30 Gorgeous Memorial Day Desserts

Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle

I was able to whip up this quick, yet impressive dessert, in only a few minutes after my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Start off with these Memorial Day appetizers before you dig into dessert!

Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars

I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Red, White and Blueberry Pie

This is a wonderful light dessert for a Memorial Day gathering, Fourth of July party or other summer get-together. And it’s as pretty as it is tasty. —Kimberly McFarland, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Red, White 'n' Blue Salad

Our striking “flag” salad drew plenty of attention at our party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Grandma's Star Cookies

My husband's grandma would make these butter cutouts only with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana

Berry White Ice Pops

Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut

Blue Ribbon Red Velvet Cake

This two-layer beauty features a striking red interior. It calls for more baking cocoa than most red velvet cakes, making it extra chocolaty. Feel free to change the color of the food coloring to suit the occasion. I'm proud to say that this recipe won a blue ribbon in the holiday cake division at the 2006 Alaska State Fair. I think this award-winning red velvet cake recipe will be a winner in your house, too! —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries

One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Jars

Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? These make-ahead dessert jars will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

Blueberry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

We live in blueberry country, and this pie is a perfect way to showcase these luscious berries. A neighbor first made this pie for us when we had a death in the family several years ago. Our whole family enjoys it. —R. Ricks, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Patriotic Pizzas

Here's a pie-in-the-sky-idea—fruit pizzas you decorate like a high-flyin' flag! You can decorate it with stripes for the U.S. or with a maple leaf for Canada. Both designs consist of tangy fruit and smooth cream cheese over a tender crust. Since each version is simple to make, you can quickly create either one for a summer picnic or patriotic party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Red, White and Blue Dessert

I changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Berry-Patch Brownie Pizza

I just love the combination of fruit, almonds and chocolate that makes this brownie so unique. The fruit lightens the chocolate a bit and makes it feel as though you are eating something sinfully healthy. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana

Patriotic Frozen Delight

My husband and I pick lots of fruit at berry farms in the area and freeze it to enjoy all year long. This frozen dessert showcases both blueberries and strawberries and has a refreshing lemon flavor. —Bernice Russ, Bladenboro, North Carolina

Blueberry Graham Dessert

When you're short on time but long for cheesecake, try this fruity dessert. Ricotta and cream cheeses give every bit as much flavor as cheesecake without the effort. Instead of making individual servings, you could layer the ingredients in a glass serving bowl. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Star-Spangled Lemon Icebox Pie

With a little chill time, my no-bake lemon pie turns into a potluck superstar. My kids like to arrange the berries in a star pattern. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia

Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes

These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Red Star Cookies

These super stars are plenty sweet and sturdy, making them great for shipping. Slip decorated cookies in stacks of three inside plastic storage bags then rest stacks in disposable plastic containers. Put containers in a cardboard box, then add crumpled newspaper so everything is tightly packed. Seal it with a kiss—or a card. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries

I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina

Special Raspberry Torte

With raspberry preserves, a burst of lemon and a homemade buttercream frosting, this berry-topped cake always gets rave reviews. It’s my mom’s absolute favorite. —Lori Lee Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

Red, White and Blue Berry Pie

To me, this colorful pie is the epitome of summer. Bright blueberries and raspberries sandwich a cream cheese layer in the pie that’s quite festive. I can’t imagine a holiday party without this tasty treat! —Cindy Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska

Easy Berry Cheesecake Parfaits

These sweet little parfaits take everything that's good about cheesecake and make it way easier. You get the rich creaminess, graham cracker crunch and bright berry flavor all in a fun individual portion. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Star-Studded Blueberry Pie

Family and friends say this patriotic pie is better than a local favorite from one of our best neighborhood restaurants. Sometimes, I switch things up and use gooseberries for half of the blueberries. —Nancy Barker, Silverton, Oregon

Berries & Cream Torte

It's so easy to see why this fruity dessert always impresses dinner guests. I sometimes substitute the berries with sliced bananas.—Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta

Favorite Coconut Cake

When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I turn to. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake

I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland

Crispy Star Pops

These patriotic pops are a hit at our annual summer parties. You can also slip them into cellophane bags, tie on ribbons and give them out as favors. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Grandma's Strawberry Shortcake

Here's a family-sized version of my grandma's summertime dessert. I can still taste the sweet juicy berries she piled over warm biscuits and topped with a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream. My father added even more indulgence to his serving by first buttering his biscuits. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan

Star-Spangled Parfaits

The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts

Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie

This recipe is delicious with either fresh-picked or frozen raspberries. That means you can make it year-round. One bite of raspberry pie will instantly turn winter to summer. —Julie Price, Nashville, Tennessee