50 Potluck Desserts That Will Feed A Crowd

There's a dessert for every occasion.

By

Mary Shannon Wells

Updated on June 11, 2024

Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge — Photo:
Photographer: Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

What could be better than a potluck? Being with friends, family, and other loved ones, potlucks are ideal for tasting a unique dish showcased by every guest. Whether you're attending the church homecoming, a family reunion, Friendsgiving, or a monthly neighbor potluck, you always want to bring an A-game recipe. It's the ultimate compliment when you hear, "Who made the chicken salad? I have got to get that recipe!"

Go ahead and sign up to bring a dessert to the next get-together because these potluck dishes have got you covered. These potluck desserts have high yields for even the largest gatherings, and there's something for every occasion.

01 of 50

Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle

Hot Chocolate Trifle — Photo: Hector Sanchez

This beautiful trifle is perfect for a holiday potluck when you need a crowd-pleasing dessert. Chocolate Ganache and Marshmallow Topping account for the other layers. To make the Marshmallow Topping, you only need two ingredients.

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Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi Mud Cake — Beth Dreiling Hontzas

No one ever turns down this classic Southern sheet cake at a potluck. This traditional dessert combines marshmallows, chopped pecans, and decadent chocolate frosting. The best part is it only takes 15 minutes to assemble.

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Apple Slab Pie

apple slab pie close up — Rob Culpepper; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Assistant Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This pie was made for a potluck. With its extra-large size, it feeds 15 (or more if you cut smaller pieces). It's also easy to transport if you're going from home to church or home to a neighborhood gathering. Just don't forget the ice cream.

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Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Southern Living Pumpkin Bundt Cake on a cake plate to serve — Molly Bolton

The typical Bundt cake serves 12 to 16 people, and if you've got to travel for the potluck, this glaze is nowhere near as sticky as a frosting. For an even easier time, skip the glaze and dust with powdered sugar instead.

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Punch Bowl Cake

Southern Living Punch Bowl Cake ready to serve with bowls and spoons beside — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Like a souped-up trifle, a punch bowl cake is a creamy, sweet Southern dessert that'll be the hit of any potluck. You can change up the fillings to meet your preferences.

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Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake — Photo: Hector Sanchez

This party-perfect sheet cake tastes like spring in a bite. Strawberry and lemon flavors blend seamlessly in this mixture. Garnish with fresh strawberries when in season.

07 of 50

Chocolate Lasagna

Chocolate Lasagna — Southern Living

Since we rediscovered this vintage recipe, we prefer sweet lasagna over savory. This recipe is excellent for preparing for those last-minute events. It assembles quickly, and party-goers will eat it even faster.

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Fudge Cake

Fudge Cake Recipe — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

This decadent chocolate cake comes together with a handful of pantry staples. With only 15 minutes of hands-on time, this dessert is an all-encompassing chocolate fan's dream. Toast the pecans before chopping them for extra flavoring.

09 of 50

Two-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake

a corner slice of Two-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake on a white plate with a fork — Jessica Furniss/Southern Living

This cake recipe is so impressive you might not tell everyone how easy it is. But with just two ingredients, a boxed angel food cake mix and a can of crushed pineapple, you can make dessert for a dozen. While it cools, focus on some impressive potluck sides.

10 of 50

Easiest Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies on a serving plate — Elise Bauer

You only need four ingredients and 35 minutes (prep and bake time together!) to make a huge batch of these sweet peanut butter cookies. When short on time, mix these pantry staples into a delicious cookie mixture. After baking, allow cookies to cool on a wire rack.

11 of 50

Pecan-Peach Cobbler

Southern Living Fresh Peach Cobbler in a bowl to serve with ice cream — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This fresh peach cobbler couldn't be easier to serve a summertime crowd. Layers of pecan-filled crust add a nutty flavoring and crispy texture to this cobbler. This dessert freezes for up to one month so that you can have it on hand for potluck emergencies.

12 of 50

Luscious Lemon Bars

Luscious lemon bars on parchment paper — Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Lemon bars are a forever attendee at any potlucks we host. Make these treats a month before your event, and keep them in the freezer. With 20 minutes of active time, these lemon bars are perfectly tart and sweet.

13 of 50

Butterscotch Fudge

butterscotch fudge — Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Switch up your traditional fudge recipe this fall with a butterscotch twist. This fudge recipe is more straightforward than others because the butterscotch and white chocolate chips help set the candy. You don't need to worry about cooking it to a specific temperature like traditional fudge.

