Backpack-friendly snacks ~ cookies, bars, muffins, and more ~ homemade, packable, and ready to roll!
As a mom I’ve always operated from the point of view that school is hard. No matter whether yours is an A+ student (or not!) school is taxing, and any child who willingly trudges through that long day deserves high praise…and a treat.
A carefully wrapped backpack treat is a delicious little thread that connects them back to the comfort and safety of home. Of course you’re going to pack a healthy lunch and snack, but along with those carrot sticks and cups of yogurt, sneak in a little sweet surprise ❤️
the science of packing back to school treats
(Fyi any of the school treats featured here can be used for bake sales and care packages. They can also serve as after-school-treats!)
- Pack sweet treats with lunch, not as a snack: the sweet shouldn’t be the main event.
- Practice portion control: teach your kids good habits and pack a small treat with their lunch.
- Avoid soft frosted items (firm glazes are ok): frosting is near impossible to pack, it’s messy to eat, and tends to melt in warm temperatures.
- Avoid thin or crumbly cookies: go for thick sturdy cookies that won’t crush, and wrap snugly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Pack straight from the freezer: cookies and bars can be popped straight from the freezer to backpack. They’ll thaw perfectly in a couple of hours.
- Freezing treats allows you to keep things interesting: wrap bars and cookies in individual portions to freeze. That way you can change things up every day!
- If you don’t want to send something sweet every day: pick a special ‘treat’ day your kids can look forward to (how about Monday or Friday?)
How to Substitute Peanuts and Tree Nuts in Allergy-Friendly Recipes
If your school prohibits peanuts and tree nuts due to allergy concerns, don’t worry ~ you still have plenty of delicious options. Most nut butters can be swapped out 1:1 with these alternatives. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of peanut butter, simply use 1 cup of your chosen seed butter.
Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower seed butter is one of the most popular alternatives. It has a creamy texture and a mild, nutty flavor that works beautifully in baking and no-bake treats.
Soy Nut Butter
Made from roasted soybeans, soy nut butter mimics both the flavor and texture of peanut butter. It’s an easy, nut-free swap that kids often enjoy.
Other Seed Butters (Tahini, Pumpkin Seed Butter, etc.)
Sesame seed butter (tahini), pumpkin seed butter, and even hemp seed butter can be used in place of peanut or tree nut butters. Each has its own unique flavor, so choose based on the recipe and your taste preferences.
Fruity bars for September thru May
Strawberry Jam Bars
Strawberry jam bars are all about that unbeatable combo of buttery shortbread cookie dough and sweet-tart strawberry jam!
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Apple Crumb Bars
Apple Crumb Bars are an all season treat filled with layers of juicy fruit sandwiched between a light cake base and a buttery crumble topping. They bake up a little bit different every time, depending on the apples you choose. These apple bars are a joy!
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Sour Cherry Almond Bars
Sour Cherry Almond Bars ~ the cherry filling is nice and tart, the almond crumble is chewy and butterscotch-y ~ these are a must make!
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Blood Orange Crumble Bars
Blood orange crumble bars feature a sweet blood orange jam filling in a buttery shortbread crumble dough ~ they're fabulous!
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Raspberry Almond Bars
Crazy good raspberry almond bars that have a vibrant raspberry filling, lots of almond flavor, and a unique soft and crunchy texture ~ you can't go wrong with this recipe!
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Blackberry Cobbler Bars
Blackberry Cobbler Bars are a portable, snack-able version of everybody's favorite summer dessert!
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Cardamom Plum Crumble Bars
Cardamom Plum Crumble Bars ~ plums are in their element right now so no time to dither about what to make with them: bake them up to their juiciest potential in this buttery cardamom laced crumble…
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Cider Glazed Apple Pie Bars
Spiced Cider Glazed Apple Bars ~ these buttery shortbread crumble bars are stuffed with juicy SweeTango apples and drizzled with an outrageous spiced cider glaze!
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Fresh Cranberry Bars
Fresh Cranberry Bars are buttery shortbread crumble bars bursting with fresh tart cranberries and the combination is pure heaven. If you haven't baked with zingy cranberries yet, now is the time to start!
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White Peach Bars
White Peach Bars ~ these are thing things summer dreams are made of, with delicate and juicy white peaches baked up in a butter golden shortbread crumble crust!
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cookies that won’t crumble
classic peanut butter cookies
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies ~ these old fashioned style oatmeal cookies are crisp on the outside, chewy inside, and packed with tart cranberries.
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Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are pretty in pink with a fresh berry flavor. Freeze dried strawberries are the secret!
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Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Cranberry orange shortbread cookies are an easy holiday slice and bake recipe with a burst of cranberry and citrus. Use fresh or dried cranberries!
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Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
These soft sandwich cookies are a peanut butter lover's dream! A creamy peanut butter filling is sandwiched between plush sugar coated peanut butter cookies ~ how could they be anything but fabulous?
