There’s a sweet tooth in everyone… Kick up your low country boil with desserts from down south.
As we draw closer to the springtime and early part of summer, everyone is itching to have outdoor events. Nothing is better than a low country boil for making memories and passing good times.
When planning a low country boil, it’s essential to consider what desserts will be best served at the event. So, what are five of the best desserts for a low country boil?
The five best desserts for a low country boil are peach cobbler, key lime pie, chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, and strawberry shortcake.
You cannot go wrong with any or all of these options because someone in the crowd will love one or more dessert items. The desserts compliment the food, family, and event with highly acclaimed oohs and aahs.
Throughout the article, we will go over the five top picks for desserts and a brief explanation as to why they are a favorite. We will also cover what a low country boil is and what is served.
Perhaps some of our tips may enlighten you and make you interested in throwing down on a good time with us as we discuss the ins and outs of this great event.
The Low Country Boil
As we mentioned earlier, a low country boil is an outdoor event where friends and family gather to eat good food, tell stories, and make memories.
The low country boil is a traditional Southern dish made with various seafood items such as shrimp, crawfish, crab legs, and lobster. The seafood is boiled in a large pot along with corn on the cob, sausage, potatoes, and onions.
This meal is perfect for large groups because everyone can choose what they want and there is something for everyone. Once everything has finished cooking, it is typically dumped out on a table where people can help themselves.
It’s also worth mentioning that this cooking style comes from South Carolina and Georgia—hence the name “low country boil.”
The best thing about the desserts is knowing the whole weight of the world does not have to be on your shoulders when doing this event. It is normal for hosts to ask for help and have others bring different items, like one person bringing drinks, another bringing napkins, and each family can get one of the desserts mentioned.
As long as you handle the main course by boiling, everyone should be excited about bringing their own dessert or item for the party. Now that we know a bit of what a low country boil is, let’s move on to the top five picks for the best desserts for the event.
The Best Desserts for a Low Country Boil
Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is always a favorite dessert, and it goes great with a low country boil. The combination of sweet and tart flavors is perfect for a spring or summer event.
The dough—airy, flaky, and buttery—stands in-between that of a biscuit and a cookie. It’s also somewhat sweet, ameliorating the dessert in many ways. The dough is dropped on top of the peaches, spread with sugar on a baking sheet, and baked for 30-40 minutes till golden and lightly browned.
The cobbler’s a dessert that tolerates haste and is fuss-free to prepare. Top it with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream on a sultry summer’s day to make it as refreshing as it is delectable.
The peach cobbler can be made from scratch, or you can purchase it pre-made from the store. It’s an easy dessert to transport, and everyone will enjoy it at the event.
Key Lime Pie
If you are looking for something a little bit different than your average dessert, key lime pie is a great option. This dessert is also perfect for spring and summer events because of its refreshing citrus flavor.
What is there not to love about pre-baked crust, thick filling, meringue or whipped cream, and a thin lime slice on top?
Pre-bake the crust in a 325°F oven, take it out when done, and keep the oven hot. Beat the filling (egg yolks, milk, lime juice) till it’s thickened, then pour it into the crust. Bake the pie for 10-15 minutes, just enough for the filling to turn custardy yellow.
Prepare the meringue or whipped cream and top the pie with it. To awe the crowd at your low country boil, lay a thin slice of lime on top of each piece before sending to the table.
The key lime pie can be made from scratch, following our step-by-step technique above, or you can purchase it pre-made from the store. It’s another easy dessert to transport, and it will be a hit with all of your guests.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies? These cookies are a classic dessert that everyone will love. They are easy to make, and they always taste delicious.
To make cookie batter, always mix the flour, the baking powder, and the salt first. Only then do you add the sugar and the room-temperature butter and mix until well incorporated. Eggs and spices—such as vanilla, cinnamon, or ginger—should be added and mixed in next. Chocolate chips go last.
Drop the batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake, in a 350°F oven, for 8-12 minutes. Chocolate chip cookies can be made soft and chewy with a shorter baking time or dry and crumbly with a longer baking time; which to go for comes down to the preferences of the baker and those of the hungry crowd.
You can either make them yourself or purchase them pre-made from the store. Chocolate chip cookies are the perfect dessert for any event, including a low country boil.
Apple Pie
Apple pie is another classic dessert that everyone will love. It’s an excellent option for a low country boil because it is easy to make and travels well.
Place pie crust in a pie plate, pressing firmly against the bottom and sides. Mix the filling ingredients (fresh or canned apples, sugar, spices, salt) in a large bowl, then spoon onto the bottom crust.
Top with a second crust, pressing the edges of the top and the bottom crust together to form a tight seal. Cut slits in a dozen places in the top crust so that steam has where to escape. Bake in a 425°F oven for 40-50 minutes until the crust is golden and lightly brown.
Rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting into the pie and sending it to the table.
You can either make the apple pie yourself with our technique above or purchase it pre-made from the store. It’s sure to be a hit with all of your guests.
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is the perfect dessert for a summer event like a low country boil. It’s light, refreshing, and delicious. It’s an easy dessert to transport, and everyone will enjoy it at the event.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, food processor, or stand mixer. Add the cubed butter and work it in until a coarse, crumbly dough is formed. Flatten the dough with floured hands and a rolling pin, then cut into squares or circles for your shortcakes.
Place the shortcakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a 375°F oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove them from oven and prepare whipped cream while they cool from hot to warm.
Split the shortcakes. Layer them with strawberries and whipped cream, and send them to the table promptly; this dessert is best eaten immediately.
You can either make the strawberry shortcake yourself or purchase it pre-made from the store.
Why Everyone Should Hold a Low Country Boil
Now that we have talked about some of the best desserts for a low country boil, let’s talk about the benefits of hosting this event.
A low country boil is a great way to bring friends and family together for a fun and festive meal. It’s also a great way to celebrate spring or summertime. The food is hearty and satisfying, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to try some traditional Southern dishes that you may not have had before.
A low country boil is also an accessible event to put together, and it can operate at a low cost. You can purchase most of the food pre-made from the store, so there is very little work involved on your part. All you need is a large pot and a table to serve the food on.
This type of event is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party, graduation party, or just a casual get-together with friends and family.
The Clean-up
The best part is the clean-up if you do it correctly. Since seafood leaves an odor indoors, these events should occur under a patio or carport.
You can have trashcans set out at the ends of every table and keep disposable table cloths under the food. All it takes is to wrap up the tablecloths and throw the peelings and trash away and give a quick wipe down to each table and chair. If everyone helps and cleans up after themselves, it will only take a few minutes to clean up everything.
We strongly advise that after the meal, if you hose down the carport or area that you keep in mind, the ants will come to invade the area after, so be prepared. Everything outdoors can also be hosed down if spills occur. Once all of these things are taken care of, you can get back to making more memories and visiting with family and friends.
The next day, it will look like you didn’t even have a massive party in your yard.
Summing It Up
We hope you have enjoyed our list of the five best desserts for a low country boil. As you can see, there is something for everyone.
Whether you are looking for a classic dessert or something a little bit different, we have you covered. The critical thing to remember is to make it an annual event so that everyone stays close and in touch. Once you have the low country boil, everyone will be expecting more fun every year.
So, what are you waiting for? Head to the store and start cooking up some deliciousness at your home!