Ditch the Fork With These 14 Cookout-Friendly Desserts (No Cleanup Required!)

Before I leave my apartment, I like to cycle through a mental checklist to be sure I have all the essentials. Keys? Check. Wallet. Ditto. Extra fudgy brownie for eating on the go? Yup. 

Though I’d love to dig into a slice of layer cake or gooey apple pie while I’m commuting across town or socializing at a cookout, those confections aren’t exactly portable. That’s where a handheld dessert comes in. It feels a little Seussian to say, but there’s joy in savoring these desserts anywhere, no matter the circumstance: in the car, on a bench, atop a grassy lawn, or at a friend’s backyard barbecue. 

Below, you’ll find 14 recipes for dessert that can be easily eaten in one hand, whether you’re out and about or making the rounds at a potluck or dinner party: creamy mango popsicles, homemade strawberry Pop-Tarts, and crumbly shortbread cookies. These recipes are made for those who like to wander, roam, and galavant—dessert in tow of course.