10 sweet treats made better on the barbecue

10 BBQ grilled sweet treats guide

Your grill isn’t only good for the savoury. At Outback we believe everything, including a sweet treat tastes better having been on the barbecue. Fruit caramelises, chocolate melts and pancakes get crisped to perfection, leaving you with a dish sure to satisfy those sweet cravings.

They’re easy to make and good to taste. Finish your dinner party in style with these sweet treats that are ideal for the grill.

Ideal BBQ accessories/add-ons for sweet treats

Essential equipment outside of the grill includes foil and the Outback Cast Iron Paella Pan, a deep dish skillet ideal for use on barbecues.

Of course you’ll need your recipes’ ingredients, but don’t forget the finishing touches. Ice-cream, dessert sauces and even herbs like mint or lavender give your sweet treats extra flavour and personality.

Barbecued desserts & treats

1. Campfire cinnamon rolls

A perfect way to start your day or finish your meal, cinnamon rolls are an all-rounder. Whether you’re making them from scratch or skewering ready-made rolls, they taste even better toasted over a grill or open flame.

Top them off with some royal icing or a helping of cream and they’re a toasty treat perfect for cooler autumn evenings.

2. Grilled fruit sundaes

Grilling fruit releases their natural sugars, resulting in a sweet, caramelised flavour – making them the perfect base for an ice cream sundae.

Pineapples, peaches and bananas are ideal for this dish because they provide a flat surface to stack your ice cream and toppings onto.

Grill your chosen fruit until golden brown, add ice cream and any toppings of your choice like sweet sauces or dulce de leche and you have a classic summer go-to. Our recipe for Grilled Peaches with Raspberry Sauce offers some great inspiration.

3. Sweet pizza

You can’t get more savoury than pizza and barbecues – and yet sweet pizzas are great crowd-pleasers for end of dinner desserts.

Not only are they easy to make, they’re perfect for sharing. Once you’ve made a traditional pizza base the rest can be customised by you. Nutella makes for a great base sauce, then add toppings of your choice like strawberries, nuts or marshmallows and grill on the Outback cast iron pan to enjoy a sweet and smoky combination.

Making a sweet pizza is also a great event when hosting, have guests make their own desserts, tailored to their favourite flavours. Not only does this solve your dessert dilemma it makes for great fun.

4. Barbecue cookie in cast iron pan

This dish couldn’t be easier. Layer cookies of your choice with marshmallow and chunks of chocolate into the cast iron pan, cover with aluminium foil and toast until the edges of the cookie turn golden brown. Then simply partition the contents evenly and serve in a bowl with ice cream.

Depending on the size of the pan used, this dish typically serves 6-8 people so it’s great for dinner parties and cook-outs.

5. Grill Toasted marshmallow strawberries

Somewhere between a s’more and chocolate covered strawberry sits this soon-to-be household staple. Dip strawberries into marshmallow fluff and toast until you’re happy with the colour.

They’re a less rich, more vibrant alternative to the undisputed s’more and they add a nice tang and touch of refreshment, perfect for hot summer nights.

6. Berry crisp foil packs

Using some foil and simple ingredients you can make the perfect berry crisp ideal for al-fresco dining.

In two mixing bowls, make two separate mixtures. The first consists of the berries of your choice with sugar. The second combines flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter.

Fold your aluminium foil into 8 x 8 square packets to contain your berry crisps while on the grill. Layer the two mixtures in the foil packets and cook on the grill for 15 – 20 minutes. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!

7. Barbecue Grilled fruit skewers

Fruit skewers in summer are a must-have and a great way to upgrade them is to grill them on the barbecue.

The extra heat brings out all the natural sugars, caramelising them to perfection. Stack them on a skewer to enjoy a variety of textures. Once cooked, drizzle with olive oil and honey for a sweet treat low on fats and high on flavour.

8. BBQ Skillet peach cobbler

Similar to berry crisps, but a little richer, grilled cobbler is a fun alternative to the usual baking method. This dish is delicious, customisable and ideal for sharing.

Create two separate mixtures in two bowls. One consisting of your chosen filling – this could be peach, berry or apple. In the other mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, butter and salt. Pour your filling into the cast iron pan and top with the dry mixture. Cook for 20 minutes until the top mixture is cooked and the filling is bubbling through.

If you’re in the mood for pastry why not try our recipe for Skillet Cherry Pie with Clotted Cream and Pistachios.

9. BBQ Toasted Rice Krispie treats

Putting a twist on a childhood classic is a great way to make the most of your barbecue.

Combine melted butter, marshmallow fluff and a pinch of salt with rice Krispie treats. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before cutting into equal squares and toasting over the grill.

For extra sweetness you could make a s’more out of two squares by adding some chocolate and a marshmallow in between. Or simply serve with some chocolate sauce and grilled fruit skewers.

10. S’mores

A tried and tested classic. This list wouldn’t be complete without the humble s’more. But there’s a few ways to upgrade this iconic campfire snack. Try adding a layer of jam or peanut butter – or both – on the crackers.

You can even cook s’mores in skillet form, lining the pan with marshmallow and chocolate squares, toast until golden, then dip away with the cookie or cracker of choice.

Final thoughts

By putting a twist on classic recipes, you can use your barbecue to its full potential and inject some sugary goodness into your meals, dinner parties and garden cookouts.

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