Home Picnic
Amanda TarltonUpdated: Jan. 31, 2024
It's officially picnic season! And no summer spread is complete without a sweet treat at the end, so we've rounded up the most portable picnic desserts to pack in your basket.
Mini S’mores
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Combine marshmallow creme, chocolate, graham crackers and more for a summery delight at any time of year. —Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, Illinois
Mini Apple Pies
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When I was in high school, my best friend's mother baked this mini apple pie recipe every year. I was thrilled when she shared it with me—I finally felt like an adult! —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas
Super Chunky Cookies
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Chocolate lovers will go crazy over these cookies that feature loads of chocolate! When friends ask me to make "those cookies," I know exactly what recipe they mean. —Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas
Picnic Bars
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You'll score points with a crowd when you stir together these delicious fudge-like treats. They're very moist and rich. The chocolate chips and walnuts make a pretty topping. —Frank Bee, Eugene, Oregon
Lemon Coconut Bites
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The tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Chocolate Fudge Brownies
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My children always looked forward to these fudge brownies as an after-school snack. They're so fudgy they don't need icing. —Hazel Fritchie, Palestine, Illinois
Chocolate Chip Blondies
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Folks who adore the classic cookies will enjoy that same beloved flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
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Hawaiian nuts and melty morsels make a fantastic combination in these buttery white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. —Cathy Lennon, Newport, Tennessee
Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies
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These pies are soft, cakey cookies studded with tart, juicy blueberries and filled with tangy cream cheese frosting. I bring them to family and school events and they are always the first thing gone! Make sure to continually scrape the side of the bowl with a spatula while mixing the batter and frosting. —Kathy Martino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Peach Crumb Bars
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I had the most beautiful peaches and really wanted to bake with them. I started with my blueberry crumb bar recipe, and after a couple of tries, I was so happy with the results. My co-worker taste testers were, too! —Amy Burns, Newman, Illinois
Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
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Peanut butter lovers go nuts for these rich little sandwich cookies. On a hot day, sandwich ice cream between the cookies instead of frosting. It cools you right down. —Keri Wolfe, Nappanee, Indiana
Nutella Hand Pies
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These pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Coconut, Lime and Pistachio Cookies
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Perfect for freezing, these cookies look like Christmas but taste like summer. —Barbara Crusan, Pass Christian, Mississippi
Mini Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies
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I love baking cookies to give as gifts to my family and friends. I created this recipe for my annual holiday cookie platter and it received rave reviews from both children and adults. If the buttercream doesn't come together after all of the butter has been incorporated, add some shortening one tablespoon at a time until the mixture starts to transform. —Julie Thomas, Saukville, Wisconsin
Blueberry Lattice Bars
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Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for amazing new recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine
Zucchini Nut Bread
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Lighter and fluffier than most zucchini breads, this is a great way to put that vegetable to good use! —Kevin Bruckerhoff, Columbia, Missouri
Amish Sugar Cookies
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These easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I've passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
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We’re all so busy and pressed for time. I find myself creating recipes that are fast to prepare and deliver fabulous results, proving you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen. Here’s a favorite of mine that combines chocolate candies and cookies into one wonderful bar. —Averie Sunshine, San Diego, California
Yummy Cracker Snacks
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These treats are my family’s favorite. In fact, it seems no matter how many I make, they always disappear too soon! —D. Weaver, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Toni's Tropical Biscotti
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My second mom had a hankering for biscotti with pistachios and dried papaya. Since she's a fabulous cook, I gave it a whirl. The result was sensational!—Bonnie Hauschild, Wellington, Florida
Snickerdoodle Blondie Bars
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When asked to bring a dessert for my boys' football team to share, I whipped up these unique blondies and was instantly named "the greatest mom" by all. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Lemon Zucchini Drops
