The Best Picnic Desserts – 100 Recipes

Serve up delicious summer treats with these top chef-inspired dessert recipes for backyard picnics and outdoor getaways: tarts, cakes, ice cream, and more.

Lemon Meringue Bar

Lemon meringue pie is cut into portions. In this version, there's no need to roll out the dough; simply press it into the bottom of the pan. Then, layer the meringue on top and toast under the broiler.

Recipe: Lemon Meringue Bar

Flourless cottage cheese and chocolate cake

Aina's layered cake can be made a day ahead. Layer it with 5 layers of store-bought cookies and whipped cream with coffee (the final layer is buttercream). Smooth the surface, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Recipe: Flourless cottage cheese and chocolate cake

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Strawberry Brownies

Trisha's no-bake chocolate dessert is easy to transport and take on the go. The sweet and salty combination will please both kids and adults.

Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Strawberry Brownies

Cupcake Cake "School of Fish"

Need a treat for a gathering or summer party? Make this dessert—a combination of cake and cupcakes. Colorful chocolate drops make it easy to decorate.

Recipe: Cupcake Cake "School of Fish"

Blueberry Lemon Whoopie Pie Cookies

Sandwich cream cheese and lemon filling between fluffy blueberry cookies.

Recipe: Blueberry Lemon Whoopie Pie Cookies

Peanut Butter Marshmallow S'mores

This sweet dessert will create a campfire-like atmosphere in your home. Toasted marshmallows are the perfect soft topping for chocolate-pecan brownies.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Marshmallow S'mores

Grilled Pineapple Dessert with Nutella

This dessert is simple yet sophisticated. Grill the pineapple until caramelized, then top with mascarpone cheese, chocolate-hazelnut spread, and hazelnuts.

Recipe: Grilled Pineapple Dessert with Nutella

Blackberry cobbler

Trisha's pie features layers of blackberry-sugar mixture alternating with strips of dough. "The last time I made this, I didn't have time to make homemade dough," says Trisha. "I tried store-bought dough sheets, rolled them out, and cut them into strips. They turned out great!"

Recipe: Blackberry cobbler

Angel Food Trifle

Pieces of light sponge cake are soaked in the juice of fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, as well as smooth Greek yogurt.

Recipe: Angel Food Trifle

Key lime pie

Ree's delightful lime dessert is the perfect complement to a hearty barbecue, and best of all, it's made with three simple layers. Layer homemade lime curd on a buttered graham cracker crust, then top with fresh whipped cream. Lime zest makes the perfect garnish.

Recipe: Key lime pie

Peach Cinnamon Cobbler

Guy's cobbler takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Top the peaches with the dry ingredients and bake until golden brown and bubbly.

Recipe: Peach Cinnamon Cobbler

Chocolate shortbread cake with whipped cream

This delicate chocolate pie is so easy to make: spread cocoa cream cheese over a store-bought cookie crust, and the dessert is ready in just 10 minutes.

Recipe: Chocolate shortbread cake with whipped cream

Shortbread

Alton makes simple, classic shortbread cookies that pair perfectly with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Recipe: Shortbread

Bonfire Cookies

What better dessert for a picnic than a s'more? These cookies are topped with a cute candy "bonfire" and miniature marshmallows on sticks. Take these cookies with you on a trip to the countryside or just a picnic in your backyard—they'll brighten up any gathering.

Recipe: Bonfire Cookies

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Strawberry Cheesecake Galette

This light dessert will be a hit with cheesecake lovers, and it's a little easier to make. It's a great way to use up the first strawberries of the season.

Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Galette

Flourless S'mores Cake with Marshmallow Cream

For this cake, you only need to turn the oven on long enough to brown the marshmallow topping.

Recipe: Flourless S'mores Cake with Marshmallow Cream

Cupcakes with raspberry cream

To speed up the preparation, Giada uses a ready-made dry cake mix. Cut off the tops of each cupcake, mash fresh raspberries with whipped cream, and spoon them onto the batter.

