Show up with the best dessert in the parking lot. These awesome tailgate desserts are just as exciting as kickoff.
1/47
Puppy Chow
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy puppy chow recipe uses a whole package of cereal, so there's less messy measuring. And it makes enough to feed a hungry crowd. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
2/47
Football Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These football cookies would make a delicious and on-theme dessert at a get-together to watch the big game. They'd also serve as a special treat after kids' football games. —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
3/47
S’mores Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon-graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
4/47
Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Smooth cream cheese inside makes these cupcakes so rich. The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate chips comes through in every yummy bite. You'll be asked to make them again and again. —Shirley Dunbar, Mojave, California
5/47
Football Cake Pops
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves football! For his eighth birthday, I made cake pops with a rich chocolate cake center and a yummy peanut butter coating. These are sure to be winners at parties, bake sales and sports-watching events. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, WV
6/47
Maple-Bacon Rice Krispies Treats
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet with a touch of smoky flavor, these maple-bacon Rice Krispies Treats will make you fall in love with this classic flavor combo even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
7/47
Brownie Bites from Brownie Mix
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to take these quick and easy treats to potlucks and family gatherings. They're always well received! —Pam Kokes, North Loup, Nebraska
8/47
Baby Ruth Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I love Baby Ruth candy bars and usually have a few on hand, so I decided to put them to good use in my favorite cookie recipe. —Elinor Nield, Soquel, California
9/47
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My chocolate chip cookie bars are often requested at church dinners. They're tasty and easy to serve. —Barbara Witte, Irving, Texas
10/47
M&M Cookie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family loves to take drives, and I often bring these bars along for snacking in the car. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
11/47
Apple Slab Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Apple slab pie is a terrific contribution to a covered-dish supper, picnic or potluck. It’s baked in a large 15x10 baking pan so it’s easy to make and tote, too. But be prepared—people always ask for a copy of the recipe! —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
12/47
Touchdown Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
With some simple touches, you can transform regular sugar cookies into a special sweet treat for the football fans at your party. —Sister Judith LaBrozzi, Canton, Ohio
13/47
Caramel Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
After over 20 years of making this shortbread, I’ve finally found the perfect pairing—salted caramel and dark chocolate. So I layered them with my favorite shortbread crust. —Lisa Glenn, Sarasota, Florida
14/47
Cherry Pie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
15/47
Puppy Chow Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Whether you call it puppy chow or muddy buddies, this recipe takes your favorite childhood treat and turns it into a delectable dessert bar. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
16/47
Super Chunky Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
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
17/47
Potato Chip Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Potato chip cookies got their start in the spud-proud region of Idaho and the western U.S. This recipe makes plenty of crisp cookies and will keep people guessing about the secret ingredient. —Rachel Roberts, Lemoore, California
18/47
White Texas Sheet Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead. My mother-in-law introduced this deliciously rich sheet cake to me. With its creamy frosting and light almond flavor, no one can stop at just one piece! —Joanie Ward, Brownsburg, Indiana
19/47
Peanut Butter Balls
From the Recipe Creator:
These chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls taste like peanut butter cups. Creamy peanut butter and confectioners' sugar do the heavy lifting for the filling, while melted semisweet chocolate chips make up the simple, chocolaty coating. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
20/47
S’mores Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
One night my husband had some friends over to play poker and he requested these s'mores bars. They polished off the pan and asked for more! I shared the recipe, and now their families make them, too. —Rebecca Shipp, Beebe, Arkansas
21/47
Coca-Cola Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
22/47
Peanut Butter Pudding Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a fun layered dessert that will appeal to all ages. If you want it even nuttier, you can use chunky peanut butter, and if you're not a fan of cashews, substitute your favorite nut. This peanut butter lasagna is one of my favorite pudding desserts. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
23/47
Lucy Wang’s Rainbow Mochi Rice Krispies
From the Recipe Creator:
Rainbow mochi Rice Krispies is an Asian-inspired twist on a classic treat. Mochi is made of rice flour, so this whole sheet is gluten-free! —Lucy Wang, Los Angeles, California
24/47
Tiger Butter
From the Recipe Creator:
My younger brother and I share a passion for candymaking. We love this smooth and creamy fudge recipe from a co-worker of mine. It features the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate. —Peg Kipp, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
25/47
Fudge Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a snack for serious chocolate lovers. These enticing cookies are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, somewhat bittersweet and very chocolaty. I usually make them to share at get-togethers. Otherwise, I'd eat them all myself! I'm always asked for the recipe. —Delaine Fortenberry, McComb, Mississippi
26/47
Lemon Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
Lemon brownies are packed with the tart flavors of citrus fruit while replicating the lovable texture of brownies. Topped with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, they’re a light and refreshing treat to enjoy anytime. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
27/47
Mini Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
Presto! We turned cheesecake into irresistible bite-sized snacks with these cute little treats. Feel free to use your favorite flavor of jam. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
28/47
Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert takes the flavors and textures of a Dubai chocolate bar and turns them into dreamy, creamy cheesecake bars. Even if you haven't tried Dubai chocolate before, this recipe is worth a go! —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
29/47
Butterscotch Toffee Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
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
30/47
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I created these dairy-free chocolaty peanut bars, and my kids and their friends can’t get enough! —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas
31/47
Italian Wedding Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York
32/47
Cream Cheese Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a chocolate lover, and this treat has satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can't be beat. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming
33/47
Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe from a minister's wife, and my family loves it. —Brenda Jackson, Garden City, Kansas
34/47
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests will stand in line to kiss the cook when these treats are served!
