How to keep the mess to a minimum while scoring high with these cacao-rich picnic dessert ideas

Picnic season is finally upon us. Delving into an irresistible spread with clear skies above and your friends around you — a perfect springtime day. But as you unpack warm, battered Tupperware you lovingly prepared only a few hours earlier, you realise the logistics can be a little bit more of a nuisance than expected. To save you from dealing with the disappointments yourself, we’ve compiled our top tips for making your picnic a success, with a focus on our forte: our dessert ideas.

Chocolate dessert ideas for your summer picnic

Any recommendations that made the cut had to tick three all-important boxes:

Minimal refrigeration

If it’s a few degrees warmer than predicted, you should be enjoying it — not worrying about the food melting.

Travel friendly

From the car journey to the walk to the picnic spot, your supplies are bound to get bashed around a bit. Anything too fragile simply won’t work.

Shareability

When you know you’ll be sharing food, your preparations should reflect that. It’ll only make life easier. We prefer desserts requiring minimal crockery, and no extra mess.

Let’s tuck in.

Your favourite chocolate brownies

The hallmark of a good brownie is that wonderfully gooey texture. But for all its melt-in-the-mouth tastiness, it still has structural integrity — a characteristic that stands it in good stead as one of the best picnic treats you can get.

A batch of brownies is super easy to portion out and pack up — either a few squares or the whole tray. And they’re a certified crowd pleaser.

Chocolate-dipped strawberries

Whatever the weather, chocolate-dipped strawberries bring the sunshine. If a summer’s day was a snack, this would be it. They’re also incredibly quick and easy to make, so if you’re already up to your ears with other bits to prepare, they’re the perfect low-effort sweet treat to add to the mix.

All you have to do is melt some chocolate, dip the strawberries into it, then put them into the fridge to chill the night before. We’d advise transporting them in a cool box to prevent the chocolate from melting. But if the weather’s on the cooler side they should last the journey without.

Rocky road

The ultra-indulgent combination of chocolate, marshmallows and nuts makes rocky road an absolute classic. And that chocolatey, crunchy texture doesn’t just give this treat its satisfying bites. It gets points for practicality, too.

Simple to slice, resistant to melting and a complete showstopper. They’ve definitely earned their place in the basket.

New to making rocky road? We recommend this recipe from BBC Good Food. Start with chocolate with a high cacao content. Why not try our 70% Dark Chocolate Batons for a nuanced flavour profile? Alternatively, if you prefer slightly more mellow, creamy chocolate, our signature 40% Milk Chocolate Slab offers the perfect melt-in-the-mouth experience.

Mini cheesecake pots

Thinking beyond the classics, mini cheesecake pots are an adorable addition to any picnic. As well as tasting the part, they really add to the picnic aesthetic. Little dessert-packed mason jars to pack inside a wicker basket, with a quintessential gingham mat? The scene’s picture-perfect.

While you can adapt ordinary cheesecake recipes to create mini versions, we love this recipe from Let’s Dish for creating mini cheesecakes. With fresh fruit, chocolate and other toppings, you can put your own twist on your creations.

Packing individual jars may sound a little clunky, but they’re surprisingly stackable. Plus, with their own lids, you’re adding an extra layer of mess prevention.

Chocolate Selectors: the ideal picnic dessert bites

Sometimes you won’t have time to whip up multiple desserts for a picnic, and that’s where we come in. After all, the stress of preparing for a picnic certainly shouldn’t counter your enjoyment of the occasion. And with so many readymade options out there, there’s no need for the hard graft unless you feel up to it.

For pre-packaged, ready-to-go picnic treats that still have a special occasion feel, allow us to point you in the direction of our Chocolate Selectors. These bite-sized chunks of heavenly chocolate are perfect for stashing in a hamper and sharing with friends. Plus, you can get all of Hotel Chocolat’s many types of chocolate in Selector form, including our Patisserie-inspired collection. So you’ll be able to bring your group’s all-time dessert favourites to your picnic or introduce them to something new.

We’re sure you won’t need any help finding a pack that catches your eye, but as for our summertime picks? It has to be Strawberry Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, and Eton Mess.

How to keep your picnic desserts cool and fresh

As well as choosing the right dessert for your picnic, you’ll still want to store them in a way that maximises freshness. With a little bit of planning, you’ll still be able to enjoy it at its best.

Our first tip is to refrigerate the desserts before you go out. The idea of a jawbreaking rocky road probably makes you grimace — or you might think any kind of chocolate in the fridge is just plain wrong. But by making them extra cold before showtime, they’ll get down to their ideal temp by the time you want to eat them.

As for packing your hamper, make sure to add a few ice packs into the mix. Place them strategically next to the more temperature-sensitive food and drinks so their cooling power goes furthest. We’ve got a whole blog on how to pack your basket like a professional.

When you’re at the picnic, take care to keep food covered. This stops the cold from getting out, bugs from creeping in, and any sunlight speeding up the melting process. It sounds obvious, but it’s easier said than done when your group keeps coming back for seconds.

Picnic-worthy delights from Hotel Chocolat

If you suspect those sneaky hands will be reaching for the treats before they’ve even started their sandwiches, a small selection of chocolates won’t be enough.

To scale up from the Selectors, take a look at our unique Batons and Slabs. Their snapability makes them another choice that’s great for sharing. And the slim packaging means they can slot into the side of your hamper quite nicely.

Similarly easy to pack, we have our Sleeksters. Sleek by name and sleek by nature, these elegant chocolate boxes will guarantee everyone’s favourite is invited to the party.

For more picnicking advice from Hotel Chocolat, read our guide on what to include in a romantic picnic hampers for two.