39 Picnic Desserts Perfect For Taking On The Go
When we think of perfect picnic food, things like dips, simple sandwiches, and salads come to mind. But when it comes to dessert, it gets a bit trickier. A lot of our favorites just aren’t the best for serving while sitting on a picnic blanket, not to mention how you’d even transport them there in the first place. Check out our list of 37 picnic desserts for ideas!
First rule of picnicking is convenience. You’re not going to want to lug around a heavy serving dish (or heaven forbid, a chef’s knife), much less plates and silverware. Instead go for pre-cut bars and brownies, like our cowboy blondies, homemade granola bars, or raspberry cheesecake bars. The second rule is durability. These desserts have to last with minimal refrigeration (though we always recommend a cooler and an ice pack or two), and stand up to being jostled around on your way to the picnic area. It would be near impossible to serve a regular cheesecake at a picnic (even with a table), so we’ve included a number of cheesecake-inspired desserts, like our samoa cheesecake bars or blackberry cheesecake brownies. Same with cakes. Bringing a massive frosted layer cake to a picnic seems like a disaster waiting to happen, so instead bring cupcakes! Or combine the two, like with our mini cheesecake cupcakes or cheesecake-stuffed cupcakes.
Something about eating outside always makes us want to end the meal with s’mores, but we know it’s not always easy to have access to a fire pit or BBQ. Hedge your bets and bring a s’mores-themed dessert instead. Try our s'mores cupcakes or s’mores bars for all that graham cracker, marshmallow, chocolate goodness, with less mess.
If it’s nice enough to be outside, it probably means there’s still incredible produce in season. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite summer fruits in these desserts, like our cherry puff pastry hand pies, strawberry shortcake cookies, or lemon blueberry pie bars. If all else fails, go for a simple fruit salad—ours has a honey citrus dressing so good it can stand up to anything else on this list.
Blueberry Buckle
If you're unfamiliar, a buckle is basically a single layer cake with fruit added, giving it a "buckled" appearance. Ours is similar to coffeecake, thanks to its crunchy streusel topping. It's the perfect lightly sweet end to an outdoor meal.
Get the Blueberry Buckle recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake Rice Krispies Treats
We took our classic Rice Krispies Treats and made them summer-ready. The white chocolate melts into the Rice Krispies and the strawberries give them a burst of freshness.
Get the Strawberry Shortcake Rice Krispies Treats recipe.
Puppy Chow
If you've never had Puppy Chow (otherwise known as Muddy Buddies), you're in for a treat. The names are somewhat bewildering, but don't let that stop you—this Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar snack mix is INCREDIBLE.
Get the Puppy Chow recipe.
Lemon Bars
These bars are the perfect make ahead dessert. They need a long chill time, so pop 'em in the fridge and leave them overnight. The next day, you'll be rewarded with perfectly set squares you can take on the go.
Get the Lemon Bars recipe.
Cheesecake Cupcakes
Who doesn't love an ultra-creamy slice of cheesecake? This mini version is super-easy to make (no water bath!), but just as delicious as its full-size counterpart, and much easier to take along with you on a picnic. Feel free to swap out the fruit for whatever's in season!
Get the Cheesecake Cupcakes recipe.
Cookies 'N' Cream Blondies
This dessert has both Oreos and Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme Bars in it because you can have it all. If you can't find the Hershey's, leave them out or add whatever other chopped candy you like.
Get the Cookies 'N' Cream Blondies recipe.
S'mores Cupcakes
S'mores are one of our favorite outdoor snacks, but there's not always a fire pit or grill to be found. Now you can have everything you love about s'mores—buttery graham crackers, melty chocolate, and toasted marshmallow—in a portable, handheld cupcake!
Get the S'mores Cupcakes recipe.
Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is the quintessential picnic dessert, so much that you might not think you need a recipe. Trust us, you do. Here, sweet syrupy honey, fresh tart orange juice, and bright lemon zest come together to elevate your fruit (even if they're out of season) to new heights.
Get the Fruit Salad recipe.
