12 Memorial Day Desserts To Kickoff Summer

Kick off your summer with some tasty Memorial Day desserts. These recipes will please a crowd and are great for the summer season.

Strawberry Passion Fruit Sheet Cake | Memorial Day Desserts

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer here in Minnesota. I think that’s true almost everywhere, but after the long, cold winter and often erratic spring, it’s especially so in The North. Like every changing season, there’s no better way to enjoy all the time has to offer than with tasty, seasonal desserts. For Memorial Day, I’ve put together a list of treats that include crowd pleasers for big weekend get-togethers, and a whole bunch of fruits. It’s nearly summer now, which means it’s time to enjoy as much fruit as possible the next few months.

Memorial Day Desserts

Blueberries are one of those ingredients that need nothing more than themselves to be special. The color adds natural drama and the sweet-tart flavor is a dynamic pairing with creamy cheesecake. I made a bright purple sauce by cooking frozen blueberries with nothing more than a touch of sugar and lemon zest, so the blueberry flavor is intense.
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Based on recipes from Zoë Bakes Cakes.
Classic, white cake, with a big messy pile of perfect strawberries resting on passion fruit buttercream. It is super easy to put together, but looks like sunshine and happiness, so no one will care that you didn't have to work that hard.
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The hidden secret of bars is that they’re rustic in their beauty, but magnificent in flavor and super simple to make. These raspberry cheesecake streusel bars from Edd Kimber's book One Tin Bakes are just a little TOO GOOD! You’ll bring them to every school function, picnic, family gathering and they'll be the treat you snuggle on the couch with while binge watching the GBBO.
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Rhubarb Berry Crumble is one of my most treasured desserts. This version is just the right amount of sweet, but still tart enough to be true to rhubarb’s best quality. The crumble is buttery and rich, aa perfectly balanced partnership with the filling. I made a batch of vanilla ice cream and swirled some raspberry jam into it for the top.
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I love strawberries, but they are a bit too sweet and jammy on their own in a pie. The marriage of rhubarb and strawberries is perfection, because sometimes opposites attract.
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The honey flavor is mellow and delicate with just a subtle hint of saffron in the ice cream. My family loved this recipe and I hope you do too! My ice cream inspiration came from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz.
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There are some secrets to great ice cream. It doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult, but having the right ingredients, technique and equipment can go a long way toward success. Check out 5 tips for creamy ice cream every time and while you're at it, get this recipe for my family’s favorite ice cream. The recipe comes from The Perfect Scoop.
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This Strawberry Rhubarb Fool Cheesecake was a happy mistake. You know how they say you learn from your failures? Well, I was going for a tourteau fromage and it went wrong in a big way.
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Key Lime Pie is what I would make if stuck on a desert island. It satisfies my craving for sweet, creamy and tart. The perfect dessert!
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A semifreddo is a cross between ice cream and mousse, but doesn't require any special equipment to prepare. The texture is smooth and luxurious when allowed to sit at room temperature until it just on the verge of melting, but still partially cold, hence the name. 
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If Memorial Day means the start of summer, that means it's time for some homemade marshmallows. This recipe is perfect for s'mores around the campfire.
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What makes a peach pie even better? Adding candied bacon. The salty sweet combination of this pie is treat that can be eaten all year round.
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Lemon desserts, rhubarb desserts and homemade ice cream are all perfect for spring and summer too!

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One thought to “12 Memorial Day Desserts To Kickoff Summer”

  1. OMG! These look/are sooooo good!! I will be very busy baking most of them over the next few weeks until I have my shoulder replacement surgery. Then I fear I will be eating them all!!

    I wanted to let you know I made your individual Tiramisu yesterday for a friend’s birthday. Never have I ever…
    washed so many bowls or made anything more amazing! His birthday is next week so I froze them after reading elsewhere that this will only enhance their flavors. I know this is true of so many cakes, so I am trusting it will be so for these babies. I don’t know when I will ever make them again. I think they went out of fashion (as you mentioned in your book) because the restaurant dishwashers all quit!

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