Something undeniably sweet does happen to your experience when you enjoy a sweet treat under the open sky. Whether it’s a romantic date, a family outing, or a big get-together with friends, the right dessert can make your picnic.
To help you create that perfect outdoor experience, we have curated a list of the 30 best picnic desserts for you. Reach for these delicious options, from easy picnic dessert ideas to make-ahead treats and gluten-free options.
1. Classic lemon bars
The classic lemon bar is a go-to picnic dessert bar. Zesty, full of flavor, and with a buttery shortbread crust, it is an everyone-pleaser. Lemon bars hold up well for picnics, are transportable, and are very popular for any outdoor gathering.
Ingredients:
- Shortbread crust (flour, butter, sugar)
- Lemon filling (fresh lemon juice, eggs, sugar, flour)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These bars can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until needed. The lemony taste is actually kind of nice, just like summer picnic desserts.
2. No-bake cheesecake jars
This no-fuss picnic dessert is just as elegant: no-bake cheesecake jars. Individual servings are easy to transport and require no refrigeration until ready to serve.
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Heavy cream
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Fresh berries for topping
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
No fuss picnic desserts are fantastic in the summer season, and with different toppings, these cheesecake jars are versatile and delicious.
3. Fruit salad with honey-lime dressing
A fresh fruit salad is a light, refreshing, and healthy dessert for any picnic. The honey-lime dressing has a lovely sweet-tangy taste that complements the fruit.
Ingredients:
- Mixed fruits (berries, melon, pineapple, kiwi)
- Honey, lime juice, mint
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
This is a no-fuss picnic dessert that takes almost no effort to prepare. It’s also one of those healthy picnic desserts one is on the lookout for.
4. S’mores dip
Turn the campfire favorite into portable picnic desserts with a s’mores dip. This sweet treat can be made and served with graham crackers for dipping.
Ingredients:
- Chocolate chips
- Marshmallows
- Milk
- Graham crackers for dipping
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
This is among the best picnic dessert ideas for children and adults alike. It brings all the fun of s’mores without needing a campfire.
5. Berry trifle cups
Berry trifles are a layered dessert that not only tastes amazing but also looks really nice. When served in clear cups, they’re a beautiful addition to any picnic spread.
Ingredients:
- Sponge cake or ladyfingers
- Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Whipped cream or custard
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These individual desserts are so easy to put together and transport. Layers of berries, cake, and cream are in perfect flavor balance.
6. Chocolate-dipped strawberries
Chocolate-dipped strawberries—romantic and with minimal effort—are about the easiest dessert you can make. They’re also a lovely addition to picnic finger food desserts.
Ingredients:
- Fresh strawberries
- Good dark or milk chocolate
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These treats are portable, mess-free, and always a hit. Plus, they can be prepared in advance.
7. Apple pie bars
Apple pie bars make the traditional dessert into an easy, portable package. They’re perfect for sharing and can be served at room temperature.
Ingredients:
- Shortbread crust
- Apple filling (apples, cinnamon, sugar)
- Crumb topping
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These bars are sturdy and, therefore, easy to pack, so they’re a great dessert to bring along on a picnic.
8. Rice krispies treats
Rice Krispies are a nostalgic, kid-friendly treat. These quick picnic desserts can be customized with various mix-ins or drizzles of chocolate.
Ingredients:
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Marshmallows
- Butter
- Chocolate drizzle or sprinkles (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These easy picnic dessert ideas require minimal ingredients and are always a hit with kids and adults alike.
9. Lemon poppy seed muffins
A fine balance of sweet and tart lemon poppy seed muffins are outstanding for breakfast, picnics, or sweet snacks at any time.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Lemon juice
- Poppy seeds
- Yogurt or sour cream for moistness
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Muffins are naturally portable and easy to make, so they’re suitable for picnics.
10. Chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a classic dessert that never fails. Their crispy edges and chewy middles make them one of the most favored treats for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Chocolate chips
- Vanilla extract for flavor
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Cookies are one of the ultimate picnic friendly desserts. They’re easy to pack, share, and tell up well in warm weather.
11. Strawberry shortcake skewers
These skewers are a creative and fun way to present the simple classic of a strawberry shortcake. They’re easy to munch on, so they’re great for sharing.
Ingredients:
- Pound cake or sponge cake cubed
- Fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream for dipping
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Skewers are an excellent picnic dessert idea for a large group. They are not only easy to set up but also easy to serve, so they are pretty much no-fuss.
12. Gluten-free brownies
Gluten-free brownies are a must for anyone on special diets. These rich chocolate treats ensure everyone at the picnic gets dessert.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour
- Cocoa powder
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Butter
- Nuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These brownies are so dense and fudgy that they can even withstand warm weather and make them perfect gluten free picnic desserts.
13. Peach cobbler cups
Peach cobbler is likely one of the favorite summer desserts, and portioning this in individual cups makes dessert easy to move around and enjoy at a picnic.
Ingredients:
- Fresh or canned peaches
- Biscuit topping (flour, butter, sugar, and baking powder)
- Cinnamon and sugar (for the flavor)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These cups can be served warm or cold, and their size makes them easy to handle outdoors.
14. Coconut macaroons
Coconut macaroons are a sweet, chewy treat that is, by nature, gluten-free. They’re also very easy to whip up with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Shredded coconut
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Egg whites
- Chocolate drizzle (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These macaroons are pretty firm and thus portable, so they are excellent desserts for outdoor picnics.
15. Frozen yogurt bark
Frozen yogurt bark is a refreshing and healthy picnic dessert. Easy to make, it can be created with favorite fruits and toppings.
