Cake Ideas for a Potluck

Trying to decide what to bring to a potluck can be kind of stressful.

You could bring a salad, a side dish… or you could bring the one thing you KNOW everyone will get excited about: cake.

But not just any cake will do.

A potluck cake needs to be easy to carry, simple to serve, and taste absolutely AMAZING. You want something that will survive the car ride without a total disaster.

I put together a huge list of cake ideas that are PERFECT for this.

You’ll find crowd-pleasing sheet cakes, beautiful bundt cakes that look way harder than they are, and flavors for every kind of craving.

Here are 32 great ideas to make you the star of the dessert table.

1. Best Texas Sheet Cake

Best Texas Sheet Cake

Best Texas Sheet Cake is a rich, crowd-pleasing chocolate sheet cake with a slightly chewy texture and a warm, gooey chocolate frosting.

It’s perfect for potlucks and easy to make with simple ingredients.

A favorite baked treat that’s both delicious and generous in size.

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2. Black Forest Poke Cake

Black Forest Poke Cake

Black Forest Poke Cake delivers a deep chocolate flavor with a surprise filling of fudge and cherry pie.

Top it with sweetened whipped cream for a dessert that feels fancy but is simple to make.

This easy poke cake is a sure hit at any gathering.

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3. Millionaire’s Cake

Millionaire's Cake

Millionaire’s Cake is a light and creamy layered dessert that’s perfect for spring and summer get-togethers.

It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together fast, no fancy skills needed.

Great for potlucks and a refreshing treat when you want something sweet but not heavy.

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4. Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Banana Pudding Poke Cake brings creamy banana pudding and a cake mix together in a fun, easy dessert.

The layers are moist and sweet, making it ideal for parties or casual family desserts.

No need to bake from scratch—this one’s a quick win for any crowd.

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5. Strawberry Cake

Strawberry Cake

Strawberry Cake is a bright, fruity treat that’s perfect for summer and strawberry season.

It’s easy to transport and looks as beautiful as it tastes.

A sweet, show-stopping cake that’s great for any occasion.

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6. Boston Cream Poke Cake

Boston Cream Poke Cake

Boston Cream Poke Cake has a rich custard filling hidden inside a fluffy cake.

It’s a fun twist on the classic dessert that’s simple to make with a cake mix.

A crowd-pleaser for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet weekend treat.

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7. 4th of July Cake Pops

4th of July Cake Pops

4th of July Cake Pops are a fun, patriotic twist on classic cake balls.

Red, white, and blue colors make them perfect for Independence Day or any celebration.

Easy to make and a great way to bring sweetness and cheer to backyard parties.

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8. Cake Balls Recipe

Cake Balls Recipe

Cake Balls Recipe uses cake mix, frosting, and candy melts to create bite-sized treats.

They’re easy to make, great for gifts, and even easier to turn into cake pops.

A fun and festive dessert idea for any celebration.

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9. Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip is a playful, party-ready dessert that’s super easy to make with just three ingredients.

The sweet, creamy flavor with colorful sprinkles makes it a favorite for dipping treats.

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10. Ice Cream Cake Pops Recipe

Ice Cream Cake Pops Recipe

Ice Cream Cake Pops look just like mini ice cream cones and are perfect for birthdays or as sweet party favors.

They’re fun to make, easy to customize, and always a hit.

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11. Carrot Cake Cups

Carrot Cake Cups

Carrot Cake Cups are a mini version of your favorite fall dessert, packed with spice and topped with cream cheese frosting.

Each bite is rich, moist, and perfect for sharing.

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12. Caramel Apple Cake Cups

Caramel Apple Cake Cups

Caramel Apple Cake Cups bring the cozy taste of fall into every bite with butter pecan cake and sweet caramel apple filling.

They’re handheld, sweet, and ideal for autumn gatherings.

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13. Butterscotch Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Butterscotch Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Butterscotch Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is a classic twist on a cake mix favorite with a chewy texture and toasty flavor.

It’s a crowd-pleaser for potlucks, office meetings, or any casual get-together.

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14. Crumb Cake for a Crowd

Crumb Cake for a Crowd

Crumb Cake for a Crowd uses a simple cake mix and a homemade crumb topping for that nostalgic, bakery-style flavor.