Corn Cookies
Momofuku Milk Bar's popular version dominates the results page for corn cookie recipes, but it calls for the use of an unusual ingredient: powdered freeze-dried corn. We've decided to create a version that uses another flavor powerhouse that's easier to find: canned creamed corn. Our cookie stands on its own, complete with crispy golden edges and a soft, chewy middle.
Get the Corn Cookies recipe.
Cookie Crack
The salty 'n sweet combo of pretzels, potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies is totally irresistible. For a picnic, go lighter on the chocolate and caramel drizzles before you "crack" this sheet-pan cookie—it'll make sure these don't get too melty in the outdoor heat.
Get the Cookie Crack recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
It took many, many rounds of testing to get these cookies just right. Our biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid of mess. Covering the cream cheese with cookie dough is a messy task (especially with the fresh strawberries!), but we promise you it's worth it a million times over.
Get the Strawberry Shortcake Cookies recipe.
Blueberry-Lemon Pie Bars
Lemons and blueberries go together like spring and sunshine. The crumb topping here is the best part—if you wanted to make extra, we won't tell. 😉
Get the Blueberry-Lemon Pie Bars recipe.
Cookie Cake
Having an outdoor celebration picnic, but don't want to bring a big layer cake? Bring a cookie cake instead! It will travel well in the cake pan it was baked in: just bake, take the cookie out to cool, put it back in to decorate, and wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap or foil to make this easy to transport.
Get the Cookie Cake recipe.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
We're saying it: these might be our FAVORITE version of the classic chocolate chip cookie. The cherries add a bit more sweetness with a pop of tartness that makes them unforgettable!
Get the Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
S'mores Brownies
These are the BEST way to eat a s'mores. The brownie stays so gooey and fudgey (like you always want the chocolate in a s'mores to be, but it never is) while the graham crackers on the bottom provide a little crunch.
Get the S'mores Brownies recipe.
These bars are filled with the fudgiest chocolate ever. It's so amazing, we made its layer just as thick as the oatmeal cookie. 😈 There should be enough dough to make two even layers (use a scale to evenly split it if you've got one!), but if you end up spreading too much dough on the bottom, it's okay to just scatter the remaining dough on top instead of covering it.
Get the Oatmeal Fudge Bars recipe.
Cheesecake Stuffed Cupcakes
Chocolate cupcakes... or cheesecake? Now you don't have to choose. Boxed cake mix and store-bought frozen cheesecake squares make these SO easy too.
Get the Cheesecake Stuffed Cupcakes recipe.
Parfait
Made with a mixture of fruit (fresh or frozen), water, and sugar, the compote here turns any fruit into a delicious, syrupy sauce that's great for making yogurt and granola into something special. Make these in mason jars or Tupperware to take them on the go.
Get the Parfait recipe.
Lucky Charms Treats
Though we never tire of Rice Krispies treats, sometimes we like to mix it up. These are made with Lucky Charms for a double hit of marshmallows, but you can use you and your family's favorite cereal too.
Get the Lucky Charms Treats recipe.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
These use cream of tartar to get that snickerdoodle je nais se quois that sets them apart from regular sugar cookies, but if you don't have it, substitute for an equal amount of baking powder in this recipe (and skip the baking soda).
Get the Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe.
Cherry Clafoutis
Super-creamy and custardy in texture, clafoutis is almost like a cross between flan and cake, but is solid enough to travel with. We love this with summer cherries, but plums or blackberries would also be nice!
Get the Cherry Clafoutis recipe.
Giant Fruit Danish
Though this dessert does need a good amount of time to cool after baking (45 minutes), it sets up well, making it a great option for taking on the go. It's kind of like our free-form apple galette, so shape this into a circle and cut triangle slices, or go rectangular and cut squares.
Get the Giant Fruit Danish recipe.
Fig Bars
If you’re going after that classic cakey Fig Newton texture, let these cookies cool down to room temperature, then place them into an air-tight container and let them “age” overnight. Moisture from the fig filling will redistribute into the doughy portion and transform your slightly dry and crumbly cookie into a moister, cakier consistency perfect for taking on the go.
Get the Fig Bars recipe.
