35 Easy Summertime Potluck Desserts

Looking for a new dessert to take to your next summer potluck? Today I'm sharing 35 easy and delicious summertime potluck desserts that are easy to transport and feed a crowd.

Spring and summer are filled with opportunities for potlucks and picnics. Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the Fourth of July are a few popular holidays to celebrate outdoors.

Are you in charge of dessert this year? While the task can seem daunting, I'm here to help you choose the perfect sweet treat for the occasion. No-bake cheesecake bars, chocolate chip cookie bars, and scotcheroos are just a few crowd-pleasing desserts you'll find on this list.

Choosing the perfect dessert

What makes the perfect dessert for a summer potluck? That depends on the type of party you're attending. Is it indoors or outdoors? Will you have access to a refrigerator or have a container to keep your dessert chilled until serving time?

Your perfect dessert may also need to be:

• Easy to transport
• Big enough to feed a crowd
• Can be served cold or room temperature
• Easy to slice and serve
• Handheld/individually portioned
• Can hold up to warm weather outside

Travel tips

• Store on the floor - Place desserts on a flat surface like the floor of your car or securely placed in the trunk. Be sure your trunk isn't so hot that it could melt delicate baked goods. Desserts can slide easily off seats and turn into disaster!
• Secure in a box - Secure dessert containers in a box and insulate with towels for an even safer travel experience.
• Use a stable lid - Instead of covering with foil or plastic, opt for a container with a tightly sealing lid. Flimsy covers can sink into a perfectly frosted cake or ruin the top of a cheesecake if something is placed on top of it.
• Don't have the right container at home? - Buy foil food storage containers from the grocery store. If you don't have the right size pan at home, these foil containers often come with lids and you won't be devastated if you leave it at the party location.
• Cupcake storage - Party stores carry cardboard cupcake storage boxes that are relatively inexpensive, transport well, and can be discarded afterward. If you plan on making cupcakes often, I recommend investing in a cupcake carrier (see my list below!).

Dessert carriers

A few essentials that make transporting desserts a breeze.

Snapware Snap 'N Stack Portable Storage Carrier - Great for transporting cupcakes with grooves to hold them in place. The trays can be reversed to carry bars, cookies, or pre-sliced cake and lift easily from the container with handles.

Thermal Insulated Casserole Carrier for Hot or Cold Food - This thermal carrier fits a 9" x 13" baking dish and can keep your food warm or cold. When you're not attending picnics, it can double as a cooler for bottles of water and food at the beach.

8-Piece Deep Glass Baking Dish Set with Plastic lids - This set has a variety of sizes to fit the dessert you have in mind. The lids are tight fitting and you can stack them for easy transport.

18 x 13-inch Half Sheet Pan with Cover - Want to make a sheet cake and transport it right in the pan? This set comes with a tight-fitting lid that won't ruin your perfectly decorated frosting.

Summer potluck desserts

Here are 35 easy and delicious summertime potluck desserts that are perfect for your next picnic or celebration.