Move Over Potato Salad—These 60 Potluck Desserts Will Steal The Spotlight
With all the delicious sides and mains on the menu, sometimes the humble dessert can be overlooked at that holiday potluck or end of year celebration. We want to make sure that is no longer the case with these 60 potluck-perfect dessert recipes that are all instant crowd-pleasers. We've got a little something for everyone too, like super-rich chocolate-y cookies, fluffy layer cakes, and even fruit-packed masterpieces that only look impossible. Do yourself a huge favor and save yourself some leftovers in advance, lest your friends beat you to the dessert table. 😉
When it comes to being a potluck MVP (Most Valuable Potlucker), we like to prioritize sweet treats that are easy to slice and share. We're major fans of the three B's (bars, brownies, and blondies), because when have you ever been able to say no to a magic cookie bar? Yeah, we thought so. If you, like us, are kind of maximalists when it comes to baking, our recipes for orange Creamsicle bars, sweet potato crème brûlée bars, brown sugar Pop-Tart blondies and coconut key lime cheesecake bars are anything but basic.
Got a literal crowd to feed? Our favorite desserts are often those you can make a huge pan of and then let your guests just dive right into, no frills needed. Layered masterpieces like our banana pudding, piña colada lasagna, biscoff tres leches, and triple-chocolate trifle just require a bit of prep and assembly before it's time to dig in.
Nutter Butter Cookie Bars
In this Oreo-obsessed world, Nutter Butters are often overlooked, but now these Nutter Butter bars are bringing them front and center. Loaded with chunky peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and crushed Nutter Butter cookies, these simple cookie bars will bring out the child in all of us.
Get the Nutter Butter Cookie Bars recipe.
Cherry Cheesecake Bites
Looking for a show-stopping dessert this holiday season? Well, if you’re a cheesecake fan (actually, even if you’re not), you’ll fall in love with this recipe. We’ve bypassed the traditional puff pastry meets cheesecake, opting instead for layers of crisp and buttery phyllo that can be transformed into little bites.
Get the Cherry Cheesecake Bites recipe.
Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars
These irresistible cheesecake bars are like traditional cheesecake’s cool kid sister, and she’s invited to your holiday party this year. These bars perfectly balance creamy, rich cheesecake with the tartness of fresh cranberries and the nuttiness and warmth of a pecan streusel topping with none of the labor-intensity of traditional cheesecake.
Get the Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars recipe.
French Silk Brownies
Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a cozy night in, these brownies are a versatile treat that will impress your friends and family. The silky chocolate layer gives an elegant touch, while the brownie base keeps things casual and fun.
Get the French Silk Brownies recipe.
Biscoff Tres Leches
Biscoff, the unique Belgium biscuit that's commonly served as a snack on airplanes, has such a deep caramelized flavor that just pairs perfectly with the cozy holiday season. So we thought, Why not make one of our favorite types of cakes with it? Tres leches (“three milks” in Spanish) cake is such an iconic Mexican dessert. This cake requires a little love and patience, but the result is so worth it. The longer it sits in the fridge, the more it can absorb the cookie butter-milk mixture, making the cake better and better.
Get the Biscoff Tres Leches recipe.
Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée Bars
Have you seen the viral Japanese crème brûlée baked directly inside a roasted sweet potato? Here’s a recipe inspired by that dish with a few twists for you to wow your guests. Get the best out of two great desserts by making these sweet potato crème brûlée bars. For fans of the classic cheesecake, you'll get that rich and creamy filling with a mix of sweet potato and some warm spices. For fans of the decadent crème brûlée, a crackly sugar top is sure to seal the deal.
Get the Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée Bars recipe.
Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes
Inspired by the popular Starbucks treat, these cranberry bliss cupcakes feature a tender vanilla cake with orange zest, tart cranberries, and a rich white chocolate cream cheese frosting. Want to add a little holiday cheer? Garnish with a few homemade sugared cranberries (they’re easy to make; we promise).
