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  4. Football Dessert Ideas for Game Day

Football Dessert Ideas for Game Day

Patricia S York, Assistant Food Editor at Southern Living
By Patricia S York
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Mississippi Mud Brownies
Credit: Jennifer Davick
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. Easy to bake, store, and transport, our top-rated game-day desserts are also fuss-free; it's ok to load up a napkin with a slice of cake and a couple of cookies and head back to the sidelines. There is an art to a successful tailgate event, and this tailgate party planner will help you with all the details. Rowdy games are sure to create thirsty guests, so keep them hydrated with one of these tailgate cocktails. 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. A pick from this lineup of fan-favorite football desserts will guarantee your party finishes with a win.
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Mississippi Mud Brownies

Mississippi Mud Brownies
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Brownies

Warm marshmallows, toasted pecans, and chocolate - who knew mud could be so delicious?

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Apple-Spice Bundt Cake

Apple-Spice Bundt Cake with Caramel Frosting
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Apple-Spice Bundt Cake

This favorite, old-fashioned, Southern cake has been updated with the warm flavors of chai tea spices.

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Whiskey Whoopie Pies

Whiskey Whoopie Pies
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Whiskey Whoopie Pies

These cute little treats can be made ahead and frozen before your event.

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White Sheet Cake with Team Color Icing

White Sheet Cake with Team Color Icing
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: White Sheet Cake with Team Color Icing

Decorate this delicious cake with the colors of your favorite team.

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Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt

Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt

This impressive bundt cake will be the centerpiece of your dessert sideboard.

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Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

How do you improve on a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie? Make it a deep-dish treat and bake in a cast-iron skillet.

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Ginger Shortbread Cookies with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting

Ginger Shortbread Cookies with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Ginger Shortbread Cookies with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting

These snappy tasting treats combine the fall flavor of ginger with a lemony tart frosting.

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Buttermilk Chess Tarts

Buttermilk Chess Tart Recipe

Recipe: Buttermilk Chess Tarts

The classic Southern pie is reinvented as an easy-to-handle mini tart.

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Fried Apple Pies

Fried Apple Pies
Credit: Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Fried Apple Pies

Served hot or at room temp, fried apple pies are a fan favorite at parties in the fall.

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Pecan Pound Cake

Pecan Pound Cake
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pecan Pound Cake

A delicious drizzle of lemony glaze gives this classic nut-filled cake an extra-nice finish.

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Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

These mini Bundt cakes, featuring seasonal flavors of sweet potatoes, rum, cinnamon, and nutmeg, are perfect pick-up treats for a party.

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Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Cookies Recipes: Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipes

Recipe: Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bursting with chocolate, these sweet treats are a traditional favorite at any party.

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German Chocolate Pecan Bars

German Chocolate Pecan Bars
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: German Chocolate-Pecan Bars

One of fall’s favorite pies is reinvented as a party pick-up treat.

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Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

Recipe: Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

The humble pantry staple, mayonnaise, is the secret ingredient in this ultra-moist chocolate cake.

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Luscious Lemon Bars

Lemon Bar Recipe
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Luscious Lemon Bars

This classic treat is always a favorite at brunches, picnics, potlucks, and tailgate events.

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Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing

Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing

The warm fudge icing is poured on the just-out-of-the-oven cake. Just add a glass of cold milk.

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Swoon Pies

Swoon Pies
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Swoon Pies

Jump start your party prep and make these cookie sandwiches in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator up to 24 hours.

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Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

The addition of oats in this recipe gives the cookies a heartier texture.

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Sweet Potato Pound Cake

Sweet Potato Pound Cake
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Potato Pound Cake

The addition of nutrient-rich sweet potatoes create a delicious twist on the traditional pound cake.

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Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

Beautiful on the dessert sideboard or a picnic table, this recipe includes everything good about the fall – cranberries, apples, and pumpkins.

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Classic Cola Cake

Coca-Cola Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Classic Cola Cake

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.

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Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Apple Hello Dolly Bars
Credit: Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple Hello Dolly Bars

The sweet and salty ingredients in this recipe make this treat a hit at potlucks or tailgates.

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By Patricia S York

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 22 Mississippi Mud Brownies
    2 of 22 Apple-Spice Bundt Cake
    3 of 22 Whiskey Whoopie Pies
    4 of 22 White Sheet Cake with Team Color Icing
    5 of 22 Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt
    6 of 22 Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
    7 of 22 Ginger Shortbread Cookies with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting
    8 of 22 Buttermilk Chess Tarts
    9 of 22 Fried Apple Pies
    10 of 22 Pecan Pound Cake
    11 of 22 Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes
    12 of 22 Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies
    13 of 22 German Chocolate Pecan Bars
    14 of 22 Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake
    15 of 22 Luscious Lemon Bars
    16 of 22 Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing
    17 of 22 Swoon Pies
    18 of 22 Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
    19 of 22 Sweet Potato Pound Cake
    20 of 22 Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt
    21 of 22 Classic Cola Cake
    22 of 22 Apple Hello Dolly Bars

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