How To Grill Dessert

Grilled desserts call for minimal cleanup and take a relatively short time to prepare. However, there are a few key tips you should know before you slap those fruit slices on the grill.

Thoroughly scrub down and oil your grill before beginning your dessert. The last thing you want is for your peaches to smell and taste like hot dogs or whatever you last cooked.

Most fruits and other dessert items cook quickly on the grill since they contain copious amounts of sugar, so make sure to keep an eye on it so it wont burn.

A general rule of thumb is that stone fruits like peaches, apricots, apples and nectarines take longer to cook than tropical ones like pineapples or mangos.

You need to be especially cautious with foods that have been soaked in wine or other alcohol since the flames can flare up. Remove any excess liquid before placing these items on the grill and lower the heat.

Needless to say, grilled fruits and different kinds of cakes and crackers are delicious when served with cold accoutrements like ice cream, whipped cream, or flavored sauces.

If you're in a pinch and don't have any of these items on hand, create this simple syrup from the Food Network: mix butter and brown sugar together, place in a heatproof pan with a shot of rum. Dip bite-sized pieces of fruit into the mixture.

If you're seeking a healthy alternative, try this flavoring courtesy of Bobby Flay: mix plain or vanilla yogurt with a squeeze of lime juice and 1 tablespoon of honey, drizzle on top of fresh grilled fruit.