The Best Desserts to Share at a Potluck—and Other Tips From a Pastry Chef

Potlucks are a joyful way to gather, and potluck desserts are the sweet ending to a communal meal. Which is what pastry chef and cookbook author Justin Burke explores in his new cookbook Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride, where he shares a collection of original recipes to serve at informal gatherings. He also showcases potlucks as a place of gathering to celebrate or nurture loved ones through tough times. His own experience with potlucks has been as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, where these collective meals serve as a powerful meeting point, a time for political organizing and cultural history, and also a chance to enjoy sharing treats.

“It is a great responsibility and an honor to show joy and resilience and the beauty of our community,” Burke says of his new book. “This is our everyday life. This is family. It’s really exciting.” Below, Burke shares his best tips for making and sharing potluck desserts with your family, whoever that may be. 

The Best Types of Desserts For a Potluck

The best desserts to bring to a potluck are those that encourage community. Your treats don’t have to be fancy, but they can be unusual, thought-provoking, or come with a story of nostalgia or traveling. "The beauty of a potluck is that it’s a kaleidoscope of different dishes and different flavors,” Burke says. “I pick something that will spark conversation. People will ask who made this recipe and where it comes from. Dialogue starts when people are curious.” Familiar desserts with an unfamiliar ingredient or twist, think lemon-thyme bars or peach cobbler bread, will be a hit with a potluck crowd who can be intrigued by an anchor ingredient or approachable presentation and then wowed by your creative, delicious concoction. 

His cookbook is organized by baking vessel, with recipes for desserts to make in sheet pans, loaf pans, casserole dishes, bowls, and more. This is because the best way to bring a dessert to a potluck is in the container you made it in. Ambrosia salad in a gorgeous bowl? Perfect! Poppyseed grapefruit cake cooled and removed from its pan, then popped back in for travel—and popped back out for slicing at the event? Ideal. 

Dishes that require removal from their baking vessels to complete (think cupcakes), aren’t always the best for potlucks where you have to travel, says Burke. 

Transporting Desserts to a Potluck

Consider transportation when selecting a recipe, as a potluck is not the time to figure out the logistics of transporting a three-tiered layer cake or a pavlova that is at risk of collapsing. And do as much at home as possible, says Burke.

• He recommends using whatever pan or vessel you have: cookies can be returned to the baking sheet, brownies and bar cookies can remain in the baking dish, pies are best served in their pie tins, etc.
• Pre-slice portioned desserts, such as bars and brownies, so they’re easy to serve. Consider bringing a serving plate if that’s easiest for the host, too.  
  
• If you’re the type of cook who likes to test a dish before serving it to a crowd, you’ll likely want to plate the dessert when you arrive. However, using the baking dish for transport ensures everything stays in shape. 
  

Decorating Potluck Desserts

Final touches and delicate finishes to potluck desserts can be added after you arrive at the event.

Whipped cream, buttermilk ice cream, or butterscotch are all great finishing elements, Burke says. But make sure you’ll have access to a freezer or refrigerator at the event, he adds. If not, bring your own cooler if a chilled topping is essential. 

“I like to add special touches to desserts, but you want to enjoy the potluck and not fuss over the dish too much,” Burke adds. Fresh herbs or edible flowers can easily be added to the top of a dessert after unpacking for a fresh finish that takes seconds. Flaky sea salt can also be sprinkled atop chocolate desserts for a luxe effect. And no one ever complained about a can of whipped cream next to a pie… 

How to Serve Potluck Desserts

Whether you’re bringing a cookie tray or a loaf cake, making communal serving as easy (and clean) as possible is key to a dish’s success.

“It’s polite to ask the host if you should bring servingware,” says Burke. “Don’t show up empty-handed when the host expects you to bring everything you need.” 

Bring a clean pie server, tongs, or other necessary items to serve your dessert with. Disposable versions also work if you’re worried about reclaiming your servingware, or find a unique piece at a thrift shop to gift to the host after the event.

Accommodating Dietary Restrictions

A potluck isn’t always the easiest for those with dietary restrictions, especially when it comes to desserts. Ask the host to check that there are no nut allergies present before you bring a dish with potential toxins. Try to have your recipe or ingredients memorized or easily accessible should someone have questions about what’s in your tempting treat. You can also make a little sign or sticky note listing allergens to set near your dish for smooth dining.