Beat the Heat: Grilled Desserts

We’ve grilled sandwiches. We’ve learned the difference between rubs and marinades. We’ve made leftover grilled chicken into delicious wraps. Now it’s time for the grand finale…desserts!

Grilled fruits are impressive and unique with little effort. Here’s a few of my favorite grilled desserts that require little to no additional preparation (though don’t underestimate a good chocolate or rum sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream):

• pineapples
• apples
• plums
• bananas
• pears
• peaches
• skewed strawberries
• store bought pound cake, brownies, or glazed donuts

If you want to get a little fancier, remember that anything you can make in the oven you can make on the grill with the help of a cast iron skillet or disposable baking pan. Pies and cobblers immediately come to mind! And you can make things extra fun with a hobo pie toaster – just use buttered bread as your crust and add your favorite pie filling!

And when all else fails, you can always crank up the burners and make s’mores!

GRILLED BLUEBERRY ALMOND COBBLER

Fruit Filling

• 6 cups blueberries
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter

Heat grill to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except butter and toss to coat. Place mixture into an 8×8 disposable baking pan (or grill-proof cast iron skillet) and dot with butter. Set aside.

Topping

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Cream butter sugar, and extract. Slowly add flour, salt, and egg. Spoon on top of fruit. Sprinkle with almonds.

Place on grill, close cover, and grill until topping is golden and fruit is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

Enjoy a la mode!