25 picnic recipes

Black bottom cupcakes drop a sweet cream cheese filling studded with chocolate chips into chocolate cake mix batter, baking into a self-frosting cupcake. Travel-friendly picnic dessert with no icing to melt.

Light lemon bundt cake with fresh lemon zest and juice gets soaked in citrus glaze while warm, then served with fresh berries for summer picnics or potlucks.

A moist chocolate date cake baked in an 8-inch square pan with chocolate chips in the batter and a crunchy chip-nut-sugar topping. Dates softened in boiling water keep it impossibly tender. The kind of no-fuss cake you carry straight to the picnic in the pan.

Grandma's picnic chocolate cake baked in one 8x8 pan with buttermilk, cocoa powder, and cake flour. An old-fashioned single-layer snacking cake that travels well and stays moist for days.

With a fresh berry filling accented with a hint of lemon, this crunchy-topped pie satifies lovers of both pies and fruit crisps.

Classic all-american potato salad with a secret ingredient that delivers the seasoning.

This scrumptious rice salad is perfect for a picnic with the family or a dinner party with friends.

With only four ingredients you can make this tasty and easy dish easily at home. You can effortlessly prepare it ahead of time for a picnic or have everyone design their own for a customized flavor.

Sweet and sour potato salad with hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickles, and a homemade cooked dressing of egg yolks, vinegar, and mayonnaise. Old-school Pennsylvania Dutch picnic salad.

Spicy black bean potato salad gives the picnic classic a Southwestern kick, with red potatoes, black beans, jalapenos, bacon and Cajun seasoning in a creamy mustard dressing. A bold make-ahead side.

The perfect companion for sandwiches and crackers that is great for a picnic, or even a light snack.

Strawberry-banana Jell-O salad with banana pudding, whipped topping, fruit cocktail, and walnuts. A fluffy retro picnic salad that's more dessert than side.

Antipasto pasta salad with rotini, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, Muenster cheese, mushrooms, red onion, and fresh basil in a low-fat Italian dressing. A cold make-ahead side for potlucks and picnics.

Savory olive muffins with chopped black olives, grated onion, fresh mint, and olive oil. Greek-style savory muffins for picnics, brunch, or appetizer trays.

Smoked potato salad with cold smoked potatoes, celery, green onion, capers, and lemon mayo. A smoky, briny twist on the classic picnic side dish.

Tri-color rotini tossed in a creamy Dijon vinaigrette with crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and scallions. A make-ahead pasta salad for potlucks, picnics, and summer cookouts.