Over 90 Recipes for Picnic Desserts

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Picnic Desserts are perfect for any spring and summer occasion. You can bring these easy party desserts to picnics, but also barbecues, pool parties, backyard blasts, and all kinds of other fun outdoor gatherings. Cakes, cookies, brownies, and more, these easy desserts for a crowd will be a sweet ending to your day, and there are plenty of gluten free options too!

collage of photos of fluffernutter cookies, chocolate cupcake, reese's poke cake, peach cheesecake bars, s'mores bars, and blueberry cheesecake parfaits

Over 90 Easy Party Desserts for Spring and Summer 

When the weather gets warmer, everyone wants to bring their parties outside! Sometimes it’s a picnic for two or just bringing along the kids, other times it’s a huge gathering or friends or family. And these occasions call for sweet treats! Typically in warm weather, we might want cool treats, but ice cream and popsicles aren’t the most portable party desserts when outdoors. Even fudge will get a little melty and messy. So…

What are the best easy picnic desserts for spring and summer?

  • Brownies and Bars – you can make a pan, cut them into squares, and everyone can just grab one in between innings of a baseball game or after a swim.
  • Cakes – while they may be a little harder to serve while outdoors, if you are celebrating a special occasion, sometimes you just need a cake. Layer cakes and bundt cakes may incorporate summer flavors, and sheet cakes in a pan are easy to pack and transport.
  • Cupcakes – everything you love about cake in an individual serving, and probably the kids’ favorite dessert.
  • Cookies – just like the brownies and bars, one batch of cookies makes a ton and there are no utensils needed.
  • Fruit Desserts – in the spring and summer, fresh fruit is perfectly ripe and in season, so it’s definitely the time of year to serve pies, crisps, crumbles, and other fruity sweets.

Picnic Dessert Recipes

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Key to finding gluten free recipes:

GF – gluten free recipe
GFO – recipe with gluten free option

Bars and Brownies

Three stacked Peanut Butter Cup Brownies on a blue and white striped napkin with a glass of milk.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

These Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies are chewy gluten-free brownies swirled with creamy peanut butter and loaded with peanut butter cups. It's a chocolate and peanut butter dessert that no one can resist!
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Three s'mores bars stacked on a plate with a glass of milk in the background.

Gluten Free S’Mores Magic Bars

These gluten free smores bars turn your favorite campfire treat into a gooey chocolate-and-marshmallow-filled magic bar with a buttery graham cracker crust!
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a stack of three fudgy gluten free brownies on a pale pink plate

Almond Flour Brownies

These rich, fudgy Gluten Free Brownies are just the thing to satisfy your chocolate cravings! Made with a shiny, crackly top and a perfectly chewy texture, this easy brownie recipe is a keeper for sure.
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A stack of gluten free lemon bars on a rectangular platter with lemons in the background.

Gluten Free Lemon Bars

Tender and citrusy Gluten Free Lemon Bars are an easy dessert made with a thick layer of creamy lemon filling on top of a zesty gluten-free crust. Perfect for Easter or Mother's Day!
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Three swirled gluten free brownies on top of each other with pieces of parchment between them.

Flourless Nutella Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

Rich, fudgy flourless brownies are marbled with Nutella and cheesecake swirls. These Gluten Free Nutella Cheesecake Swirl Brownies are a decadent dessert perfect for any chocolate-lover.
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A Gluten Free Peach Cheesecake Bar on a dessert plate with a fresh peach slice with more of them on the table in the background.

No-Bake Peach Cheesecake Bars

No-Bake Peach Cheesecake Bars are here just in time for the fresh peach season. These creamy, dreamy dessert squares pair a light and fluffy cheesecake mousse – filled with fresh peaches – and an easy gluten free almond meal crust that tastes like shortbread. But, no oven needed for one of the best gluten free no bake dessert recipes!
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Close up top view of two brookies stacked on a plate.

Gluten Free Brookies

You'll never need to choose between tender chocolate chip cookies or rich, fudgy brownies again. These homemade Gluten Free Brookies are both!
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Butter Pecan M&M’s Magic Bars

Magic bars with M&M’s and toasted pecans in a gooey layer atop a buttery graham cracker crust – this is the best magic bars recipe you’ll ever taste!
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A stack of sopapilla cheesecake bars is shown on a plate drizzled with honey.

