10+ Irresistible Potluck Desserts Recipes

Welcome to potluck season! We are all invited to a potluck and are stressed about what dishes to bring that are crowd-pleasers and easy to make without spending hours in the kitchen. Last weekend, I was in the same situation; I had a family gathering and was in charge of preparing the potluck desserts. With so much work and stress, my mind is not in the best shape to give free rein to my imagination.

I used to make several potluck desserts for our gatherings, so I’m dealing with my resistance to choosing the top dishes to bring. Finally, I made my decision and prepared a yummy apple crisp in a lasagna pan because I found cheap apples.

As long as they’re not getting soft. You don’t even need to peel it; just wash it though. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar and bake til it’s a bit gooey, then either make a caramel sauce, literally just butter and sugar, though you may add a splash of vanilla if you want to be fancy, a mixture of butter, sugar, and flour cut together to be crumbly bits, and a bag or two of Heath toffee bits.

Most people look to bring potluck desserts like cookie dough dip, banana bread, sweet potato pie, and pumpkin pie, all of which are affordable and easy to make. But if you like to be special and wow your friends, these 10+ potluck desserts are sure to make your contribution the talk of any party.

13. Classic Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 6 cups peeled and sliced apples
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Spread in a greased baking dish.
3. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly.
4. Spread topping over apples.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

12. Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, butter, and powdered sugar for the crust. Press into a greased 8-inch square pan.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
4. Whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, and lemon juice. Pour over baked crust.
5. Bake an additional 20-25 minutes.
6. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar.

11. Potluck Desserts: Chocolate Sheet Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
3. In a saucepan, bring butter, oil, water, and cocoa to a boil. Pour over dry ingredients and mix.
4. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Mix well.
5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.

10. Potluck Desserts: Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Mix peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs in a bowl.
2. Press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
3. Melt chocolate chips and oil together, stirring until smooth.
4. Spread chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
5. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

9. Potluck Desserts: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 6-8 pineapple rings
• 12 maraschino cherries
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt butter in a 9-inch round pan.
2. Sprinkle brown sugar over butter. Arrange pineapple rings and place cherries in the centers.
3. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add milk, pineapple juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.
5. Pour batter over the pineapple.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
7. Let cool for 5 minutes and invert onto a plate.

8. Potluck Desserts: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 ounces of whipped topping
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 large box of strawberry-flavored gelatin
• 2 cups sliced strawberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix pretzels, butter, and sugar. Press into a 9×13-inch pan and bake for 10 minutes.
3. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
4. Spread cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust.
5. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Cool slightly and add strawberries.
6. Pour gelatin over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate until set.

7. Potluck Desserts: Banana Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 package vanilla wafers
• 3-4 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipped topping

Directions:

1. Layer vanilla wafers on the bottom of a dish.
2. Top with a layer of sliced bananas.
3. Prepare pudding mix with milk according to package instructions.
4. Pour pudding over the bananas.
5. Spread whipped topping on top and refrigerate.

6. Potluck Desserts: Brownie Trifle

Ingredients:

• 1 pan of baked brownies, cubed
• 2 cups chocolate pudding
• 2 cups whipped topping
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or shavings

Directions:

1. Place half of the brownie cubes in a trifle dish.
2. Layer half of the chocolate pudding and whipped topping over the brownies.
3. Repeat layers and top with chocolate chips.
4. Chill before serving.

5. Potluck Desserts: Cherry Almond Bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cherry preserves
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and almond extract.
3. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Spread half the batter in a greased pan, then spread cherry preserves over it.
5. Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls on top and sprinkle with almonds.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

4. Potluck Desserts: Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients:

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups shredded coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Beat egg whites and salt until foamy. Gradually add sugar.
3. Fold in vanilla and coconut.
4. Drop spoonfuls onto prepared sheets.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

3. Potluck Desserts: Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup raspberry preserves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.
2. Press the crust mixture into a baking pan and set aside.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Spread cream cheese mixture over the crust.
5. Drop spoonfuls of raspberry preserves on top and swirl with a knife.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

2. Potluck Desserts: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Mix in oats and chocolate chips.
5. Drop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.

1. Potluck Desserts: Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, powdered sugar, and butter.
2. Press the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
3. Combine eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and pecans.
4. Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Conclusion

Steal the show at your next potluck with these crowd-pleasing dessert ideas! From classic favorites to unique treats, these recipes are easy to make and sure to impress. Whip one up and watch it disappear in no time!