20 Picnic Desserts That Don’t Need Refrigeration

Nothing beats a well-planned picnic, but let’s be real – keeping desserts cool can be a hassle. That’s why I’ve pulled together some fabulous picnic desserts that don’t need refrigeration.

Sweet treats that are tasty, easy to transport, and, best of all, can handle the heat and still taste amazing.

An assortment of baked goods including pistachio bars, strawberry rice cereal bars, powdered sugar muffins, and an orange-glazed cake.

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Tips for Transporting Desserts to a Picnic
Delicious Picnic Desserts That Don’t Need Refrigeration

Tips for Transporting Desserts to a Picnic

Transporting desserts to a picnic can be a challenge. These handy tips will make your dessert transport hassle-free:

Use Airtight Containers: Pack your desserts in airtight containers to keep them fresh and protect them from getting squished. Choose containers that fit your desserts snugly to prevent them from moving around. See my tips for transporting cupcakes if you have delicate cupcakes to pack.

Individually Wrap Portions: For items like brownies, chocolate oat bars, and gingerbread cake, wrap each piece individually in wax or parchment paper. This keeps them from sticking together and makes serving easier.

Layer with Care: If you’re stacking multiple layers of desserts, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and help maintain the shape of your treats. For delicate treats, you can use a thin layer of cardboard between wax paper for extra stability. Place more delicate desserts like orange upside down cake on top of heavier items to avoid them being squished.

Use Insulated Bags: Even though these desserts don’t need refrigeration, insulated or cooler bags provide an extra layer of protection against heat and jostling during transport. See my top picks for insulated picnic bags fit for the job.

Delicious Picnic Desserts That Don’t Need Refrigeration

These delicious picnic dessert recipes meet the criteria of being easy to make, easy to transport, and requiring no refrigeration. There are also some of my favorite no-bake desserts to really step up the simplicity for your next picnic.

Orange Upside Down Cake

This easy-to-make Orange Upside Down Cake is a simple recipe that delivers stunning results—a moist, airy cake topped with sweet oranges and a zesty citrus glaze.

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An orange upside down cake and a cup of coffee.

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

This Puff Pastry Apple Tart recipe is the perfect simple dessert. Just slice apples, coat them in sugar, layer over store-bought puff pastry, and bake until golden brown.

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Photo credit: jcookingodyssey.com

Squares of puff pastry topped with thinly sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon are displayed on a wooden surface.

Cinnamon Sourdough Cruffins

A cross between a muffin and a croissant, Cruffins are a delicious twist on croissants and pain au chocolat. This version uses laminated sourdough pastry, rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, flaky delight.

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Photo credit: somebodyfeedseb.com

Close-up of hands holding a swirled pastry covered in sugar, with some additional pastries visible in the background.

Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies

If you love the contrast of a soft, chewy center with a crunchy exterior, these Lemon Sugar Cookies are for you. Rolled in powdered sugar before baking for a crackled texture, each bite bursts with fresh lemon zest.

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A stack of golden lemon sugar cookies on a small plate, with lemons blurred in the background.

French Financiers

French Financiers are the ultimate teacakes. This recipe teaches you to make them in three flavors: almond, hazelnut, and pistachio. Delicate and super moist, they’re rich with nutty flavors from nut flour and browned butter.

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Photo credit: spatuladesserts.com

Easy Oreo Chocolate Cake

Imagine a cake combining Oreo's crunch and creaminess with rich chocolate. This Oreo Chocolate Cake features a moist chocolate loaf with chocolate chips and Oreo cookies baked on top. For an easy, decadent Oreo cake recipe, this is it.

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Chocolate cake with cookie pieces served on a plate, with more cake and cookies in the background.

Strawberry Lemon Rice Crispies

Strawberry Lemon Rice Crispies bring bright, fruity flavors to the classic treat. Perfectly pink, these strawberry delights are an ideal treat for a Valentine’s Day picnic.

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Photo credit: spabettie.com

A baking dish of strawberry rice krispie treats with a piece cut out, garnished with fresh strawberries and lemon slices.

