The 29 Southern Desserts That Took Over the Cookout

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

There’s always that one table at the cookout that pulls a crowd—and it’s not the grill. These Southern desserts that took over the cookout had people lining up twice, maybe three times, like they forgot they already grabbed a slice. From silky pies to sky-high cakes, they brought the kind of flavor that shut down small talk mid-bite. Honestly, they didn’t just show up—they stole the whole show.

Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze

Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze stacked.
Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Cornmeal Lime Cookies are crisp, soft, and full of zesty lime flavor. Topped with a tangy lime glaze, they’re the perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze

Fresh Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

top view of fresh strawberry cake.
Fresh Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Strawberry Cake is light and fluffy made with real strawberries and topped with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Pudding Lasagna Recipe

Banana Pudding Lasagna Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Southern-style banana pudding lasagna with cheesecake, fresh bananas, decadent condensed milk pudding, real whipped cream, and a crisp vanilla wafer crust.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Lasagna Recipe

Hello Dolly Bars (Aka 7 Layer Bars): Easy, Gooey & Irresistible

hello dolly bars on parchment paper.
Hello Dolly Bars (Aka 7 Layer Bars): Easy, Gooey & Irresistible. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

These gooey Hello Dolly Bars (aka 7 Layer Bars) are easy to make with chocolate, coconut, and pecans, all baked on a buttery graham cracker crust.
Get the Recipe: Hello Dolly Bars (Aka 7 Layer Bars): Easy, Gooey & Irresistible

Old Fashioned Southern Burned Caramel Cake

Old Fashioned Southern Burned Caramel Cake. Photo credit: Mom Loves Baking.

Old Fashioned Southern Burned Caramel Cake is a homemade yellow cake with a cooked caramel frosting made on the stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Southern Burned Caramel Cake

Fudgy Pecan Praline Brownies

pecan brownies on a wire rack.
Fudgy Pecan Praline Brownies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Fudgy Praline Brownies made with dark chocolate, cocoa, pecans, and homemade brown sugar pralines folded right into the batter.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Praline Brownies

Moist 7 Up Cake With Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

A bundt cake with frosting and lime slices.
Moist 7 Up Cake With Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Moist 7 Up cake with lemon-lime soda, fresh zest, sweet syrup, and a tangy cream cheese frosting is a nostalgic dessert with a modern spin.
Get the Recipe: Moist 7 Up Cake With Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie just like grandma made. A rich chocolate filling, flaky pie crust and airy meringue topping.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie

Southern Peach Cobbler With Buttermilk Biscuits

peach cobbler with biscuits in a skillet.
Southern Peach Cobbler With Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Homemade Peach Cobbler with fresh peaches, cinnamon, and buttermilk biscuits. Easy, fruity, and baked right in a skillet or baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler With Buttermilk Biscuits

Strawberry Icebox Pie With A Crisp Pretzel Crust

slice of strawberry icebox pie on a plate.
Strawberry Icebox Pie With A Crisp Pretzel Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Strawberry Icebox Pie made with real strawberries, lemon juice, gelatin, and a pretzel crust for a nostalgic spring or summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Icebox Pie With A Crisp Pretzel Crust

Chewy Brown Butter Blondies With Toffee

brown butter blondies on a large plate and two smaller plates.
Chewy Brown Butter Blondies With Toffee. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Chewy Brown Butter Blondies with toffee, pecans, and brown sugar. Rich, simple, and packed with flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Brown Butter Blondies With Toffee

Strawberry Slab Pie With A Double Pie Crust

A slice of strawberry pie on a plate with whipped cream.
Strawberry Slab Pie With A Double Pie Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery crust, fresh strawberries, orange zest, and a sugar topping come together in this easy slab pie perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Slab Pie With A Double Pie Crust

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars are seriously so good! All the things you love about snickerdoodles plus soft caramel in the middle!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

A butter cake on a platter.
Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Kentucky Butter Cake is a Southern staple thanks to its tender crumb that’s soaked in a sweet butter sauce while still warm.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

Marshmallow Squares With Pretzels, Popcorn, And Potato Chips

marshmallow squares on a dark background.
Fudgy Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Salty chips, popcorn, and pretzels mixed with melted marshmallows and browned butter for a quick no-bake treat. No cereal required.
Get the Recipe: Marshmallow Squares With Pretzels, Popcorn, And Potato Chips

Creamy Peach Cheesecake With A Vanilla Wafer Crust

slice of peach cheesecake on a white plate.
Creamy Peach Cheesecake With A Vanilla Wafer Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy cheesecake with a vanilla wafer crust, fresh peaches, and a peach jam glaze. A smooth, no-fail recipe perfect for summer gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Peach Cheesecake With A Vanilla Wafer Crust

Fudgy Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

raspberry cream cheese brownies on a wire rack.
Marshmallow Squares With Pretzels, Popcorn, And Potato Chips. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Fudgy brownies swirled with raspberry cream cheese and topped with fresh berries for a sweet and tangy treat.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

Cream Cheese Banana Pudding With Chessman Cookies

banana pudding topped with chessman.
Cream Cheese Banana Pudding With Chessman Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy banana pudding with fresh bananas, a tangy cream cheese layer, and Chessman cookies for a buttery crunch. A Southern classic made even better.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Banana Pudding With Chessman Cookies

A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk

A sweet potato pie next to a bowl of whipped cream.
A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Sweet Potato Pie with condensed milk, orange zest, and cinnamon makes for a creamy, flavorful dessert. Perfect for holidays or any time of year.
Get the Recipe: A Foolproof Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Made With Condensed Milk

Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

A banana split bundt cake tihw toppings.
Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

A moist banana split bundt cake with pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans, topped with pineapple cream cheese frosting.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

Incredibly Moist Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

A cream cheese frosted sweet potato cake on a cake platter.
Incredibly Moist Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Fluffy Sweet Potato Cake with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a silky cream cheese frosting. A soft, bakery-style treat perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Incredibly Moist Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

A bowl of banana pudding with a spoon in it next to two servings.
The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Featuring layers of bananas, creamy vanilla pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafer cookies, this Banana Pudding is an instant classic.
Get the Recipe: The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

A bowl of blackberry cobbler with a biscuit on top.
An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Blackberry cobbler has a syrupy blackberry filling topped with golden brown créme fraiche biscuits made from scratch.
Get the Recipe: An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

Banana Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

banana layer cake slice.
Banana Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This moist banana layer cake with rich brown butter cream cheese frosting is a deliciously easy dessert perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Banana Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Southern Banana Cream Pie With A Walnut Crust

slices of banana cream pie on white plates with forks.
Southern Banana Cream Pie With A Walnut Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Banana Cream pie with a Walnut Crust, vanilla custard, and fresh bananas. A nostalgic Southern treat that tastes like home.
Get the Recipe: Southern Banana Cream Pie With A Walnut Crust

Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

a slice of coca cola cake on a plate.
Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This chocolate Coca-Cola cake is made with the iconic soda, mini marshmallows, and unsweetened cocoa powder for extra rich chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marsh

Banana Pudding Poke Cake With Vanilla Pudding

slice of banana pudding poke cake on a glass plate with a fork on the side and the cake in the background.
Banana Pudding Poke Cake With Vanilla Pudding. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Banana Pudding Poke Cake combines moist cake with vanilla pudding and tops it with whipped cream, bananas, and vanilla wafers.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Poke Cake With Vanilla Pudding

Peach Pie with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

A slice of peach pie topped with pecan crumble.
Peach Pie with Cinnamon Crumb Topping. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This pie features a buttery crust loaded with fresh peaches and topped with a crunchy cinnamon crumble. A showstopping dessert that’s sure to impress at any Southern table.
Get the Recipe: Peach Pie with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

Layered Banana Pudding Brownies

Layered Banana Pudding Brownies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Easy to make, layered Banana Pudding Brownies are a fun twist on the classic dessert banana pudding with vanilla wafers.
Get the Recipe: Layered Banana Pudding Brownies

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *