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20 Potluck Desserts That Always Disappear First


20 Potluck Desserts That Always Disappear First


They’ll Keep Inviting You If You Bring This

Bringing dessert to a potluck is a great way to win over a crowd without having to prepare an entire meal. The trick is choosing something that's easy to share, travels well, and tastes so good that people keep coming back for another serving. From rich chocolate brownies to creamy no-bake treats, some desserts seem to attract a crowd the moment they're placed on the table.

1792691156313a31d03bf957f3a0b702bc9527945c0eefb262.jpgPushpak Dsilva on Unsplash

1. Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

It's hard to go wrong with a tray of fudgy chocolate brownies, especially when they have that rich, chewy center everyone loves. Cut them into bite-sized squares so guests can grab one without committing to a huge serving, and consider adding chocolate chips or chopped walnuts for extra texture. You can bake them the night before, making them a convenient option when you've already got plenty of other things to prepare.

17926911379fbd620e52df5272dfd22e691b6e1c135035ad45.jpgPushpak Dsilva on Unsplash

2. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

What's better than a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to share? Most people love a good chocolate chip cookie, kids and adults alike. If you can keep them slightly crispy with a soft center, your dessert is bound to be a hit.

1792691120aaded70ebb0cb673e42501d85dfe15dad61179a5.jpgMae Mu on Unsplash

3. Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Another favorite dessert of mine is strawberry shortcake cups. These can hold all your favorite flavors, and you don't have to worry about slicing a piece of cake.

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Take your favorite cake and cut it into pieces, then place them in small cups with some strawberries and whipped cream on top.

1792691107d34e417d761ee3f795c01a9da3f47d44bbfcee6b.jpgamirali mirhashemian on Unsplash

4. Rice Krispies Treats

These are super simple to make and will disappear in no time. Rice Krispies treats are a great snack to bring to a potluck. With their chewy and slightly crunchy texture, many guests love these.

17926910925508378d13874c3986f122250bf2edfd35927db3.jpgJonathan Adams on Unsplash

5. Mini Cheesecakes

Mini cheesecakes are a great way to provide a tasty dessert without having to slice a cake. Most consist of a graham cracker crust with your favorite cream cheese filling. Prepare them ahead of time and refrigerate until serving, allowing the filling to set properly before you transport them.

1792691071b61c580c0b01215c7d0b81f5557aeefe215f1574.jpgDelfina Iacub on Unsplash

6. Lemon Bars

If you want something different from all the chocolate desserts, try making a batch of lemon bars. They have a great balance of sweetness from the crust and tartness from the lemon topping. Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top, and you have yourself a delicious dessert.

17926910547018d83d7b5c8ee2f78dc494b43f7f37822a157e.jpgThitiphum Koonjantuek on Unsplash

7. Oreo Truffles

These look very elaborate and would be perfect for any holiday or get-together you're attending. With a few simple ingredients, you can make this easy dessert. They're made from crushed Oreos and cream cheese, then dipped in your favorite melted chocolate.

17926910289661415b95503cf74c8db80a59538d2ce19f9763.jpgIlham Dwi Syahputra on Unsplash

8. Banana Pudding

Creamy banana pudding is a potluck favorite for good reason, combining layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and soft vanilla wafers in one comforting dessert.

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You can assemble it in a large serving dish so guests can scoop out their own portions, or prepare individual cups if you prefer a neater presentation. Give it enough time to chill before serving, allowing the wafers to soften and the flavors to come together.

1792691008c09cdcfed04121222292b6034e908258b56b65ef.jpgNicole Winchel Brayton on Unsplash

9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

If you're looking for something that has a strong chocolate flavor, then these chocolate peanut butter bars are the way to go. A thin layer of peanut butter with some chocolate on top will have your guests reaching for seconds. Slice them into small squares because they're rich enough that guests may want just a little taste before deciding whether to come back for more.

1792690993e41352eed84563aa46ef2d1030de0e94c44b5651.jpgIrene Kredenets on Unsplash

10. Apple Crisp

Who doesn't love some delicious apple crisp on a cold day? You can bring it warm to your potluck or let it cool down first. Transport it in a covered baking dish, and consider bringing whipped cream or a container of vanilla ice cream if you can keep it properly chilled.

