Classic Picnic Cookie Recipes

Picnic cookie recipes from grandmother's era bring nostalgic charm to outdoor gatherings year-round. These treasured recipes produce cookies that travel well, stay fresh longer, and deliver the perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and irresistible flavors.

From classic oatmeal drops to toasted mallow treats and decadent chocolate nut bars, these 5 time-tested favorites will make your next picnic or backyard gathering memorably delicious.

5 Time-Tested Picnic Cookie Recipes

One Hundred Picnic Suggestions (1915)

Chewy Oatmeal Drop Cookies

For this old fashioned picnic cookie recipe, chop 2 cups of rolled oats, add 1 cup of seeded and cut raisins, 1 cup of pecans or walnuts, broken in small pieces, and 1 cup of butter creamed with 1 scant cup of sugar.

Add 3 beaten eggs and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1/3 cup of milk. Add the grated rind of 1 orange and 1 tablespoon of the juice, and 2 cups of flour.

Drop from small spoon on buttered tin and bake (350°F) till done. When cool pack in layers in a box with waxed paper between each layer.

Fruit-Studded Rock Cookies With Nuts

Cream 1 cup of butter, add 1 cup of fine granulated sugar, 3 beaten eggs and beat well. Add 1 cup of flour sifted with 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and beat 15 minutes.

Add 1 cup each of seeded raisins or sultanas, currants, and chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans), and 3 tablespoons of brandy (optional). A few chopped dates may also be added, if at hand.

Drop from a spoon onto a buttered paper and bake in a quick oven (425°F). These will keep for a long time. Wrap each one in waxed paper and pack in a tin box. Perfect for picnics.

Pineapple-Filled Cookie Sandwiches

Cook 2 cups of minced or shredded pineapple with 1 cup of sugar and the juice of a lemon. When thick, cool and add a grating of the yellow rind of the lemon.

Spread this between ladyfingers, macaroons, or plain drop cookies, and pack in layers in a box with waxed paper and cardboard between each layer.

 Quick Toasted Mallow-Graham Treats

Graham crackers
Peanut butter
Marshmallows

For each marshmallow sandwich, spread one cracker with peanut butter. Top with hot toasted marshmallow and second cracker. Press together slightly.

Rich Chocolate Nut Bars

For this old fashioned picnic cookie recipe, mix 1/2 cup of softened butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 squares of melted chocolate, a pinch of salt, 2 well-beaten egg yolks, and 1/4 cup of flour.

Beat well and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 cup of broken pecan meats, and 1/4 cup of flour sifted with 1/2 teaspoon of baking-powder. Turn into buttered, shallow tins and bake in a moderate oven (375°F).

Cut into bars while still warm. When cool, wrap each bar in waxed paper. So handy to take on picnics.

Packing Your Picnic Cookie Tin

These authentic picnic cookie recipes have delighted generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Each recipe offers unique features perfect for picnics — the oatmeal drops stay fresh for days in a sealed container, rock cookies resist crumbling, and the chocolate nut bars pack easily.

Remember to layer your cookies between waxed paper and store in sturdy cookie tins or sealed containers to maintain their freshness. Why not start a new family tradition with these time-tested treats at your next outdoor gathering?