30 Desserts That Will Score A Touchdown On Game Day

House divided between two teams? Decorate these sweet cookies without choosing a side! Be sure to add your festive sprinkles before the frosting sets. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

“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.”

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. 

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. 

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.”

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pecan Pie Brownies

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.

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.

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.

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.