If you’re planning an al fresco spread this weekend, you may want a fruity, zesty or refreshing dessert to round it all off. Whether it’s barbecue-baked bananas, a palette-cleansing granita or a seasonal fruit showstopper, we’ve put together a list of our favourite summery desserts to serve at a barbecue.
Roasted Treacle Toffee Bananas
If you’ve gone to the trouble of firing up the barbecue, why not maximise its use and cook dessert on it too? With a “lovely, gooey, sweet, brown-sugary centre”, these treacly bananas are loaded with sugary vanilla butter, wrapped in foil and thrown on the barbecue until you’re ready for pudding. Serve with cream or ice cream for indulgent afters.
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Orange Flower Water Peaches with Rosemary, Almonds and Cream
Make the most of peaches while they’re in season by lighlty caramelising them on the barbecue and serving them with fragrant orange blossom and plenty of tart crème fraîche.
From the book
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A fresh perspective on meat-free summertime meals
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Mojito Granita
A fresh, zesty and cooling dessert is the perfect end to a sizzling barbecue feast. You can’t go far wrong with a granita, especially when there’s rum involved – put it together in minutes, then pop in the freezer until you’re ready to eat.
Yotam Ottolenghi: Max and Flynn’s Lemon Sorbet
Continuing with the fresh and zesy theme is this colourful lemon and hibiscus sorbet from Ottolenghi SIMPLE. Served in hollowed lemons, the vibrant pink sorbet looks as impressive as it tastes.
Macerated Apricots with Amaretto and Toasted Almonds
Fancy something cooling but don’t want to make ice cream from scratch? Elevate your favourite shop-bought vanilla ice cream with macerated apricots, amaretto and flaked almonds.
Pimm’s Fruit Salad
An easy dessert that’s quick to prepare and refreshing enough to round off a barbecue spread, this fruit salad celebrates summer berries, peach, apples, citrus and even cucumber. Leave to macerate in homemade Pimm’s syrup and serve with mint leaves.
Mary Berry’s Fruit Kebab With Lemon Dip
Kebabs don’t just have to to be made up of meat or vegetables. In this simple recipe, Mary Berry serves skewers of seasonal fruit with a creamy, lemony dip.
Quick Berry Crostata
This quick crostata couldn’t be easier to whip up and makes the most of any seasonal berries you can get hold of. Serve with vanilla ice cream or plenty of pouring cream.
British Summertime Stack
“If I could bottle up England in the summertime and bake it? This would be it”, says Georgina of this celebration cake that layers sponge cake with strawberry Pimm’s compote, meringue, fresh berries and vanilla cream. Decorate with fresh mint and edible flowers for a real summer showstopper.
Almond and Strawberry Tart
Make the most of British strawberry season and celebrate them on top of this sticky almond tart. Finished with flaked almonds for a lovely summertime centrepiece.
Jamie Oliver’s 5-ingredient Pineapple Carpaccio
Thin slices of pineapple, topped with fresh mint, olive oil (yep – it works!), blueberries, lime and coconut yoghurt make for a healthier dessert reminiscent of holidays and sunnier climes.
Andi Oliver’s Coconut and Lime Cheesecake
A chilled, make-ahead cheesecake is the perfect end to any barbecue. We love Andi Oliver’s super summery version with coconut, lime and mango.
Ottolenghi’s Sumac-roasted Strawberries with Yoghurt Cream
A twist on the classic British summertime dessert of strawberries and cream, this recipe from Ottolenghi features strawberries roasted in citrussy sumac and served with double cream whipped with Greek yoghurt.