Raspberry Peach Upside-Down Cake
This cake is a BEAUTY. Our favorite thing about upside down cakes? They're impossible to mess up because you can place your fruits just so before pouring the batter on. It's always a joy to see how they turn out once you flip them—they ALWAYS impress.
Get the Raspberry Peach Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Cherry Puff Pastry Pies
Craving cherry pie but don't want to bring plates or utensils on your picnic? Make hand pies! Frozen cherries and store-bought puff pastry make this impressive dessert come together SO easily.
Get the Cherry Puff Pastry Pies recipe.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
When you need a little energy boost after running around in the fresh air all day, these peanut butter bites will give you new life. We wanted these protein balls to taste a little bit like cookie dough (😈), so we added some mini dark chocolate chips, but you can skip them if you want.
Get the Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe.
S'mores Bars
These bars are a cross between Rice Krispies treats and s'mores—and we're OBSESSED. Swapping the Golden Grahams for Rice Krispies is a serious game changer.
Get the S'mores Bars recipe.
Peach Galette
Rustic galettes are much easier to make than pie, but have all your same favorite elements like buttery crust and sweet fruit filling. Don't worry if yours isn't perfect (or if it gets a little roughed up in your travels)—they're supposed to look rustic!
Get the Peach Galette recipe.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Carrot cake is great, but carrot cupcakes are even better for taking on a picnic. Every bite is filled with warm spice and sweet carrots and topped with the most delicious cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Get the Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe.
Cowboy Blondies
Giddy up, partner—these blondies are chock full of everything you could possibly want while out on the range (or just on a picnic), like chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, oatmeal, coconut, pecan and caramel. If you like these, try our cowboy cookies too!
Get the Cowboy Blondies recipe.
Salted Caramel Brownies
We think these brownies are pretty fudgin' awesome, but if you want to use a boxed brownie mix, feel free. Here it's all about the creamy caramel sauce. Don't skip the Maldon sea salt— the coarse, flaky salt is crucial for bringing all the flavors here together.
Get the Salted Caramel Brownies recipe.
Homemade Granola Bars
These are so easy to make at home, and you can control what goes in them! Switch this recipe up with your favorite nuts or dried fruits. Just make sure to chop large nuts or fruit into small pieces - this helps keep the granola bars together.
Get the Homemade Granola Bars recipe.
Samoa Cheesecake Bars
Calling all Girl Scout fans! These bars have everything you love about this popular cookie—like coconut and caramel—and it's all piled on top of a creamy cheesecake with an Oreo crust.
Get the Samoa Cheesecake Bars recipe.
McDonald's Apple Pie
Our copycat version of the McDonald's apple pie skips the deep fry and is baked instead for a better take on the restaurant favorite. We used puff pastry so you still get all of those flaky layers and buttery crust, all in a perfectly portable package.
Get the McDonald's Apple Pie recipe.
Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
A sweet, creamy lemon cheesecake is topped with a tart and chunky raspberry jam for the perfect refreshing treat. Making cheesecake bars rather than a full cheesecake cuts down on bake time significantly and makes it stress free (though we do still recommend a water bath for these to keep the top from cracking).
Get the Raspberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Peach Pie Pops
If a full size peach pie seems outside your grasp, make these adorable mini pie pops instead! Handheld means these are great for an outdoor picnic when you don't to deal with plates and forks.
Get the Peach Pie Pops recipe.
PB&J Rice Krispie Treats
Something about picnicking makes us crave the simplicity of a peanut butter and jelly. Rather than packing the sandwich (instead try some of our picnic recipes), bring them as dessert instead!
Get the PB&J Rice Krispie Treats recipe.
Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies
These bars are equal parts brownie and cheesecake and we are HERE. FOR. THEM. To make things super easy on yourself, start with brownie mix. (See our favorited boxed mix here.) You need to make your own blackberry jam though. It'll be much easier to work with than the jarred stuff to achieve those perfect swirls.
Get the Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies recipe.
Upside down strawberry cake is the ultimate summer dessert. It's light and fruity yet decadent, plus it's super easy to make. If you're taking it on a picnic, we recommend making it in a cake pan—that way, once it's cooled, you can use it for transportation rather than lugging around a skillet!
Get the Strawberry Upside Down Cake recipe.
You Might Also Like
