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12 Summer-Style Potluck Desserts + Easy Cookbooks Giveaway!

June 29, 2015 by RecipeChatter 106 Comments

Let me tell you the secret to a successful potluck dessert: find a new twist on an old favorite. When it comes to desserts, people are usually craving a familiar flavor, but adding an unexpected element makes it a real party. For example, don’t just make regular banana splits; make a Banana Split Lasagna. It’ll feed a crowd, and everyone will be interested in trying it.

Dessert casseroles and no-bake desserts are your best options for potlucks because they’re inexpensive and easy to make in a large batch. Cake is great, but many people won’t try a piece because they think it will be too filling or they have potluck paranoia. If you make a gooey, fruity dessert, people won’t mind taking a spoonful.

Cool whip recipes are just as irresistible because they’re light and refreshing. Of course, one of the biggest draws is that you can prep it ahead of time and pop it in the fridge. Whether you’re making an ice box cake recipe or a fruit salad recipe, you’ll love that these recipes save time and appeal to guests of all ages. They’re really easy potluck ideas.

If you’re obsessed with taking the easy route, be sure to check out our contest below where you could win three easy cookbooks! Here’s our round-up of the best summer desserts for potlucks.

SummerStyleDessertsforPotlucks

12 Summer-Style Potluck Desserts

Dessert Casserole Recipes

  • Banana Split Lasagna
  • Vanilla Dessert Lasagna
  • OMG Chocolate Lasagna
  • Just Like Paula Deen’s Peach Cobbler
  • So Many Layered Desserts, So Little Time

No-Bake Dessert Recipes

  • Mini Cheesecake Recipe with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • OMG No-Bake Dessert
  • Caramel Crack Bars
  • Easy Strawberry Refrigerator Pie
  • Drool-Worthy No Bake Cookies & Bars You Need In Your Life

Plus, check out our free eBook for cake mix desserts!

Cool Whip Recipes

  • Banana Cream Pie Sex in a Pan
  • Sex in a Pan
  • Lemon Lush Lasagna
  • Cream Puff Cake
  • 23 Cool Whip Desserts You’ll Love

Bonus Giveaway!

blog-cookbook-collage

We’re excited to give away Ryland, Peters & Small cookbook prize packs to three lucky winners! Each prize pack includes the following books:

  • Easy Baking by Linda Collister
    • This easy-to-follow cookbook includes delightful easy desserts like Chocolate Pound Cake and Tangy Lemon Bars! Learn how to make homemade bread, the easy way.
  • The Easy Kitchen’s Pies and Tarts
    • Learn to make a variety of pies with flavors from around the world, from Moroccan Apple Pie to traditional Shepherd’s Pie. This cookbook covers all pies sweet and savory.
  • Easy Cakes & Cookies: Cupcakes, Brownies, Muffins, Loaves & More
    • Your favorite desserts from cheesecakes to pies are guaranteed to be in this super-cute collection of 100 recipes.

How to Enter:

Leave a comment below answering the following question:

What’s your favorite easy dessert?

Official Rules:

  • There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
  • The winner will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post.
  • Winner will be announced here on the blog as well as contacted by the email address provided.
  • You have until Sunday, July 5, at 11:59p EST to leave your comment on this blog post. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
  • Contest open to anyone 18+ in US.

Good luck!

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Filed Under: Desserts Tagged With: cool whip desserts, cool whip recipes, dessert casseroles, no bake desserts, potluck recipes, summer dessert recipes

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Comments

  1. Allie Elmer says

    June 29, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Pineapple dump cake… Only 3 ingredients 🙂

    Reply
  2. deb rowley says

    June 29, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    A trifle made with whipped cream, cake cubes and fresh fruit.

    Reply
    • barbara elliott says

      July 1, 2015 at 7:05 am

      I agree with “trifles”! yummmm

      Reply
  3. Sandy Burns says

    June 29, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    Homemade Banana Pudding

    Reply
  4. LORRAINE says

    June 29, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    MY FAVORITE DESSERT IS A BROWNIE WITH ICE CREAM AND HOT FUDGE WITH A CHERRY ON TOP.

    Reply
  5. Mary Kay Michaels says

    June 29, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    Chocolate chip cookies

    Reply
  6. Lisa says

    June 29, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    Brownies!!! Just mix together mix, oil, egg, water. Pour into the pan and bake. Eat warm.

    Reply
  7. Alliica Knapp says

    June 29, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches

    Reply
  8. Tina R. White says

    June 29, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Cupcakes or honeybun cake.