Recipe: Cupcakes with raspberry cream

Cookies with liquid filling

The chocolate-hazelnut spread is chilled to make it easier to use as a filling for these chewy, soft cookies. Enjoy them warm or even chilled—you're unlikely to have any leftovers.

Recipe: Cookies with liquid filling

Blueberry Buckle

This pie is similar to a cobbler, but is made with a light sponge cake batter and sprinkled with sprinkles. Alton fills the classic dessert with fresh blueberries.

Recipe: Blueberry Buckle

Brownie Pudding

Aina's wonderful dessert is the perfect combination of crispy brownie edges and a soft pudding filling.

Recipe: Brownie Pudding

Trifle with lemon curd and fresh berries

Layer the sponge cake, berries, lemon curd, and whipped cream in a trifle bowl for a cool, beautiful summer dessert.

Recipe: Trifle with lemon curd and fresh berries

Blossom Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

These peanut butter flower cookies with chocolate are delicious, and they're even better with toasted marshmallows. No campfire required, these cookies are perfect for a summer dinner with friends.

Recipe: Blossom Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Blueberry Foul

For a simple dessert, make fresh blueberry sauce from seasonal berries and fold it into whipped cream. Top with biscuit pieces or cookies.

Recipe: Blueberry Foul

Summer Cheesecake Mousse with Cream Cheese

This is a sweet cheesecake you can eat with a spoon. Glass jars are filled with layers of soft mousse, crumbled graham crackers, and berry jam. Alternatively, you can spread the mousse on crackers and top it with fresh berries or your favorite preserves.

Recipe: Summer Cheesecake Mousse with Cream Cheese

Rum Pina Colada Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake with a piña colada twist—this boozy cake will make your dreams come true.

Recipe: Rum Pina Colada Cake

Baked fruits in foil

Wrap apricots and plums with gingerbread in foil and cook directly over hot coals or a campfire.

Recipe: Baked fruits in foil

Berry Lasagna Cake

This cold berry trifle is a simple dessert for a crowd. No one will refuse the sponge cake macarons.

Recipe: Berry Lasagna Cake

Blueberry crumble with corn-almond topping

The corn-almond topping makes this dessert flavorful and crunchy, and pairs perfectly with the simple blueberry filling.

Recipe: Blueberry crumble with corn-almond topping

Brown Betty Dessert with Grilled Rhubarb

Rhubarb, a delicious spring and summer plant, is the main ingredient in the grilled dessert Brown Betty.

Recipe: Brown Betty Dessert with Grilled Rhubarb

Strawberry Trifles

Giada De Laurentiis's individual trifle is made with amaretto. For children, substitute fruit juice for the liqueur.

Recipe: Strawberry Trifles

Peanut Butter Pie

Sandra Lee's rich, creamy peanut butter pie is quick and easy to make, but time it right: it needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie

Fruit salad with limoncello liqueur

Ina serves fresh summer berries with a quick homemade topping of yogurt, lemon curd, honey, and vanilla.

Recipe: Fruit salad with limoncello liqueur

S'mores bars with cookie pieces

Make these campfire-inspired cookies at home.

Recipe: S'mores bars with cookie pieces

Berry trifle

Tyler's dessert uses lemon and sugar to enhance the flavors of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

Recipe: Berry trifle

Classic S'mores Dessert

For the perfect classic s'more, you'll need softened chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and crunchy graham crackers. There are countless ways to spice up the dessert, using different flavors of chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, or jam. Experiment—you have all summer to find your perfect combination.

Recipe: Classic S'mores Dessert

Strawberry Shortcake in the American Roadhouse Style

Make a classic retro diner dessert for your party.

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake in the American Roadhouse Style

White chocolate mousse with hazelnuts and blackberries

Like the traditional English recipe, Bobby Flay uses blackberry puree and whipped cream as a base. But for added sophistication, he adds white chocolate and Crème de Cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur.

Recipe: White chocolate mousse with hazelnuts and blackberries

Strawberry Cupcake Pie

This dessert combines the look of a pie with the compactness of a cupcake. To avoid lugging heavy dishes home after a picnic, bake it in an aluminum pie pan.

