55+ Best Potluck Desserts That Will Make You The Most Popular Guest

Here are the best potluck desserts that will make you the most popular guest at a party! When friends and family come together to share a meal, it's always nice to contribute. I've gathered together all the best potluck dessert recipes to please a crowd for every occasion.

Jump to:

• Best Potluck Desserts Recipes
• 1. Oreo cupcakes
• 2. Lemon crinkle cookies
• 3. Chocolate raspberry cupcakes
• 4. Lemon curd cookies
• 5. Apple crumb cake
• 6. Crème brulee cake
• 7. Mocha cupcakes
• 8. Apple crumble muffins
• 9. Coffee cupcakes
• 10. Limoncello tiramisu
• 11. Double chocolate muffins
• 12. Coconut cupcakes
• 13. Crème brulee cookies
• 14. Blueberry ricotta cake
• 15. Chocolate caramel cupcakes
• 16. Chouquettes
• 17. Strawberry Tiramisu
• 18. Mini apple hand pies
• 19. Basque Burnt Cheesecake
• 20. Tiramisu Brownies
• 21. S'mores Cookies
• 22. Raspberry Brownies
• 23. Brioche Cinnamon Rolls
• 24. Red Velvet Brownies
• 25. Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
• 26. Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 27. Nutella Cupcakes
• 28. Red Velvet Muffins
• 29. Funfetti Cookies
• 30. Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
• 31. Pink cupcakes
• 32. No Bake Cheesecake Bites
• 33. Tiramisu Cookies
• 34. White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• 35. Espresso Brownies
• 36. Baked Raspberry Donuts
• 37. Brownie Blondies
• 38. Strawberry Cupcakes
• 39. Biscoff Brownies
• 40. Sugar Donuts
• 41. Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
• 42. Beignets
• 43. Palmiers
• 44. Baked Chocolate Donuts With Chocolate Glaze
• 45. Lemonade Bundt Cake
• 46. Matcha Tiramisu
• 47. Earl Grey Macarons with Lemon Curd Filling
• 48. Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake
• 49. Salted Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bars
• 50. Brown Butter Pecan Pie Bars
• 51. Key Lime Pie Bars
• 52. Peanut Butter Cookies
• 53. Strawberry Angel Food Cake
• 54. Peanut Butter Bars
• 55. Texas Sheet Cake
• 56. Lemon Bars
• FAQ
• 55+ Best Potluck Desserts That Will Make You The Most Popular Guest

Feeding a crowd is no easy feat, but with everything from super portable cookies and brownies to potluck desserts you can share, this list of dessert recipes for potluck has you covered.

Best Potluck Desserts Recipes

1. Oreo cupcakes

Oreo lovers will go crazy for this dessert! It’s perfect for potluck as cupcakes are so portable, and everyone gets their own. The soft, moist chocolate cupcake has the most incredible Oreo buttercream frosting, but it isn’t too sweet or sickly. Trust me, if you want to be everyone’s favorite guest, make these cupcakes for potluck.

2. Lemon crinkle cookies

Often times, a lemon dessert is a refreshing way to finish a meal. The authentic lemon flavor is super zesty and cuts through the sweetness of these cookies, and they also have a delicious texture.

Cookies are also the perfect potluck dessert idea as they are something people can pick up and eat, with no spoon or plate required! Just be sure to bake a double batch, as these cookies disappear quickly.

3. Chocolate raspberry cupcakes

Raspberries and chocolate are a flavor combination made in heaven. The sweet but slightly tart raspberry taste pairs so beautifully with rich chocolate, and there is a secret raspberry filling, too.

While it adds an extra step, everyone will love the extra fruit flavor, and it will soon become one of your favorite raspberry desserts.

4. Lemon curd cookies

You can bake these thumbprint cookies using everyday kitchen staples you probably already have in the pantry. The cookies have the moistest, tender texture and vibrant lemon flavor, and making homemade lemon curd for the center makes these easy cookies for potluck even tastier.

5. Apple crumb cake

If it’s apple season, you simply must make this cake for potluck. It has a cinnamon cake base but then a crunchy apple crumb topping and sweet apple glaze. Honestly, it’s to die for, and no one can ever stop after one slice. It’s super cozy and fragrant and the perfect Fall dessert.