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Chewy Ginger Cookies
Chewy ginger cookies capture the essence of fall and the holiday season. A family tradition that's easy to make and full of festive flavor.
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Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are perfect for just about any occasion you can throw at them, just customize the colors!
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Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Make your day sweeter with peanut butter and jelly cookies. A fun recipe that combines the flavors loved by all ages.
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DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double Tree Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe ~ the secret's out, and it's official, Hilton has finally released the authentic recipe for their famous chocolate chip cookies. I tried the recipe and loved it, in fact this is my new favorite chocolate chip cookie.
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Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Nutella Sandwich Cookies ~ these easy cookies have a delicately crisp exterior, and are soft and chewy inside. A thick layer of Nutella filling seals the deal.
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Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies
Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies ~ these nutty, crunchy glazed cookies are a perfect way to ease into fall and holiday cookie baking season!
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Copycat Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies
Copycat Crumbl banana bread cookies are warm and cozy with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting topped with crushed pecans ~ Deeeeeelish!
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Soft Sugar Cookies
The big soft sugar cookies loaded with frosting the kids beg for ~ make them even better at home!
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Soft Glazed Gingerbread Cookies
Soft Glazed Gingerbread Cookies are stunningly gorgeous, but made quick and easy with cookie stamps.
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better than lunch lady bars & brownies
Lemon Brownies
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Chocolate chip cookie bars are the perfect dessert. This easy one bowl bar cookie recipe bakes up thicker and more decadent than your favorite chocolate chip cookie ~ no chilling or scooping necessary!
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Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Childhood classics get a grown-up choco-pb upgrade!
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Nutella S’mores Bars
Nutella S'mores Bars ~ everybody's favorite summer treat in an ooey, gooey, decadent, and delicious bar, no campfire needed!
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Butter Pecan Shortbread
Butter Pecan Shortbread is a classic buttery shortbread loaded up with crunchy pecans.
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Fudgy One Bowl Brownies
Fabulously Fudgy One Bowl Brownies! Brownies are the ultimate pantry recipe, moist, chewy, and so good ~ it makes enough to share, too!
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Chocoalate Chip Pumpkin Blondies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies are tender and delicious ~ I guarantee these easy moist pumpkin bars will be your new favorite fall snack!
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snack-able cakes
Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Praline Pumpkin Snack Cake
This pecan praline pumpkin cake has the perfect tender crumb, a lightly spiced pumpkin flavor, and an out of this world pecan praline frosting — get ready to drool.
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Honeybun Cake
An easy coffeecake that tastes like your favorite honey bun ~ and it starts with a cake mix!
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Powdered Sugar Doughnut Cake
This powdered sugar doughnut cake is an easy little snack cake that takes its cue from everybody's favorite childhood doughnut. The cakey texture, the perfect nutmeg flavor, and the thick layer of powdered sugar ~ it's all there, and it's delish!
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Swedish Visiting Cake
Swedish Visiting Cake is a simple yet delicious almond coffee cake with a crispy top and a soft, moist center.
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Dorie Greenspan’s Dimply Plum Cake
Dorie Greenspan's dimply plum cake can be made with any variety of plum, pluot, or aprium. It's an deliciously old fashioned snack cake!
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Strawberry Buttermilk Cake
A moist and easy fresh strawberry buttermilk cake that can go from breakfast and brunch to dessert.
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Gingerbread Crumb Cake
My Gingerbread Crumb Cake recipe is a warm spiced coffee cake made super moist and tender with molasses and sour cream.
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Strawberry Crumb Cake
A clever pastry-style technique gives this strawberry crumb cake its signature soft texture and golden crumb!
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Blueberry Buckle
Blueberry Buckle is a classic American dessert with a tender cake studded with juicy blueberries and topped with a crumbly streusel topping!
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Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake is a rustic Italian style dessert with a fabulously rich dense texture almost like cheesecake!
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Lemon Crunch Cake
This lemon crunch cake is an old fashioned style breakfast or snack cake with a pillowy soft texture, bright lemon flavor, and a delightful crunchy top.
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Pumpkin Crumb Cake
Pumpkin Crumb Cake is a classic New York style coffee cake ~ tall, moist with lots of crumbs! It's a fall and holiday breakfast tradition!
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Gold Star Quick Breads
One Banana Banana Bread!
Ultimate One Bowl Zucchini Bread
The Ultimate One Bowl Zucchini Bread because life is way too short to spend time tracking down the best recipe ~ so no worries, it's right here!
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Buttermilk Peach Bread
Buttermilk peach bread is a simple quick bread loaded with juicy peaches ~ if you're looking for an easy peach recipe and the perfect summer breakfast, you've just found it!
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Date Nut Bread
Date nut bread is rich, moist, and delicious. If you love banana bread and zucchini bread, then you need to add this retro quick bread to your recipe collection.
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Strawberry Banana Bread
Strawberry Banana Bread is soft, moist, and delicious ~ it's everything you love about banana bread…with strawberries!
