The 20 Ultimate Potluck Dessert Recipes That Will Make You the Star of the Party

Classic Brownies

With over 10,000 reviews and 13,000 ratings, this homemade brownie recipe is a surefire winner. Reviewer JDOWNING shares, "All I can say is MMmmmm! I just had my first bite, and they taste more like fudge than traditional brownies. The secret is the frosting. At first, it was crumbly, but after using a fork for 3 minutes, it turned into a smooth, creamy texture. I also found that frosting the brownies while they’re still warm gives them the perfect finish!"

Judy's Strawberry Pretzel Salad

"I've made this for work potlucks multiple times. I always prepare it the night before, and it turns out perfectly every time (it's always a crowd favorite!). Once, I tried making it in the afternoon for that same evening, but the pretzel crust turned out too hard. The key is letting it sit overnight to allow the crust to soften. It’s hands down my favorite!" says Jill Enabnit, a home cook. Reviewers suggest baking the pretzel crust for no more than 10 minutes to avoid it becoming too hard, but chilling it overnight in the fridge will ensure the crust softens just right.

Blueberry Crumb Bars

"I've made these bars several times, including for a bridal shower, and they were a huge hit. I made a few tweaks to the recipe—swapping real butter for shortening, which really improved the flavor. So delicious! Since fresh blueberries aren't in season, I used frozen Maine blueberries straight from the bag without thawing them, and the bars turned out amazing." —Barbara M

Seven Layer Bars

"Always a hit with the crowd, especially the guys! My husband's friends always ask for this recipe, and they think it’s some super complicated, magical treat! We call them magic bars." —Holly Goodfellow

White Texas Sheet Cake

Where there's a potluck, you can bet there will be a sheet cake—especially if you bring a crowd favorite like this one. Dinogo home cook chellebelle shares, "When I came across this recipe, I was thrilled! I love the chocolate version of Texas sheet cake, and this white version is just as amazing! I like to bake one chocolate and one white for summer BBQs."

Sopapilla Cheesecake Dessert

"I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out delicious," says home cook Melodie. "Made it for a party and it was a big hit. People even asked to take the leftovers home. A couple of tips: 1. I assembled the dessert the night before. 2. I baked it while everyone was eating dinner, so it was warm and fresh when served. Perfect!"

Bake Sale Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Brownies

Recipe creator SVILLEN shares, "These rich, moist brownies have been in my family for as long as I can remember. They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and perfect for bake sales. At a recent sale, one man came back twice and even sent his son to get more!"

Banana Trifle

"Absolutely MARVELOUS! I followed the recipe to the letter, and it made such a beautiful presentation. To crush the vanilla wafers, I placed them in a plastic bag and used a rolling pin. When serving, I topped it off with extra crushed wafers I had set aside. It was the highlight of the evening." —SHORECOOK

Ginger Rhubarb Crisp

"This is a tangy crisp with a touch of ginger and a satisfying crunch in the topping," says recipe creator Mary Margaret Briggs. "The custard filling is smooth and creamy, yet it holds its shape wonderfully. This makes a large portion—perfect for bringing to a potluck or party."

The Best Lemon Bars

"This one always makes a return on my menu; if I don't make it for a few days, I start hearing complaints. That should tell you all you need to know—these lemon bars are a crowd favorite. Very few people don't love them. I add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract to the crust and swap fresh lemons for 1/2 cup of bottled lemon juice and an extra 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract for convenience." —Caljane

Delicious Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

"These were amazing!" says Dinogo home cook TTESSA21. "The only thing I added—though it wasn't necessary—was melted white chocolate on top. I brought them to a potluck and everyone loved them. This recipe is definitely a keeper." Reviewers also suggest swapping any flavor of jam you like for these easy cookie bars.

Frosty Strawberry Squares

"I took this dessert to work and it was a hit! Everyone loved it! I did make a few adjustments based on my tastes and other reviews: I increased the crust by 1 1/2 times, mashed the strawberries, and swapped walnuts for pecans. This will definitely be my go-to recipe for summer. So delicious!" —Tanya S

Best Big, Fat, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

When you're looking for a dessert that yields plenty of easy-to-serve portions, cookies are always a winner, and this 5-star recipe is a potluck favorite. "Calling these the pinnacle of perfection doesn’t do them justice," says home cook TARA1972. "They look and taste just like cookies from a bakery! I’ve tried so many recipes, but this is the one I’ll be making from now on."

Best Carrot Cake Ever

"Amazing cake! I've received so many compliments on it. It's dense and stays moist for days after slicing (if there's any left, that is). Here's a variation I love: swap 1 cup of drained mandarin oranges for the pineapple and 1 cup of shredded coconut for the walnuts. It's delicious either way. My family requests this cake for every potluck, work gathering, church event, or family reunion." —Jayne Olivieri

Million Monster Cookies

"I’ve been making these cookies for over a year and finally got around to leaving a review. This is, without a doubt, the BEST cookie recipe I've ever found. The kids adore them, my husband can’t stop eating them—they’re ALWAYS a hit. Family and friends are always asking when I’ll be baking more!" —Amanda

Cherry Dump Pudding Cake

"This is such an easy recipe that I’m often asked to bring it to gatherings. I use canned tart cherries and their juice since fresh ones are hard to find. I can’t think of any other substitutions, which is rare for me. It’s definitely a recipe I’ll keep making!" —LBERGMAN

Coconut Poke Cake

"I love this cake!" says reviewer Jewel's Jo. "It’s always a hit at family gatherings. For those who can’t find cream of coconut, look for it in the liquor or mixed drink section at the store. I top mine with crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, and coconut. Great recipe, that’s all I can say!"

Chocolate Trifle

"I needed a quick and easy dessert that would satisfy a large group with varying tastes. Who could resist this? Everyone loved it! :) It’s a foolproof, beautiful dessert that pleases nearly everyone. I topped it off with Heath Bars." —naples34102

Funfetti® Cake Batter Rice Krispies® Treats

The party’s right here! No one can resist grabbing one of these crispy, chewy, colorful Rice Krispies treats. "These are amazing," says Sandra. "The only thing I’d do differently next time is not line the pan with parchment paper— the krispies tend to stick to it. I’ll just butter the pan the old-fashioned way from now on."

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

"My daughter renamed this dessert 'The Best I’ve Ever Had' this summer when I made it for Memorial Day. I’d made it before, but my husband had probably eaten all of it before she had a chance to try it! He doesn’t like me taking this dessert to large gatherings—he says he won't get any leftovers!" —DAYMOMMY

Additional Dessert Ideas

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