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Home » Recipes

10 Pot Luck Dishes for Holiday Gatherings!

I've been tasked with bringing a dish to a pot luck gathering on Saturday, and I'm guessing I am not alone this time of year. December could almost be dubbed the "Month of Pot Luck Parties" so I'm here to share some ideas of what you can bring to all your holiday gatherings in the coming weeks.

Oh and I was asked to bring a dessert, but I can't decide between the Whole-Wheat Madeleines and No-Bake Peanut Butter Dessert Bars ... both are just too good! Maybe you guys can help be the tie breaker, what do you think? :)

10 Pot Luck Dishes for Holiday Gatherings on 100 Days of Real Food

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Appetizers and Sides

1. Chopped Salad

This one is at the top of the list for a reason. I've made it for multiple group gatherings, and it's always a HUGE hit! To the point where people will ask you for the recipe ... so, go for it!

Homemade Chopped Salad with lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, raisins, couscous, and salmon.

2. Crab and Corn Cakes

This is one of those fabulous dishes that tastes great warm or at room temp ... the perfect kind of appetizer when you know it will be sitting out for a couple hours!

A plated filled with Crab and Corn Cakes drizzled with sour cream and chopped onions.

3. Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cream Biscuits

These are not only my favorite biscuits, but they are the easiest to make. You could even have your elementary-aged children whip these up for you if you don't have the time.

Three Melt in your Mouth Cream Biscuits with one filled with jelly.

4. Creamy Kale Caesar Salad

Kale is all the rage for health reasons these days, and this recipe is the perfect combo to prove it actually tastes good, too! Add something light to the buffet table with this one.

Creamy Kale Caesar Salad in a bowl topped with shredded cheese.

5. Deviled Eggs

If you're looking for a budget-friendly appetizer, this is it! It's been my go-to for years when it comes to pot luck gatherings because I always have eggs on hand, and they are almost always a crowd-pleaser (especially for those with special dietary needs).

Deviled eggs on a plate sprinkled with paprika.

Desserts

6. Whole-Wheat Madeleines

I've honestly been looking for an excuse to make these again ... so simple, yet fancy and tasty. The lemon flavor gives these "cookies" a lighter flavor than other more-typical desserts this time of year.

Nine homemade Whole-Wheat Madeleines on a teal plate sprinkled with powdered sugar.

7. Chocolate Chip Blondies

A twist to your standard chocolate chip cookie ... I never met a chocolate chip cookie I didn't like, and these are no exception!

Five Chocolate Chip Blondies on a white plate.

8. 5-Minute Brownies

I'm not sure homemade brownies need an explanation? You'll definitely come home with an empty dish if you decide to bring these!

Three homemade brownies stacked on a white dish with a glass of cold milk.

9. Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Nothing speaks "special" like a bundt cake, so this one will stand out on the dessert table or be a perfect addition to a sit-down holiday dinner gathering with friends.

A large blueberry bundt cake with lemon icing drizzled on top and fresh blueberries.

10. No-Bake Peanut Butter Dessert Bars

I promise you can never go wrong with these. They're dangerous to have around my house for too long, so I only make them when I know I'll get to share with lots of willing people!

A plate piled high with No-Bake Peanut Butter Dessert Bars.

So what's your vote for me to take Saturday night? Whole-Wheat Madeleines or No-Bake Peanut Butter Dessert Bars?

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About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Eric says

    December 30, 2016 at 10:51 am

    My main reason to look for other recipes is to find meal ideas that are aligned with a diabetic need to reduce sugar and simple starches in the diet. Only 2 of your 9 recipes meet this criteria. I went from being under control (blood sugar less than 120) to being about 150 each morning over the Holidays. When I eat out or at gatherings I blow it even when limiting calories and indulging. Now that I am back home in two days my blood sugar is back to <120. I lost 10 lbs and that really helped but the slightest infraction pushes the numbers up. I'm happy that I haven't seen anything over 200 or even close in a very long time but want to keep these numbers down. I need to lose another 20 lbs and finally see a path to get there but am too easily tempted to stray during the Holidays especially. The good news is that I didn't gain any weight.

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    December 03, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    Love your recipes, but it's kind of annoying when I click a link from your email and get a pop to to join your mailing list every time. Obviously I'm on your list.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 26, 2016 at 2:47 am

      Agree

      Reply
  3. Shelby says

    December 02, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    Wish I was at your potluck so I could try the peanut butter bars!! Guess I'll have to make some soon!

    Reply
  4. Robin Goodman says

    December 02, 2016 at 11:38 am

    Peanut butter bars. Good excuse to make something that rich and not have to keep the whole pan in the house.
    Madeline's for Santa.

    Reply
  5. Tess D says

    December 01, 2016 at 7:16 pm

    I'm no use as a tie-breaker, cuz they both look great to me, too!
    But I have a question about the chopped salad. It looks delish, but I notice it serves 3-4 people. Have you ever made a larger "batch" and changed the presentation? I guess I could use a larger platter, but also wondering how it would do as a layered salad, maybe in a trifle dish.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      December 05, 2016 at 1:11 pm

      Hi. I think it would work fine as a layered salad, too. :)

      Reply
  6. Jan says

    December 01, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    What a silly question--Peanut Butter Bars, of course. ;)

    Reply
  7. knitogether says

    December 01, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    Hands down the peanut butter bars!

    Reply
  8. Holly Rosene says

    December 01, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    I would bring the whole wheat Madelienes for dessert. They will be different and extra special.

    Reply
  9. Katyana says

    December 01, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    I've made the devilled eggs already for a Halloween Pot Luck and they disappeared in a flash!

    Reply
  10. Susan Brandenburg says

    December 01, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    Peanut butter bars! I can't wait to try them!!

    Reply
  11. yvonne says

    December 01, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    I would definitely go with the Peanut Butter bars! But then, I have a serious weakness for anything with peanut butter, so I'm a little biased. ;)
    Either way, have a wonderful time at your pot-luck!

    Reply
  12. Cathy says

    December 01, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    Peanut butter bars! Who can resist chocolate and peanut butter together??

    Reply
  13. Marie says

    December 01, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    Peanut Butter Bars, Hands down!

    Reply
  14. Brooke says

    December 01, 2016 at 2:36 pm

    I vote PB bars. Thanks for the list!

    Reply
  15. Donna says

    December 01, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    Although I am a Peanut butter Lover... I think the Madeleines are more Elegant to bring to a Holliday Gathering. Yum to Both!! xoxo

    Reply
  16. Louie says

    December 01, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    Yep, the peanut butter bars are one of our favourites!

    Reply
  17. Jessica says

    December 01, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    PB Bars! Can't wait to try them myself!

    Reply
  18. Emma says

    December 01, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    I love the madeleines! A potluck is the perfect reason to make them! and they always smell so delicious!! When I first saw your recipe for them (when you went to cooking school with your daughter), I actually bought a madeleine baking pan off of Amazon and I've made them a few times now - always a big hit!!

    Reply
  19. Janel says

    December 01, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    The peanut butter bars. They're amazing.

    Reply
  20. Catherine says

    December 01, 2016 at 6:22 am

    The chocolate chip blondies look delectable to me ... will have to bring them to my next social gathering!

    Reply
  21. Beth says

    November 30, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    My vote is No-Bake Peanut Butter Dessert Bars ALL THE WAY! And I'm book-marking the recipe so I can make 'em too. :)

    Reply
  22. LeeAnn says

    November 30, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    I vote for the Madeleines... tho' the bars look good too.

    Reply

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