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!

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

Bars and Brownies

Flourless Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Rich, fudgy brownies swirled with peanut butter and chunks of peanut butter cups make these flourless brownies ridiculously amazing (and gluten free!).

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Gluten Free S’Mores Magic Bars

Combine two favorites into one gooey chocolate-and-marshmallow-filled treat with an easy flourless graham cracker crust. These S'mores Magic Bars are a guaranteed hit!

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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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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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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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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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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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Gluten Free Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

Layers of fluffy homemade pastry, creamy cheesecake, and lots of sweet honey make these Gluten-Free Sopapilla Cheesecake bars hard to resist. They're great to slice up and serve at parties or for times when you want cheesecake but with a twist.

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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

A fully-loaded bar cookie you can make in one bowl in no time. Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&M's.

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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:

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Bake Eat Repeat
• Gluten Free Apple Pie Bars from What the Fork | GF
• Funfetti Cookie Dough Truffle Bars from Beyond Frosting
• Praline Brownies from Call Me PMC
• Strawberry Lemonade Bars from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• M&M’s Cookie Bars from Simple Joy
• Peach Pie Bars from Shugary Sweets
• Brown Butter Churro Crispy Treats from Well Plated | GFO with gluten free crispy rice cereal
• Lemon Cheesecake Bars from The Creative Bite
• Caramel Overload Cheesecake Bars from Crumbs and Chaos

Cake Recipes

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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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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Banana Chocolate Chip Nutella Cake

GFO – can be made with gluten free flour

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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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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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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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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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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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More cakes:

• Orange & Almond Coffee Cake from Diethood
• Cherry Lime Bundt Cake by OverTime Cook
• Peach Blueberry Upside Down Cake from Crumb Blog
• Sweet Creme Lemon Cake from Sugar Dish Me
• Classic Pound Cake from The Kitchen Is My Playground
• Chunky Apple Snack Cake from Noble Pig
• Skinny Texas Sheet Cake from The Recipe Critic

Cupcakes

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

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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

GFO – Gluten Free Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

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Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

These fluffy and decadent Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes are super easy to make and super chocolatey! They're classic, tender cupcakes that go great with any frosting of your choice.

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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:

• Margarita Cupcakes from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
• Gluten Free Strawberry Cupcakes from Mama Knows Gluten Free | GF
• Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes from Cupcake Diaries
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting from Oh Sweet Basil
• Almond Joy Cupcakes from Beyond Frosting

Cookie Recipes

Flourless Fluffernutter Cookies

Flourless peanut butter cookies with a thumbprint filled with marshmallows to remind you of a childhood favorite – the fluffernutter sandwich!

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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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M&M’s Macaroons

Stir together three ingredients in one bowl to make an easy chewy coconut cookie bursting with chocolate candies. So simple to make and hard to resist these flourless gluten free cookies.

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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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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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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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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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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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Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies

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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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Gluten Free Graham Crackers

Gluten-Free Graham Crackers are tender, crunchy and perfectly sweet. A kid- and adult-approved treat!

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More cookies:

• Caramel Apple Toffee Cookies from Chocolate, Chocolate and More
• Meyer Lemon Vanilla Shortbread Cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Chewy Key Lime Coconut Cookies from Will Cook For Smiles
• Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies from Well Plated
• Mega Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cooking On The Front Burner
• Soft Sugar Cookies from One Sweet Appetite

Fruit Desserts

Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

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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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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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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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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

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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Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip

You only need six ingredients for this healthy dip recipe that’s a light sweet treat.

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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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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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Waldorf Fruit Salad

A fun, festive mixture of seasonal fruits tossed with a honey Greek yogurt dressing and toasted walnuts for crunch. Perfect for any breakfast or brunch on a holiday or any day.

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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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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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Healthy Apple Candy Bar Salad

A healthier version of Snickers salad, you’ll love this fruit salad recipe for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert.

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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:

• Strawberry Coconut Oatmeal Crunch Pie from Diethood
• Sweet Grape Salad from Nutmeg Nanny | GF
• Nectarine Galettes from One Sweet Appetite
• Blackberry Mango Lemon Poppy Seed Fruit Salad with Earl Grey Whipped Coconut Cream from With Food & Love | GF
• Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Mini Cheesecakes from Cravings of a Lunatic | GFO
• Banana Pudding from The Weary Chef | GF
• Peach Cobbler from Grandbaby Cakes
• Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad from The Slow Roasted Italian | GF
• Mason Jar Cherry Crumbles from The View From Great Island
• Pina Colada Pie in a Jar from Cooking on the Front Burners