6. Crème brulee cake

Here’s a fancy-looking dessert that is actually a lot easier to make than you might think! A moist sponge cake topped with easy custard and then bruleed to give it that iconic crunchy creme brulee top.

There are a few stages to making it, but honestly, they are all quite simple. I give you all my pro baking tips, resulting in the dessert mash-up of dreams. No one will believe you made it yourself at home.

7. Mocha cupcakes

Sometimes, we all need a caffeine hit! But coffee makes chocolate taste even better, so you simply must try these cupcakes. I love taking cupcakes to potluck as they are super cute and tasty but easy to pack up and transport. And you don’t have to share yours, as everyone gets one of their own!

8. Apple crumble muffins

If you love muffins, love apple desserts, and love a crumble topping, here is the potluck dessert recipe for you. The muffins are tall and moist, and the recipe comes together so easily.

You can use any leftovers as a breakfast or grab-and-go snack, so it’s a win-win! But the bad news is that there aren’t usually leftovers, so you might need to leave a few at home for yourself.

9. Coffee cupcakes

Give everyone a little pick me up with these light and fluffy coffee cupcakes. The whipped coffee buttercream frosting is seriously addictive, with a creamy, rich taste and well-balanced sweetness. Coffee desserts always taste elegant and classy, too.

10. Limoncello tiramisu

Guests will feel like they’ve taken a trip to the Italian Riviera with this potluck dessert. A classic tiramisu gets a twist with Limoncello spiked filling and creamy lemon mascarpone. It’s light yet decadent and has the most fantastic texture. And I guarantee no one else will have brought anything quite like it!

11. Double chocolate muffins

Here’s a classic potluck dessert that never fails to keep people happy. Double down on the chocolate for the most incredible moist muffins that are tall, filled with intense chocolate flavor, and super tasty. You might need to bake several batches as they often get hidden in handbags and taken home.

12. Coconut cupcakes

How about bringing some tropical treats to a potluck? Super moist and tender vanilla cupcakes with fresh shredded coconut in the sponge batter topped with creamy coconut frosting. You don’t often find coconut desserts, so this is a little more unique and unusual dessert for potluck that will surprise and delight everyone.

13. Crème brulee cookies

Here’s another mash-up of two delicious desserts that will cause a stir at the dessert table. A chewy cookie topped with a custard layer that is sprinkled with sugar and bruleed. You’ll get that crunch of caramelized sugar, creamy custard, and a soft and chewy cookie as you bite into it. It's divine!

14. Blueberry ricotta cake

I hope you already know how delicious cakes are when baked with ricotta! This version is studded with whole, juicy blueberries and a lemon glaze for an extra lift. It has a melt-in-the-mouth texture and a really delicious taste, but the ricotta cheese also makes it light and not too heavy. Honestly, you have to try it.

15. Chocolate caramel cupcakes

The richest, most decadent cupcakes out there! Intense chocolate cupcakes with the softest, moist sponge. There’s a secret pocket inside filled with homemade caramel sauce that is so silky and smooth, and it’s all topped with a caramel whipped mascarpone cream frosting.

Honestly, it sounds too good to be true. This is hands down one of the best potluck desserts ever.

16. Chouquettes

Dainty little chouquettes are made to be passed around in bowls for guests to snack on. Light and delicately sweet French pastries made from choux dough (also used for cream puffs and eclairs) but then deep fried to get them all crisp outside.

Simply dust with powdered sugar and serve, or take a bowl of whipped Chantilly cream to go with them.

17. Strawberry Tiramisu

Here’s a popular dessert for potluck! Tiramisu is also better enjoyed the next day so you can make it ahead of time and give the ladyfingers extra time to soak up all that flavor. This is a really easy recipe and doesn’t require any special ingredients or equipment. The fruity flavor comes from real, juicy strawberries blended into a syrup and whole fruit studded through the filling. 

18. Mini apple hand pies

Everyone gets their own personal dessert at the potluck if you make this recipe! Mini apple hand pies are perfect little bites of goodness with a flaky pastry shell and juicy, creamy apple filling. Shape them like little apples for extra cuteness!

19. Basque Burnt Cheesecake

No one can ever believe how easy it is to make this dessert. A burnt cheesecake is actually super simple to make, as you don't need any fancy ingredients or techniques. The signature burnt top gives them amazing depth of flavor, and the texture of the cheesecake itself is out of this world.