14 of 50

Cranberry-Almond Cookies

Cranberry-Almond Cookies — Ralph Anderson; Styling: Mary Lyn Hill

Stray away from the usual chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies with this recipe that would be fun for the holidays. Toasted almond slices and dried cranberries combine for these festive drop cookies. To brighten the mixture, try adding a little orange zest.

15 of 50

Chocolate Peanut Butter-Fudge Bars

Peanut Butter-Fudge Bars — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

There's no better combo than chocolate and peanut butter, and these bars are the best way to enjoy them. The most challenging part of this recipe is allowing the chocolate layers to firm up before slicing into it. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.

16 of 50

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes — Photo: Alison Miksch

These mini pound cakes are the best for quick grab-and-go service. Espresso helps make this mixture extra moist and enhances the chocolate flavoring. With all the chocolate decadence in the cake, a simple buttermilk and powdered sugar glaze is the perfect complement.

17 of 50

Vintage Fresh Apple Cake

Fresh Apple Cake — Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Amy Burke

This warm fall cake would be perfect for the church homecoming potluck. Layers of moist cake have all the fall flavors, like apples, cinnamon, and nuts. This cake will be a hit, topped with Cream Cheese Frosting at any event.

18 of 50

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies — Molly Bolton

An all-time classic, chocolate chip cookies will never fail you when you need a dessert recipe. Two types of chocolate make this recipe even sweeter. After baking, sprinkle with flaky sea salt to enhance the cookie flavoring.

19 of 50

Hello Dolly Bars

Hello Dolly Bars - Southern Living — Courtney West

These gooey, irresistible bars are only a few ingredients and a little time away. Graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, chocolate morsels, and flaked coconut create a unique combination of flavors and textures. Enjoy a twist on this classic treat.

20 of 50

Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle — Iain Bagwell

This stunning dessert would be festive for a Christmas potluck. It combines your favorite flavors in one trifle. To make, layer raspberry, orange, and rich red velvet madeleines between sweet layers of mascarpone.

21 of 50

Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing

Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing — Iain Bagwell

As with any good Texas sheet cake, pour the warm icing on the fresh-from-the-oven cake. Adding the icing to a warm cake helps meld together for the most indulgent result. This decadent, chocolaty treat is iconic.

22 of 50

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies — Caitlin Bensel

Has anyone ever been able to turn one of these bite-sized beauties down? Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic duo for a reason. In about 20 minutes, you can have three dozen delicious, irresistible treats.

23 of 50

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges — Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Our most popular cake of all time, the ever-delicious Hummingbird Cake, gets the cupcake treatment with this little recipe. Crushed canned pineapple gives this cake its moist texture. Add a pineapple wedge as a garnish to honor this traditional cake and make these cupcakes look beautiful.

24 of 50

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Southern Living Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on a plate to serve with one broken open beside — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

These cookies, filled with traditional oatmeal flavors—brown sugar, raisins, and cinnamon—are an all-time favorite. This recipe makes about five dozen cookies, so there will be plenty to share.

25 of 50

Heavenly Angel Food Cake

Heavenly Angel Food Cake — Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Light, fluffy, and oh-so-satisfying, this angel food cake is always a crowd-pleaser. Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting is a bright and tangy complement to this simple cake. Garnishes are a great way to add some more color to this dessert.

26 of 50

Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing & Candied Pecans

Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Transform a traditional pumpkin Bundt cake into this award-worthy presentation. Adding candied pecans on top of the brown sugar frosting adds a sophisticated touch to this recipe without much effort. Make sure to add the icing while it is still warm, so it spills over the cake.

27 of 50

Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry Pie Bars — Greg Dupree

Enjoy classic cherry pie in big-batch form with these bars. The simple and sweet ingredient list is mainly pantry staples. Store these bars, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to three days.

28 of 50

Cheesecake Cookies

Cheesecake Cookies — Caitlin Bensel

If you're attending a cookie swap during the holiday season, these cheesecake cookies will knock the competition out of the park. Not that it's a competition, but you'd definitely win if it were. These cookies, topped with maraschino cherries, are as adorable as delicious.

29 of 50

Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake — Alison Miksch

If your friends obsess over pumpkin spice during fall, this sheet cake is the one you should bring to every potluck and Friendsgiving. The pairing you've been looking for in a fall-themed dessert? Chopped mini candy bars and spiced cream cheese frosting. Use extra candy bars to crumble on top because, why not?

30 of 50

Homemade Brownies

Southern Living Homemade Brownies on a plate to serve with a glass of milk — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When in doubt, a batch of warm brownies will always be well-received. This recipe is a great base for any brownie variation you can think to make.

