:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/27847_Tailgate_088-d0473f6e81aa4fa3b28046da2f648856.jpg)
Photo:
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Whether your crowd is celebrating a victory or consoling each other over a loss, these football desserts will put the finishing touch on a winning
tailgate menu
. Fit for the hustle and bustle of game day, we’ve found that there is an art to a successful tailgate event. Whether you are watching the game in the comfort of your home, or tailgating with a crowd on campus, good food is an integral part of the game-day experience, and we’ve got all the tailgate food ideas you need for desserts right here. Not just any menu will do for a
football party
: Easy to bake, store, and
transport
, our top-rated game-day desserts are also fuss-free, so it’s ok to load up a napkin with a slice of cake and a couple of cookies and head back to the sidelines. A pick from this lineup of fan-favorite football desserts will guarantee that your party gets out of the red zone and finishes with a win.
01
of 33
Team Spirit Sugar Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/27847_Tailgate_053-2f62221711864c658c549651ae12f283.jpg)
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
House divided between two teams? Decorate these sweet cookies without choosing a side! Be sure to add your festive sprinkles before the frosting sets.
02
of 33
No-Bake Scotcheroos
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/27847_Tailgate_072-4b956634f6f946b8ba329cf394e4b8de.jpg)
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Scotcheroos are one of the best dishes to come out of Grandma’s recipe tin. These no-bake treats are a great project to let the kids help you put together.
03
of 33
Fried Apple Pies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/FriedApplePies-TK_0164_preview-2000-6e03fe4bea1b47848e3afa730a79b66a.jpg)
Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Warm fall spices star in these precious hand pies, which are the ideal grab-and-go treat for busy tailgaters. You can use store-bought crust in a pinch, but our Test Kitchen recommends starting from scratch for that perfect crunch.
04
of 33
Gooey Butter Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Southern-Living_Molly-Bolton_Gooey-Butter-Bars_June-2024_HIGH-RES-6-c110c301e2ee4fa6b74ad087ff667b5b.jpg)
Molly Bolton
With two distinct layers—a yellow cake layer and a velvety cream cheese layer—this sheet cake is totally decadent. Don’t skip the chill time for easy slicing.
05
of 33
Knock-You-Naked Brownies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/27847_Tailgate_088-d0473f6e81aa4fa3b28046da2f648856.jpg)
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
No one will believe this incredible bars took just nine ingredients to make. They’re super gooey and fudgy, so our Test Kitchen recommends keeping them in the fridge until just before serving to better hold their shape.
06
of 33
Oatmeal-Caramel Cream Pies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Oatmeal-Caramel-Cream-Pies-Beauty2--Audit7024_3497-cc1bf558dd494198a3792fbbbce60551.jpg)
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
“Once you try these Oatmeal-Caramel Cream Pies, you will have no choice but to ditch the snack-aisle version,” says Digital Editor Mary Shannon Hodes. “I always save one cookie to pair with my coffee the next morning.”
07
of 33
Mississippi Mud Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Mississippi_Cake_011-ed4ae5dee38a4534833c67810a4ace35.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you want to sway from the old-fashioned sheet cake, our Test Kitchen includes a few variations at the bottom of the recipe page: Kitchen Express Mississippi Mud Cake, Caramel-Peanut Mississippi Mud Cake, and Mississippi Mud Cupcakes. Cupcakes would be especially easy for football party guests to grab between plays.
08
of 33
Cowgirl Cookie Bars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Cowgirl_Cookie_Bars_012-b531dbe19d1842a6a60e1c9104d8312e.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you’re a fan of classic
Cowboy Cookies
, you’re going to love Cowgirl Cookie Bars. If you want to add some team spirit to these bars, our Test Kitchen recommends drizzling them with candy melts or white chocolate and sprinkles.
09
of 33
Pecan Tassies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Pecan_Tassies_010-14a574569b09401982b636c622c15db4.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Our readers have loved these mini desserts for decades; just take it from one reviewer who gave it five stars online: “I made these tonight and they are the perfect size and delicious. I’m taking them to a work Christmas party. I love that they aren’t too sweet. Just right.”