20. Tiramisu Brownies

A fudgy layer of gooey chocolate brownies, and then a tiramisu layer on top? Sign me up! This has to be one of the best potluck desserts ever. Each bite is an insane mix of flavor and texture, and no one will stop after eating just one. You will get invited back to every potluck event if you bring this.

21. S'mores Cookies

Who needs a campfire when you can make these s'mores cookies for potluck? Chocolate chip cookies get upgraded with a gooey marshmallow center that gives you all that classic flavor without having to light a fire.

22. Raspberry Brownies

Whole, juicy raspberries bursting with flavor make the best addition to brownies. The dense and fudgy texture is perfection, and I give you all my top tips to get the best flavor and consistency every time. You can even use frozen raspberries to make it even easier!

23. Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

I know that making brioche dough takes some time and effort, but believe me, it is worth it. The rich, buttery, and fluffy texture is to die for, and when it's baked into cinnamon rolls, it's pure heaven! Serve warm with some vanilla ice cream or a classic cream cheese frosting.

24. Red Velvet Brownies

Brownies are always such a popular dessert for potluck as they're so portable, and this decadent recipe is one of my all-time favorite red velvet desserts.

Super dense and fudgy with a rich chocolatey taste perfectly complimented by a tangy cream cheese marbelling. And, of course, that iconic red velvet color and crackly top. Bake a double batch, though, as you certainly won't be able to stop eating them.

25. Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

Cupcakes are also really portable, which makes them ideal potluck desserts for gatherings and parties. A tender, soft vanilla cupcake sponge is topped with the most amazing cream cheese frosting and strawberry shortcake crumble topping.

I love making mini desserts for potluck as everyone can have their own. And while they look super fancy, these cupcakes are actually one of my favorite easy recipes for potluck.

26. Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is one of my personal favorite potluck desserts. Gooey, soft, and chewy cookies flavored with brown butter and sprinkled with sea salt are so good that no one can leave them on the plate! Box up these cookies for potluck and wait for the compliments to roll in.

I give you all the best tips on baking perfect cookies every time, and what's more, taking cookies to potluck means there's no need to wash up! I'm sure you'll agree this makes them one of the best desserts for potluck.

27. Nutella Cupcakes

If you're a Nutella fan, you simply must add this to your list of cupcake recipes for potluck. The super moist chocolate hazelnut cupcakes are both filled and frosted with indulgent, creamy Nutella frosting and topped with crunchy chopped hazelnuts, too. Surely, no one can resist them!

Homemade cupcakes are such easy desserts to bring to a party because they're tasty and simple, and everyone loves them.

28. Red Velvet Muffins

You'll certainly be popular if you make these tasty muffins for potluck. Stuffed with gooey white chocolate chips, red velvet muffins make a great addition to the potluck dessert spread.

Read my guide on how to store muffins and keep them fresh so that they arrive at your event as tasty as possible.

29. Funfetti Cookies

How fun are these? If kids are coming to the party, they'll love these cute cookies covered with bright funfetti sprinkles. But grown-ups will love them, too, and they have an elevated taste and texture that always makes them popular. Certainly, cookies are also great if you are looking for inexpensive desserts for a crowd.

30. Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Both cookies and cheesecake always go down well at potluck parties, so try this ultimate dessert mash-up. A perfectly soft and chewy cookie stuffed with strawberry flavor has a cream cheese disk hidden inside. It gives each bite a silky tang of cheesecake that no one will expect!

This is certainly one of those types of cookies where everyone eats more than one, so make sure you bring enough. Cookies are really easy to

31. Pink cupcakes

These super pretty cupcakes have the most beautiful marbled frosting, which will grab all the attention on the potluck dessert table.

Moreover, the sponge recipe is foolproof, and the cupcake frosting only has 3 simple ingredients and takes just minutes to whip up. You can decorate them further to your liking with edible pearls or funfetti or have them plain.

32. No Bake Cheesecake Bites

Everyone loves cheesecake, but it can be messy to serve when people are helping themselves. So here is where cheesecake bites enter the chat! They are perfect for a potluck with the same buttery graham cracker crust, tangy cheesecake taste, and juicy strawberry flavor.

What's more, they only take 30 minutes to prepare, and they are not baked. In conclusion, they're no hassle! When it comes to easy potluck desserts, no bake desserts are the way to go.