Ingredients:
- Greek yogurt
- Honey
- Fresh berries
- Granola
- Nuts or seeds (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
This dessert is both healthy and filling. It’s also one of the best make ahead picnic desserts because it can stay in a cooler until you are ready to eat it.
16. Chocolate mousse cups
It is no more sinful than dark chocolate mousse served in cups; this can easily serve one or two for this magical dessert.
Ingredients:
- Dark chocolate
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Heavy cream
- Whipped cream and berries for topping (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
It’s easy to carry and looks so classy, so it’s a great way to add some sophistication to your picnic basket.
17. Banana bread
Of course, banana bread is a favorite at picnics. It is a flexible dessert because the loaf is sliced so easily. It is nicely paired with various spreads.
Ingredients:
- Very ripe bananas
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Nuts and chocolate chips (optional)
- Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Banana bread is sturdy and tasty, making it one of the best picnic-friendly desserts. It’s also the best-reasoned explanation for why some bananas might turn into overripe fruit.
18. No-bake peanut butter bars
These no-bake bars are a sweet and salty treat that’s easy to prepare and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- Peanut butter
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate
- Butter for binding
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
They do not require baking and are perfect no-bake picnic desserts. These picnic dessert bars are dense, richly flavored, and satisfying, and they also travel well.
19. Mixed berry galette
A galette bakes along wonderfully and looks beautiful with summer berries. It’s less fussy than a pie and can be handily eaten, making an excellent picnic choice.
Ingredients:
- Pie dough
- Mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Egg wash for crust
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Galettes are easier to transport than pies. Besides, you can serve them at room temperature, which is great for summer picnic desserts.
20. Energy bites
Energy bites are a healthy, deliciously sweet way to take your dessert on the go.
Ingredients:
- Rolled oats
- Almond butter
- Honey
- Chocolate chips
- Ground flax
- Dried fruit and coconut flakes (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
This dessert is super easy to make and store, making it ideal for a healthy picnic. Oh, and of course, it has energy.
21. Carrot cake muffins
They’re picnic-perfect because they may be devoured by hand, plus they’re full of flavor.
Ingredients:
- Grated carrots
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Cinnamon
- Cream cheese frosting for topping
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These muffins are moist and delicious, making them one of the best picnic cake recipes. The individual portions make them easy to serve and enjoy outdoors.
22. Mini pavlovas
These mini pavlovas are perfect desserts for any summer picnic. Fresh fruit and whipped cream top these light and airy treats. They’re beautiful and tasty.
Ingredients:
- Egg whites
- Sugar
- Cream of tartar
- Fresh berries and whipped cream for topping
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These mini desserts are elegant and can be made ahead, making them one of the best picnic desserts.
23. Blueberry lemon scones
These blueberry lemon scones are sweetly refreshing—just the right treat for morning or afternoon picnics. They’re crumbly, sweet, and loaded with fresh fruit.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Blueberries
- Lemon zest
- Cream for brushing
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Scones are perfect desserts to bring to a picnic because they can be easily moved around and enjoyed at room temperature.
24. Oatmeal raisin cookies
The classic oatmeal raisin cookies are chewy and full of flavor. Besides, they help satisfy people who don’t have a big sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
- Oats
- Flour,
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Raisins
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract for flavor
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These sturdy cookies travel well and are perfect picnic dessert ideas for large groups.
25. Nutella-stuffed crescent rolls
These crescent rolls are loaded with rich Nutella and baked to golden perfection. They are sweet and flaky, so you can easily indulge on the go.
Ingredients:
- Crescent roll dough
- Nutella
- Powdered sugar
- Crushed nuts for topping (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These rolls take no time to prepare, and they travel well, which makes them one of the most low-maintenance picnic treats.
26. Mango sorbet
Mango sorbet is a refreshing, light dessert perfect for a hot summer day. It’s easy to make and full of tropical flavor.
Ingredients:
- Fresh mangoes
- Sugar
- Lime juice
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Since sorbet can be stored in a cooler and enjoyed as a refreshing treat, it certainly ranks among the best easy summer picnic desserts.
27. Chocolate banana bread
To add some twist to the traditional banana bread, add cocoa powder and chocolate chips to make it rich for a dessert that will surely please.
Ingredients:
- Ripe bananas
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips
- Butter for moisture
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
This bread is dense and rich, so it makes it one of the best picnic dessert recipes. It’s effortless to slice and share.
28. Pineapple upside-down cake
This pineapple upside-down cake is a retro dessert making a comeback, which is pretty easy with this caramelized pineapple topping, making them into sweet and sticky treats.
Ingredients:
- Pineapple slices
- Maraschino cherries
- Brown sugar
- Cake batter
- Butter for caramelization
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
This cake recipe is best served at room temperature, making this the perfect picnic cake.
29. Chocolate chip blondies
Blondies are the vanilla counterpart to brownies, offering a sweet and chewy dessert that’s easy to pack and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips
- Nuts for added crunch (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
Blondies are easy to slice and share, making them one of the best picnic dessert ideas for large groups.
30. Raspberry almond tarts
These tarts are a gorgeous and delicious dessert perfect for a special picnic. The mix of sweet raspberries and almond cream is irresistible.
Ingredients:
- Tart crust
- Raspberries
- Almond cream {butter, sugar, eggs, almond flour}
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Why it’s perfect for picnics?
These tarts can be made ahead and easily moved around, making them perfect portable picnic treats.
Conclusion
From these 30 picnic dessert ideas, you’ll undoubtedly have the perfect sweet treat for any outdoor get-together. Both simple no-bake picnic desserts and indulgent cakes in these lists can be easily made, transported, and tried. Fill your picnic basket with these tasty treats to enjoy and make sweet memories with your loved ones.
