream Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh berries and cream pie—it’s a simple, classic combination just like Grandma used to make. My version gets you out of the kitchen and into your lounge chair quickly. Enjoy! —Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor
An easy cream pie is what summer desserts are all about. Let the mixture set in the fridge for at least three hours and then top it with your favorite fresh berries.
32/50
Humble Bumble Crumble Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
While developing a treat for my bingo group, I asked my husband for ideas. He suggested a fruity bar. This berry bar is lightly sweet and so easy. —Nancy Phillips, Portland, Maine
Applesauce is the secret layer in these delicious and super easy fruit bars. They’re lightly sweet and bursting with summer flavor. And like any good dessert made in a 13×9-inch pan, they feed a crowd!
33/50
Rainbow S’moreo Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade Oreo-style cookies are pretty great on their own, but they're even better when you add graham cracker crumbs to the cookie dough, stuff them with marshmallow creme and roll them in sprinkles. You can change the color of the sprinkles depending on the holiday or occasion. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
The cookie portion of these s’mores-inspired treats includes both the chocolate and the graham cracker. Then spread on a sweet marshmallow cream and roll the sides in sprinkles for a festive touch.
34/50
Chocolate Fudge Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe won several blue ribbons at our state fair. The made-from-scratch chocolate layer cake topped with a fudgy homemade frosting is truly a can't-miss dessert. —Donna Carman, Tulsa, Oklahoma
35/50
Blueberry Lattice Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for amazing new recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine
These bars are as easy as pie—because they’re basically slab pie! All you need is a great crust recipe, some lattice skills, and fresh or frozen berries for a crowd-pleasing favorite.
36/50
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
From the Recipe Creator:
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
Balsamic vinegar adds a surprisingly delicious glaze to angel food cake, especially when you put the cake on the grill. Serve it with fresh berries and whipped cream. A drizzle of blueberry syrup adds a festive red, white and blue look for Labor Day.
37/50
Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It is elegant, tastes delicious and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
Create a crunchy sweet streusel topping with oats and almonds for this cherry tart. Serve the treat with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to end the holiday picnic on a sweet note.
38/50
Red, White & Blueberry Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
A sweet treat in the summer, this patriotic poke cake with dazzling red and blue stripes is a fun one to make with the kids. —Elisabeth Schulz, Blossvale, New York
Ribbons of red and blue fruit-flavored gelatin create firework-like ribbons throughout the white cake. Top it with creamy whipped topping for an unforgettable summer dessert.
39/50
Strawberry Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
The creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas
This gorgeous cheesecake looks so impressive, and you never have to turn on the oven. The recipe calls for chocolate graham crackers for the crust, but chocolate wafer cookies also work.
40/50
Arnold Palmer Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These fun cupcakes take a favorite Arnold Palmer recipe and turn it into dessert. Add a slice of lemon on top for a puckery finish. —Jessee Arriaga, Reno, Nevada
Powdered iced tea mix adds flavor to the creamy frosting that tops these citrusy cupcakes. A slice of candied lemon or yellow-colored sprinkles are a nice touch on top.
41/50
Blueberry Pie Recipe
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been making this blueberry pie recipe for decades since the ingredients for the filling are readily available in Michigan. Nothing says summer like a piece of fresh blueberry pie! —Linda Kernan, Mason, Michigan
Save time by making the star cutouts for this pie a day or two before your event. Fresh blueberries are best for the filling, but you can use frozen. Other fruits like blackberries work too.
42/50
Cherry Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Making an almost-homemade cake is what Labor Day is all about! Make it less laborious by using a boxed cake mix, cherry gelatin and pie filling for an easy end-of-summer dessert.
43/50
Plum Upside-Down Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The delicate flavor of plums is a pleasing change of pace in this upside-down cake. —Bobbie Talbott, Veneta, Oregon
Use any seasonal plum or pluot for this Labor Day dessert. Whipped cream takes it from really good to fantastic.
44/50
Lemon-Blueberry Pound Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Pair a slice of this moist lemon-blueberry cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a staple at our family barbecues. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
No family get-together should be without a good dessert, and this lemon blueberry pound cake is just the ticket. Use lemon juice in the glaze for even more zesty citrus flavor.
45/50
Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
As someone who grew up in the country, I love getting out into nature whenever I can. I also love home-style recipes, including these yummy brownies. —Carol Prewett, Cheyenne, Wyoming
46/50
S’more Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
This luscious dessert is just as wonderfully tasty as the campfire snack that inspired it. It's a great way to savor a summer classic anytime of year. Our 4-year-old daughter likes it so much that she's requested it for her next birthday! —Robin Andrews, Cary, North Carolina
This cheesecake recipe is a decadent way to capture the flavors of summer, even without the campfire. It starts with a graham cracker crust and packs marshmallows and chocolate into the filling and topping.
47/50
Red, White ‘n’ Blue Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Our striking 'flag' salad drew plenty of attention at our Independence Day party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Patience is the key to this striking striped Labor Day dessert. Layer the blueberry-studded gelatin with a creamy white layer and then a raspberry-filled layer for the top. It works for any summer holiday.
48/50
Strawberry Bliss
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll love this homemade puff pastry crust topped with a soft-set pudding layer that has a hint of strawberry flavor. The dessert needs to chill for at least an hour, so it's a fabulous make-ahead dish. —Candace Richter, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Homemade puff pastry is the base of this easy layered dessert, but in a pinch it’s fine to use frozen. You’ll want to chill the finished creation for at least an hour before serving, so get it done ahead of everything else and serve it when everyone’s ready for something sweet.
49/50
Banana Split Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert is special enough to make hamburgers and fries a meal to remember! It's so tall and pretty, and it's just like eating a frozen banana split. Make it ahead to save time. —Joy Collins, Birmingham, Alabama
Make this fruity ice cream pie a few days ahead of your party, and you won’t have to worry about dessert. All you need is a graham cracker crust, banana and strawberry ice creams, and chocolate hard-shell ice cream topping, plus whipped cream.
50/50
Blueberry Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
Mmm—this tart is bursting with the fresh flavor of blueberries! Not only do I bake berries with the crust, but I also top the tart with more just-picked fruit after I take it out of the oven. —Lyin Schramm, Berwick, Maine
For all blueberry lovers, this is the Labor Day dessert for you. You’ll get a burst of berries baked in the tart, plus more fresh berries on top.
Labor Day Desserts FAQs
What is a traditional dessert for Labor Day?
A traditional Labor Day dessert is strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, apple pie, icebox desserts and all kinds of ice cream. Any classic Fourth of July desserts or Memorial Day desserts would work well for Labor Day too. I like to prep the dessert the day before so it’s ready to go whenever everyone’s ready for dessert.
What make-ahead desserts can I make for a Labor Day cookout?
You can make almost any dessert ahead of time for a Labor Day cookout. Store it in the fridge, in the freezer or on the countertop, depending on what it is, and reheat it just before serving if it needs to be served warm. I love to make trifles, icebox desserts, cheesecakes, brownies, fruit pies, bars and cookies.
How do I make a red, white and blue-themed dessert for Labor Day?
You can make red, white and blue desserts for Labor Day using food coloring, blue or red gelatin, colored sprinkles, or blueberries and strawberries. Bonus points if you can shape anything into a flag.