10
of 33
Rum Balls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Rum_Balls_008-f83634893f07448c904978bc37d42554.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
A cousin of Southern-favorite Bourbon Balls, these Rum Balls will be right at home on your tailgate spread. Since it was printed in our December 1993 issue, this boozy dessert recipe has stood the test of time.
11
of 33
Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/snickerdoodle_doughnut_hole_muffins_2488102_438_0_0_0_0_1_0_0_0_0-2000-9dbd5adde5ba4f69908c9679f064f2b1.jpg)
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Those 11 AM kickoffs can be rough for college students who were up late the night before, but they’re perfect for tailgate hosts who want to serve up a
stunning brunch spread
. These two-bite muffins are just the sweet treat to finish it off.
12
of 33
Chocolate Chip Blondies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/chocolate-chip-blondies_batch65_beauty-192-d86fbb2e25784d288f25876d20474b66.jpg)
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Bake up a classic that has a little more pizazz than chocolate chip cookies with these soft and chewy Chocolate Chip Blondies. If you happen to have leftovers, these freeze well for up to three months, so you can have a bite anytime a sweet tooth strikes.
13
of 33
White Texas Sheet Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/WhiteTexasSheetCake_Audit7678_236-6832fc0ae12c4d039d6c9312d8409dd3.jpg)
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
If you’re a fudgy Texas Sheet Cake loyalist, you might be shaking your head at the thought of a White Texas Sheet Cake. But once you try its tender crumb and browned butter and toasted walnut frosting, you just might be a convert.
14
of 33
Chocolate-Mayonnaise Sheet Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Chocolate_Mayo_Sheet_Cake_036-9739b3586bb34fa09f3ee8acc6fdef49.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The humble pantry staple, mayonnaise, is the secret ingredient in this ultra-moist chocolate cake. You can’t go wrong bringing this guaranteed crowd-pleaser as your plus one.
15
of 33
Lucious Lemon Bars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/LusciousLemonBars_Beauty_1_Audit7023_preview-549058b65fca4c3399bbb74a88bf516d.jpg)
Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
This classic treat is always a favorite at brunches, picnics, potlucks, and tailgate events. Make a big batch in advance to keep in the freezer and last you for tailgates all month.
16
of 33
Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/southern-living-TexasSheetCakewithFudgeIcing-TK-0040_preview-f5168f6f6a9d4e4e81f89201c55666f9.jpg)
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
The warm fudge icing is poured on the just-out-of-the-oven cake. Just add a glass of cold milk. This dessert will be iconic in Texas or any tailgate you take it to.
17
of 33
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/pumpkin-bundt-cake-molly-bolton-hero-2-94c5facaf80948eb8302775d094f2634.jpg)
Molly Bolton
Beautiful on the dessert sideboard or a picnic table, this recipe includes everything good about the fall. A crunchy walnut topping and maple glaze drizzle seal the ideal fall cake to enjoy over football.
18
of 33
Football Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Football-Cake_04-4d839134f29e459fb21c97ddeccf7f8d.jpg)
Photgrapher: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
It’s hard to get easier or more festive for game day than this. Football Cake will impress everyone at the tailgate from its pigskin frosting design to its rich, straightforward center.
19
of 33
Magic Cookie Bars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sl_seo_magiccookiebars145-2000-0d387a8d6e82489ca38e495ac84c6b65.jpg)
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
Set down a tray of these at the tailgate and watch the magic happen. Caramelized just right, these classic hand-held treats with graham cracker crumbles, coconut flakes, pecans, ad caramel are a show-stopper.
20
of 33
Coca-Cola Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Coca_Cola_Cake_127-cbbec013eed74c3d9d4b7198adba8330.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The carbonated soft drink is the secret to this recipe; it helps create an extra tender texture to the cake and adds extra sweetness to the chocolate frosting. The result is a cake so moist and flavorful that it might just get louder cheers than the game itself.
21
of 33
Chocolate Peanut Butter-Fudge Bars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/2590901_barco_peanut_butter_fudge_bars_296_0_0-d73b6115ba1a4c928843451943c58796.jpg)
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
When you bring these fudgy, nutty dessert bars to the game day celebration, two cheers will be in order: one for the team (of course) and one dedicated just to these treats. Three layers guarantee dynamically sweet flavor in every bite.
