Can I Bring Cookies to a Potluck?

Cookies are a fantastic food to bring to a potluck! Not only do most people like cookies but there are zillions of different kinds as well. Cookies are perfect for those that love to bake, have time to make them, or they can be grabbed at any bakery or grocery store.

Cookies can be handmade from scratch, made from a mix, or store bought, and they are sure to please the host and the rest of the guests. There are a few things you may want to consider the next time you bring cookies to a party though….

How do you bring cookies to a party?

Here is my list of things to keep in mind when bring cookies to a party. These will ensure that the potluck host and all the guests end up with a great cookies and less stress!

Quantity– make sure that you bring enough cookies for everyone coming. If this is for a lunch party or dinner party, you can assume that each adult will eat 1-2 cookies, so you will want to make sure you bring enough. If this is for a barbeque or a kid’s party, then you can assume that every person will eat 2 cookes. (That includes the kids as well!)
Presentation– This applies more to store bought cookies, but you will want to make sure the cookies are easy for guests to help themselves. If they come from a grocery store or bakery in the plastic container, you can bring them as they are. If the cookies come in a large bag, then you will want to bring a separate container to put the cookies in. This will keep the guests from having to reach in and grab a cookie and potentially touch lots and lots of cookies. Not only is a bag a potential germ fest, but it just looks tacky to have a bag on the buffet table. (Pro Tip: If you buy a cookie like Chips A Hoy or Oreas, just pull off the plastic sleeve and leave the plastic tray on the table!)
Nuts– If you bring cookies that have known allergens like peanuts or tree nuts, it is common decency to label the cookies. This will let the guests know if any possible allergens are in the cookies and that they may need to skip that dessert. (Pro Tip: Without a label, it is sometimes difficult to tell if a cookie is made with peanut butter, almond bark, or any other common ingredient that contains nuts.)
Frosted Cookies– Cookies that are topped with icing or frosting can make a pretty big mess. So it is better to make multiple platters than try to smush as many as possible on one tray. This goes for any cookie bars that crumble easily as well. No one wants to get a smashed or crumbled cookie at the bottom of a messy platter.
Storage– in order for homemade cookies to remain fresh and not taste stale, they will need to be stored in an airtight container. I personally love to buy the super cheap large tupperware containers from the Dollar Tree. If you are making a platter, make sure to use a clear plastic wrap that completely covers the cookies and keeps the platter sealed until it is time to eat. (Pro tip: If you overlap the plastic wrap and wrap from two different directions, you will create a great seal that is also easy to unwrap later.)
Clean Up– As mentioned above, I love to bring my cookies to a potluck in a large Tupperware style container. This is because they are super easy to clean and if I leave a party early, I don’t mind just leaving the container for the host. If you are not sure if you are going to stay for the entire party, make sure that you don’t bring a container that might not make it back to you.

Is it ok to bring cookies to a potluck?

Cookies are a perfect option to bring to a potluck because they work for lots of different people. For instance, if you love to bake, cookies are a great way to show off your skills!

If you cannot bake or cook at all or are just running out of time, do yourself a favor and just buy some cookies.

Don’t forget the potluck parties are not meant to be a culinary competition, they are meant to be a social gathering with food. This means you are normally invited to a party for your company and not for what desert you bring.

For more information on what to bring to potlucks, check out “Can I bring Chips to a Potluck?“