These 7 Southern summer desserts including banana pudding, peach cobbler, and Coca-Cola cake are sure to sweeten any cookout, potluck, or porch party.
Y’all know there’s something special about summer in the South—sweet tea sweating on the porch, the smell of something sizzling on the grill, and a dessert table that could make a preacher skip the sermon. These seven recipes are my go-to summer showstoppers. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing, and full of flavor and best of all? Every single one of them brings back the best kind of memories.
Whether you’re headed to a cookout, hosting a potluck, or just needing something sweet and simple to keep in the fridge, these desserts will do the trick.
🥧 1. Hawaiian Pie
This is a vintage recipe straight from the 1970s Atlanta Journal-Constitution, lovingly clipped by my grandmother, Mrs. DuPree. She gave the newspaper clipping to my mother and said, “ This recipe sounded so delicious. I thought that you would enjoy making it.” Of course, she knew my mother was a good cook and would certainly test it out. We’ve been making it ever since—and once you taste it, you’ll know why. It’s layered with crushed pineapple, bananas, pecans, coconut, and sweet Eagle Brand milk on a graham cracker crust. It’s like heaven on a pie plate.
Click here for the recipe 👉Hawaiian Pie
🍑 2. Easy Peach Cobbler
This cobbler is as Southern as it gets and it couldn’t be easier. Whether you use canned, frozen, or fresh peaches, it bakes up golden, bubbly, and perfect. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let it melt right down the sides. This is what summer tastes like.
Click here for the recipe 👉Easy Peach Cobbler
🥤 3. Coca-Cola Cake
Moist, chocolatey, and covered in a fudgy glaze, this old-school sheet cake is a Southern treasure. I share my secret for keeping it extra moist, and it’s always a hit at cookouts and family dinners. Don’t forget the scoop of ice cream on the side!
Click here for the recipe👉Coca-Cola Cake
🍫 4. Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler
Rich, gooey, and unforgettable. This is the one that gets people talking—and asking for seconds. It’s served warm with ice cream and tastes like pure Southern comfort in a bowl. I love taking this to potlucks and watching it disappear.
Click here for the recipe👉Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler
🍒 5. Pineapple Cherry Crunch
This is a true “dump and bake” dessert—so simple you could make it with your eyes closed. Cherry pie filling, crushed pineapple, cake mix, and butter come together to create a warm, fruity crisp that’s especially perfect with whipped cream or ice cream.
Click h for the recipe 👉Pineapple Cherry Crunch with Salted-Caramel Pecans
🧺 6. Blackberry Cobbler
This one’s close to my heart. It brings back memories of my mama picking blackberries and baking something sweet before the sun went down. With a flaky sugar-crusted top and juicy berry filling, this cobbler literally melts in your mouth.
Click h for the recipe 👉Southern Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler
🍌7. Homemade Banana Pudding with Meringue
Nothing says Southern summer quite like a big dish of homemade banana pudding topped with clouds of golden meringue. This version is made completely from scratch—no instant pudding here—just layers of creamy, rich vanilla custard, sliced ripe bananas, and crispy vanilla wafers, all crowned with a billowy meringue baked until beautifully toasted.
Click here for the recipe👉Mama’s Southern Banana Pudding
There’s just something about summer desserts. They’re nostalgic, comforting, and almost always served with a story. These six are the ones I reach for year after year. I hope they bring a little sweetness to your summer table, too.
If you try one, tag me or leave a comment, I’d love to know your favorite!
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