65 Gorgeous Labor Day Desserts

With a little chill time, my no-bake lemon pie turns into a potluck superstar. My kids like to arrange the berries in a star pattern. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia

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

This cake is inventive and yet familiar. Be sure to use a springform pan; otherwise you cannot invert the cake or remove it from the pan. If it breaks while you’re transferring the cake to the serving plate, just push it back together and press gently. —Stella Ohanian, Porter Ranch, California

These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina

Lucky you! Tart, or sour, cherry season is in the heart of summer. Choose fresh tart cherries that are bright in color, shiny and plump. They should feel relatively firm when pressed lightly. —Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut

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, too. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

I combined the perfect, simple summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get a treat that’s sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota

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

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

A rich chocolate frosting makes these brownies really tasty. I always come home with an empty pan when I take these to potlucks. —Julie Moyer, Union Grove, Wisconsin

I’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! At potlucks it gets eaten up quickly, even by folks who don’t normally go for rhubarb. Use you own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York

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

Bring on the red, white and blue with this creative cupcake cake perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any favorite occasion. With some delicious and colorful frosting and a careful arrangement, your sweet display will be a patriotic nod to our great American flag. —Rebecca Wetherbee, Marion, Ohio

When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I depend on. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and pretty color, they’re destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan

The crumb topping of this apple crumb pie recipe is awesome, which may explain why dessert always disappears fast. Or maybe it’s the chunky apple filling. Either way, it’s a family tradition. —Vera Brouwer, Maurice, Iowa

My husband’s grandma would only make these butter cutouts with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana

For an airy delight on a summer afternoon, try this mouthwatering cheesecake from Hastings, Nebraska’s Ken Gallagher. Because it doesn’t contain eggs, it’s lighter but also very creamy and refreshing.—Ken Gallagher, Hastings, Nebraska

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

I was able to whip up this quick, yet impressive dessert, in only a few minutes after my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates. It’s been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

My husband loves it when I make dessert. Fruit crisps are easy and quick to prepare, so I make them often! I created this fall-flavored grilled version with fresh pears and items I had on hand. We loved it. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland

If you love a moist and creamy cake, this is it. Lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

To me, this colorful pie is the epitome of summer. Bright blueberries and raspberries sandwich a cream cheese layer in the pie that’s quite festive. I can’t imagine a holiday party without this tasty treat! —Cindy Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska

Here’s a pie-in-the-sky-idea—fruit pizzas you decorate like a high-flyin’ flag! You can decorate it with stripes for the U.S. or with a maple leaf for Canada. Both designs consist of tangy fruit and smooth cream cheese over a tender crust. Since each version is simple to make, you can quickly create either one for a summer picnic or patriotic party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sugar cookie dough is a speedy way to turn ricotta and mascarpone cheeses topped with blackberries into beautiful bars. — Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada

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

This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of raves. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia

I made these delicious bars for a friend’s birthday once and now he requests them every year! They have a tasty tartness with a cinnamony kick. Be sure to chop the apples into small cubes —if the apple pieces are too big the bars will fall apart. —Danielle Millwer, Tonawanda, New York

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, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I’ve been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee

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.

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. Just as delicious as the classic.—Maria Davis, Hermosa Beach, California

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

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

We eat grapefruit for breakfast and in winter fruit salads—why not for dessert? Here’s a sweet-tart cake that’s easy, delicious and one of a kind. Oh, and healthy, too! —Maiah Miller, Montclair, Vermont

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 then roll them in sprinkles. You can change the color of the sprinkles depending on the holiday or occasion you’re baking them for. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Everyone loves the rich flavor in this decadent cake made with four types of chocolate. —Anna Hogge, Yorktown, Virginia

Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for great new berry recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely yummy bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine

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

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’s fast to fix, looks elegant and tastes delicious. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario

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

Creamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky

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

I invented this confection for a bake sale at our children’s school. Boy, was it a hit! The crunchy chunks of sandwich cookie soften a bit as the mixture mellows. It’s so sweet that one panful serves a crowd. —Laura Lane, Richmond, Virginia

This luscious trifle tastes best if made the day before serving. Keep additional berries on hand for decoration. —Kaia McShane, Munster, Indiana

We named this bundt a “pina colada” because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma

Family and friends say this patriotic pie is better than a local favorite from one of our best neighborhood restaurants. Sometimes, I switch things up and use gooseberries for half of the blueberries. —Nancy Barker, Silverton, Oregon

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

Since my husband liked pineapple upside-down cake, I decided to give this recipe a try one night when we were expecting guests for dinner. Everyone pronounced this cake “Delicious!” and asked for seconds.—Bobbie Talbott, Veneta, Oregon

Family and friends will say “Hooray!” when they see these star-spangled cookies from our Test Kitchen. Make these treats throughout the year by using different cookie cutter and food coloring. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tart and delicious, this pretty cake roll will tickle any lemon lover’s fancy. Its feathery, angel food texture enhances its guilt-free goodness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pair a slice of this moist cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a staple at our family barbecues. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois

There’s a bit of my state’s history behind these brownies’ name and shape. In 1990, when I entered them at our state fair, Kansas was celebrating the 100th birthday of a famous native son, Dwight Eisenhower. In fact, that occasion was the theme of the fair. So I renamed my brownies, in honor of the rank he’d achieved as a general and cut them out with a star cookie cutter. They ended up winning a blue ribbon! —Pam Buerki Rogers, Victoria, Kansas

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

I’ve been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it’s the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I’m not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

My mom used to make pinwheels every Christmas, and I still love them. They are so colorful, and perfect for sharing in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland

I often bake this beautiful cake in my large cast-iron skillet and turn it out onto a pizza pan. —Jennifer Sergesketter, Newburgh, Indiana

I’m a chocolate lover, and these cream cheese brownies have satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can’t be beat. My family requests them often, and I’m happy to oblige. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming

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

This is the easiest, most impressive cake I’ve ever made! You can use chocolate, lemon or strawberry cake mix in the place of red velvet. —Robert Pickart, Chicago, Illinois

My easy-to-make puff pastry crust is topped with a soft-set pudding layer that has a hint of strawberry flavor. It needs to chill for at least an hour, so it’s your new go-to for a make-ahead brunch! —Candace Richter, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Orange and lemon beautifully complement the raspberry flavor in this dense cake. Add a dusting of confectioners’ sugar for a pretty finishing touch. —Pat Harlow, Cataldo, Idaho

This dessert is special enough to make hamburgers and fries a meal to remember! It’s so tall and pretty and just like eating a frozen banana split. Make it ahead to save time. —Joy Collins, Birmingham, Alabama

This fluffy cake is a real treat drizzled with the sweet-tart lemon glaze. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah

Mmmm—this tart is bursting with the fresh flavor of blueberries! Not only do I bake the berries with the crust but after I take the tart out of the oven, I top it with just-picked fruit. —Lyin Schramm, Berwick, Maine