Fun Summer Picnic Desserts For A Crowd
Planning a picnic, family reunion, or backyard gathering? These picnic dessert ideas for a crowd include easy bars, no-bake treats, dump cakes, cookies, and other crowd-pleasing desserts that are simple to make, easy to transport, and perfect for feeding a group. Whether you’re heading to the park, a summer BBQ, or a potluck, you’ll find plenty of delicious dessert inspiration.
There’s just something special about packing up a picnic and enjoying a meal outdoors with family and friends.
From sunny afternoons at the park to backyard gatherings, great food is always part of the fun—and no picnic is complete without a delicious dessert!
Whether you’re craving a cool no-bake treat, fruity favorite, or an easy dessert to feed a crowd, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
I’ve rounded up some of the best picnic dessert recipes to help make your next summer gathering extra sweet.
No Bake Banana Split Cake
This Banana Split Cake recipe is another irresistible easy no bake dessert. It combines the classic look of a banana split into a cake with sweet creamy layers of whipped cream, cream cheese and banana pudding. A Graham cracker crust is the perfect soft texture to pair with the nostalgic flavors. A great summer or holiday dish for potlucks, parities or any family gatherings.
Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake | She’s Not Cookin’
This Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake is loaded with sweet chocolate chips and topped with a sweet streusel. Perfect with coffee or as dessert.
Homemade Peach Cobbler With Fresh Peaches
Step back in time with this old-fashioned Peach Cobbler. Made with fresh peaches and a sweet biscuit topping, it’s an easy summer dessert recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Without Cool Whip
Strawberry Pretzel Salad may have “salad” in the name, but don’t be fooled—it’s actually a delicious retro no-bake dessert that’s perfect for potlucks and holiday gatherings. With a crunchy, salty pretzel crust, a smooth and creamy cream cheese filling, and a sweet strawberry Jell-O topping with fresh strawberries, every bite is the perfect mix of texture and flavor.
Easy Cherry Pie Bars for a Crowd | She’s Not Cookin’
This easy cherry pie bar recipe is perfect for a crowd of people making 60 small bars. Soft and flavourful,this is a delicious dessert recipe.
Easy Peach Cobbler Pound Cake Recipe
If you’re a peach lover, then you’re going to love this easy peach cobbler pound cake recipe! It’s peach season and this rich buttery pound cake is bursting with peach flavor with brown sugar topping combined.
Easy Vanilla Cupcakes | She’s Not Cookin’
This Easy Vanilla Cupcakes recipe is so good with a moist fluffy texture and a fun vanilla swirl frosting. A versatile simple homemade cupcake recipe that you can customize with your favorite frosting and toppings. Perfect for any occasions from everyday yummy family treats to birthday parties, bbq’s, and wedding or shower celebrations.
Blueberry Lemon Loaf
This Lemon Blueberry Loaf is bursting with bright lemon flavor and juicy blueberries in every bite. Soft, moist, and easy to make, it’s finished with a sweet lemon glaze for the perfect quick bread to serve for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding (Paula Deen’s Recipe)
Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding is a decadent Paula Deen dessert layered with creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and Chessmen cookies.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Oreo Brownies | She’s Not Cookin’
These chocolate chip cookie Oreo brownies are a rich, layered dessert with a soft cookie base, Oreo center, and fudgy brownie topping.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake (4 Ingredients)
Strawberry Cream Cheese Dump Cake is an easy 4-ingredient, no-fuss dessert that is a great recipe for potlucks and large family gatherings.
Pineapple Dump Cake (Cobbler)
This easy Pineapple Dump Cake recipe is a quick dessert made with only four ingredients. This is the easiest cake recipe you will ever make! It’s the perfect sweet treat with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and maraschino cherries on top!
Blueberry Dump Cake With Cake Mix
This simple Blueberry Dump Cake recipe uses fresh or frozen blueberries that release their juicy flavors as they bake, creating a homemade-tasting dessert that’s perfect with ice cream.. The soft, juicy blueberries contrast beautifully with the golden, slightly crisp cake mix topping.
Strawberry Lemon Blondies | She’s Not Cookin’
Soft, moist and dense like a brownie, these Strawberry Lemon Blondies are simple to make with step-by-step instructions.
Monster Cookies | She’s Not Cookin’
These classic Monster Cookies are filled with oats, M&M’s, chocolate chips and peanut butter. Serve them up with a tall glass of milk!
Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies | She’s Not Cookin’
Soft on the inside and chewy on the outside, Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies recipe is quick and easy to make and will disappear in a hurry!
Strawberry Poke Cake | She’s Not Cookin’
Strawberry Poke Cake is a simple dessert that combines a moist box cake with fruity strawberry Jell-O infused throughout, topped with a light and dreamy layer of Cool Whip. It’s the perfect easy and delicious dessert for potlucks, BBQs, summer parties, or gatherings.
Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Shortcake Copycat
This easy Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Shortcake Copycat recipe with delicious buttery, fluffy biscuits, whipped cream and fresh strawberries. If you have enjoyed this recipe at the Cheesecake Factory you already know it is one of the best strawberry shortcake recipes.
Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust | She’s Not Cookin’
This easy recipe for Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust has only seven simple ingredients! A buttery shortbread crust, lemon curd filling and powdered sugar topping.
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars | She’s Not Cookin’
These Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip & Peanut Butter Squares are chewy and moist with loads of flavour. Recipe makes a nice big batch of 30!
