Bergeron’s Smoke Can Grilled Fruit & Dessert Collection
Fruit absorbs smoke quickly, so desserts usually need only 8–20 minutes of smoke exposure. Apple & Honey Crisp, Bing Cherry and Maple Brown Bourbon are the strongest dessert pairings, while Mesquite and Hickory should be used lightly.
Basic Grill Setup
Heat the grill to 350–400°F and create two zones:
Direct heat for caramelizing and grill marks
Indirect heat for gently smoking and softening fruit
Activate the selected Bergeron’s Smoke Can according to its directions.
Place it close enough to the heat source to produce steady smoke, then keep most fruit over indirect heat so its natural sugars do not burn.
1. Apple & Honey Crisp Smoked Apple-Crisp Packets
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 firm apples, peeled and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
¾ cup granola or crushed oatmeal cookies
Vanilla ice cream
Apple & Honey Crisp Smoke Can
Directions
Combine the apples, butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Divide the mixture among four large pieces of heavy-duty foil.
Fold each piece into a loosely sealed packet.
Smoke over indirect heat for 15 minutes.
Open the packets carefully and sprinkle granola over the apples.
Continue cooking with the packets open for 5–8 minutes, until tender.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey.
Flavor profile: sweet apple, golden honey, cinnamon and mild fruitwood smoke.
2. Maple Brown Bourbon Grilled Peaches
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Chopped pecans
Vanilla ice cream or whipped mascarpone
Maple Brown Bourbon Smoke Can
Directions
Mix the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.
Brush the cut sides of the peaches with the mixture.
Smoke the peaches over indirect heat, cut side up, for 8–10 minutes.
Move them to direct heat, cut side down.
Grill for 2–3 minutes, until marked and caramelized.
Fill the centers with ice cream or mascarpone.
Sprinkle with pecans and drizzle with the remaining maple mixture.
Flavor profile: caramelized peach, maple, brown sugar and smooth bourbon-style smoke.
3. Bing Cherry Smoked Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
Servings: 6
Fruit Filling
4 cups pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
⅓ cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ cup dark-chocolate chips
Cobbler Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold butter
½ cup milk
Bing Cherry Smoke Can
Directions
Heat a cast-iron skillet over indirect heat.
Combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla in the skillet.
Smoke for 8–10 minutes, stirring once.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Cut in the butter, then stir in the milk until a thick dough forms.
Drop spoonfuls of dough over the cherries.
Cover the grill and cook over indirect heat for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Flavor profile: rich cherry, dark chocolate and sweet fruitwood smoke.
4. Summertime Smoky Chipotle Pineapple Sundaes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into rings
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Small pinch of cayenne, optional
Juice of ½ lime
Vanilla or coconut ice cream
Toasted coconut
Summertime Smoky Chipotle Smoke Can
Directions
Mix the butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and optional cayenne.
Brush both sides of the pineapple.
Smoke over indirect heat for 5–7 minutes.
Move to direct heat and grill for approximately 2 minutes per side.
Finish with lime juice.
Serve with ice cream, toasted coconut and the juices from the grilled pineapple.
Flavor profile: tropical sweetness, caramelized sugar, lime and gentle smoky heat.
5. Black Peppered Bacon Bananas Foster Boats
Ingredients
4 bananas with peels intact
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
¼ cup chocolate chips
¼ cup cooked crumbled bacon
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Tiny pinch of black pepper
Caramel sauce
Vanilla ice cream
Black Peppered Bacon Smoke Can
Directions
Slice each banana lengthwise through the peel without cutting completely through the bottom.
Gently open each banana to form a pocket.
Fill with brown sugar, butter, chocolate chips, bacon, cinnamon and a tiny amount of pepper.
Place over indirect heat with the open side facing upward.
Smoke for 10–15 minutes, until the banana is soft and the chocolate has melted.
Spoon the filling and banana over vanilla ice cream.
Finish with caramel sauce and a small amount of bacon crumble.
Flavor profile: sweet, salty, chocolatey, peppery and smoky.
6. Hickory Smoked S’mores Skillet
Use Hickory lightly so it complements rather than overwhelms the chocolate.
Ingredients
2 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups miniature marshmallows
Graham crackers
Pinch of flaky salt
Hickory on Hickory Smoke Can
Directions
Spread the chocolate in the bottom of a small cast-iron skillet.
Drizzle with heavy cream.
Cover with marshmallows.
Place over indirect heat and close the grill.
Smoke for 5–8 minutes, until the chocolate softens.
Move briefly toward direct heat until the marshmallows become golden.
Sprinkle with flaky salt.
Serve immediately with graham crackers.
Flavor profile: campfire chocolate, toasted marshmallow and classic wood smoke.
7. BBQ Mesquite Grilled Watermelon with Lime and Honey
Mesquite works best here in a brief, light-smoking application.
Ingredients
8 thick watermelon wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Pinch of salt
Optional chili powder
Crumbled feta or cotija cheese
Chopped fresh mint
BBQ Mesquite Smoke Can
Directions
Pat the watermelon dry.
Brush very lightly with olive oil.
Smoke over indirect heat for only 3–4 minutes.
Move to direct heat and grill for 60–90 seconds per side.
Mix the honey, lime juice, lime zest and a pinch of salt.
Drizzle over the watermelon.
Add cheese, mint and optional chili powder.
Flavor profile: juicy, tangy, lightly smoky, salty and sweet.
Bonus: Three-Flavored Grilled Fruit Board
Fruit Selection
Apple wedges or pear halves
Peach or nectarine halves
Pineapple rings
Bananas
Strawberries on skewers
Suggested Pairings
Fruit Bergeron’s Smoke Can Finish Apples and pears Apple & Honey Crisp Honey-cinnamon butter Peaches Maple Brown Bourbon Maple syrup and pecans Pineapple Summertime Smoky Chipotle Lime and honey Cherries or plums Bing Cherry Chocolate drizzle Bananas Black Peppered Bacon Caramel and bacon Watermelon BBQ Mesquite Lime, mint and feta S’mores or chocolate desserts Hickory on Hickory Flaky salt
Keep each fruit batch close to its selected Smoke Can for approximately 5–10 minutes, then finish briefly over direct heat.
Best Dessert Pairings from the Collection
Best overall dessert flavor: Maple Brown Bourbon
Best for apples and pears: Apple & Honey Crisp
Best for chocolate desserts: Bing Cherry
Best tropical pairing: Summertime Smoky Chipotle
Best sweet-and-savory option: Black Peppered Bacon
Best campfire dessert: Hickory on Hickory
Best for adventurous grilled fruit: BBQ Mesquite
Bergeron’s “Let Your Flavor Flag Fly” Vegetable Trio