33. Tiramisu Cookies

If you're looking for fun and unique cookie recipes to take as potluck desserts, this is the one for you. All the taste and texture of a classic Tiramisu, but in a cookie form! In conclusion, these cookies are really portable, really unusual, and individual-sized, too.

34. White Chocolate Covered Strawberries

If you're looking for lighter potluck desserts, try this. Chocolate-dipped strawberries take just minutes to make but are full of flavor and much healthier than a lot of other potluck offerings too. If you love white chocolate desserts and fresh fruit, try this!

35. Espresso Brownies

Sometimes, we all need a pick-me-up. But what you may not know is that using espresso powder in chocolate desserts really brings out the chocolate flavor. So, as well as a delicious coffee kick, you get even more of a rich chocolate taste. And that's on top of the trademark fudgy texture and signature crinkly top.

36. Baked Raspberry Donuts

These tasty donuts have juicy raspberries pressed into the batter, giving each bite a burst of real fruit flavor. Then, they are covered with a silky raspberry glaze, too, which makes them super pretty to look at. Fruity desserts are often good to bring to potluck, as chocolate often features heavily in everyone else's!

In fact, out of all the different kinds of donuts, glazed fruity donuts are my favorite.

37. Brownie Blondies

Can't decide between brownies and blondies? There's no need! Make my easy brownie blondies recipe for potluck, and no one has to choose. You get all the rich, chocolaty taste of brownies coupled with the lighter, more butterscotch taste of blondies. All in one bite! Furthermore, this is a really simple recipe to make, so even beginners can master it.

38. Strawberry Cupcakes

I love making these cupcakes for summer potluck. The strawberry cupcakes have the most amazing moist and fluffy texture, with a super soft and tender vanilla sponge topped with fresh strawberry cream cheese frosting.

The pretty pink color of my special homemade frosting comes from real fresh strawberries, which infuse it with real fruity flavor, so there is no need for added food coloring or synthetic flavorings.

39. Biscoff Brownies

Are you as obsessed with Lotus Biscoff desserts as me? The flavor is unrivaled, and the Biscoff craze shows no signs of slowing down. Take a box of these brownies with you to a party and watch them vanish. The layer of Biscoff butter (and you can make your own homemade Biscoff spread, too) gives such an amazing taste to each bite.

40. Sugar Donuts

Simple, sugary donuts are one of my favorite desserts to take to potluck, as everyone's eyes light up when they see them. Baked donuts (also known as cake donuts) are much easier to make as you don't need to deep fry them, making them healthier, too. You can play with the flavors and add some cinnamon to the sugar, too, to add a hint of spice.

A tray of freshly baked donuts will be a hit with a crowd, trust me!

41. Oatmeal Craisin Cookies

Bake a batch of these healthy oatmeal cranberry cookies for potluck; they're super easy yet loaded with craisin, cinnamon, and brown sugar flavors. With a chewy outside and gooey inside, the texture is out of this world, and they manage to be both wonderfully rich yet very well-balanced in sweetness.

You can swap out the craisins for regular raisins if you prefer, but the dried cranberries give a more tart and unusual flavor that I love.

42. Beignets

These tasty little French fritters are a potluck dessert designed to please a crowd. Their light, sweet, and pillowy texture makes them irresistible little bites, and they look super cute, dusted with powdered sugar in a bowl. Guests can even dip them in whipped cream or enjoy with fresh fruit or they are perfect on their own.

43. Palmiers

This is one of those quick and easy potluck dessert recipes that you can knock up in no time. It's so simple, but they look super elegant in a little bowl, and you only need a package of store-bought puff pastry and a bit of sugar. That's it! These 2-ingredient palmiers come together in just 40 minutes, so they work as last-minute desserts to bring to a party if you're tight on time.

44. Baked Chocolate Donuts With Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate donuts have to be near the top of the list of crowd-pleasing potluck desserts. I don't know anyone who wouldn't eat one! And my baked donuts are so simple to make even beginner bakers can knock them up in no time. The easy glaze gives them a super professional appearance; no one will believe you made them yourself.

45. Lemonade Bundt Cake

This lemonade bundt cake is bursting with citrus flavor and is much easier to make than you might think. Its glaze and lemon simple syrup load it with a zesty, tangy lemon taste, and it has the best moist texture, too. and tangy lemon taste. For a fresh-tasting dessert for potluck, try this.

