Summer is here! That means HOT weather, BBQ parties, swimming, beach picnics, etc etc etc! There’s nothing like summer in the northwest. The mornings are breezy and fresh and the evenings are warm and calm. As night time falls the temperatures usually reach a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit and you can hit the town for some late night fun with friends and family. But lets get back to the BBQ parties because there’s tons of these happening, and really hot weather is the perfect excuse to get friends and family together for a BBQ.
Our family likes to get together a few weekends out of the month and we typically rotate who’s home we’ll be gathering in. The men claim the grills and the women like to whip up new and exciting dishes for the family to try. Doing a sort of pot-luck theme is the easiest and most stress free way I’ve found to throw a summer backyard BBQ party at my home and everyone is designated a special dish to bring. This gets people involved and excited, and really brings the family together.
Every season in the northwest brings in-season fruits and vegetables-yum! And summertime is about the freshest of fruits, and cold flavors. Nobody wants a heavy meal at a summertime BBQ when the weather is hot and any sport or activity requires energy and sweat. So delicious, light recipes are the way to go! These happen to be my favorite recipes, so lets share some today!
People typically get excited about the meats and the shish kabobs at a BBQ party, but what about dessert? Not a meal that people think of first, but they’ll CERTAINLY notice if it isn’t there! When it comes to summertime desserts, the trend is the same : cold and refreshing! I’ve got some incredible cold summer desserts in store for you that you can whip up at your next backyard BBQ this summer! Get ready to be hounded for these recipes, because nobody will forget the way these desserts taste and feel on a summer afternoon.
1. Blackberry Cheesecake With Snickers Crust
I know, cheesecake isn’t exactly a rare dessert, but a good cheesecake topped with fresh fruits and a Snickers crust will be the first dessert that disappears at a BBQ. That’s because this is a classic dessert with a unique twist that everyone loves, and it’s served ice cold making it the perfect summertime dessert. You can use any fruits you like, but I think the sweetness and tartness of blackberries compliments the cheesecake best.
What You’ll Need:
2 Packages of Your Favorite Cream Cheese
3/4 Cup Sugar & 1/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
5 Snickers Bars
1 Package Fresh Blackberries
First grind the Snickers bars in a food processor until it reaches a grainy consistency. Butter a round cake pan and use your hands to press the Snickers crust in. One less step- no need to bake the crust! Make sure the cream cheese is room temperature- this is imperative to a smooth cheesecake! Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs in a bowl until smooth. Pour into Snickers crust and bake on 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Chill in refrigerator at least two hours prior to serving.
While cheesecake is chilling in the fridge, mash blackberries and sugar into a pan on medium heat and reduce. When the mixture is “pourable” use a spoon to scoop the mixture onto the cheesecake. You can make beautiful patterns with it. Top with fresh blackberries and a mint leaf and you are ready to serve this unforgettable blackberry cheesecake!
2. Lavender Creme Brûlée
Oh my goodness- this dessert will have your guests ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the look and taste of this lavender creme brûlée. Obviously this isn’t the type of dessert that can feed a huge crowd (unless you’re very brave and have a LOT of time on your hands), but when you’re throwing a small get together and want to wow your guests, this is my go-to dessert.
What You’ll Need:
1 Qt Heavy Cream
6 Egg Yolks
3/4 Cup Vanilla Sugar
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Rum
Few Sprigs of Lavender
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and begin heating the heavy cream, vanilla extract, rum, and throw in a few sprigs of lavender in a pan. Make sure it doesn’t get too hot. Meanwhile whisk the egg yolks and vanilla sugar in a bowl until the mixture lightens in color and is a smooth consistency. Once the cream mixture only begins to bubble (not boil) take it off the stovetop and cover. Let sit for 15 minutes. Remove lavender sprigs.
Prepare your ramekins- this recipe serves 6. Put ramekins into a large pan. Slowly whisk in the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar so as not to scramble the eggs. This step is crucial! Pour the custard into your ramekins and fill the pan with boiling water enough to cover half of the ramekin.
Bake for 45 minutes and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Once your creme brûlées have chilled, set your oven to broil at 500 degrees, sprinkle sugar on top of creme brûlées and broil for 3 minutes. The top should be hard and the custard should be smooth and perfect! Top with a few sprigs of lavender for an incredible presentation!
3. Nectarine Semifreddo
OK guys, how about a no-bake dessert to add to your collection? Look no further than this delicious peach semifreddo! It’s quick, simple, frozen and is sure to be a hit at your next party.
What You’ll Need:
1 Cup Creme Fraiche
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1/4 Cup Confectioner’s Sugar
1/3 Cup Chopped Pistachios
3 Nectarines
The most important rule for having this dessert turn out perfectly is to make sure your ingredients are COLD. Cold creme fraiche, cold heavy cream. Beat creme fraiche until it thickens and soft peaks form, add the confectioner’s sugar and slowly add the heavy cream. Be careful to fold in pistachios so as not to deflate your mixture. Here you can add an optional flavor like vanilla or orange extract.
Line your loaf pan with plastic wrap and put your mixture into the loaf pan. Freeze the Semifreddo for at least 5 hours before service. Once ready to serve to your guests, remove Semifreddo onto a platter, slice nectarines very thinly and arrange beautifully on top. Add a drizzle of honey (optional) and top with a mint leaf!
4. Frozen Key Lime Pie
Ooh! Another delicious dessert that you don’t need to bake? Sign me up! Here’s a delicious frosty take on a key lime pie!
What You’ll Need:
For The Crust:
Graham Crackers
Unsalted Butter
For The Pie:
1/3 Cup Sugar
5 Egg Yolks
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Lime Juice
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Orange Extract
First you’ll need to arrange your crust, and this recipe calls for a traditional graham cracker crust. Combine melted butter and graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until desired consistency. Push crust into a baking dish and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.
Next beat egg yolks and sugar until it forms a thick mixture. Add the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and extracts. Pour the smooth mixture into your pie crust and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
You can top your key lime pie with a simple cream made with confectioner’s sugar and heavy whipping cream. For additional decoration, arrange thinly sliced lime and sprinkle shredded lime zest and white chocolate on top!
5. Strawberry & Thyme Ice Pops
Every BBQ or cookout deserves ice cream popsicles! No spoons or forks, just a simple stick to hold and eat your ice pops on! This recipe is so simple, you only need a few ingredients and a couple hours for freezing. If you’re not into anything too sweet, these strawberry and thyme ice pops are made for you! They deliver a delicious fruity flavor with the pop of an herb and they truly will be the star dessert at your BBQ.
What You’ll Need:
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Thyme
Lemon Juice
Sugar
7 UP
Popsicle Molds
Popsicle Sticks
Puree strawberries,7 UP, thyme, lemon juice, and sugar in a blender or food processor. You don’t need to measure how much of what goes in because it is totally up to you how sweet or herby you like your popsicles! Once you have achieved a smooth puree, pour into some fun popsicle molds and add your popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving! Delicious!
You now have 5 easy recipes to show off at your next backyard summer BBQ, or to take with you to a potluck! Prepare to be the dessert star of the party, and don’t be surprised when repeatedly asked for these recipes! Enjoy!