Get the Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies
This festively decorated dessert resembles a pumpkin pie, but is actually made from shortbread cookies, which have a buttery and slightly crumbly texture. It more closely mimics a real pie crust while still retaining enough structure to be picked up and eaten with your hands (and a bonus: it’s a lot easier to make than pie dough). We season the shortbread with pumpkin pie spice to impart some of the same warm flavors we love during the holiday season.
Get the Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies recipe.
Frozen Peppermint Pattie Pie
This pie is the frozen version of a York Peppermint Pattie, and there is something so refreshing about a frozen minty dessert that is impossible to resist. This pie is quick to make and takes a note from our no-churn ice cream with the addition of cream cheese to make it more sliceable. The chocolate ganache on top stays slightly soft even after re-freezing for a very satisfying slice and bite.
Get the Frozen Peppermint Pattie Pie recipe.
Sugarplum Bars
Sugarplum bars are an easy and crowd-pleasing holiday dessert made with dried fruit and a buttery crumble topping. They’re a great make-ahead treat to add to your next Christmas cookie exchange or deliver as a delicious and thoughtful gift. If you’re looking to add something new and delightful to your dessert spread this year, these are a great place to start. They’re just sweet enough, lightly spiced, and have a classic oat-based crust and crumble topping.
Get the Sugarplum Bars recipe.
Mini Piecakens
Inspired by pastry chef Zac Young’s viral three-layer piecaken, these fun-sized versions feature a tiny cranberry pie baked inside a spiced pumpkin cupcake, crowned with a generous dollop of whipped cream, more cranberry pie filling, and a tiny round of sugary pie crust. 😍
Get the Mini Piecakens recipe.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
These cheesecake bars have everything you want in a holiday dessert: a gooey, nutty topping, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a salty-sweet graham cracker crust. They’re the perfect alternative to a traditional pecan pie for Thanksgiving—or any day.
Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Rice Krispie Treats
In addition to the classic back-of-the-box recipe, there are countless Rice Krispie treat recipes on the internet today. This easy dessert is so simple and classic to make, and using our tips you will be left with the softest, chewiest, and most marshmallow-filled Rice Krispie treats every time.
Get the Rice Krispie Treats recipe.
Hostess Sheet Cake
If you can't get enough of the fudgy, cream-filled cupcakes, then this sheet cake will be your new favorite dessert. Taking inspiration from the classic Hostess dessert, this sheet cake delivers on all the same flavors in an easy, shareable form.
Get the Hostess Sheet Cake recipe.
Brown Sugar Pop-Tart Blondies
We’ll say it—brown sugar cinnamon is THE superior Pop-Tart flavor. The only thing better? Perfecting that flavor at home in the form of these blondies. They’re great for sharing at everything from picnics to potlucks!
Get the Brown Sugar Pop-Tart Blondies recipe.
Cannoli Bites
These bite-sized treats are the perfect way to serve the classic Italian treat to a large group without having to worry about the messing filling going everywhere. Plus: the filling can be prepared up to 2 days ahead! Keep it in the bag, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Get the Cannoli Bites recipe.
Million-Dollar Pie
Southerners know a thing or two about decadent desserts, and this retro pie is everything you want in the millionaire experience—crunchy, sweet, mile-high, and make-ahead. Bring this to the cookout and you will be brining an empty pie plate home.
Get the Million-Dollar Pie recipe.
Sugar Cookie Bars
The easiest way to make sugar cookies for a crowd is to turn them into bars. Somewhere between a blondie and cookie, these sugar cookie bars are thick and soft with buttercream spread on top. They take less time than scooping individual cookies and are just as good.
Get the Sugar Cookie Bars recipe.
Nutella Blondies
These blondies are the easiest of any bar we’ve ever made, and its use of only one bowl adds to its speediness. They are great for serving to a crowd, and can be transported in the same pan they're baked in!
Get the Nutella Blondies recipe.
Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is one of our all-time favorite desserts. It's a classic Southern recipe, and for good reason; luscious layers of pudding, whipped cream, ripe bananas, and wafer cookies are completely impossible to resist.