31 of 50

Chocolate Trifle

Chocolate Trifle Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Even the most novice cooks can put together a gorgeous trifle that will look impressive (but is so easy!). Wait for the brownies to cool before crumbling pieces into the trifle's layers. Crushed toffee-flavored candy bars are the perfect garnish.

32 of 50

No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars

No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars — Iain Bagwell

If it's too hot even to turn your oven on, but you need a potluck dessert, look no further than this no-bake treat. Make sure to avoid boiling the cream and sugar. These no-bake treats will be your new favorite.

33 of 50

Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge

Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge — Photographer: Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

This first-lady favorite dessert is one of our go-to desserts for feeding a crowd. This fudge, also known as Million Dollar Fudge, is ultra-creamy and sweet. This fudge lasts for two weeks and up to three months in the freezer.

34 of 50

Coca-Cola Cake

Southern Living Coca Cola Cake on a cake plate with a slice taken out — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you're attending a potluck with little ones, you should do the honors of introducing them to this favorite vintage dessert. Incredibly, adding soda can create an ultra-moist and decadent dessert. The Coca-Cola frosting seals the deal when declaring this cake a classic.

35 of 50

Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle

Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle — Iain Bagwell

Orange and cranberry pair wonderfully in this trifle. Sprigs of fresh rosemary are a festive garnish if you make this trifle for a holiday party. The longer this dessert sits, the better it will taste.

36 of 50

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Ground cinnamon and ginger give classic pecan pie a welcome zing in this big-batch recipe. It's like pecan pie but better. Drizzle with caramel sauce.

37 of 50

Mini Confetti Cakes

Mini Confetti Cakes — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

These sweet little cakes will wow everyone at your spring potluck. Homemade whipped cream provides the perfect base for decorating. Shop for edible flowers at a specialty grocery store.

38 of 50

Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies — Greg DuPree

Give your brownies a welcome fall twist with this unique recipe, perfect for a Thanksgiving potluck. Both pumpkin and chocolate fans will be happy with this brownie combination. For the ideal slice, let the brownies chill overnight.

39 of 50

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

cowboy cookies on an orange platter with glasses of milk around — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle,Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

These cookies couldn't be stuffed with more sweetness if we tried. Rolled oats, chocolate chips, flaky coconut, and chopped pecans are only a few of the delicious ingredients listed in this recipe. Feel free to customize it to your liking, but this recipe will surely be a hit.

40 of 50

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Squares — Lee Harrelson

If your crowd is too big to feast on a pecan pie, make it in bar form so everyone can enjoy it. These bars still have all the classic pecan pie ingredients. Try drizzling chocolate on top for even more flavoring.

41 of 50

Atlantic Beach Pie

atlantic beach pie in a blue pie plate — CREDIT: GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS

Pie might not always be the first dessert you think of but, trust us, if it's summer, this is the recipe to make. Often referred to as the Best Pie in the World the Southern Living offices, make two and delight the crowd.

42 of 50

Fruity Pebbles Cookies

Southern Living Fruity Pebbles Cookies on a plate to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bring something that will brighten up the buffet table and that the kids will love. A platter of these colorful cookies will surely delight.

43 of 50

Flag Cake

Southern Living Flag Cake decorated ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Celebrate the holiday with a fresh an d flavorful red, white, and blue dessert. A sheet cake is always a winner, but this one is sure to dazzle.

44 of 50

Peach Crisp

Peach Crisp — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Peach season is the best season. Use your bounty of sweet peaches to make a crisp that will serve a crowd.

45 of 50

Cornflake Cookies

Southern Living Cornflake Cookies on the cooling rack after baking — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Cookie lovers, we see you. Bake a double dozen of these sweet and salty cornflake cookies to wow the entire crowd.

46 of 50

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Southern Living Key Lime Cheesecake Bars cut and ready to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Cheesecake meets Key lime pie in these perfect-for-sharing tangy treats. While the combination is delicious, it's the white-chocolate graham cracker crust that tops it off.

47 of 50

Smashed Sugar Cookies

Southern Living Smashed Sugar Cookies ready to serve — Jessica Furniss

These sweet sugar cookies have a tang that will make them the hit of the potluck.

48 of 50

Monster Cookies

Southern Living Monster Cookies on a surface to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A cookie with all of our favorite things! These cookies are a combination of oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies, and topped off with extra bits of some of our favorite candies.

49 of 50

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Brownies of any kind are always an can't-be-beat decision. This recipe was inspired by the beloved cake, these red velvet brownies are dense, fudgy, and topped with a cream cheese frosting for a dessert that will delight the crowd.

50 of 50

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars - Southern Living — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

Forget the spoon! The iconic Southern dessert made into a grab-and-go treat that's made for sharing.

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