Gluten Free Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

Soft homemade pastry, creamy cheesecake, and a small dose of sugary honey make these gluten-free sopapilla cheesecake bars impossible to resist!
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a stack of three fudgy gluten free brownies on a pale pink plate

Almond Flour Brownies

These rich, fudgy Gluten Free Brownies are just the thing to satisfy your chocolate cravings! Made with a shiny, crackly top and a perfectly chewy texture, this easy brownie recipe is a keeper for sure.
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Monster Cookie Bars on a small white plate with one leaning on the other with more of the monster bars on a sheet of parchment paper.

Monster Cookie Bars

Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, these Monster Cookie Bars are fully-loaded with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&M candies. Quick and easy to prepare!
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Three Flourless Turtle Cheesecake Brownies stacked on a plate with some on a cake stand in the background.

Flourless Turtle Cheesecake Brownies

These rich and fudgy flourless Turtle Brownies are swirled with cheesecake and caramel, and then topped with pecans. They are the ultimate decadent dessert recipe for anyone who craves the chocolate, caramel, and pecan combo. And it's a naturally gluten free brownie recipe that you won't be able to resist!
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More bars and brownie recipes:

Cake Recipes

A piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter whipped topping and chopped reese's on a white plate with a fork.

Reese’s Poke Cake

Serious peanut butter cups lovers will be obsessed with this Reese's Poke Cake. It is the ultimate chocolate and peanut butter dessert recipe because it is easy to make and perfect to bring to potlucks and parties. Check out the suggestions for how to make it gluten free.
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Strawberries and Cream Cake

GFO – Gluten Free Strawberries and Cream Cake
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A sliced loaf of pound cake with one slice on a plate topped with mixed berries.

Gluten Free Potato Pound Cake with Berries

One of the most classic, simple summer desserts is given a fun, tasty, and wheat-free twist. This Gluten Free Potato Pound Cake is made with fresh strawberries and blueberries, and berry jam, too!
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An upright slice of cake on a plate with the whole cake and a glass of milk in the background

Banana Chocolate Chip Nutella Cake

GFO – can be made with gluten free flour
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Peanut Butter Cup Flourless Chocolate Cake Roll on a serving plate with some slices lying down

Peanut Butter Cup Flourless Chocolate Cake Roll

Make the Reese's lovers in your life the ultimate treat – a decadent Flourless Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake Roll. If you are looking for the best chocolate peanut butter desserts, this is it. And nobody will believe that it is naturally gluten free!
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A sliced gluten free lemon pound cake on a white oval platter.

Gluten Free Lemon Pound Cake

Gluten free lemon loaf is perfect for breakfast, a quick snack, or dessert! This lemon pound cake is made with Greek yogurt, keeping it super moist and tender, and a bright, tangy citrus glaze.
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A piece of frosted cake on a plate with two bananas in the background

Banana Snack Cake

Treat yourself to a healthy snack that feels like an indulgent dessert with this easy Gluten-Free Banana Snack Cake! It's finished off with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting made with Greek yogurt.
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A slice of gluten-free chocolate layer cake being served from the full cake.

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Easy, decadent gluten-free chocolate cake made two ways! Make this chocolatey cake recipe as a layer cake or in a pan, smothered in homemade chocolate frosting!
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Close up of a slice of strawberry and blueberry crumb cake served on a plate.

Gluten Free Berry Crumb Cake

This patriotic Red White and Blueberry Crumb Cake is a moist and tender, gluten free breakfast cake topped with a rich cream cheese layer, juicy berries, and a sugary sweet crumb.
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Cupcakes

A Single Vanilla Cupcake with Vanilla Frosting on Two Stacked Plates

Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes

Soft, light, fluffy, and sweet, my Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes are a lovely simple treat that everyone will love. Their sumptuous vanilla flavor is perfectly balanced. Plus, they’re super-simple to make with just a few basic ingredients!
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Coconut Cupcakes

GFO – Gluten Free Coconut Cupcakes
cookies and cream cupcake with frosting on a white plate with two gluten free oreos with more cupcakes on the slate platte behind it

Gluten Free Oreo Cupcakes

Cookies and cream lovers can enjoy their favorite treats again with these Gluten Free Oreo Cupcakes. Moist vanilla cupcakes are loaded with bits and pieces of chocolate sandwich cookies and topped with a creamy Oreo frosting. A dream come true for kids and kids at heart!
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Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

GFO – Gluten Free Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes
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A Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Frosting and a White Cupcake Liner

Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

Fluffy and decadent Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes are super easy to make and ultra-chocolatey! This indulgent dessert uses whole milk, cocoa powder, and boiling water to give you a moist texture and rich flavor. It's a classic, tender cupcake recipe that goes great with any frosting of your choice.
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Frosted gluten-free lemon cupcakes on a cupcake stand.

Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes

Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes are moist homemade vanilla cupcakes filled with bright, fresh lemon flavor. Enjoy them as they are or top them with your favorite lemon buttercream frosting.
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More cupcake recipes:

A glass of milk next to marshmallow-topped fluffernutter cookies.

Flourless Fluffernutter Cookies

Fluffernutter Cookies top tender, peanut buttery cookies with sweet, gooey marshmallows for the ultimate treat!
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Two Halves of a Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie on a Plate Beside Three Metal Forks

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

These chewy Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies will make your heart skip a beat! Filled with just the right amount of melty chocolate, they come together in just 20 minutes.
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Worms and Dirt Cookie Cups

These easy sugar cookie cups are sure to induce giggles and gross-outs when you fill them with chocolate ganache, Oreo dirt, and gummy worms.
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Coconut Macaroons with M&M's chocolate candies on a red plate.

M&M’s Macaroons

These flourless Coconut M&M's Macaroons are a fun and easy way to eat the rainbow. This simple one-bowl recipe has just 3 ingredients, making a basic coconut macaroon recipe more colorful by adding M&M chocolate candies. It is one sweet combination that makes these naturally gluten free cookies a chewy treat that anyone can make and nobody can resist.
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Gluten free chocolate chip cookie cups filled with swirls of chocolate frosting on a green cake stand.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups are the perfect easy dessert! These bite-sized cookie cups are crispy outside, chewy inside, and studded with mini chocolate chips. Baked in muffin pans and ready to fill with your favorite toppings!
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Assorted gluten-free trail mix cookies piled on a grey plate, on a white marble countertop.

Trail Mix Cookies

Gluten-free Trail Mix Cookies are a fun riff on flourless peanut butter cookies packed with gluten-free oats, chocolate chips, and crunchy trail mix.
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A close-up on a half-eaten cookie cup with a plate of whole cookie cups in the background

S’Mores Cookie Cups

Serving up the familiar melty, sticky goodness without the mess, S'Mores Cookie Cups put a sophisticated spin on a timeless campfire snack. Add the warm and chocolate-studded charm of the classic chocolate chip cookie and you have a match made in heaven.
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A closeup of a pile of little cookie sandwiches.

Lemon Sandwich Cookies

With zesty lemon buttercream sandwiched between two vanilla wafers, these Gluten Free Lemon Sandwich Cookies are perfectly sweet and tangy little bites. And the best part is that you can make them completely from scratch or use some help from the grocery store. They make a great dessert for a special occasion or a quick treat for yourself!
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Closeup of Flourless Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These aren't your basic Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies! Three kinds of chocolate chips make these flourless peanut butter cookies even better. And since they have no flour, not only are they naturally gluten free, but they have a totally amped-up peanut buttery flavor. Gather a few basic pantry ingredients, and in no time you'll be enjoying them for dessert!
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Three chocolate almond cookies on a yellow and white napkin.

Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies

Chocolate almond cookies are crisp-chewy cookies packed with almond butter and cocoa powder, brown sugar, and chopped almonds.
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A stack of gluten free white chocolate chip cookies on top of a piece of burlap with more cookies on a green platter and a chevron striped cup in the background.

Toffee Almond White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

If you can't get enough of salty-sweet treats, then you have to fill your cookie jar with these crisp and chewy Gluten Free White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. They are like classic flourless monster cookies with an extra tasty twist – almond butter, almonds, and toffee for a deliciously nutty flavor and extra texture!
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Graham crackers on a plate with one broken in half.

Gluten Free Graham Crackers

Let's enjoy a childhood favorite again! Make crisp and crunchy gluten-free graham crackers for snacks, s'mores, or a sweet treat that's allergy-friendly and perfect for dunking in milk! These homemade graham crackers are better than store-bought, and they will please gluten free folks and gluten-eaters alike!
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More cookies:

Fruit Desserts

A glass cake plate with deviled strawberries dipped in chocolate.

Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Pretty, chocolate-dipped cheesecake stuffed strawberries make a festive no-bake dessert everyone will love!
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Gluten-free banana pudding served in a coup glass, with a spoon dipped into the top.

