Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride

by Justin Burke, Brian Samuels (photographer)

Simple, nostalgic recipes from a trusted guide in the world of baking, the world of queerness, and the world of queer baking.


Justin Burke credits his first queer potluck with changing his life. Gathering around a table piled high with homemade food evoked a sense of unity that bridged individuals beyond societal norms, sparking within him a passion for food that launched his career as a baker. Now a potluck pro, Burke shares his playful, delicious recipes in Potluck Desserts, from Lemon-Thyme Bars and Hummingbird Blondies to Snickerdoodle Peach Cobbler and Cranberry-Orange Fluff Salad. Refined yet approachable, these stylish sweets are organized by baking dish—sheet pans, rectangular pans and foil tins, loaf pans, casserole dishes, and bowls, bundts, and other round things—and tagged by time to further simplify the process. Complete with charming personal anecdotes, reflections on the social importance of potlucks—particularly in the queer community, and stunning photography of an abundance of good food, Potluck Desserts gives the home baker the tools, confidence, and pride to serve beloved, nostalgic dishes that everyone will love—colleagues, friends, families, and chosen families included.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Became an instant favorite book! Not only does every single recipe appeal to me and suit the exact kind of events I bake for, but the cookbook-as-memoir game is STRONG and so affirming. Subtle creativity shines in the design and organization by pan shape and type!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of retro dessert recipes. There are not photos of all the recipes. I’m sure everyone can find at least a few recipes they’ll like.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, shout out to Bryan Samuels for the absolutely stunning photographs of both food and fellowship. This book is all about community. It's also all about how Burke survives and chooses his own family groups.

There's a lot to choose from and Burke covers all sharable desserts. He categorizes them into the following sections: Rectangle and Square Pans (and disposable tins); Sheet Pans; Loaf Pans; Casserole Dishes; and Bowls, Bundts and Other Round Things.

Potlucks are stressful for me. I want to bring something that everyone will eat up and rave about. Burke states, "Bringing a dish to a party is definitely not a competition, but it also kind of is" (9). So true. On that vein, why wouldn't you always want to take dessert! It's going to be the last dish the guests remember.

I recognized a lot of Burke's recipes from my childhood, things like poke cakes, dump cakes, buckles and cobblers. (Burke calls these heirloom recipes). Some of these are recipes from his grandmother, which were passed down in a "weathered scrapbook" (32). Not everything is baked. There's lots of no-churn ice cream recipes in the Loaf Pan section. This is also true in what I would call his "fluff" desserts, things like Ambrosia Salad (which my mom made every Thanksgiving), Pistachio Fluff Salad, and Cranberry-Orange Fluff Salad. There's another recipe that reminds me of growing up---the Strawberry Pretzel Jell-O dessert that made the rounds in the 80s. I also saw the fruit pizza recipe that Burke entitles "Pride Celebration Slab Tart."

I love that while Burke elevates some old fashioned standbys, he is not afraid of using Cool Whip, pre-made puff pastry, boxed cake mixes and Jell-O. I'm not sure anything was truly "avant-garde" comparable (as mentioned in the book blurb). If anything they were vintage and retro and delicious.

He takes this cookbook beyond just being about desserts when he talks about how potlucks may have saved him and how they were inclusive in the many different geographic communities he has lived in (beyond where he grew up). The recipes he presents are a bonus to his story of finding self and community.

The essays throughout are thought provoking so don't skip over them. Also, don't skip over the insets where Burke shares some great tips on blooming cocoa powder, rubbing citrus zest with the sugar, browning butter, chilling cookie dough, and cold oven baking for quick breads. (This is not a definitive list. There are a lot more useful tips that he shares.)

Reading Potluck Desserts really was a walk down memory lane. As I mentioned above, I saw a lot of recipes from my own childhood here.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff

[Carlton Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes for potlucks! Also this would be a great gift for someone in the LGBTQ+ community who loves to cook or bake.

[Carol Catinari · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting cookbook with several recipes I may try. The narrative relates the authors journey in the LBGQTIA world and the importance of potlucks, food, and gatherings to its members.

[E.]

Fabulous cookbook! Loved the personal bits included by the author. Very talented Boston-based food photographer!!

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting twists and takes on desserts, but overall not too much that appealed to me.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

queer sweet potluck recipes - easy transport options. also with some classic jello salad additions.