Fab Five Desserts

Today’s Fab Five is taking a sweet little detour—instead of highlighting products or tips, I’m sharing my top five desserts to bring to your Memorial Day gathering. Whether you’re headed to a backyard BBQ, a picnic in the park, or just celebrating with family at home, these treats are easy to make, simple to transport, and guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers.

🍪 First up: Cookies! Cookies are the ultimate party dessert—portable, pre-portioned, and always a hit with kids and adults alike. If you’re leaning toward cookies this year, I’ve got several tried-and-true favorites for you to choose from:

• Cake Mix Cookies – Soft, chewy, and endlessly customizable.
• Homemade Oreos – Rich chocolate cookies sandwiched with sweet cream filling.
• Sugar Cookie Bars – All the flavor of classic sugar cookies, but baked in a pan for easy slicing.
• Zesty Lemon Cookies – Bright, tangy, and perfect for spring and summer celebrations.

And while they didn’t make the photo lineup, don’t forget about these other delicious options: Easy Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the uniquely fun Root Beer Cookies—each one brings something special to the table.

🍫 Next up in our Fab Five Memorial Day desserts: brownies and bars—because sometimes, the best treats come in squares. These goodies are rich, portable, and easy to slice and share, making them ideal for picnics, potlucks, and backyard BBQs. Whether you’re craving something chocolatey, nutty, gooey, or nostalgic, this lineup has a little something for everyone.

Let’s start with a few all-stars:

• S’more Bars – All the campfire flavor without the flames: graham cracker base, gooey marshmallow, and melty chocolate.
• Over the Top Brownies – Fudgy, decadent, and loaded with extras—these are for serious chocolate lovers.
• Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies – A classic combo of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, swirled to perfection.
• Reese’s Brownies – Packed with peanut butter cups for a candy-bar-meets-brownie experience.
• White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Blondies – Buttery and sweet with a satisfying crunch.

Other favorites that deserve a spot on your dessert table:

• Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars – Like your favorite cookie, but in bar form—easy to make and even easier to love.
• S’mores Brownies – A twist on the classic, with a brownie base and toasted marshmallow topping.
• Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies – Rich, layered, and indulgent with a creamy peanut butter center.
• Oats and Everything Bars – Hearty and chewy, loaded with chocolate chips, nuts, and oats.
• Layered Peanut Butter Bars – Sweet, salty, and stacked with flavor.
• Marshmallow Brownies – Fudgy brownies topped with gooey marshmallow and a drizzle of chocolate—pure comfort in every bite.

These bars and brownies are easy to make ahead, travel well, and offer that perfect handheld indulgence. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just treating your family, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles all around.

🍨 Homemade Ice Cream is always a hit—especially on warm holiday weekends like Memorial Day. And while store-bought is convenient, there’s something extra special (and fun!) about making your own. Whether you’re using a churn, a no-churn method, or an old-fashioned freezer canister, homemade ice cream brings a nostalgic charm and lets you customize flavors to suit your crowd.

Here are a few of my favorite homemade varieties that are perfect for summer celebrations:

• Dulce de Leche Ice Cream – Rich, caramel-swirled, and decadently smooth.
• Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream – Bursting with real fruit flavor and a gorgeous pink hue.
• Key Lime Pie Ice Cream – Tangy, creamy, and refreshing with a hint of graham cracker crunch.
• Double Chocolate Crunch Ice Cream – Deep chocolate flavor with bits of chocolatey goodness throughout.
• Cream Cheese Ice Cream – A silky base that pairs beautifully with fruit or cookie mix-ins.
• Orange Pineapple Old-Fashioned Freezer Ice Cream – A citrusy throwback that tastes like summer in a bowl.
• Ben & Jerry’s Sweet Cream Base – A versatile starting point for endless mix-ins.
• Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream – Sweet, tart, and swirled with real blueberry compote and graham bits.

These flavors are perfect for scooping into cones, layering into sundaes, or serving alongside your favorite summer pies. Plus, they’re a fun way to get the kids involved—let them choose mix-ins or help stir!

🍫 Of course, if turning on the oven feels like too much, no-bake desserts are a fantastic alternative. They’re quick to assemble, often require minimal ingredients, and most don’t even need refrigeration—making them ideal for outdoor gatherings and potlucks.

Here are some of my favorite no-bake goodies that deliver big flavor with minimal effort:

• No Bake Mini Key Lime Pies – Tangy, creamy, and served in individual portions—perfect for warm-weather celebrations.
• Peanut Butter and Honey Popcorn – A sweet-and-salty snack that’s crunchy, chewy, and totally addictive.
• Night Owl S’mores Treats – A late-night favorite with graham, marshmallow, and chocolate in every bite—no campfire needed.
• Cheerio Treats – Simple, nostalgic, and great for little hands to help with.
• Sunny Peanut Butter Chews – Packed with peanut butter flavor and just the right amount of chew.
• Double Chocolate Caramel Turtle Treats – Rich, indulgent, and layered with chocolate, caramel, and pecans.
• Indoor S’mores – All the classic flavors of s’mores, made right in your kitchen.
• No Bake Banana Crunch Bars – Fruity, crunchy, and perfect for slicing and sharing.

These no-bake options are ideal for mixing and matching with your other Memorial Day desserts. Whether you’re going for tropical, chocolatey, or nostalgic, there’s something here for every sweet tooth—and every schedule.

🧁 And finally, we wrap up our Fab Five with a classic crowd-pleaser: cupcakes. Honestly, who doesn’t love a cupcake? They’re the perfect portion-controlled dessert—easy to serve, fun to decorate, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or heading to a holiday potluck, cupcakes are always a welcome treat.

Here are a few of my favorite festive flavors that are perfect for Memorial Day and summer gatherings:

• Pink Lemonade Cupcakes – Bright, tangy, and topped with a swirl of pink frosting that screams summer.
• Patriotic Cupcakes – Decorated in red, white, and blue for a fun, flag-inspired finish.
• Strawberry Cupcakes – Bursting with fresh berry flavor and a soft, tender crumb.
• Red Velvet Cupcakes – Rich, velvety, and topped with classic cream cheese frosting—always a hit.

And while they didn’t make the photo lineup, don’t forget these other delicious options:

• Perfect Lemon Cupcakes – Light, zesty, and ideal for warm-weather celebrations.
• Moist Chocolate Cupcakes – Deep, fudgy flavor in every bite.
• Basic White Cupcakes – A versatile base for any frosting or festive topping.
• Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes – A fun twist on the classic dessert, layered with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Cupcakes are easy to transport, simple to serve, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Whether you go fruity, chocolatey, or patriotic, they’re the perfect way to end your Memorial Day menu on a sweet note.

Whether you’re firing up the grill, gathering around the picnic table, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with family, these Memorial Day desserts are the perfect way to celebrate the season. From cool, creamy ice creams to nostalgic no-bake bars, festive cupcakes, and indulgent brownies, there’s something here for every craving and every crowd. So pick a few favorites, mix and match, and let your dessert table shine with flavor, fun, and a whole lot of love.