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Blueberry Poppy Seed Bread
This easy one bowl Blueberry Poppy Seed Bread is packed with sweet berries and a light poppy seed crunch ~ perfect for breakfast, snacking, and sharing.
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Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake
My apple cider doughnut loaf cake is the fall cake of your dreams. This quick and easy apple bread tastes just like a soft moist cider doughnut!
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Paleo Breakfast Bread
My quick and easy Paleo Fruit and Nut Bread is grain free, dairy free, without added sugar. This quick bread is also amazingly versatile ~ serve it for breakfast or as an energizing healthy snack. It also happens to be absolutely fabulous toasted!
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Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread
Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread with crunchy poppy seeds and fresh grated zucchini folded into a moist, lemon scented quick bread.
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Apple Fritter Bread
Easy Apple Fritter Bread ~ tart apples are swirled with brown sugar and spices in this classic loaf cake, topped with a sweet crackly glaze. This apple quick bread takes a cue from the down home deep fried apple fritters grandma made. Fall baking doesn’t get any better than this!
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Perfect Pumpkin Bread
My pumpkin bread is a soft moist fall quick bread that bakes up perfectly every time ~ this recipe is foolproof!
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Love muffins
Perfect Lemon Muffins
Orange and Cardamom Muffins
Orange and Cardamom Muffins ~ delicately fragrant muffins flavored with bright orange zest and warm, spicy cardamom, this easy muffin recipe is unique and delicious!
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Fresh Cranberry Muffins
Fresh Cranberry Muffins are loaded with tangy pops of cranberry ~ the color and flavor of fresh cranberries are unrivaled in the food world, if you ask me. This easy one bowl recipe proves that winter food can definitely be bright and fresh!
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Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins
These Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins are here for you when you just can’t wait another second for Fall. They’re soft and tender inside, with that classic cider doughnut cinnamon sugar crust…so good!
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Perfect Blueberry Muffins
Is there anything better than a perfect blueberry muffin? If I could only bake one thing for the rest of my life, it would be a moist, fluffy muffin loaded with bright juicy blueberries. It's a recipe worth perfecting.
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Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
Moist and lightly sweet, these almond poppy seed muffins are a pantry-friendly treat with fragrant almond flavor and a satisfying poppy seed crunch.
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Apple Walnut Bran Muffins
Healthy high fiber apple walnut bran muffins are easy to throw together and make such a satisfying breakfast for back to school season!
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Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins are super moist and full of rich, complex flavor. They're our new favorite any-time-of-day treat
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Triple Berry Muffins
Triple Berry Muffins are moist, sweet, and bursting with tart berry flavor. Use fresh or frozen berries for these classically delicious breakfast treats.
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Chocolate Muffins
Double chocolate muffins are moist, rich, and easy enough to make any day of the week!
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Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins
Pumpkin doughnut muffins are pillowy little pumpkin spice muffins coated in a crisp cinnamon sugar crust. This pumpkin doughnut remix is the best thing to happen to Fall since the PSL!
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Peanut Butter Muffins with Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter Muffins are super moist, full of peanut butter flavor, and stuffed with mini chocolate chips ~ these protein packed energy boosters are a family favorite!
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Apple Crisp Muffins
Apple Crisp Muffins are filled with juicy chunks of apple and topped with a brown sugar streusel so you can enjoy your favorite fall dessert, for breakfast!
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Packable Bundts
Glazed Old Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnut Bundt Cake
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
A lemon blueberry bundt cake is a moist breakfast or tea time cake that combines tart citrus with bursts of juicy berries. It's one of those cakes that looks as good as it tastes.
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Pumpkin Doughnut Cake
My Pumpkin Doughnut Cake is a lightly spiced pumpkin cake with a crisp sugar doughnut crust that makes it the ULTIMATE fall treat!
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Lemon Drizzle Cake
Lemon drizzle cake is a classic British lemon sponge cake topped with a sweet-tart glaze ~ made famous by Mary Berry!
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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is a must make every fall — this pumpkin bundt cake is moist and tender with just the right amount of spice, and the chocolate chips take it from delicious to dynamite!
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Cardamom Coffee Cake
Cardamom Coffee Cake from the 1974 Moosewood Cookbook ~ Mollie Katzen calls this epic bundt the richest cake in the world!
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Perfect Pound Cake
Perfect Buttermilk Pound Cake is that once in a lifetime recipe made with the perfect ratio of butter, sugar, eggs and flour. This easy bundt cake always comes out perfect, and you'll be baking it for years to come.
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Glazed Gingerbread Bundt Cake
Glazed Gingerbread Bundt Cake ~ A tender lightly spiced gingerbread cake iced with a thin sugar glaze ~ this delicious cake is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit.
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Lemon Yogurt Breakfast Cake
Lemon Yogurt Breakfast Cake is an Italian style coffee cake with a soft, pillowy texture and a delicate lemon flavor.
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Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake is a warm cinnamon apple bundt cake that tastes just like Fall's iconic apple cider doughnuts. It's basically everything you love about the season, baked up in a pan.
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