17926909778455edacec0c24db4f3a1d8c59584004b13ce5df.jpgPatrick Fore on Unsplash

11. Peanut Butter Blossoms

A classic cookie with a twist. Peanut butter blossoms are great because they have a little piece of chocolate in the middle. Everyone knows how to make a good peanut butter cookie, but if you're not the biggest fan, they are sure to disappoint.

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17926909621cf911c72e714130592094ffe560e3677e608321.jpgOlivie Strauss on Unsplash

12. No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna

This dessert is a little different from others. It consists of a layer of cookies, cream cheese, pudding, and whipped cream on top. It's very similar to a no-bake pie.

1792690946b90458c152be5581c81dc313b0ce6fb2f2660b89.jpgNeil Marshall on Unsplash

13. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

Everyone knows and loves a good old cinnamon sugar donut, right? Well, here's a quick and easy way to make those in a muffin tin. You can take them to any get-together; they're very cute and easy to serve.

1792690932daf908a9ee33aaa01cc25658020b3cae58ecc3a0.jpgMargaret Jaszowska on Unsplash

14. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry pretzel salad is a great dessert if you're wanting something with a little crunch to it. Many people love to combine sweet and salty flavors. This dessert has both, with salty pretzels and sweet strawberries.

17926909084bd8f4ee4b225c081362987a13bf98693c06d7cf.jpgJaroslava Glorien on Unsplash

15. Mini Fruit Pizzas

Mini fruit pizzas can be as creative as you want to make them. Start with your favorite sugar cookie, then frost it with cream cheese frosting and top it with your favorite fruit. You can use any kind of fruit that you like.

1792690882f9da74b1b2bbf83bef42aa4781d77e18a3314abe.jpgSiami Tan on Unsplash

16. Chocolate Cupcakes

A favorite treat for any occasion is the chocolate cupcake. They're always a hit with kids and adults. You can frost these with chocolate buttercream for an added taste or use vanilla icing to keep it simple. Sprinkles are a must and can help your dessert stand out.

17926908665351e865ae824c825499a374e57a00446a50d9fb.jpgDarko Trajkovic on Unsplash

17. Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is one of those recipes that's always a favorite, especially when it comes to holidays and family events.

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Bake it in a disposable foil pan if you don't want to worry about getting your favorite baking dish back, and serve it warm when practical. It's a comforting dessert that's easy to share with a crowd.

17926908460c04ebf847900c786d9b38a550ee9a6e832dcc3c.jpgTyrone Sanders on Unsplash

18. Salted Caramel Blondies

Blondies offer the buttery, brown sugar flavor of a cookie in a thick, chewy bar, and salted caramel makes them even more tempting. A swirl of caramel through the batter adds sweetness, while a light sprinkle of salt helps keep each bite from tasting overly sugary. They're sturdy enough to transport in a container and can be cut into small portions, making them ideal for sharing with a crowd.

1792690829363ed726847ea6382b44e062dcd77eefb7e9c0da.jpgCamila Vélez on Unsplash

19. Lemon Blueberry Loaf Cake

Sometimes, a nice loaf cake is all you're looking for. Adding some lemon will bring freshness to your dessert. You can always add blueberries or any type of fruit you're craving. Allow it to cool down, then bring it over to slice and enjoy with your friends and family.

17926908139edb41203e5846250288c577ece48622b1e79247.jpgDeborah Rainford on Unsplash

20. S'mores Dip With Graham Crackers

S'mores dip turns the familiar combination of chocolate and marshmallows into a shareable dessert that guests can scoop up with graham crackers. Melt chocolate in an oven-safe dish, cover it with marshmallows, and bake until the top becomes golden and gooey. It's best served warm, so choose this option when you know you'll have access to an oven or another way to keep the dip warm during the gathering.

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17926907944dac6c6339478849fbe3cf9af49f9bd9f3df33a4.jpgMikki Speid on Unsplash