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5 Tasty Treats to Make this Labor Day Weekend

An annual celebration on the first Monday in September, Labor Day is a holiday that officially marks the end of summer. A time to honor the workforce's contribution to society, there's no better way to spend the day than kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying good food at a Labor Day cookout. While the grilled meals are great, dessert is the real star of the show. Here are five fantastic dessert recipes and dessert ideas to add to your Labor Day menu! 

Apple Crisp

apple crisp with wooden spoon

Ingredients 

Topping 

  • ⅔ cup old-fashioned oats 
  • ½ cup flour 
  • ½ cup brown sugar 
  • ½ tsp cinnamon 
  • ½ tsp baking powder 
  • ½ cup salted butter, shredded or cubed 

Filling  

  • 3 Tbsp salted butter, melted 
  • 2 Tbsp flour 
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice 
  • 3 Tbsp milk 
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract 
  • ¼ cup brown sugar 
  • ½ tsp cinnamon 
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg  
  • 3-4 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled & thinly sliced 

Directions 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 
  2. Mix all topping ingredients in a small bowl. Store in refrigerator while baking. 
  3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter and flour. Slowly incorporate lemon juice, milk, and vanilla extract, then stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add apple slices and mix until well-coated.  
  4. Pour apple mixture into an 8x8 baking dish, spreading out evenly. Sprinkle dish with topping mixture.  
  5. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden-brown. Wait 10 minutes before serving.  

Have leftover apples after making your apple crisp? Check out these unique ways to use up your apples! 

Carrot Cake

individual carrot cake slice

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups flour 
  • 2 tsp baking powder 
  • 1½ tsp baking soda 
  • 2 tsp cinnamon 
  • 1 tsp nutmeg 
  • 2 cups sugar 
  • 1 cup oil 
  • 4 eggs 
  • 2 cups carrots, grated 
  • 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained well 
  • ½ -¾ cup walnuts, chopped 
  • ¼ cup butter 
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature 
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, more if needed 

Directions  

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  
  3. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, oil, and eggs. Slowly add dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. 
  4. Stir the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped walnuts into the batter. 
  5. Pour into a greased and floured 9x12 baking dish or Bundt pan and bake for 45-60 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness. 
  6. For the frosting, cream the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Add powdered sugar and mix.  
  7. Frost the cake after it has cooled completely.  

Whoopie Pies

whoopie pies

Ingredients 

Pies 

  • 1 cup sugar  
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract  
  • 6 Tbsp shortening 
  • 1 egg  
  • 1 cup milk  
  • 2 cups flour  
  • 1½ tsp baking soda  
  • 5 Tbsp cocoa  
  • 1 tsp salt 

Marshmallow Filling  

  • ½ cup shortening  
  • 2 cups powdered sugar  
  • 1 jar marshmallow cream 
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract   
  • 1 Tbsp milk 

Directions 

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.  
  2. Make the pies by combining sugar, vanilla extract, shortening, egg, and milk in a small bowl. 
  3. Slowly mix in flour, baking soda, and cocoa. Stir in salt. 
  4. Scoop mounds of batter and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes.  
  5. Meanwhile, make the marshmallow filling by creaming the shortening and powdered sugar. 
  6. Beat in marshmallow cream, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.  
  7. Dollop marshmallow filling on the flat side of half the whoopie pies. Sandwich gently with the remaining whoopie pies.  

Banana Pudding

banana pudding in glass

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups whole milk, cold  
  • 5.1 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding mix  
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract  
  • 16 oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed  
  • 2 (11 oz) pkgs vanilla wafers  
  • 14 small bananas, sliced  

Directions  

  1. Add whole milk and pudding mix to a large bowl and beat with a whisk for 2 minutes.  
  2. Stir in the vanilla extract, then fold in whipped topping.  
  3. Layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture in a glass serving bowl or 9x13 glass dish and let chill.  
  4. Top with extra crushed wafers before serving. 

Limoncello Cake

lemon cake

Ingredients  

Cake 

  • 4 egg yolks 
  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 18 oz mascarpone cheese 
  • 4 cups limoncello liquor 
  • 1 bag ladyfinger cookies 

Streusel Topping 

  • ¼ cup flour 
  • 2 Tbsp sugar 
  • 2 Tbsp butter  

Directions 

  1. Make the cake by beating the egg yolks with the sugar until creamy. Mix in mascarpone cheese. Set aside.  
  2. Quickly dip each side of a ladyfinger cookie in the limoncello. Arrange ladyfingers in a single layer in a 12-inch pan. 
  3. Evenly top the ladyfinger layer with half of the mascarpone cream mixture.  
  4. Dip the remaining ladyfinger cookies in limoncello and place in a single layer on top of the cream layer. 
  5. Then, place the remaining mascarpone cream mix evenly over the final layer of ladyfingers. 
  6. For the streusel topping, mix the flour, sugar, and butter with your hands until large clumps form. 
  7. Spread streusel topping on top of the cake.  
  8. Chill overnight and serve. 

Limoncello is a key ingredient in many summertime beverages. Check out these summer cocktails to make before we say farewell to our favorite days!

Delicious Dessert Recipes (& Grilled Meals, Too!) 

Whether you make banana pudding or whip up a scrumptious carrot cake, these delicious Labor Day dessert ideas will surely make your cookout a hit. Looking for a main dish to accompany your sweet treats? Discover five foods that taste glorious when grilled now!