    Reply
  9. Jana Pellegrini says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Strawberry cheesecake

    Reply
  10. Steph says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    Pops

    Reply
  11. Ann Saye says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Yellow cake mix with drained, crushed pineapple mixed in and cream cheese icing. Easy and tasty!

    Reply
  12. Jean R says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    Microwave 5 Ingredient Fudge

    Reply
  13. Karen Parks says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    Banana cream pie – 5 ingredients in a store-bought graham cracker crust.

    Reply
    • Troy Burr says

      June 29, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      Next time make your own graham cracker crust and add to it finely chopped toasted coconut..WoW !!

      Reply
  14. Dawn Hanish says

    June 29, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    Chocolate chip cookies my grandmother’s recipe

    Reply
  15. Maria A Arroyo says

    June 29, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Cheesecake

    Reply
  16. Troy Burr says

    June 29, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    I love anything with banana , chocolate and coconut in the recipe..Mmmmmmm

    Reply
  17. Agathe Cardinal says

    June 29, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    My homemade butter tarts.

    Cream cheese squares.

    Reply
  18. Barbara Hinterberger says

    June 29, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    I love gluten free peanut butter cookies ! It is simply ground roasted salted peanut and sugar ( I use saccharin) and a couple eggs and vanilla. bake for 10 mins. until brown.

    Reply
  19. Tracy Davis says

    June 29, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    Banana Bread 3 ingredients.

    Reply
  20. Pat O'Dea says

    June 29, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    Pineapple upside down cake

    Reply
  21. Jan says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    Chocolate chip pound cake

    Reply
  22. Jeff says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Cheesecake

    Reply
  23. Sandra A says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    Banana Pudding!

    Reply
  24. Tammy Clark says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    s’mores dip

    Reply
  25. Patricia Hill says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    Reply
  26. Nancy F says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    Apple Turnovers

    Reply
  27. Bessie Blair says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    Hawaiian Cheesecake–made with instant pudding, cream cheese, crushed pineapple and sweetened shredded coconut. M-m-m-m!

    Reply
  28. Renea says

    June 29, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    My family loves Rice Crispy bars. Thanks for the great giveaway.

    Reply
  29. Karen Dietrich says

    June 29, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    My sister-in-law’s Hot Fudge topping sauce over ice cream.

    Reply
  30. Sheila Jabas says

    June 29, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Banana cream pie made with instant vanilla pudding , sour cream and milk over a graham cracker crust

    Reply
  31. Marjorie says

    June 30, 2015 at 12:16 am

    Chocolate cream pie

    Reply
  32. Christina Jones says

    June 30, 2015 at 12:33 am

    Homemade Classic New York-Style Cheesecake, (recipe from Anna Olsen on the food network. Absolutely love the recipe and make it frequently. My friends and family members request it every time there’s a special occasion. They say it is the best ever! I totally agree with them, a hit every time.

    Reply
  33. Julie Gau says

    June 30, 2015 at 5:31 am

    I don’t have one yet 🙁 newbie to celiac

    Reply
  34. Tracy mizell says

    June 30, 2015 at 6:02 am

    Apple crisp and no bake cookies.

    Reply
  35. Jean Ann says

    June 30, 2015 at 7:19 am

    I use a prebaked graham cracker pie shell, make pumpkin pie jello, put half in the pie shell as made, then mix the other half with cool whip, put that in, then cover the top with the remaining cool whip. Maybe garnish with a few toasted chopped walnuts. Eat it up.

    Reply
  36. Mary Beaumont says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Anything that taste good with a couple of ingredients?

    Reply
  37. Joanne Kriesel says

    June 30, 2015 at 9:39 am

    Chocolate Mousse with a big dollop of Cool Whip on top! Elegant, but easy – that’s the name of my game!

    Reply
  38. Mary Koselke says

    June 30, 2015 at 9:54 am

    chocolate mayonnaise cake, yum

    Reply
  39. Jane Herring says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:36 am

    Banana Pudding ! – vanilla wafers, bananas and instant vanilla pudding.

    Reply
  40. ivan bukovsky says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:39 am

    fresh summer white peach cobbler

    Reply
  41. Nina says

    June 30, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    home made cheesecake Yummy

    Reply
  42. Robert Lynch says

    June 30, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    an old recipe for xtra fluffy tapioca using whole milk and Mexican vanilla making it each time in a triple batch !

    Reply
  43. Mark says

    June 30, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    I would just like to win something before I hit the ground!

    Reply
  44. Robin Burchfield says

    June 30, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    It’s hard to pick just one! Anything peanut butter! The newest recipe I found is peanut butter cookies made with 3 ingredients, peanut butter, sugar and egg. Great, now I gotta go make them ?