Recipe: Strawberry Cupcake Pie

Stars and Stripes Piñata Cookies

Hidden inside these patriotic cookies are miniature red, white, and blue stars.

Recipe: Stars and Stripes Piñata Cookies

Kids' Beach Crabs Macarons

These crab cupcakes are incredibly eye-catching and easy to make thanks to store-bought cookies and colorful gummies.

Recipe: Kids' Beach Crabs Macarons

Mini S'more Tacos

Brush flour tortillas with cinnamon-sugar butter and get ready to impress your guests. These little tacos are super easy to make using muffin tins, and they taste just like your favorite campfire treat.

Recipe: Mini S'more Tacos

Colored cheesecake

Achieving the marbled effect in this American flag-inspired dessert is easier than it looks—simply layer the different colors of filling one at a time, and let a wooden skewer do the rest!

Recipe: Colored cheesecake

Strawberry and custard tartlets

Muffin tins are quite versatile; you can even make miniature fruit pies in them. The cute, wavy circles of baked dough serve as the traditional double crust.

Recipe: Strawberry and custard tartlets

Simple Plum Tart with Puff Pastry

Nothing could be simpler (or more delicious): puff pastry is sprinkled with sliced ​​almonds and sugar, then topped with plums cooked in a sweet butter-based sauce.

Recipe: Simple Plum Tart with Puff Pastry

Plum tart - a shortbread pie with plums

"This pie is so simple, yet so elegant," says Sunny Anderson. Make it whenever you feel like experimenting with crust shapes.

Recipe: Plum tart - a shortbread pie with plums

Lemon Bar Cakes

The bright flavor of this compact, refreshing dessert comes from lemon zest and juice.

Recipe: Lemon Bar Cakes

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Save time by using store-bought graham cracker crust. Top with cocoa whipped cream, peanut butter chips, and chocolate sprinkles.

Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Barbecue Donuts

A wonderfully creative barbecue treat: chocolate donuts and melted chocolate are combined to form miniature grills. Top them with traditional grill "food" made from candy.

Recipe: Barbecue Donuts

Peach and raspberry cobbler with a pastry lid

Make a skillet cobbler for dessert. Make a raspberry and peach filling, top with biscuits, then brush with cream and sugar and bake until bubbling.

Recipe: Peach and raspberry cobbler with a pastry lid

Meringue cake with cookies, cream cheese, and strawberries (Mostachonn)

Marcela Valladolid's summer dessert is a meringue cake with cream cheese frosting and topped with fresh strawberries.

Recipe: Meringue cake with cookies, cream cheese, and strawberries (Mostachonn)

No-Bake Fireworks Cheesecake

Boom! This no-bake chocolate cheesecake is decorated with colorful "fireworks" using a couple of simple decorating techniques.

Recipe: No-Bake Fireworks Cheesecake

Baked Oreo Marshmallow Cookies "S'mores"

Make a s'mores dessert using Oreos instead of graham crackers. They're perfect for filling with gooey toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate. And thanks to a top-heat oven, there's no need for a campfire.

Recipe: Baked Oreo Marshmallow Cookies "S'mores"

Closed shortbread pie with fresh peaches

This pie slices beautifully and has a delicious peach filling, but its real charm is the crisp, sweet crust.

Recipe: Closed shortbread pie with fresh peaches

Poolside Bears Cupcake Pull-Apart Cake

Throw a pool party with this fun summer dessert. You'll need cake mix, frosting, and colorful candies from the supermarket.

Recipe: Poolside Bears Cupcake Pull-Apart Cake

Ice Cream Waffle Cone Cookies with Glaze

This ice cream cone definitely won't melt in the scorching summer sun. Have fun rolling out colorful cookie dough and shaping it into pretty shapes.

Recipe: Ice Cream Waffle Cone Cookies with Glaze

Jelly push pops on a stick

Make a splash at your summer picnic with this jelly: gummy fish, licorice seaweed, and crunchy candy sand.