For a change of pace, try them with chunky peanut butter, too. —Canada60, Tasteofhome.com Community
35/47
Cherry Cheese Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These pretty cream cheese cups that look like cupcakes are always my home-baked contribution to our church's Christmas party. The holidays inspired the cheery garnish of cherries, and I often add mint leaves for even more seasonal color. —Leanne Beagley, Rochester, New York
36/47
Crunchy Candy Clusters
From the Recipe Creator:
These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky
37/47
Nutty Cheesecake Squares
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up on a farm and have had a lot of good recipes handed down to me. This is one of my favorite desserts to serve when guests come over or at family gatherings and church suppers. —Ruth Simon, Buffalo, New York
38/47
Mini Sweet Potato Pies
From the Recipe Creator:
My son Levi was only 2 years old when he helped me create this delicious recipe, and it was the first time he told me I love you! I’ll always remember making these with him. —Emily Butler, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
39/47
Blueberry Lattice Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
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
40/47
Contest-Winning Chocolate Mint Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My dad sandwiches mint patties between two tender chocolate cookies to create these chewy treats. The blend of chocolate and mint is a big hit at our house. Best of all, these cookies are easy and fun to make. —Christina Burbage, Spartanburg, South Carolina
41/47
Cherry Chewbilees
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a good dish to carry to potlucks and parties. It's a hit at home, too - my husband rates it as one of his favorite desserts. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas
42/47
Turtle Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade brownies are a sweet addition to the appetizer table on game day. Your guests might forget the score, but I guarantee they'll remember these treats! —Sherry Miller, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
43/47
Monster Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world's best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
44/47
Frito Candy
From the Recipe Creator:
Yep, they’re made with corn chips, but don’t let that fool you. These salty sweets were a staple after meetings at the quilt guild I once belonged to. —Carol Tramp, Wynot, Nebraska
45/47
Butter Pecan Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
When my daughter was a teen, these butter pecan cookies earned her blue ribbons from two county fairs. Then a few years ago, her own daughter took home a blue ribbon for the same cookie. Needless to say, these mouthwatering morsels are winners! —Martha Thefield, Cedartown, Georgia
46/47
Behr Track Cookie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie bars small—they're super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa
47/47
Potato Chip Banana Bread Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My 5-year-old wanted to bake a cake with potato chips and bananas. I couldn't quite manage that, but I did combine two cookie recipes to create these. They are stunningly delicious, and everyone tells me they are addictive! —Rebecca Emmons, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tailgate Desserts FAQ
What desserts travel well for a tailgate?
Desserts that travel well for a tailgate are cookies, bars, blondies, cereal treats, sheet cakes, brownies, puppy chow and cake pops. Many of these tailgating sweets can be brought directly to the gathering in the same pan that they were baked in or transferred to a reliable airtight container. Also, most of these desserts do not need to be refrigerated, so you don’t have to worry about packing them in a cooler.
What are good finger desserts for a tailgate party?
Good finger desserts for a tailgate party are easy to grab and eat, such as cookies, truffles, cake pops, brownies and sweet snack mixes like puppy chow. These desserts do not need utensils or plates. Although do make sure napkins are available. Cupcakes can be eaten as a finger food, though they can get a little messy. Consider baking them as mini-cupcakes for a two-bite treat.
Can you make tailgate desserts ahead of time?
You can make almost any tailgate dessert ahead of time. Just remember to store everything according to the recipe’s instructions to preserve the dessert’s flavor and texture integrity. Most desserts should be covered to stay fresh. Recipes with dairy, such as a cheesecake or frosting, need to be stored in the fridge, while others, like brownies or cereal and marshmallow treats, are best at room temperature.