    Reply
  45. Fran says

    June 30, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    So many desserts, so little time. My favorite is a cake mix dessert using any flavor and a pie filling to go with it, such as butter pecan and peach or devil’s food and cherry.

    Reply
  46. Brittany Koelmel says

    June 30, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    My favorite is chocolate chip cookies!:)

    Reply
  47. Beth Pagel says

    June 30, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    Dump cake, Pea Pickin’ Good Cake –anything easy and chocolatty — it’s all good and better!

    Reply
  48. Marianne says

    June 30, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    Chocolate Cherry Fudge Cake – a Pillsbury Bake-Off winner and always a hit!

    Reply
  49. Sigi says

    June 30, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    I love refrigerator sheet cakes (AKA jello poke cakes!!) Light and refreshing!

    Reply
  50. Maralea Chapin says

    June 30, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    I LIVE to cook. Unfortunately my money runs out before the end of the month. I like to try new recipes for me and my husband to try. The ones I like the most are dessert recipes, but I also try the dinner recipes. My friends say it is not SARA LEE IT’S MARALEE!!

    Reply
  51. Dian Adams says

    June 30, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    Better Than Sex Cake…yellow cake, Sweetened condensed milk, caramel, Cool Whip and Snickers…I get asked for the recipe after the first bite and it’s so easy to make

    Reply
  52. K Ladan says

    June 30, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Jello with fruit. An oldie, but a goodie

    Reply
  53. Sheila Pascua says

    June 30, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Brazo de Mercedes or another version is Canonigo – it’s a meringue roll with heavenly custard. Delish!

    Reply
  54. Jimmie Gass says

    June 30, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    Peanut Butter cookies – just three (3) ingredients!

    Reply
  55. Carol Bonds says

    June 30, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Lemon Pudding Cake

    Reply
  56. Carla Toppass says

    June 30, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Nestle Toll House cookies or rice krispy treats – both are delicious and easy!

    Reply
  57. Jaden Anderson says

    June 30, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    I am a new baker, and I am looking for new things to try, but my favorite is no bake chocolate peanut butter cookies.

    Reply
  58. Tina Smith says

    June 30, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Cheesecake

    Reply
  59. Diana Fischer says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    My favorite dessert is my grandmother’s peanut butter fudge made with karo syrup and peanut butter. Sometimes we would add marshmallows, chocolate and nuts.

    Reply
  60. Jacki Wallace says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Banana split lasagna

    Reply
  61. Jane Lowery says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    My easiest dessert to make are cream puffs.

    Reply
  62. June says

    June 30, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    Light and refreshing – yogurt and cool whip placed in graham cracker pie crust!

    Reply
  63. ChrisK says

    June 30, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Impossible custard pie with or without coconut, everyone wants to know how it happened.

    Reply
  64. PDC Whitelaw says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    Looking for some really simple, make-ahead desserts when having guests. Thsnks.

    Reply
  65. DARYL MOAD says

    July 1, 2015 at 1:14 am

    Pies – any types of fruit pies.

    Reply
  66. Jonnie says

    July 1, 2015 at 2:46 am

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal no bake cookies.

    Reply
  67. Karen says

    July 1, 2015 at 3:12 am

    We call it “boy pie” but it is a layered pudding dessert that is easy and cool

    Reply
  68. Toni Whitmire says

    July 1, 2015 at 3:19 am

    Peanut butter brownies

    Reply
  69. Angela Sandel says

    July 1, 2015 at 7:07 am

    Chocolate Cool Whip Pie!

    Reply
  70. Tammy Bunch says

    July 1, 2015 at 7:09 am

    OMG! Those awesome desserts make my mouth drool with “want to make them now”.

    Reply
  71. Sandra Woodward says

    July 1, 2015 at 7:26 am

    chocolate chip brownies

    Reply
  72. Kathy LaManna-Friedman says

    July 1, 2015 at 8:32 am

    cheesecake

    Reply
  73. STELLA BABLO says

    July 1, 2015 at 8:39 am

    I love the Strawberry Refrigerator Pie. Made with fresh strawberries and a frozen pie crust, this pie take no effort but looks and tastes homemade.

    Reply
  74. Sharon says

    July 1, 2015 at 8:48 am

    Ice cream sundaes!

    Reply
  75. Andrea says

    July 1, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Chocolate pudding pie

    Reply
  76. Laurel Schmalz says

    July 1, 2015 at 9:29 am

    My favorite dessert is pie, any kind, any flavor, anhy time!