Recipe: Jelly push pops on a stick

No-Bake Cheesecake with Lime Jelly

When you're craving cheesecake but it's too hot to turn on the oven, try these key lime pies.

Recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake with Lime Jelly

Sand Castle Cookies in Icing

Reminiscing about wonderful days at the beach? Bake these cute sandcastle cookies at home and enjoy the beach atmosphere all summer long.

Recipe: Sand Castle Cookies in Icing

Watermelon cupcakes

Frozen sponge cake, vanilla cream, and melted white chocolate combine to create a sweet summer treat perfect for a barbecue or pool party. No baking required!

Recipe: Watermelon cupcakes

Strawberry-Blackberry Summer Trifle

Trifle is a classic British summer dessert; it's light, sweet, and full of juicy fruit. If you can't find elderflower syrup (it has a sweet, floral flavor), substitute with lychee juice.

Recipe: Strawberry-Blackberry Summer Trifle

Summer Blackberry Bread Pudding

Summer pudding is a classic British dessert, rich with the flavor of fresh fruit. Make it the day before the picnic (or the morning of serving) and transport it in a container. At the party, unmold, top with whipped cream, and enjoy.

Recipe: Summer Blackberry Bread Pudding

Sandwich with berries and whipped cream

If you love bruschetta, you'll love this dessert version of the appetizer.

Recipe: Sandwich with berries and whipped cream

Grilled S'mores

The pre-made sponge base isn't just for strawberry shortcakes—these cups can be filled with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers to make a warm, grilled s'mores dessert.

Recipe: Grilled S'mores

Grilled bananas with chocolate sauce

Bananas coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture are grilled and caramelized, creating a delicious crust on the outside.

Recipe: Grilled bananas with chocolate sauce

Peach and strawberry crumble

This sweet dessert is made with two summer staples you've been waiting for all year: strawberries and peaches.

Recipe: Peach and strawberry crumble

No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

Virginia makes a stunning blueberry cheesecake. A pecan crust is layered with a creamy cream cheese filling and topped with a sweet, fresh blueberry sauce.

Recipe: No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

Shortcakes

These shortbread cookies, dusted with brown sugar, look absolutely beautiful. Plus, they keep for up to two days—perfect for a make-ahead dessert for dinner or a party.

Recipe: Shortcakes

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes

Thanks to store-bought mini graham cracker crusts, Rachel's strawberry cheesecakes are ready in just 10 minutes.

Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes

Apple and raspberry crumble with oatmeal and nut topping

Tart raspberries and tender apples are infused with the flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon in this comforting dessert.

Recipe: Apple and raspberry crumble with oatmeal and nut topping

Plum and nectarine crumble with pistachio topping

Sweet and tart summer fruits form the basis of this simple dessert. For a special presentation, it's baked in cute individual ramekins.

Recipe: Plum and nectarine crumble with pistachio topping

Blueberry Streusel Pie

This summer pie is filled with sweet berries and topped with a nutty crumble topping. Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

Recipe: Blueberry Streusel Pie

Glazed grilled pineapple in foil

Grilled fruit in foil is a simple and delicious dessert that requires no cleanup. Here, the pineapple is glazed with brown sugar and rum.

Recipe: Glazed grilled pineapple in foil

Grilled banana split

Banana splits wrapped in foil are easy to grill. Add classic toppings: ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries.

Recipe: Grilled banana split

Deep-fried cherry pies

Everything you love about pie, packed into a compact, neat package. Dust the pies with powdered sugar just before serving.

Recipe: Deep-fried cherry pies

Blueberry Pizza

Top a store-bought pizza crust with wine-soaked berries and ricotta cheese, and you've got yourself a simple, grown-up dessert.

Recipe: Blueberry Pizza

Burger-shaped cake

This cheeseburger-style cake is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Serve it for dessert after burgers and hot dogs.

Recipe: Burger-shaped cake

Orange and Lemon Slice Jelly

These fun "fake" fruit slices are made from jelly.