Easy Banana Pudding

The easiest Gluten-Free Banana Pudding made in the style of NYC's famous Magnolia Bakery! This is a refreshing no-bake dessert made from layers of creamy pudding, ripe bananas, and sweet gluten-free vanilla wafers.
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small bowl of fruit salad with chopped strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon stars surrounded by red ad white star napkins and a blue stripe cloth napkin

Red, White, and Blue Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad

This Red, White, and Blue Berry Fruit Salad with watermelon stars is perfectly patriotic for all of the summer holidays and especially for the 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Birthday Parties, or Baby Showers. Tossed in a light honey lime dressing, it's fresh, sweet, healthy, and delicious!
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two gluten free strawberry shortcakes

Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcakes

Celebrate summer in style with a Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake. This recipe combines soft buttermilk sweet biscuits, juicy strawberries and homemade whipped cream into one ultra satisfying treat!
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slices of apples topped with peanut butter and strawberry jam on a cutting board

Peanut Butter and Jelly Apple Nachos

Apple sliced drizzled with a Greek yogurt cheesecake topping, peanut butter, and strawberry jelly salsa, then sprinkled with chopped peanuts are a fun and easy snack recipe the whole family will love.
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Dulce de Leche Banana Cream Pie slice on a plate with whole pie in background

Dulce de Leche Banana Cream Pie

Rich dulce de leche, sweet bananas, creamy vanilla custard, and fluffy whipped cream come together in a chocolaty no-bake crust for a twist on the dessert recipe that is even more luscious and mouthwatering than the original.
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Graham crackers and fresh strawberries surround a dish of strawberry fruit dip.

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip

This cheesecake-inspired Strawberry Fruit Dip features a tangy blend of cream cheese and Greek yogurt sweetened with honey and fresh strawberries.
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Two gluten free apple turnovers stacked on a white plate, revealing the apple filling.

Gluten Free Apple Turnovers

Golden and buttery Gluten Free Apple Turnovers are made with a burst of tender, sweet and spiced apples in every bite!
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Mini fruit kabobs each with a blueberry, a piece of pound cake, and a strawberry on a toothpick set out on a wooden platter.

Red, White, and Blue Berry Pound Cake Bites

Fill your mini fruit kabobs with blueberries and strawberries to make these Red White and Blue Pound Cake Bites. For a simple summer dessert recipe with store-bought, homemade, or even gluten free or vegan options, you can whip up a platter of these little treats in no time. Don't forget the whipped cream or coconut cream for dipping!
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A closeup of a bowl of creamy fruit salad.

Waldorf Fruit Salad

With seasonal ingredients and honey-yogurt dressing, this Creamy Winter Fruit Salad makes a lovely addition to a holiday breakfast or brunch. We've been making it for Christmas breakfast and even a Thanksgiving snack for decades! The festive colors and flavors ensure that it looks gorgeous on the table, but the bowl will be empty in minutes.
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Overhead shot of two watermelon fruit pizzas topped with yogurt and berries plus a bowl of sprinkles

Watermelon Pizza

Red, White, and Blue Berry Watermelon Pizza is a fun and healthy treat for the summer that the kids will love to make and eat. Use your favorite toppings and berries!
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One blueberry cheesecake cup with a spoon next to it and a few more blurred in the background.

Mini Blueberry Cheesecake Parfaits

An easy no-bake dessert that's perfect for parties with a creamy but lightened up cheesecake layers, juicy wild blueberries, and a naturally gluten free almond meal crust.
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A glass dish of apple candy bar salad with a spoon leaning against it.

Healthy Apple Candy Bar Salad

This Creamy Apple Salad is made with apples, chocolate, and peanuts tossed in a honey-sweetened Greek yogurt and cream cheese dressing. Your new favorite fruit salad is like Snickers salad, but lighter!
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A Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie on a Wire Rack with One Slice Being Removed

Gluten Free Blueberry Pie

This sweet and sumptuous Blueberry Pie is made with fresh or frozen berries and an easy homemade gluten-free pie crust! You'll fall in love with the flavors and textures of this fruity summer treat.
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More Fruit Dessert Recipes:

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17 Comments
  1. Tiffany
    Reply

    I love that Paska bread was a favorite. It has been a tradition in my family for many generations. Always one of my favorites (along with the Perogi).

  8. Ricki
    Reply

    Thanks for this great roundup! Might actually encourage me to have some more picnics this year. 😉 And thanks so much for including my Raw Fig & Cherry Bars, too! 😀

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Welcome to Cupcakes & Kale Chips, where I share gluten free recipes & kid-tested family favorites!

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