Summertime in Chicago this year has been hot, but we Midwesterners are still getting our fill of sunshine, grilling, and lakeside afternoons. After all, we know what’s coming in just a few months’ time. For me, it’s not summer in Chicago until I’ve spontaneously texted a few friends and gathered by the lakeside for a spur-of-the-moment picnic.
There’s something about eating outside in the heat of the summer that makes any gathering special, but it takes a bit of planning to stack the menu with transportable, easy to eat favorites. Whether you’re gathering with your friends for a concert in Millennium Park, a lakeside picnic by the Belmont Harbor, or a simple stoop snack party, these desserts are prime for summer eating season.
1. Sheet Cakes All Day
I love a fancy, beautiful layer cake as much as the next girl, and having a winter birthday means I get my way every year. But for summer picnics that call for cake, I opt instead for a big sheet cake. It’s easier to transport a flat cake, especially if you can find a sheet pan that comes with a lid. Just stick it on top of whatever else is on the cooler and you’re good to go. My favorite? This Texas sheet cake recipe that’s spiked with tahini.
2. Bars Over Berries
Fresh fruit is one of my favorite parts of a Midwest summer. Berries, cherries, currants, and nectarines are all in my farmers’ market haul every weekend. But I can’t tell you how many tote bags I’ve permanently stained varying shades of purple when my berries start melting in the heat or get crushed by my other vittles.
This summer, I’ve been baking these fresh summer treats into simple jam bars to celebrate the flavor without compromising on texture. I slice the bars ahead of time and pop them into a reusable container for all the fruity flavors but none of the mess.
3. Granola Gone Wild
Okay, this might not sound like the most exciting dessert option out there, but hear me out. I make granola every week (yes, even in the summer!) and lately, I’ve been making it sweeter and full of treats so it can be a packable summer dessert. Adding some dried fruit (local, of course!), fun spices, and chocolate chips takes granola from a breakfast staple to a sweet snack. I’ve also been using more honey and maple syrup to create larger clusters that serve as the perfect snack for a bike ride or long walk around the lake.
4. Well-Constructed Cookies
Cookies are the ultimate portable dessert, but once you introduce melty chocolate chips, fussy icing, or any sort of glaze, the summer appeal fades. Instead of using any of those recipes, opt instead for snickerdoodles, peanut butter cookies, or simple but delicious shortbread. These cookies can even be made into bars for a more solid, less crumbly way to treat your friends and family.
A few tips before you get baking: always remember to keep food cool, especially as the heat index and humidity gets high. I like to pack my desserts in shallow containers lined with parchment paper that I stack in my cooler bag. Instead of ice packs, I freeze a few water bottles the night before the picnic—that way, by the time I show up, my ice packs have turned into my hydration for the day!
I also like to slice or portion out the desserts as much as I can before I head out for the picnic. That way, there’s no need to bring a knife or worry about who gets what size piece.
Lastly, don’t forget napkins. Try to find compostable options to keep your picnic as green as possible.
The Chopping Block has some classes coming up that feature dishes that would be perfect for a picnic. Don't miss:
- If you are living your life wheat-free, we have a hands-on Gluten-Free Baking & Pastry class on Saturday, August 2 at 11am.
- Learn how to make breads for all of your picnic sandwiches in hands-on How to Bake Bread on Friday, August 15 at 11am.
- Turn into a pasta pro and make homemade pasta for your picnic salads in hands-on Pasta and Gnocchi Workshop on Monday, August 18 at 6pm.
- For a vegetarian al fresco meal, you'll want to learn how to make all of the dishes featured in Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Harvest on Monday, August 26 at 6pm.
- And to learn how to pair wines perfect for a picnic, be sure to attend Sunset Sips and Savory Supper: A Patio Wine and Food Experience on Friday, August 15 at 6:30pm.