Recipe: Orange and Lemon Slice Jelly

Banana Panini with Nutella

Bobby prepares an unusual dessert - a sweet sandwich grilled with slices of ripe bananas and chocolate-hazelnut spread.

Recipe: Banana Panini with Nutella

Berry Treasure Dessert in a Jar

This compact dessert is made from layers of soft chocolate-hazelnut spread and cream cheese with fresh raspberries.

Recipe: Berry Treasure Dessert in a Jar

Instant Parfait

Place orange marmalade and fresh whipped cream in a wine glass and this simple dessert is ready in minutes.

Recipe: Instant Parfait

Closed Peach and Blueberry Pie

This classic pie from Alex is one of her favorite treats from childhood. If you can't wait for the pie to cool, serve it warm with ice cream.

Recipe: Closed Peach and Blueberry Pie

American Banana Pudding with Cookies

Tyler infuses his decadent pudding with vanilla, bourbon, and banana cream liqueur. Top it with homemade whipped cream for a stunning picnic dessert.

Recipe: American Banana Pudding with Cookies

Peach Bourbon Cobbler

Tyler's Peach Cobbler is made with bourbon, which adds a pleasant aroma that pairs perfectly with the sweet peaches and sponge topping.

Recipe: Peach Bourbon Cobbler

Multicolored meringues

This white, red, and blue meringue is easy to make thanks to one trick. Draw lines on the inside of a pastry bag with food coloring, then fill it with meringue—each portion will be three colors. This trick can also be used to decorate cupcakes.

Recipe: Multicolored meringues

Chocolate Peanut Cake Pops

Kids will love this cold treat on a stick—don't be surprised if they ask for more!

Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Cake Pops

Homemade Cherry Pie

Melissa De Arabian makes this elegant tart based on a French recipe passed down from her husband's grandmother. Instead of fresh cherries, which can be expensive, Melissa uses good jam.

Recipe: Homemade Cherry Pie

New York Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Raspberries

These cheesecake-inspired cupcakes are made with crumbled gluten-free cookies and a dry baking mix. The topping is vanilla cream cheese frosting and a fresh raspberry coulis.

Recipe: New York Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Raspberries

Grilled plums with gelato ice cream

Grilled plums brushed with melted cinnamon butter become caramelized and soft within minutes. Nutty gelato and toasted hazelnut pieces make a wonderful accompaniment.

Recipe: Grilled plums with gelato ice cream

Almond Shortcake

Make shortbread cookies using wheat and almond flour, then fill them with whipped cream and fresh blackberries.

Recipe: Almond Shortcake

Classic cherry clafoutis

Instead of your usual summer pastries, make a classic French dessert with seasonal cherries. Orange zest and Angostura bitters create a rich flavor that perfectly complements the sweet fruit.

Recipe: Classic cherry clafoutis

Tiki Cocktail Cake

This fun cocktail cake is surprisingly easy to make and is sure to be the star of your party.

Recipe: Tiki Cocktail Cake

Galette with cherries and peaches

This rustic open tart is easy to make thanks to store-bought puff pastry.

Recipe: Galette with cherries and peaches

Marshmallows on a stick "S'more Pops"

Roast some marshmallows to recreate the atmosphere of a campfire. If you don't have time, don't worry: the treat will still be cute and delicious.

Recipe: Marshmallows on a stick "S'more Pops"

American dessert S'mores with marshmallows and lemon curd

This treat is delicious, reminiscent of a slice of lemon meringue pie with fresh raspberries—it'll keep you from missing chocolate.

Recipe: American dessert S'mores with marshmallows and lemon curd

Cherry clafoutis

Clafoutis is a French dessert made from baked batter, typically filled with summer fruits. It's perfect for parties and, once chilled, firm enough to take on the go. Wrap well and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Recipe: Cherry clafoutis

Tiramisu with root beer

A beloved Italian dessert gets a truly American twist. Like the root beer float, this tiramisu is a true delight.

Recipe: Tiramisu with root beer



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