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Combine the flavors of peach cobbler in a creamy bundt cake. The rich batter includes chunks of fresh peaches and is topped with caramelized peaches, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

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Photo credit: stateofdinner.com

A round peach upside-down cake with one slice removed, showing the interior. The cake has a golden-brown top with peach slices arranged in a circular pattern.

Whole Wheat Rye Muffins With Apples And Raisins

Soft and fluffy, these whole wheat rye muffins with apples and raisins are topped with crunchy brown sugar and cinnamon streusel.

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Photo credit: apinchofzest.com

A black wire basket contains five muffins wrapped in brown paper and an apple. Green leaves partially cover the bottom of the basket.

Easy Key Lime Truffles

This easy Key Lime Truffle recipe is perfect for a summer picnic dessert or a quick snack. More portable than Key Lime Pie Bars, they're ideal for kids' picnics.

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Mary Berry’s Moist Lemon Drizzle Cake

Mary Berry’s Moist Lemon Drizzle Cake is a classic British dessert that’s quick, easy, and indulgent. Made with simple ingredients and a fantastic lemon kick, it’s perfect for any occasion.

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Photo credit: mygorgeousrecipes.com

A slice of lemon cake on a plate with a fork beside a cup of tea and a sliced lemon in the background.

Gingerbread Cake with Orange Glaze and Candied Walnuts

Enjoy festive flavors year-round with this easy Gingerbread Cake recipe, blending cozy spices and sweet surprises. Topped with an orange glaze and candied walnuts, it offers fresh zest and a crunchy twist.

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Slices of gingerbread cake with orange frosting and candied walnuts on a cutting board.

Palmiers

These buttery Palmiers are light, crispy, and deliciously sweet. Made with just store-bought puff pastry and sugar, this 2-ingredient recipe comes together in 40 minutes for a fancy bakery-style treat.

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Photo credit: spatuladesserts.com

A close-up view of heart-shaped pastries arranged on a cooling rack and parchment paper.

No Bake Coconut Balls

These No-Bake Coconut Balls are sweet, creamy, and quick to make. Healthier than typical recipes, they use no condensed milk or powdered sugar.

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Blueberry Galette

This beautiful and easy blueberry galette is a delicious make-ahead dessert, perfect for using fresh spring and summer berries.

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Photo credit: champagne-tastes.com

A baked galette with a berry filling on a cooling rack, a serving on a plate with a scoop of ice cream, and kitchen utensils on a textured surface.

Lemon Curd Muffins

These Easy Lemon Curd Muffins, made with my Granny’s Quick Lemon Curd, feature a delightful lemon curd center that forms a sticky puddle on top during baking, finished with a dusting of icing sugar.

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Photo credit: fabfood4all.co.uk

A batch of freshly baked muffins dusted with powdered sugar rests on a cooling rack, with one muffin partially unwrapped and cut in half to reveal its moist interior.

Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

With warm spices, velvety pumpkin, and a decadent cream cheese glaze, these Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins have all the feels of fall. No surprises they’re a favorite autumn picnic dessert.

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Pumpkin muffins on an orange plate with cinnamon sticks.

Easy White Chocolate Fudge

I love simple, picnic-friendly desserts. This 4-ingredient White Chocolate Fudge is quick, easy, and versatile. It's elegant for romantic picnics, perfect for kids, and adaptable for Easter picnics.

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Squares of white chocolate fudge with almonds on baking paper.

Rocky Road S’mores Bites

This Rocky Road S’mores Bites recipe uses just 5 ingredients and takes only 15 minutes. A perfectly portable treat, it offers the taste of a ready-to-eat s’more with crunchy graham crackers, fluffy marshmallows, and creamy peanut butter.

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Photo credit: vibrantlygfree.com

Close-up of chocolate and marshmallow squares on a light surface. The squares are garnished with graham cracker pieces and partially melted marshmallows.

20 Unique Brownie Recipes

A good brownie is a go-to for portable, make-ahead picnic desserts. Searching for the world's best brownie recipe? It all comes down to taste. These unique brownie recipes will satisfy every preference.

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