Lemon and raspberry go so well together, so I decorated this easy bundt cake with both fresh and freeze-dried raspberries. Also, I put yogurt in the cake batter to make it extra moist. Try it and see!

Read my guide with expert tips on how to get bundt cake out of the pan if you have always struggled with it in the past.

46. Matcha Tiramisu

You will love this twist on a famous European dessert. The creamy, classic taste of tiramisu is elevated even further with a pinch of matcha, which gives it a glowing green hue as well as a delicious taste. You can make your own homememade ladyfingers or use store-bought, and this is certainly one of those potluck desserts to please a crowd. And feed a crowd!

47. Earl Grey Macarons with Lemon Curd Filling

Macarons are such elegant little French pastries! The warm tea flavor of these beautiful treats contrasts so well with the bright burst of lemon curd filling. The chewy crunch of macarons is such a unique texture, and everyone always loves them so much. Plus, they really do look stunning.

While macarons can be a bit more challenging to make, your effort will not go unnoticed. If you want a potluck dessert to impress, make macarons. You can take my online macaron class first to nail all the skills you need.

48. Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake

An easy loaf cake is a great cake for potluck, and the beautiful marbled sponge adds a lot of visual interest to the plate and is super tasty! You can leave it plain or top it with tasty frosting. I like to add my peanut butter frosting. Certainly, it's always been a winning potluck recipe for me.

49. Salted Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bars

The obsession with salted caramel shows no signs of slowing down, and it really isn't hard to see why. Couple it with the rich and tangy taste of cheesecake, and you've got a winning dessert. Making the beautiful swirled effect is a lot easier than you might think, and you'll just need a chopstick or the end of a spoon.

Cheesecake bars are an easy dessert to serve at potluck as you can leave them out ready for guests to pick up. But be warned, they'll be popular with a crowd!

50. Brown Butter Pecan Pie Bars

Brown butter and pecan pie together? Honestly, what could be more delicious? Pie bars are super easy to make and are ideal potluck dessert recipes as they can be cut into any size to suit the numbers. Make several sheets of them and bring them in the baking trays to make your life even easier!

51. Key Lime Pie Bars

For a fresh and zesty dessert, try these key lime pie dessert bars. Bright and fresh, and full of citrus taste, guests will surely form a long queue to get their hands on one! I love the bright green zest on top to really make them pop.

A handy tip is to use a hot knife to slice up the pie bars and get a really clean edge to show off the layers. Everyone will think you bought them, and didn't make them yourself!

52. Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookies will always be popular with large groups, as peanut butter is such a universally adored flavor. What's more, it gives these cookies the most amazing texture and nutty taste. They stack really well, so you can wrap them in aluminum foil to transport them with you or bring them in Tupperware.

53. Strawberry Angel Food Cake

The light and fluffy texture of this easy angel food cake will have everyone gossiping. But making it in a container means it is so much easier to spoon out and serve.

Simply make the dessert, store it in the fridge until needed, and then take it to the party. There's no need to plate it up or arrange anything further; it's good to go. Depending on the season, you can top with other fresh fruits, but strawberries and cream are always a reliable and popular option.

54. Peanut Butter Bars

The glossy, rich, and fudgy chocolate coating on these bars is something else.  What's more, these bars only require pantry staple ingredients and take hardly any effort to make. They’re so easy! But they look and taste divine. They're sweet, salty, heavy on the peanut butter, super chocolatey, and every last bite is full of taste and texture.

55. Texas Sheet Cake

Everyone loves a Texas sheet cake for potluck. And this one is simply irresistible! This chocolate cake is baked in a jelly roll pan and has a light and tender sponge. But the cooked chocolate frosting made with melted butter, milk, chocolate, and powdered sugar has added pecans for a nutty taste that guests won't be able to get enough of. 

It's poured over the cake while still warm, creating a fudgy and undeniably delicious chocolate cake to share.

56. Lemon Bars

To finish off a big meal, I think lemon desserts are always wise. The citrus tang cuts through all the other heavy foods and gives everyone a bit of a lift. What's more, these bright and tangy lemon bars are super easy to make and, of course, really portable, so you can easily bring them to the potluck party.

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