    Reply
  77. Cindy DeVito says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:02 am

    1 can crushed pineapple , I box pistachio pudding , mix well . To this I fold in 1 tub of whip cream. So good.

    Reply
  78. Jennie S. says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Lemon meringue pie.

    Reply
  79. Sophia,M.,McConnery says

    July 1, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Needed more with NO SUGAR or fake sugar!

    Reply
  80. Janet Rojas says

    July 1, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Chocolate cake stirred into soft vanilla ice cream.

    Reply
  81. Jennifer Makousky-Garcia says

    July 1, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Oh My! I am going to try these Mini Cheesecakes with Resse’s Peanut butter cups. Yummy!!!!!

    Reply
  82. Melissa says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    Candy cup brownies. Brownie “muffins” with peanut butter cups pressed into them.

    Reply
  83. Pat Robinson says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    Cherry/Pineapple Dump Cake.

    Reply
  84. sherry pell says

    July 2, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    cream de-mint parfait cream de mint, poured over vanilla ice cream layered between cool whip ice cream, cool whip yum

    Reply
  85. Keith Gilroy says

    July 2, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    Chocolate chocolate chip cookies

    Reply
  86. Krystina Boyle says

    July 2, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    Cream cheese pie with cherry topping .

    Reply
  87. Betty says

    July 3, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Anytime, my simple favorites will be custard or tapioca pudding but there are many simple desserts that I love and make regularly.

    Reply
  88. Nina says

    July 3, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    I love to bake chocolate chip cookies, can’t keep them in the house !! Also oatmeal raisin cookies.
    But I also like to make bake. My husbands favorite is pineapple upside down cake.

    Reply
  89. Nina says

    July 3, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    I bake chocolate chip cookies & they don’t last long, also oatmeal raisin cookies. My husband loves
    pineapple upside down cake, so make that several times a year. I love bread pudding with warm lemon sauce on top. Also like tapioca pudding, I have to make small amounts, as I’m the only one that will eat it, which is okay with me !

    Reply
  90. Angela Moore says

    July 3, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Chilled fruit & cottage cheese. It gets so hot that it is just too hot to even think about being in the kitchen sometimes – but this hits the spot!

    Reply
  91. katherine walton says

    July 3, 2015 at 6:36 pm

    watermelon, popcorn, or ice cream

    Reply
  92. Sherry says

    July 3, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    This question can’t be answered with just one. In the winter, brownies are great! But in the summer, ice cream is to die for. But then if you mix the two of them, that is even better.

    Reply
  93. Nina says

    July 4, 2015 at 11:17 am

    I like all those categories, it depends on my mood & weather. Winter it’s cookies, cookies. Also like to bake different types of breads

    Reply
  94. Kathryn Mcneal says

    July 4, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    I love chocolate chip cookies, although I usually just end up eating the raw dough.

    Reply
  95. Barb says

    July 4, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Cheesecake

    Reply
  96. Nina says

    July 5, 2015 at 10:07 am

    Have two favorite go too’s–strawberry short cake & big batch of brownies

    Reply
  97. Amanda White says

    July 5, 2015 at 11:25 am

    My favorite easy dessert is Hot Cocoa mouse with Oreos crushed up in it…just 5 ingredients

    Reply
  98. Steph says

    July 5, 2015 at 11:30 am

    Popsicles

    Reply
  99. Lindsay says

    July 5, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    I’d have to say that microwave mug brownies are my favorite easy go-to dessert. Great for when you’ve got a brownie/chocolate craving and don’t feel like making an entire pan of them. Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, oil and vanilla, microwave for a minute and you have a warm cup of fluffy, gooey awesomeness.

    Reply
  100. Nina says

    July 6, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    chocolate pudding is an go to dessert so are brownies. As you can see, my family favors anything with chocolate in it !!

    Reply
  101. Nina says

    July 7, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    my family loves lemon meringue pie, chocolate chip cookies.

    Reply
  102. Nina says

    July 8, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    I would really like to win these cook books, so then I can start cooking new recipes

    Reply
  103. Lynn Nelson says

    June 7, 2016 at 6:47 am

    Cherry cha cha is my favorite desert.
    Would love to be able to add these cookbooks to my collection.
    New recipes for family functions and lots of sharing.

    Reply
  104. CJ Pinter says

    June 9, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    “Icebox Cakes” are the easiest!
    Version 1 – layered ice cream sandwiches + cool whip + Heath brickle on top
    Version 2 – chocolate wafer cookies + heavy whipping cream + nuts on top (vanilla or almond flavoring in whipped cream really elevates it!)

    Reply

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