Get the Banana Pudding recipe.
Coconut Cream Cupcakes
Inspired by the beloved coconut cream pie, these stuffed cupcakes have all the classic components of the original dessert, sans pie crust. You won't miss it though, because in its place are our soft and fluffy vanilla cupcakes. 😍
Get the Coconut Cream Cupcakes recipe.
Best-Ever Brownies
Nothing says chocolate decadence like a brownie, and our tried-and-true favorite recipe is no exception. Starring both melted chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder, these dense, fudgy brownies deliver all the intense chocolate goodness everyone will love.
Get the Best-Ever Brownies recipe.
Piña Colada Lasagna
At Delish, we ask important questions. Groundbreaking queries like: Can we turn that into a lasagna? We're already obsessed with samoa lasagna, peanut butter lasagna, and banana pudding lasagna, so creating a version that transforms your favorite beach drink into a summery layered dessert felt like an obvious next step.
Get the Piña Colada Lasagna recipe.
Strawberry Pop-Tart Blondies
Buttery, chewy, and filled with strawberry jam, this dessert combines the nostalgia of Pop-Tarts and the classic comfort of blondies in one adorable bar cookie. The bite-size treats are great for breakfast or brunch, but also make a fun party dessert— plus they’re easy to pull together.
Get the Strawberry Pop-Tart Blondies recipe.
Fruit Tart
If you’re one of the many who are stunned by the shiny fruit tarts in bakery windows, then this recipe is for you. Good news: It’s surprisingly easy to make a stunning fruit tart right at home!
Get the Fruit Tart recipe.
Magic Cookie Bars
Though dump cakes might be the easiest dessert to make, Magic Cookie Bars come a close second. And we'd reckon that these are even more customizable and even more delicious. The condensed milk adds as the perfect chewy conduit to the coconut and whatever toppings you choose.
Get the Magic Cookie Bars recipe.
Orange Creamsicle Bars
These triple-layered orange bars have us feeling all nostalgic for the classic frozen Popsicle treat that inspired them. These bars are irresistibly good—they’re creamy, dreamy, and the perfect blend of citrusy orange and vanilla bean flavor paired with a graham cracker crust.
Get the Orange Creamsicle Bars recipe.
Oreo Cookie Cake
This version of our OG cookie cake takes things to the next level by putting cookies INSIDE the "cake." It’s packed with chopped Oreos (in place of chocolate chips), decorated with a rich Oreo buttercream (in place of plain chocolate or vanilla), and crowned with even more Oreos. 😍
Get the Oreo Cookie Cake recipe.
Cannoli Cupcakes
Let's be real: The filling of the cannoli is the best part. That's why these cupcakes are so amazing—they're stuffed to the brim with the good stuff.
Get the Cannoli Cupcakes recipe.
Fantasy Fudge
Marshmallow fluff makes this shortcut fudge just as good as the real thing. We love it for how easy it is to whip up and how customizable it is. You can top it with anything your heart desires, from candy like Oreos or other cookie pieces to nuts like pecans or walnuts. Get creative with it!
Get the Fantasy Fudge recipe.
Confetti Butterfly Cupcakes
Layer cakes are spectacular, but they’re not always the most practical—enter, cupcakes! Specifically these ultra-adorable confetti butterfly cupcakes (also known as fairy cakes in the U.K.). They’re perfect for birthdays, baby showers, and tons of other spring and summer occasions.
Get the Confetti Butterfly Cupcakes.
Carrot Cake
Regardless if you're a fan of its moist, spiced flavor that makes it a standout against standards like vanilla and chocolate, or if you simply think of it as the ideal vehicle for cream cheese frosting (we feel you!), having a quality carrot cake recipe up your sleeve is a must.
Get the Carrot Cake recipe.
Honey & Peanut Butter Blondies
These blondies are like a classic peanut butter & honey sandwich in dessert form. They're thick and chewy with all of the honey flavor shining through and will make you feel like a kid again. The peanuts add a great crunch to every bite, but are totally optional.