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When we lived on the East Coast, a nearby fruit and vegetable stand had a bakery featuring these soft, cakelike cookies. We missed every bite when we moved away, so I developed this recipe. —Barbara Franklin, Tucson, Arizona
Maple-Glazed Cinnamon Chip Bars
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When I make these, the kitchen smells like Christmas. Cinnamon chips add fabulous flavor to the bars, and the maple glaze fancies them up a bit. —Lyndi Pilch, Springfield, Missouri
Moist Pineapple Banana Bread
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Our four kids like slices of this moist tropical-tasting banana bread for breakfast. I sometimes bake it in mini loaf pans, then freeze the loaves so we can enjoy a small portion at a time. —Mary Watkins, Chaska, Minnesota
Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
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My secret to these rich no-bake bites? Pretzels in the crust. They add a salty crunch to the classic peanut butter and chocolate pairing. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies
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I converted these blondies to be gluten free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were craving brownies one night, and these cakelike treats hit the spot. They are a fantastic spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York
Watermelon Slice Cookies
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Once when I made these butter cookies for a party, a neighbor thought they were so attractive that she froze one to show friends. They're easy to make, too! —Sue Ann Benham, Valparaiso, Indiana
Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
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A sweet, crispy topping highlights these tender muffins that are filled with two favorite spring foods, rhubarb and strawberries. They're perfect for a brunch or a grab-and-go breakfast. —Audrey Stallsmith, Hadley, Pennsylvania
Winning Apricot Bars
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This recipe is down-home baking at its best, and it really represents all regions of the country. It's won blue ribbons at county fairs and cookie contests in several states! Easy to make, it's perfect for potluck suppers, bake sales, lunchboxes or just plain snacking.—Jill Moritz, Irvine, California
Orange Dreams
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A fellow teacher shared this recipe with me. We have several great cooks on our teaching staff, and each of us takes turns bringing special treats to the lounge. These moist, chewy cookies with a pleasant orange flavor are a favorite.—Susan Warren, North Manchester, Indiana
Lemon Blueberry Drop Scones
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I enjoy serving these fruity scones for baby and bridal showers. They're a bit lower in fat than most other scones, so you can indulge with little guilt. —Jacqueline Hendershot, Orange, California
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
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I received this recipe from a co-worker who made these heavenly bars for a potluck. Since they combine two favorite flavors—chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake—in one bite, they were a hit with our three grown children. —Jane Nolt, Narvon, Pennsylvania
Butterscotch Toffee Cookies
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With its big butterscotch and chocolate flavor, my cookie stands out. I like to enjoy it with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. It’s my fallback recipe when I’m short on time and need something delicious fast. —Allie Blinder, Norcross, Georgia
Angel Macaroons
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These chewy coconut cookies start with a boxed angel food cake mix. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
Lemon Crisp Cookies
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Here’s a quick-to-fix delight that’s perfect to make when you’ve forgotten a treat for a bake sale or potluck. They take only 10 minutes to whip up! The sunny yellow color, big lemon flavor and delightful crunch are sure to bring smiles. —Julia Livingston, Frostproof, Florida
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Kids and grown-ups alike adore these sweet and crunchy no-bake cookies. Add more candy for lovers of M&M's, or toss in a few additional pretzels for an extra-salty bite. —Madison Allen, Destrehan, Louisiana
Poppy Seed Mini Muffins
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These moist muffins may be small, but they're always a big hit on a brunch buffet, as a quick snack or as part of a bread basket assortment. The combination of poppy seeds and a hint of lemon makes them irresistible. —Kathryn Anderson, Casper, Wyoming
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
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A fruity filling and fluffy coconut topping truly make these strawberry oatmeal bars one of a kind. They really dress up my trays of Christmas goodies. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Originally Published: June 24, 2019
Amanda Tarlton
Amanda has more than a decade of media experience, specifically in product testing in the cooking and lifestyle space. As a freelancer for Taste of Home, Amanda writes mostly about foodie finds, home and lifestyle goods and cooking and baking utensils that make life easier (and more fun!). Outside of freelancing, Amanda is the executive editor of commerce at Field & Stream.
When she's not working, Amanda is on the lookout for the best pizzas in town or testing out secret menu items at restaurants and coffee shops.