It’s a big batch of comfort in every slice.

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15. (Strawberry) Rhubarb Dump Cake

(Strawberry) Rhubarb Dump Cake

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake delivers a juicy, tangy-sweet flavor with a buttery crumb topping.

It’s easy to make with just a few pantry staples and perfect for a cozy dessert.

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16. Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake tastes like fresh pie but comes together in minutes with a yellow cake mix.

It’s a simple, sweet treat that feels special without the hassle.

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17. Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cake Pops

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cake Pops

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cake Pops are a show-stopping treat with a creamy white chocolate center.

Wrapped in soft red velvet cake and dipped in rich chocolate, they’re perfect for any celebration.

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18. Mini Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Mini Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

These little cupcakes are sweet, fluffy, and made with a simple mini cupcake recipe.

Use colorful mini cupcake liners to make them even more festive for birthdays or snacks.

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19. Birthday Cupcakes

Birthday Cupcakes

Birthday cupcakes made with funfetti batter are moist, colorful, and always a hit at parties.

Top them with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles for a joyful, crowd-pleasing dessert.

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20. Pound Cake Cupcakes

Pound Cake Cupcakes

Pound cake cupcakes deliver that classic dense and rich flavor in a cute, bite-sized format.

With just a few ingredients, they’re easy to make and great for gatherings or gift boxes.

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21. American Layer Cake (1894)

American Layer Cake (1894)

This American layer cake is moist, tender, and perfect for any special occasion.

A timeless layer cake recipe that brings smiles with every slice.

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22. Vanilla Candy Cupcakes

Vanilla Candy Cupcakes

Vanilla candy cupcakes are a fun, sweet treat great for spring gatherings.

Change up the candy colors to match any party, holiday, or celebration theme.

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23. Lemon Poke Cake

Lemon Poke Cake

Lemon poke cake is a bright, juicy dessert with a soft cake base and tangy pudding.

Top it with Cool Whip for a cool, creamy finish that’s perfect for summer.

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24. Green Cake Pops

Green Cake Pops

Green cake pops are a fun and easy dessert idea for St. Patrick’s Day.

Switch up the shades for any event—these always stand out at celebrations.

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25. Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake

Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake

Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake delivers rich coffee ice cream, moist cake layers, and chocolate in every bite.

It’s a show-stopping dessert that feels indulgent yet easy to make.

Perfect for sharing at your next gathering.

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26. Orange Bundt Cake with Blackberry Icing

Orange Bundt Cake with Blackberry Icing

Orange Bundt Cake brings the zesty taste of fresh orange zest to every slice.

It’s finished with a vibrant purple blackberry icing that looks as good as it tastes.

Ideal for spring brunches or sunny celebrations.

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27. Almond Pound Cake

Almond Pound Cake

Almond Pound Cake is a dense, buttery cake packed with real almond flavor.

It has a sweet, crunchy topping that adds a little extra texture.

Serve it with whipped cream and raspberries for a simple yet elegant treat.

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28. Blueberry Crumb Cake

Blueberry Crumb Cake

Blueberry Crumb Cake is soft, buttery, and full of juicy blueberries.

It’s topped with a sweet, cinnamon-spiced crumb that’s both comforting and delicious.

Great for brunch, tea time, or a cozy afternoon snack.

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29. Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Cake is light, bright, and full of springtime flavor.

The tangy lemon, tropical coconut, and tiny poppy seeds make each bite special.

Perfect for summer picnics or sunny weekend treats.

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30. Jello Cake

Jello Cake

Jello Cake is a playful, no-fuss dessert with colorful streaks of strawberry jello.

It uses a simple boxed cake mix, making it easy to whip up in a hurry.

A hit at parties and gatherings where fun meets flavor.

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31. Narwhal Cupcakes

Narwhal Cupcakes

Narwhal Cupcakes are adorable ocean-themed treats with a whimsical twist.

They feature a cute horn and swirls of blue and purple frosting.

Ideal for kids’ parties or any underwater adventure theme.

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32. Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes

Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes

Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes are a fun, crunchy dessert with vanilla cake and caramel buttercream.

Topped with real caramel popcorn and drizzled with caramel syrup, they’re sweet and satisfying.

Great for circus, baseball, or any lively celebration.

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