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Fall Potluck Desserts

October 9, 2025 by Jennifer McHenry //

Bring one of these fall desserts to your next potluck, and you’ll come home with an empty dish!

a collage of fall desserts, including brown sugar crinkle cookies, apple spice cake, black bottom oatmeal pie, and chocolate peanut butter oat bars, with text overlay reading "crowd-pleasing fall potluck desserts bakeorbreak.com"

Heading to a fall gathering and need something sweet to share? These desserts are perfect for potlucks. They’re easy to transport, crowd-friendly, and full of seasonal flavor. From cozy cakes to chewy bars, there’s something here for every fall occasion.

Tips for Potluck Baking

These desserts are worth sharing, and with a few simple tips, you can make sure they travel well and serve beautifully at your next potluck.

Think transport. Bundt cakes and pies travel best in a cake carrier. Bars can be cut ahead and layered with parchment in a lidded container.
Make ahead when you can. Many of these desserts can be baked a day in advance. Cheesecakes in particular benefit from chilling overnight.
Freeze for later. Bars and cookies often freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw before your gathering and you’re all set.
Serve smart. Bring a serving utensil (or pre-cut bars and cookies) to make sharing simple once you arrive.

Cakes and Bundts

When you want a dessert that feels a little special but still travels well, a cake is always a smart choice. These bakes are simple to make, easy to slice, and guaranteed to impress.

Sliced brown butter Texas sheet cake in pan

Brown Butter Texas Sheet Cake

A big-batch chocolate cake with nutty brown butter flavor. It’s rich, moist, and made for sharing.

caramel-glazed Apple Spice Cake on a white cake stand

Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Glaze

Tender spiced cake topped with a luscious caramel glaze—pure fall comfort.

Cranberry bundt cake with slices missing.

Cranberry Bundt Cake

Tart cranberries bring a burst of flavor and color to this classic Bundt, perfect for holiday tables.

overhead view of partially sliced apple cider donut cake on a white cake plate

Apple Cider Donut Cake

All the cozy flavor of the fairground favorite, baked into a soft, sugar-dusted cake.

Whole pecan cake with rum frosting on cake plate

Pecan Cake with Rum Frosting

A moist, nutty cake with a boozy frosting that feels festive and a little unexpected.

Bars and Brownies

Potlucks and bars go hand-in-hand! They’re easy to slice, stack, and serve. These recipes bring a mix of chewy, gooey, and nutty flavors that travel beautifully.

Maple nut bars on countertop, with some wrapped in parchment and tied with bakers twine

Maple Nut Bars

Buttery shortbread topped with a sweet, nutty maple layer that tastes like fall in every bite.

overhead view of revel bars on a white plate

Revel Bars

Chocolatey, chewy oat bars with a nostalgic feel that always disappears quickly.

Chewy Pecan Pie Bars stacked on a plate

Chewy Pecan Pie Bars

Everything you love about pecan pie, in bar form. Easier to make and even easier to serve!

chocolate peanut butter cereal bars on a white plate

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars

No-bake and extra fun, these bars are a crowd-pleaser for kids and grownups alike.

stack of five salted caramel almond bars

Salted Caramel Almond Bars

A gooey caramel layer and crunchy almonds make these irresistible.

Pies and Cheesecakes

If you want something a little more indulgent for your fall potluck, pies and cheesecakes bring that wow factor. They’re sliceable, shareable, and always a hit.

Cranberry Cheesecake Pie on a white cake plate

Cranberry Cheesecake Pie

A buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and tart cranberry topping make this a festive favorite.

a slice of sugar cream pie on a white plate next to the remaining pie

Sugar Cream Pie

A simple, custardy pie with an old-fashioned charm that’s comfort food at its finest.

Mini cheesecakes on serving platter

Mini Cheesecakes

Easy to bake, easy to serve, these little cheesecakes are perfect for a crowd.

partially sliced chocolate mascarpone tart on a white cake plate

Chocolate Mascarpone Tart

Elegant yet unfussy, this rich chocolate tart looks impressive with minimal effort.

A black bottom oatmeal pie missing two slices which can be seen on plates in the background.

Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie

A chocolate layer topped with gooey oatmeal filling come together for a unique twist that pie lovers adore.

Seasonal Fall Favorites

Not everything has to be a showstopper. Sometimes the best potluck treats are the simple, cozy ones. These fall-flavored favorites are perfect for filling out a dessert table.

overhead view of Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies on a white plate

Winter Fruit Oatmeal Cookies

Soft, chewy cookies packed with seasonal dried fruits and warm spices.

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies on a brown-rimmed plate

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

A classic cookie with plenty of cozy flavor and a hint of nostalgia.

close-up of a maple-glazed apple fritter

Apple Fritters

Sugary, spiced fritters that taste just like the ones from the orchard stand.

Overhead view of kolaches on a parchment-lined baking sheet

Kolaches

Soft pastry pillows filled with sweet fruit or cheese. These pastries are unexpected and always appreciated!

Bitten brown sugar crinkle cookie

Brown Sugar Crinkle Cookies

Soft, chewy, and coated in sugar for a sparkly finish that looks great on any cookie tray.

Whether you’re heading to a casual get-together or a big holiday potluck, these desserts are built to share and sure to please. From nostalgic bars to festive cakes, they bring all the cozy flavors of fall to the table. Bake one (or two!) for your next gathering and watch them disappear.

More Fall Baking Inspiration

Easy Fall Desserts to Make This Season

Best Fall Cookie Recipes for Cozy Autumn Baking

Easy Apple Dessert Recipes for Fall

Best Fall Cake Recipes for Cozy Baking

collections, fall favorites

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