With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, treat dad to a sweet and summer-approved dessert! Baking something made with plenty of love (and sugar) is, personally, my favorite way to show someone I care about them. Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to surprise your dad with a special, confectionery gift to say Thanks for being the best dad ever! Whether you’re looking for something easy and not too complicated or something for a more experienced baker, we have plenty of fun, creative, and memorable recipes to choose from.
So, to celebrate dad this weekend, here are a few of our favorite dessert recipes that give off the best dad vibes. We’ve got cakes, we’ve got pies, we’ve got fruity crisps and cobblers. Of course, we have a few options for the chocolate lovers, plus several choices featuring fresh and vibrant summer flavors. These desserts feature various berries, summer stone fruit, and even one dessert you can cook right on the grill. There’s something for every kind of Father’s Day occasion, whether the family is gathering for a nice dinner or a backyard cookout.
Chocolate Mocha Pie
If your dad loves anything chocolate, this rich and luscious pie is the way to go. It’s decadent, it’s spiked with espresso powder, and it’s topped with dollops of freshly whipped cream. This is one of those pies that gets better after it chills in the fridge for a day, allowing the chocolate and espresso flavors to really meld and come through. It’s hard to stop at just one slice!
Get the recipe for Chocolate Mocha Pie.
Blueberry Spoonbread
This is one of those easy desserts that’s perfect for a special occasion but extremely easy to make. It tastes delicious and is sure to be a family favorite, but you can whip it up in no time. (You don’t even need a mixer!) Spoon cakes are the type that you can scoop right out of the pan—with a spoon! It’s best served warm in a bowl, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream really makes it something extra special. We used fresh blueberries, but feel free to use whatever dad likes best.
Get the recipe for Blueberry Spoonbread.
No-Bake Peach Cheesecake
Father’s Day falling during warm-weather season means it’s a great time to take advantage of fresh, juicy summer peaches. It’s hard to beat a no-bake cheesecake for a cool summer treat on a hot day, plus it’s easy and make-ahead, too. Make a day or two in advance and just let it chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. For the topping, we used superripe freestone peaches tossed with a little honey. The results are pretty incredible, but feel free to use your favorite fruit or whatever dad likes best.
Get the recipe for No-Bake Peach Cheesecake.
Fudgy Stout Brownies
If you’re not sure what to make your dad for Father’s Day this year, you can never go wrong with brownies. And if dad happens to be a beer connoisseur, we’ve got just the recipe to blow his mind! Yes, that’s right. There’s beer in these brownies. There isn’t a super noticeable beer flavor, though. It’s more like an undertone that enhances the flavor of the chocolate. With melty puddles of chocolate and flaky sea salt, these brownies are a treat dad is sure to remember.
Get the recipe for Fudgy Stout Brownies.
Rocky Road Pie
Rocky road is a classic ice cream flavor for a reason, and if it happens to be dad’s favorite, he’ll love it in pie form, too. The delicious combination of chocolate, peanuts, and marshmallows works so well in ice cream that we turned it into a creamy chocolate filling wrapped up in a chocolate wafer crust. Plus, there’s tons of whipped cream on top along with chocolate curls and roasted peanuts. There’s a little bit of each flavor and texture in every bite, and that’s what makes it a superior Father’s Day treat.
Get the recipe for Rocky Road Pie.
Peach Cobbler and Ice Cream
Peach cobbler is a summer staple that we also love as a Father’s Day sweet treat. This recipe makes the most of ripe, juicy peaches because not only does it make an extremely delicious cobbler, it also includes a homemade peach ice cream to go with it. You can never go wrong with classic vanilla, but the extra peach really makes it special. Surprise dad with this bright and flavorful dessert to let him know how much you care!
Get the recipe for Peach Cobbler and Ice Cream.
Any Fruit Crisp
We love a cake for all occasions, but sometimes an easy fruit crisp is truly a delicious and special treat, especially with all the amazing summer produce that’s in season. The wonderful thing about this recipe (as the name suggests) is that you can use any fruit you’d like. Pick up something fresh at the farmers’ market, use whatever berry or fruit your dad loves the most, or whatever you happen to have in the fridge. This recipe is one of those you can count on to deliver every single time.
Get the recipe for Any Fruit Crisp.
Double-Strawberry Pie
A flavorful, fruity pie is an excellent choice when it comes to celebratory and giftable bakes. Imagine surprising dad with a mile-high pie like this on Father’s Day? Bursting with strawberry flavor and an almost too-flaky crust, this old-school warm-weather recipe is topped with a mountain of freshly whipped cream. Each slice is piled with sweet berries and cream! It’s a delightful treat for Father’s Day.
Get the recipe for Double-Strawberry Pie.
No-Bake Lemon Bar Cheesecake
Here’s what to make if your dad is a fan of lemon desserts. This no-bake cheesecake is light, creamy, and topped with lemon curd, adding delicious sweet and citrusy flavor to each bite. If you’re looking for something easy and impressive, this no-bake cheesecake is the way to go. Make it a day or two in advance and chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. If you’d like to give this no-bake treat an even summerier spin, add a little coconut flavoring to the filling!
Get the recipe for No-Bake Lemon Bar Cheesecake.
Campfire-Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Whether you’re making this over a campfire or over the grill, this five-ingredient pineapple upside-down cake has “dad” written all over it! The classic summer cake is reimagined into an easy five-ingredient treat. How can a cake be only five ingredients? The secret is to get an already-prepared pound cake, which makes it perfect for a family camping trip or backyard cookout. Grilled pineapples and an easy-to-make glaze come together quickly—and then the whole deal gets caramelized, either over hot coals or on the grill.
Get the recipe for Campfire-Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
