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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    The 30 Best Southern Desserts to Serve at a Cookout

    Published: May 21, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    If you’re planning a cookout and really want to impress, forget the store-bought cookies—it’s all about those Southern desserts. You know, the kind that taste like they came straight from Grandma’s kitchen and somehow make the whole backyard smell like heaven. From gooey pies to fluffy cakes, these treats are guaranteed to disappear faster than the barbecue. Trust me, your sweet tooth is not ready for this lineup.

    Gooey Turtle Brownies with Homemade Caramel

    A batch of turtle brownies stacked on top of each other.
    Gooey Turtle Brownies with Homemade Caramel. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    These ultra-rich brownies feature homemade caramel and crunchy pecans, elevating the classic chocolate treat. A dash of cayenne adds a subtle kick, making them a unique addition to your dessert table.
    Get the Recipe: Gooey Turtle Brownies with Homemade Caramel

    Old Fashioned Peach Pound Cake

    A sliced peach pound cake
    Old Fashioned Peach Pound Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    This moist pound cake is infused with fresh peach chunks and puree, topped with a simple peach glaze for the best summer dessert. It’s a delightful way to showcase seasonal peaches at your cookout.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Peach Pound Cake

    Chocolate Chess Pie

    A chocolate chess pie topped with whip cream swirls.
    Chocolate Chess Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This dense and fudgy pie boasts a rich chocolate flavor that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Its sturdy texture makes it an excellent choice among cookout desserts that can be easily transported.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chess Pie

    Classic Southern Banana Pudding

    A glass bowl filled with layers of creamy dessert, likely banana pudding, showcases the irresistible appeal of layered desserts, topped with crumbled cookies or wafers.
    Classic Southern Banana Pudding. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    This timeless dessert layers creamy vanilla pudding with ripe bananas and vanilla wafers, creating a comforting treat that’s a staple at Southern gatherings. Its make-ahead nature makes it one of the ideal cookout desserts for warm-weather events.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Banana Pudding

    Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe With Premade Pie Crust

    Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe With Premade Pie Crust. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This easy peach cobbler with premade pie crust recipe only takes about 15 minutes to prepare using fresh, canned, or frozen peaches.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe With Premade Pie Crust

    Vintage Banana Split Cake With Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

    A bundt cake topped with white and caramel glaze, drizzled with chocolate, and sprinkled with chopped pecans, sits on a white plate—the perfect treat for a bit of baking therapy.
    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

    Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Tray of sliced sheet cake topped with creamy white frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans, with a serving spatula partially under one piece and a knife resting beside the tray.
    Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Hummingbird Sheet Cake combines ripe bananas, pineapple, and cinnamon with a rich cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans.
    Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Light And Flaky Banana Nut Scones With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Light And Flaky Banana Nut Scones With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Fluffy banana scones with pecans and brown butter frosting. Easy to make, freezer-friendly, and the perfect mix of sweet and buttery.
    Get the Recipe: Light And Flaky Banana Nut Scones With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie (+ Bourbon Whipped Cream)

    A fork cutting a bite of derby pie.
    Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie (+ Bourbon Whipped Cream). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This classic Derby Pie is made with a butter crust and a chocolate and walnut filling. lt’s like a chocolate chip cookie in pie form.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie (+ Bourbon Whipped Cream)

    Lemon Shortbread Cookies With Lemon Zest

    Lemon Shortbread Cookies With Lemon Zest. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Buttery lemon shortbread cookies with fresh zest and a perfect touch of sweetness. Easy to make and deliciously melt-in-your-mouth.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Cookies With Lemon Zest

    Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

    A classic southern desserts favorite, creamy banana pudding topped with fluffy meringue is partially served with a spoon, resting beside several vintage metal spoons on a gray surface.
    Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    This warm banana pudding is a deliciously creamy dessert made with fresh bananas and a rich custard.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

    No-Bake Turtle Pie With A Chocolate Caramel Sauce

    A slice of chocolate cheesecake on a white plate
    No-Bake Turtle Pie With A Chocolate Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Turtle Pie features a delicious Oreo crust, creamy peanut butter filling, and homemade caramel sauce with pecans, making it the ultimate indulgence.
    Get the Recipe: No-Bake Turtle Pie With A Chocolate Caramel Sauce

    Homemade Blueberry Biscuits (Bojangles Copycat)

    Iced scones with visible raisins or currants cool on a black wire rack, viewed from above. With their light golden color and white glaze, these treats will inspire blueberry recipes and more for your next baking session.
    Homemade Blueberry Biscuits (Bojangles Copycat). Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Blueberry biscuits with a creamy lemon glaze are made with fresh blueberries, buttermilk, and a touch of cream cheese for the perfect sweet treat.
    Get the Recipe: Homemade Blueberry Biscuits (Bojangles Copycat)

    Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe

    A blue baking pan with peach cobbler cake covered with ice cream.
    Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    No mixer is needed for this simple peach cake. Melted butter in the baking dish creates a fabulous crust.
    Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe

    Double Strawberry Layer Cake

    A bite out of a slice of strawberry cake
    Double Strawberry Layer Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This moist homemade cake is infused with both fresh and freeze-dried strawberries, delivering a double dose of berry flavor. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion.
    Get the Recipe: Double Strawberry Layer Cake

    Fudgy Pecan Brownies

    Close-up of chocolate brownies with nuts, topped with flaky sea salt, stacked on a wire cooling rack—perfect sweet treats for mom.
    Fudgy Pecan Brownies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich and chocolaty, these pecan brownies are packed full of nuts, offering a delightful crunch in every bite. If you’re a chocolate lover, the dark and bittersweet combination will satisfy your sweet tooth.
    Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Brownies

    German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut

    A batch of German chocolate brownies on parchment paper.
    German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These three-layer brownies bring all the delicious flavors of a German Chocolate cake in bar form. The pecan coconut filling is nestled between rich brownie layers, making it a treat for coconut lovers.
    Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut

    Strawberry Lemon Cake with Honey Whipped Cream

    A bite of cake on a fork with whipped cream
    Strawberry Lemon Cake with Honey Whipped Cream. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This light cake combines fresh strawberries and lemon zest, topped with a honey whipped cream for a refreshing dessert. It’s easy to make in advance and perfect for transport to any gathering.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemon Cake with Honey Whipped Cream

    Pecan Pie Cheesecake

    A slice of cheesecake topped with whole pecans and drizzled with caramel sauce sits on a white plate—a delightful addition to any pecan desserts spread.
    Pecan Pie Cheesecake. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake is the perfect Thanksgiving dessert! Cheesecake topped with pecans with warm caramel drizzled over! SO GOOD!
    Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cheesecake

    Moist Texas Sheet Cake With Pecans

    Moist Texas Sheet Cake With Pecans. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Texas Sheet Cake with cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, and pecans. A simple recipe that’s big on flavor and texture.
    Get the Recipe: Moist Texas Sheet Cake With Pecans

    Southern Butter Pecan Cake

    Southern Butter Pecan Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    This rich and moist cake is studded with toasted pecans and enveloped in a buttery frosting, epitomizing the essence of Southern cakes. Its decadent flavor profile makes it a standout at any cookout.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Butter Pecan Cake

    Lemon Icebox Pie

    A creamy pie with a golden brown graham cracker crust is partially cut, revealing its smooth texture. A slice of this delectable lemon dessert is placed on a white scalloped plate nearby, next to another plate holding lemon wedges and silver utensils. A grey napkin lies beneath the plates.
    Lemon Icebox Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    This no-bake pie combines tangy lemon filling with a sweet graham cracker crust, offering a refreshing finish to any meal. It’s a perfect picnic sweet that keeps well in the cooler until serving time.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Icebox Pie

    Southern Sweet Potato Pie

    Southern Sweet Potato Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Featuring a smooth, spiced filling, this pie is a beloved classic in Southern cuisine. Its robust flavors and firm structure make it a reliable addition to your cookout desserts lineup.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie

    Easy Strawberry Shortcake

    A slice of strawberry shortcake with frosting.
    Easy Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, this shortcake is a light and delightful treat. It’s a picnic sweet that’s both visually appealing and palate-pleasing.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Shortcake

    Pecan Praline Cookies

    Pecan Praline Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    These chewy cookies are infused with the rich flavor of pecan pralines, offering a delightful crunch in every bite. They’re an excellent handheld option among cookout desserts.
    Get the Recipe: Pecan Praline Cookies

    Gooey Carmelita Bars With Caramel, Chocolate And Oatmeal

    Gooey Carmelita Bars With Caramel, Chocolate And Oatmeal. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Carmelitas with oatmeal crust, chocolate chips, and gooey caramel, topped with flaky sea salt. A sweet, chewy dessert that’s perfect for sharing.
    Get the Recipe: Gooey Carmelita Bars With Caramel, Chocolate And Oatmeal

    Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce

    Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Decadent chocolate bread pudding topped with toasted pecans, coconut, and a bourbon-infused sauce.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce

    Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

    Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Light and fluffy Angel Food Cake made with egg whites, vanilla, and powdered sugar. A simple, airy dessert that’s like a slice of heaven.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Angel Food Cake With Lemon Curd

    Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

    Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    This Praline Cheesecake with caramel sauce has everything you crave—a crunchy pecan crust, creamy cheesecake, and rich, homemade caramel.
    Get the Recipe: Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

    Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

    A buttermilk pie that has been cut into slices.
    Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Treat yourself to the creamy delight of Southern Buttermilk Pie. It’s a classic with a touch of cinnamon – pure yumminess!
    Get the Recipe: Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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