Get the Honey & Peanut Butter Blondies recipe.
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango Key Lime Cheesecake
This copycat has creamy mango and Key lime cheesecake, a layer of fluffy mango mousse, and a layer of mango glaze, all encased in a vanilla-coconut crust. This dessert is great for when you want a fruity, sweet indulgence that'll really make your potluck feel special.
Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.
Oreo Pie
With an Oreo cookie crust, a sweet yet tangy filling and a crushed Oreos topping, this dessert is for cookies-and-cream lovers only. The prep for this pie only takes 10 minutes, making it the easiest dessert to make in advance for any potluck or dinner party year round.
Get the Oreo Pie recipe.
Funfetti Cheesecake
Why choose just one dessert for your birthday celebration when you can have two classics in one? If you love festive Funfetti but are more of a cheesecake person, this Funfetti cheesecake is the dessert for you.
Get the Funfetti Cheesecake recipe.
Funfetti Dip
It’s time to channel your inner big kid. Think cake laced with confetti sprinkles that explode into colorful polka dots (just like in our perfect birthday cake). If you love it as much as we do, it’s time to switch it up and try this version of Funfetti in dip form—because why not!
Get the Funfetti Dip recipe.
Chantilly Cake
Chantilly cake, a towering layer cake stuffed with fresh berries and blanketed in whipped cream frosting. The impressive dessert marries the delicious simplicity of a classic yellow cake with the berries and cream combo that makes shortcakes shine.
Get the Chantilly Cake recipe.
Coconut Key Lime Cheesecake Bars
We love a dessert mashup (we see you, brookie), but what if you upped the ante and combined three sweets instead of just two? That’s exactly what we did with these easy bars, which combine the best of Key lime pie, coconut cream pie, and cheesecake into one next-level treat.
Get the Coconut Key Lime Cheesecake Bars recipe.
S'mores Skillet Cookie
A massive chocolate chip cookie (with EXTRA chocolate) topped with toasty marshmallows? We're in love with this take on a s'mores that can easily serve a crowd.
Get the S'mores Skillet Cookie recipe.
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream—is there anything better? Sure, you could buy it in a pint or trek to a scoop shop, but ice cream made in your own kitchen not only tastes better, it has a bit of magic to it.
Get the Cookies and Cream Ice Cream recipe.
Peanut Butter & Strawberry Crisp
This take on a fruit crisp tastes like eating a PB&J: The sweet, jammy strawberries taste so good against the crispy, slightly salty peanut butter topping. It’s also super-easy to throw together and is perfect for any potluck—don't forget the ice cream!
Get the Peanut Butter & Strawberry Crisp recipe.
Sponge Cake
Having this cake in your recipe arsenal will have you ready for anything that gets thrown at you: You can cube it a trifle, crumble it over ice cream, or—our favorite—stack it with whipped cream and berries. The best part? You can also have this entire cake ready in just about an hour.
Get the Sponge Cake recipe.
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
While the most iconic of cookies may be wonderfully simple to make, the perfect chocolate chip cookie still must meet a few very important requirements. In our book, they should have a soft and chewy inside, crisp edges and plenty of chocolate.
Get the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
M&M Cookie Bars
These M&M cookie bars are big bake sale vibes. They've got all the comfort of a chocolate chip cookie, with the added crunch of M&M's and the added heft of a bar shape, making for a delicious treat that’s impossible to put down.
Get the M&M Cookie Bars recipe.
Eclair Cake
Eclairs are a French pastry made of pate a choux filled with a pastry cream and then coated in chocolate. Pate a choux, a dough that’s also used to make profiteroles, can be a difficult pastry to make (though definitely worth a go). So for this cheater version we use graham crackers.
Get the Eclair Cake recipe.
Lemon Cream Cake
This simple lemon cream cake was a beloved favorite at Olive Garden. Why they don’t have it on the menu anymore, we’ll never know. This copycat recipe is more than just second best, though. Even if you have never had the original version, this is the one worth making.
Get the Lemon Cream Cake recipe.
Cookies ‘N’ Cream Millionaire Shortbread
Just when we thought a millionaire shortbread couldn’t get richer, we switched up the recipe to feature layers of chocolate shortbread, caramel, and an added bonus of a cookie 'n' cream filling. The snap of chocolate with chewy caramel and bites or crushed-up Oreos just make these that much better.
Get the Cookies 'N' Cream Millionaire Shortbread recipe.
Glazed Lemon Olive Oil Pound Cake
Olive oil is an essential ingredient in some of our favorite weeknight dinners, but it’s also clutch when it’s time for dessert. Take classic pound cake. Butter is the traditional move, but making pound cake with oil gives you a tender treat that stays fresh longer than a butter-based cake.
Get the Glazed Lemon Olive Oil Pound Cake recipe.
Pavlova Cupcakes With Raspberry Sauce
Pavlovas have a crispy exterior with a soft, marshmallow-like interior, and these mini ones made into cupcakes are the perfect way to serve them to guests. Dollop with a little whipped cream and raspberry sauce for the perfect bite.
Get the Pavlova Cupcakes With Raspberry Sauce recipe.
Tiramisu Cookie Cups
Tiramisu is one of our favorite desserts, but the process of making it requires a lot of work. Hunting down ladyfingers (or making them ourselves), carefully making a custard filling, and then all the wait time before you finally get to eat it. This version takes out all the extra work without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Tiramisu Cookie Cups recipe.
Triple-Chocolate Trifle
By putting our own spin on the classic, decadent chocolate dessert, we turned this triple-chocolate trifle into a serious showstopper. It’s a great make-ahead, no-bake dessert for larger celebrations and dinner parties, because it's guaranteed to satisfy everyone, whether they’re chocolate skeptics or full-blown lovers.
Get the Triple-Chocolate Trifle recipe.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
If you're looking for an easy treat with a nostalgic taste, how about everyone’s all-time favorite cookie but in bar form? No rolling or scooping little balls, no multiple sheet pans, and you can store them right in the pan you baked them in!
Get the Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe.
No-Churn Strawberry Shortcake Vegan Ice Cream
Ice cream lovers, get ready, because this ice cream isn’t going to last! Plant-based, dairy-free, vegan… no matter what you want to call it, this ice cream is as good as—if not better—than any dairy counterpart, making it a favorite scoop of the summer.
Get the No-Churn Strawberry Shortcake Vegan Ice Cream recipe.
Tres Leches Cake
Translating to “three milks,” tres leches cake is a Latin American favorite. A light sponge cake that is soaked in a milk mixture for at least an hour, it’s basically the original poke cake. The perfect light treat to enjoy all summer long!
Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are the perfect marriage of two classic sweet and salty flavors. The soft texture of a peanut butter cookie meets the rich bite of a chocolate chip, making it the perfect balanced cookie to enjoy the classic combo.
Get the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
This no-bake cheesecake gets a stunning, swirly topping of blackberries that looks more like art than dessert. The cheesecake is tart and fluffy with the creamiest texture.
Get the No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Petit Fours
Featuring confetti cake layered with raspberry jam and buttercream and covered in a shiny white glaze, these stunning mini cakes will delight anyone who eats one.
Get the Petit Fours recipe.
Sopapilla Cheesecake
Traditionally a pillow-shaped deep-fried dough, sopapillas are beignet-esque and often topped with cinnamon sugar. Naturally, it follows that sopapilla and cheesecake are a match made in heaven: Crispy, sweet dough sandwiching creamy, smooth cheesecake filling is a combination that can't be beat.
Get the Sopapilla Cheesecake recipe.
Banana Pudding Bars
For nice and neat cheesecake bars that are easy to slice, you need to freeze them. There isn't a super-quick way to firm them up, so we highly suggest making these the night before and garnishing them right before serving.
Get the Banana Pudding Bars recipe.
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