22
of 33
Vanilla Cupcakes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Vanilla_Cupcakes_010-1e535039dfc0437ca7dad13d8dea687c.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
For a tailgate or game day gathering, cupcakes are much easier to serve up than a cake that has to be sliced. Choose sprinkles in colors that match your favorite team.
23
of 33
Sweet Potato Pound Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/529fe2db20c5c5439256_10946_0-2000-cf86406db3714ef483a35e44f559050e.jpg)
Jennifer Davick
The addition of nutrient-rich sweet potatoes create a delicious twist on the traditional pound cake. Super seasonal and easy to grab a slice and go, this potato pound cake will be a game day hit.
24
of 33
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Chocolate_Chip_Cookies_010-afdc7745318d4f18812f68de3bf88e0a.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you’re trying to decide what kind of cookies to whip up for game day, this recipes combines two classic into one so the decision is made easy.
25
of 33
Bourbon Balls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Bourbon_Balls_014-2-2000-ab041139ee81429b85feb5ed947b7514.jpg)
Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Everything’s better with bourbon and this recipe goes a long way to prove that rule. To make a sweet deal even sweeter, Bourbon Balls are also no-bake and easily portable for nibbling while watching the game.
26
of 33
Football Brownies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Football-Brownies_06-2-d6db526ecfc1456e9fdfa4c0bb683e37.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II
Make a big batch of these festive handhelds because they’ll be tackled up in no time. Fudgy dark chocolate brownies with a football motif couldn’t be more delicious or perfect for the occasion.
27
of 33
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/red-velvet-cake-mix-cookies-8-cfc5ab4520e64242ae018485c32f923d.jpg)
Emily Laurae
These hand-held treats are especially perfect for groups celebrating a team with red jerseys. No matter what your team’s spirit colors are, these cakey cookies with pops of white chocolate will be a game day favorite.
28
of 33
No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/december_recipes_cookies_2490301_chris_1073_0_0_0_1_1_0-16955f56a968451a94c76c8eb1191008.jpg)
Iain Bagwell
These no-bake treats are an easy way to impress for novice and masterful bakers alike heading to a tailgate. These gooey bars are great to eat while otherwise engaged with the game, especially when served chilled for less mess.
29
of 33
Pecan Pie Brownies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/SL-pecan-pie-brownies-molly-bolton-beauty-2a-2ce7fecb2c494334af047842cbe2574b.jpg)
Molly Bolton
Every Southerner can appreciate a classic pecan pie, but all that slicing and plating can be a hassle at a rowdy tailgate. Instead, try these Pecan Pie Brownies. Pecan pie lovers and chocolate aficionados alike will be thanking you.
30
of 33
Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/fudgy_pecan_bourbon_balls_0_0_0-08877e9b97a84448a88a97683739a504.jpg)
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley
We made chocolate truffles supremely Southern with this perfect party recipe. Serve Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls in mini baking cups for easy transport from the buffet to the sidelines.
31
of 33
Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/2589203_sodac_cheerwine_cherry_cupcakes_160_0_0_1-ed457fbf18684053aadb01b606b82889.jpg)
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner
Seal game day with some bubbly; No need to pop champagne—dessert has got you covered. Cupcakes flavored with Carolina-hailing cherry soda will be a smash hit from the pale pink cherry and almond cake to the swirled frosting and cherry on top.
32
of 33
Toomer’s Lemonade Sheet Cake
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/lemonade-cake_Tailgate_2973_preview_scale_100_ppi_150_quality_100-518000ec03f84ca89de748e639a14640.jpg)
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey
Toomer’s Drugs in the adorable town of
Auburn, Alabama
, is a must-visit for any visitor. This citrus sheet cake will win over even the biggest University of Alabama fans in attendance.
33
of 33
Homemade Moon Pies
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/moon_pie_3-0457e91e9d66465ab289a4a7faeb1e93.png)
Shelbie Tunnell
These swoon-worthy moon pies will take you back to your childhood. Leave your guests nostalgic and practically begging for your secret to an even-better moon pie than the boxed kind.