Fine Desserts, Roundups

3 Summer Desserts (Outdoor BBQ Episode)

4.58 from 26 votes
Learn how to make 3 Summer Desserts that are perfect for outdoor BBQ grilling, picnics or anytime of the year!
BBQ Desserts on a grill

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Hi Bold Bakers!

This week, I am delighted to get out into my garden for this episode because we are barbecuing!

I have some really fun, easy recipes for 3 Summer Desserts that you probably didn’t know could be cooked on a BBQ. They don’t require a lot of preparation, only a few ingredients and they are perfect for the whole family.

1. GRILLED CHOCOLATE BROWNIES IN AN ORANGE

Orange Brownies baked on a grill

I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest so when I stumbled upon our first recipe I knew it would be perfect because it is definitely BIG & BOLD!

The orange is fragrant and infuses the brownie as it bakes. The moisture from the orange yields an incredibly moist, soft cake. It’s definitely worth trying this out.

Grilled Chocolate Brownies in Oranges

4.58 from 26 votes
Learn how to make 3 Summer Desserts that are perfect for outdoor BBQ grilling, picnics or anytime of the year!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 8
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Learn how to make 3 Summer Desserts that are perfect for outdoor BBQ grilling, picnics or anytime of the year!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups (15oz/427g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 16 ½ oz (465g) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 ½ cup (12oz/337g) unsalted butter
  • 2 ¼ cups (18oz/ 510g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cups (6oz/168g) packed light brown sugar
  • 7 eggs at room temperature
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 oranges

Instructions

  • To make the Brownies: Put the chocolate and butter in a large bowl and set it over a saucepan of simmering water or place in the microwave. Stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth.
  • Remove from the heat and set aside to cool a little.
  • Add the sugars. Whisk until completely combined. The mixture should be room temperature.
  • Whisk the eggs and vanilla in a jug together.
  • Add a little of the eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add the remaining eggs and whisk until combined. Do not overbeat the batter at this stage or your brownies will be cakey.
  • Sift the flour, salt and cocoa over the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula (not a whisk), fold the flour mixture into the chocolate until just a bit of the flour mixture is visible. Set aside.
  • To prepare your oranges: Carefully takes a seated knife and take out the center of the orange.
  • Once you take a bit out you can go in with a spoon and scoop the rest out. You don't have to take out all of the pulp.
  • Pour the batter into your orange 3/4 of the way. Place it's lid on and wrap in tin foil
  • Place directly on the grills on medium heat (350oF/180oC) and bake for roughly 35-45 minutes.
  • Enjoy straight away with Vanilla ice cream.

Recipe Notes

Prepare these desserts up to 2 days in advance and bake off when needed.

 

2. FRUIT KEBABS

Fruit Kebabs on a grill

This next dessert only requires simple ingredients and assembly but it packs a big flavor punch.

I’m using strawberries and pound cake but you can use any fruit and cake you’d like.

Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs

4.79 from 14 votes
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf (shortcake,sponge cake, brioche, angel food cake)
  • 1 lb pkg strawberries , washed
  • 8 wooden skewers

Instructions

  • Soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 2 hours. This prevents them from burning on the grill. Preheat grill, medium high setting(roughly 300oF/150oC)
  • Cut the cake into 2 inch cubes
  • Take the hull out of the strawberries
  • Thread alternating strawberries and cake on each wooden skewer.
  • Place on the grill and cook for roughly 4-5 minutes, rotating them during the cooking. They are done when the cake is toasted.
  • Serve with whipped cream or ice cream
  • Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Prepare these desserts up to 2 days in advance and bake off when needed.

 

3. ROASTED BANANA SPLIT

Roasted Banana Split on the grill

 I saved this dessert until last because it is my absolute favorite dessert to make on a bbq. Growing up, when we would have barbecues we would throw bananas on the grill after all of the food was cooked. They get lovely and roasted and all the natural sugars come out and give you nature’s sweet dessert!

Grilled Banana Split

4.79 from 14 votes
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 0
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 0

Ingredients

  • Whole Bananas
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Your favorite ice cream sauce (Caramel sauce, chocolate, strawberry)
  • toasted almonds

Instructions

  • Heat a grill to about 300 degrees or as the BBQ is cooling down or dying out.
  • Put the banana in their skin straight on the bars. Close down the lid and grill for 10 minutes on each side. They will turn black on the skin and that is exactly what you want to happen.
  • Using a knife, cut out a small strip of peel from the top of your banana, leaving one end intact. Pull back the strip, and use a knife or spoon to carve a shallow "canyon" down the center of your banana.
  • Fill with ice cream and space and enjoy straight away!

Recipe Notes

Prepare these desserts up to 2 days in advance and bake off when needed.

 

 

Watch The Recipe Video!

4.58 from 26 votes (12 ratings without comment)
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Nafisa
Nafisa
3 years ago

Hi Gemma,can I makes these in an oven too?

Rachel
Rachel
3 years ago

Hi Gemma. I have been meaning to try the brownie in an orange for years! Would this work on a charcoal BBQ (can’t control the temp. How long would it need?

leal536
leal536
4 years ago

When I was a Girl Scout Leader, we made Banana Boats on the campfire – could be done on a grill as well. We took a banana (1 per person) and peeled back a narrow strip of banana peel. Cut a groove down that strip and remove that part of the banana (don’t go too deep though as you want just a narrow depression). In the depression, fill with mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips. Pull the narrow strip of banana peel back over the marshmallows and chocolate chips. Wrap the banana in foil and warm up on the campfire… Read more »

Vishakha
Vishakha
6 years ago

Hey Gamma
The orange brownie looks heavenly..was just wondering, if I have to bake it in the oven, do I still need to wrap the oranges in foil…is there an alternative as I wouldn’t generally like to use foil wraps..

Love..
All the way from India????
Vish

Gracie08
6 years ago

I have to tell you that we love the Grilled Strawberry Kebabs. Since strawberries are in season here I am always making a trip to our local farm to get some once a week. Today was my day so I had to make these tonight for dessert. I used pound cake and also made some whipped cream to dip them in. I know that this is one recipe that I will be making for years to come.

Sadie
Sadie
6 years ago

Hi, Gemma,
In my family we cook “hobo packets” — burgers cooked in tin foil in the embers of a fire. I was wondering if I could cook the orange-brownie and banana like that? (BTW, I think the brownie in an orange is SUCH a good idea! I love chocolate and orange. The other recipes are great, too, just wanted to thank you).
— Sadie

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
6 years ago

Hi Gemma,
Can I use chocolate cake mix for the orange campfire brownie? I know it won’t taste like brownies, but would they bake properly if I use chocolate cake mix?
Also, as I am making in the grill, I wanted to know if I would get a smoky flavor in the brownies or not. And how do I determine when the grill is 180°C or 350°F?

khushi
khushi
8 years ago

Should I substitute eggs in this recipe.

Indira
Indira
8 years ago

Hi Gemma ,

I love to watch all yours video!
I just watched Orange brownies Strawberry Kabab Girlled banana with vanilla Ice Cream.
Oh my goodness is so delicious!
I m going to make all 3 items on 4th of July my backyard barbecue party??
Can’t wait to make it n will post the pic . I love all yours fruits Popsicle Ice cream and so many things to make .
Thank you so much for sharing awesome and amazing recipes.

Joanne
Joanne
8 years ago

These look so good! Can I use boxed Brownie mix instead in the orange ( short on time ) or not worth it?

This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers

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Gracie08

About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

Weeknight Family Favorites Chapter from the Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook