23 Potluck Desserts That Always Steal the Show
When it comes to potlucks, desserts are where the real competition happens. These treats don’t just show up, they dominate! We’re talking about the kind of desserts that vanish before dinner is even done, spark recipe requests, and leave empty trays behind.
Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
These mini chocolate chip muffins are soft, fluffy, and lightly sweetened. Easy, kid-friendly recipe for everything from breakfast to sweet treats! They are the perfect bite-sized treat – sweet, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins.
Mini Cupcakes
You’re going to adore these mini cupcakes! These tiny treats are soft, fluffy, and bite-sized, making them a hit at parties or as a quick snack. You can customize them with your favorite frosting and sprinkles for a fun and delicious dessert that’s easy to whip up and can be decorated for any holiday.
Get the Recipe: Mini Cupcakes.
Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
These carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting look like they’ve stepped right out of a bakery. They are soft, moist, and fluffy.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is the kind of dessert we reach for when we want something that feels festive without being complicated. It uses a boxed cake mix in a clever way, adds a homemade touch with a fluffy filling, and finishes with fresh berries. The flavor feels a little extra special without adding extra stress. It works well for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any holiday when you need something you can make ahead and serve chilled.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake.
Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These zucchini bars use wholesome ingredients, a less processed sugar and less oil than the classic recipe with a lightened up cream cheese frosting. They’re gluten-free too!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.
No Bake Pineapple Cheesecake
If you’re looking for a no-bake dessert with rich, sweet, and tropical flavors, you’re going to love this easy no-bake pineapple cheesecake recipe. The sweet, buttery crust is filled with soft and creamy cheesecake filling and pineapple chunks, and it’s crowned with a tender, fruity pineapple topping.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Pineapple Cheesecake.
Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
If you’re a fan of cookies ‘n’ creme flavors, meet your new favorite treat, because you’re going to love these Oreo rice krispie treats! I took two classic desserts (classic rice krispie treats and Oreos) and combined them into one totally delicious option so you can enjoy both in one bite. Crispy cereal, chunks of Oreo cookies, and gooey marshmallows come together for a deliciously sticky dessert.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Rice Krispie Treats.
Strawberry Galette
Simple and rustic yet incredibly delicious, this strawberry galette is ready in under an hour thanks to the use of a buttery store-bought pie crust.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Galette.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Easy Carrot Cake Cupcakes with smooth cream cheese frosting. A go-to recipe for a cozy afternoon or get-togethers with friends.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
Cherry Turnovers
Cherry Turnovers are the perfect combination of crisp, flaky pastry and warm, sweet cherry filling. Each bite is packed with juicy cherries, buttery layers, and a simple icing drizzle that brings just the right amount of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Turnovers.
Strawberry Poke Cake
This strawberry poke cake is as fun to make as it is to eat—sweet, simple, and totally irresistible! With a boxed cake mix as the base, it’s super easy, and the strawberry gelatin adds a fruity pop of flavor and a cool, jiggly texture. Top it off with a hint of vanilla, fresh juicy strawberries, and a dreamy cream cheese frosting, and you’ve got a dessert that’s light, luscious, and perfect for any occasion. It does need a little chill time, but trust me—it’s worth every minute!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake.
Sour Cherry Crisp
This sour cherry crisp uses fresh tart cherries and an easy gluten-free vegan topping. It’s the perfect patriotic and easy summer dessert everyone will love!
Get the Recipe: Sour Cherry Crisp.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and creamy, making it a nostalgic favorite for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad.
Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird cake is a sweet Southern classic that’s irresistibly soft, moist, and full of charm. Think banana bread meets tropical vacation—with crunchy pecans, warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla dancing through each bite. Crushed pineapple adds a juicy twist, while a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting wraps it all up in smooth, dreamy goodness. Whether you’re celebrating something big or just craving a cozy slice of comfort, this cake brings that perfect mix of homespun warmth and timeless elegance.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Cake.
Cherry Slab Pie
This cherry slab pie is a fruity, feel-good dessert that’s perfect for sharing—if you can part with a slice! It’s sweet, tangy, and wrapped in golden, flaky goodness. With a double crust, juicy cherry filling, a splash of lemon, and a pretty lattice top sprinkled with coarse sugar, it’s as tasty as it is beautiful. It’s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and even freezes like a dream for those future dessert emergencies. Whether it’s a celebration or just a Tuesday, this pie always delivers.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Slab Pie.
Strawberry Delight
This no-bake Strawberry Delight is the kind of dessert that makes you feel like summer never ends. It’s the kind of dessert that’s easy to put together, chills to perfection, and disappears fast at any party.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Delight.
Pineapple Pretzel Salad
Pineapple Pretzel Salad is the kind of treat that stops everyone in their tracks—it’s salty, sweet, creamy, and crisp all in one bite. Cream cheese, crushed pretzels, and pineapple gelatin come together in three easy layers that chill to perfection in your trusty baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Pretzel Salad.
Strawberry Yogurt Cake
This delicious strawberry yogurt cake comes together in a snap and combines sweet strawberries with the delicate tangy richness of Greek yogurt. Perfect for a special occasion, or an everyday family dessert, this cake is a refreshing and yummy treat.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Yogurt Cake.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
An Old-Fashioned Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a retro classic that will simply never goes out of style. A layer of buttery brown sugar caramelizes under sweet pineapple rings and bright maraschino cherries, all topped with a soft, tender vanilla cake.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
S’Mores Boston Cream Pie
This S’Mores Boston Cream Pie is the ultimate dessert mashup you didn’t know you needed! Think classic Boston cream pie with a gooey, marshmallowy, chocolate-drizzled s’mores twist. It’s like campfire s’mores, and a bakery-quality Boston cream pie had the most delicious pie ever. One bite, and you’ll be hooked!
Get the Recipe: S’Mores Boston Cream Pie.
Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake
This chocolate mayonnaise cake (yes, you heard that right) gives you a deep, moist, and flavourful cake that stays fresh so much longer than using butter or oil.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake.
Classic Key Lime Pie
There’s something truly special about classic key lime pie—its bright, citrusy flavor is unlike any other dessert. The combination of a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy, tangy-sweet filling makes every bite a perfect balance of indulgence and refreshment. Making this pie from scratch is surprisingly simple, and the result is a smooth, luscious treat bursting with fresh Key lime zest. Whether you’re serving it at a summer gathering or just treating yourself, this zesty favorite is guaranteed to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Classic Key Lime Pie.
Carrot Cake
Carrot Cake is the kind of dessert that never goes out of style. With its perfectly moist crumb, warm spice blend, and rich cream cheese frosting, it’s the ultimate treat for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for a special gathering or just because this cake is one you’ll want to bake again and again.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake.
