Food Holidays & Occasions Holidays 15 Labor Day Desserts for Savoring Every Last Bit of Summer Give summer a proper send-off by indulging in these sweet treats over the season's final long weekend. By Jodie Kautzmann Published on July 22, 2024 Close Photo: Carson Downing / Food Styling by Annie Probst / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans Summer's coming to an end, it's true. But why not sugar-coat it? There's still plenty of time to enjoy seasonal fruits like peaches, blackberries, plums, figs, and melons in all kinds of sweet treats; still-soaring temperatures mean frozen delights remain in order, too. Here, we've gathered a selection of our favorite dessert recipes perfect for a summer send-off, from simple cakes such as spiced chocolate-pecan Texas Sheet Cake to celebratory stunners like classic Baked Alaska. We've also included grab-and-go choices, in case you're planning a picnic or backyard barbecue. Here's to the last hurrah of summer. 01 of 15 Mango-Blackberry Cobbler with Cornmeal Biscuits Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Fluffy drop biscuits made with masa harina are a terrific complement to this cobbler's intensely fruity filling. It all comes together in a single skillet, so be sure to choose one that's oven-safe. Get the Recipe 02 of 15 Pineapple-Coconut Soft Serve Photo by Greg DuPree / Prop Styling by Christine Keely / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer Savor the flavors of tropical coconut and pineapple with just five ingredients and five minutes. Get the Recipe 03 of 15 Peach-Blueberry Pie Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Give summer a last hurrah with this jammy pie showcasing peaches and blueberries. Tart lemon zest and juice in the filling balance the sweetness of the fruit; crunchy turbinado sugar baked into the golden top crust makes each bite even more compelling. Get the Recipe 04 of 15 Tiramisu Sundae Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Tiramisu gets the frozen treatment in this sundae, which features layers of tangy mascarpone-flavored whipped cream, coffee ice cream, crunchy ladyfinger crumbles, cooled espresso, and cocoa powder. Get the Recipe 05 of 15 Plum Galette Carson Downing / Food Styling by Annie Probst / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans This gorgeous tart from legendary chef Jacques Pépin pairs in-season plums with a buttery, flaky crust that comes together easily in a food processor. Double down on plums with plum preserves for the filling, or use any fruit preserve of your choice. Get the Recipe 06 of 15 Baked Alaska Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell Baked Alaska is the ultimate frozen showstopper if you want to go all out. Here we layer chocolate ice cream, pistachio ice cream, and raspberry sorbet, but feel free to customize the flavors as you please. Get the Recipe 07 of 15 Mango Pie Eva Kolenko / Food Styling by Natalie Drobny / Prop Styling by Nidia Cueva Bursting with sunny mango flavor, this pie's creamy filling comes together easily in the blender using canned mango pulp, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a touch of gelatin to make it sliceable. Adding ground black cardamom to the graham cracker crust provides warmth and sophistication. Get the Recipe 08 of 15 Peach and Tomato Buckle CEDRIC ANGELES Juicy peaches and fruity cherry tomatoes make a lovely duo in this unique cake that's perfect for late summer. The savory notes are further enhanced by olive oil, while the almond streusel adds a pleasant, sweet crunch. Get the Recipe 09 of 15 Almond-and-Plum Snack Cake Photo by Johnny Autry / Food and Prop Styling by Charlotte Autry A trio of butter, sour cream, and chunks of thick, sweet almond paste make this moist cake studded with red ripe plums and toasted almonds exceptionally tender. Get the Recipe 10 of 15 Sugared Melon with Cardamom and Mint Cedric Angeles Sugar, cardamom, and fresh mint are all you need to transform ripe melon into this memorable dessert from chef Vishwesh Bhatt. Ripe, peak-season cantaloupe, honeydew, or other muskmelon will all work beautifully here. Serve it over ice cream for an extra-special treat. Get the Recipe 11 of 15 Prickly Pear Paletas Victor Protasio Prickly pears peak in August and September and yield a bright pink juice that colors these fun, summery ice pops from Justin Chapple. Get the Recipe 12 of 15 Strawberry Icebox Cake with Maple-Ginger Cream Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Melissa Gray / Prop Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas Straddle the seasons with summer berries and maple syrup in this crowd-pleasing make ahead cake. Get the Recipe 13 of 15 Rocky Road Brownies Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Joshua Hoggle / Food Styling by Marianne Williams Gooey and chocolaty are the name of the game with these brownies, which are topped with mini marshmallows, bittersweet chocolate chips, and roasted almonds for the last few minutes of baking. Add a few smoked almonds to the mix for a s’mores-like toasted flavor. Get the Recipe 14 of 15 Goat Milk and Corn Panna Cotta with Blackberries Christopher Testani Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson's tangy panna cotta is the perfect end-of-summer treat, showcasing the season's sweetest corn and tangy blackberries. A caramel corn garnish accents the delicate custard, providing a lovely textural contrast. Get the Recipe 15 of 15 Peach-Buttermilk Ice Cream John Kernick Harness the fragrance of those final peaches with Lisa Donovan's rich, tangy recipe. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit