Bake sales used to be so simple (well, simpler). Stop by the store on your way to school, pick up a couple dozen cupcakes, and call it a day. But as more and more kids are diagnosed with food allergies and intolerances, parents have to be extracautious when serving desserts to their children's peers. But this doesn't mean your baked goods have to become complicated or flavorless. From gluten-free treats to nut-free sweets, we have 31 easy and tasty recipes that are sure to be a hit at the next bake sale.
Funfetti Rice Krispies Treats
The addition of cake mix and sprinkles makes these funfetti bars [1] an unexpected alternative to the traditional Rice Krispies treat.
Source: K&K Test Kitchen [2]
Baked Whole-Wheat Raspberry Doughnuts
You don't tend to think of doughnuts as a healthy treat, but these baked whole-wheat raspberry doughnuts [3] from Catherine McCord of Weelicious aren't the sugary, greasy doughnuts we all grew up on. Baked rather than fried, made with whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose, and full of fresh raspberries just bursting with sweetness, they're packed with goodness for hungry tots.
Source: Catherine McCord's Weelicious [4]
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thanks to Make It and Love It, kids with celiac disease can enjoy a classic chocolate chip cookie [5].
Source: Make It and Love It [6]
Oreo Truffles
The kids can help you make these sweet treats [7] from Gimme Some Oven.
Carrot Cupcakes
Sneak some veggies into your bake sale goodies with our carrot cupcakes [8].
Photo: Nicole Perry
Triple Chocolate Brownies
Whip up a batch of ooey, gooey Triple Chocolate Brownies [9] the Martha Stewart [10] way — in your Crock-Pot!
Source: Martha Stewart [11]
Doughnut Holes
The best thing about Chez Us's sugary treat [12] is that it's baked — not fried! Throw a bunch in a bag to sell to the hungry kids.
Monster Cookies
Cooking With My Kid has a great solution for leftover candy — monster cookies [13].
Source: Cooking With My Kid [14]
Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
Layers of colorful Krispies make for a rainbow [15] of a crunchy, satisfying treat.
Source: Raspberri Cupcakes [16]
Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes
Brilliant Sugar's Oreo cheesecake cupcakes [17] have an Oreo base topped with a layer of cookies-and-cream cheesecake. Yum.
No-Bake Chocolate Cookies
Get the kids involved when making these oven-free chocolate cookies [18] from Two Peas and Their Pod.
Source: Two Peas and Their Pod [19]
Popcorn-Strawberry Bars
Popcorn-strawberry bars [20] are a fun, fruity snack for kids.
Source: The Popcorn Board [21]
Cookies-and-Cream Oreo Fudge Brownies
Kevin and Amanda's cookies-and-cream Oreo fudge brownies [22] are sure to sell like hotcakes! The secret is cookies-and-cream ice cream added to prepackaged brownie mix.
Cake-Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies
A guaranteed kid-pleaser, Sally's Baking Addiction's supermoist cake-batter chocolate chip cookies [23] are loaded with white- and semisweet-chocolate chips and sprinkles.
Glazed Vanilla Doughnut Muffins
Try making these vanilla doughnut muffins [24], topped with icing and sprinkles.
Source: Crunchy Creamy Sweet [25]
Feta and Olive Oil Cakes
Who says a bake sale can't include something savory? Cat Cora's feta and olive oil cakes [26] don't require much baking time.
Source: Cat Cora [27]
Oreo-Stuffed Funfetti Cookies
Bakers Royale's Oreo-stuffed funfetti cookies [28] are a two-in-one treat. Sugar-cookie dough rolled in nonpareils and stuffed with an Oreo mean twice the cookie deliciousness.
Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
Looking for an allergy-friendly treat? Weelicious's oatmeal-raisin cookies [29] are free from gluten, nuts, and dairy, but they're full of flavor.
Source: Weelicious [30]
Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats
Combining Rice Krispies and Fruity Pebbles keeps these color-infused treats [31] from being overly sweet.
Source: Around My Family Table [32]
Double-Chocolate Popcorn Balls
Filled with chocolate, these popcorn balls [33] are perfect for kids.
Source: The Popcorn Board [34]
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcake
To make gluten-free cupcakes [35], Tidbits of Everyday Life swaps all-purpose flour for rice flour.
Source: Tidbits of Everyday Life From a Mommy and More [36]
Cookies-and-Cream Cookies
Lil' Luna's cookies-and-cream cookies [37] jazz up a classic cookie by using white chocolate chips and bits of cookies-and-cream candy bars.
Source: Lil' Luna [38]
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cupcakes
Celebrate the Fall season with our recipe for pumpkin cupcakes [39]. Since they're full of sweet spice and just enough sugar, no one will know they are gluten-free. Oh, and they are vegan, too.
Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Rice Krispies Cake Pops
A chocolate-coated Rice Krispies treat on a stick [40]?! Little ones can take responsibility for the chocolate-dipping part of preparation.
Source: Joy Is So Simple [41]
Homemade Hostess Cupcakes
Our version of the classic Hostess cupcake [42] is infinitely better than the store-bought version.
Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Baked Funfetti Doughnuts
Sprinkles plus doughnuts equals a kid-hit. These funfetti doughnuts [43] from I Heart Eating are sure to please your tot's peers.
Source: I Heart Eating [44]
Chocolate-Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies
These chocolaty treats [45] use bananas instead of butter.
Chilled Vegan Double-Chocolate Torte
We know cakes may not be a traditional bake sale item, but this no-bake chocolate cake [46] from Oh She Glows is too good to pass up.
Carrot Cake Protein Balls
These bite-size treats [47] are a healthier alternative to traditional carrot cupcakes.
Photo: Jenny Sugar
Oreo Rice Krispies Treats
Cooking Classy's Oreo Rice Krispies treats [48] incorporate minimarshmallows, Oreos, and white chocolate chips into the classic treat bars.
Yellow Cake-Mix Cookies
Short on time? Our cake-mix cookies [49] are an easy, allergy-free treat.
Photo: Anna Monette Roberts