12 Baking Recipes for Packed Lunch Treats That Everyone Will Love

You're probably aware that packing lunch can get boring, but it doesn't have to be. You'll discover treats like sugar cookies and cheese scones can elevate your meals. Now, you're about to find out how 12 simple recipes can change your lunch game, and it starts with some surprisingly easy baking.

1. Simple Sugar Cookies

Classic sugar cookies perfect for packed lunch treats.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
7. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles if desired.

2. Banana Muffin Bites

Moist and delicious banana muffin bites perfect for packed lunches.

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and mix with melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
7. Allow the muffin bites to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Savory Cheese Scones

Savory cheese scones are delicious and easy to make for a packed lunch treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 3/4 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. Add the cold butter and use a pastry blender to work it into the flour mixture.
4. Stir in the grated cheese.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and beaten egg.
6. Add the cream and egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
7. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it gently.
8. Pat the dough into a circle that is about 1 inch thick.
9. Use a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out scones.
10. Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
11. Brush the tops of the scones with a little extra heavy cream.
12. Bake the scones for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

4. Homemade Bread Rolls

Soft and freshly baked homemade bread rolls perfect for lunchboxes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl, stir to dissolve yeast.
2. Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the bowl, mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces, shape into rolls.
7. Place the rolls on the baking sheet, leaving space between each roll.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Let the rolls cool on a wire rack before serving or packing in lunchboxes.

5. Cinnamon Swirl Buns

Sweet, fluffy buns filled with cinnamon swirls, perfect for lunch treats.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast, let it sit for 5-7 minutes until yeast is activated.
2. Add sugar, flour, and salt to the bowl, mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
7. Mix together cinnamon and sugar, sprinkle it evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on one long side.
8. Roll the dough into a tight log, cut it into 12 equal pieces.
9. Place the buns on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each bun.
10. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
12. Remove the buns from the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes before glazing.

6. Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon poppy seed cake is a delicious and moist treat perfect for packed lunches.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Stir in the poppy seeds.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Delicious homemade chocolate chip granola bars perfect for packed lunches.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together oats and nuts.
3. In a separate bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, and vegetable oil.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
5. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla extract.
6. Press the mixture into a lined baking dish.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden.
8. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
9. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container.

8. Mini Quiches

Mini quiches are perfect treats for packed lunches.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour and cold butter until a dough forms.
3. Roll out the dough and cut into small squares.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, eggs, grated cheese, and diced ham.
5. Place a spoonful of the cream mixture onto one half of each square.
6. Fold the other half of the dough square over the filling to form a triangle.
7. Press the edges together to seal the quiche.
8. Brush the tops with a little bit of milk and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Allow the quiches to cool before serving.

9. Berry Oatmeal Bars

Sweet and tangy berry oatmeal bars perfect for lunchboxes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups mixed berries
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
3. Add the unsalted butter to the bowl and mix until the mixture is crumbly.
4. Press half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the berries, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
6. Pour the berry mixture over the crust in the baking dish.
7. Top with the remaining oat mixture.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
9. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

10. Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are a tasty treat perfect for packed lunches.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Filling of choice, such as peanut butter or Nutella

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
6. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out circles.
7. Place a small spoonful of filling on one half of the circle and top with another circle to create a sandwich.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. Carrot Cake Muffins

Delicious carrot cake muffins perfect for a packed lunch treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the grated carrots and vanilla extract.
6. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
7. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
8. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
10. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

12. Garlic and Herb Focaccia Bites

Mini garlic and herb focaccia bites perfect for packed lunches.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs

Instructions

1. Combine flour, olive oil, salt, sugar, and yeast in a bowl.
2. Add warm water and mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
6. Punch down the dough and divide into small balls.
7. Roll out each ball into a small circle and top with garlic and herbs.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Let cool before packing in lunchboxes.

Conclusion

You've hit the jackpot with these 12 baking recipes, a treasure trove of tasty treats that'll be the icing on the cake for anyone's packed lunch! They're easy to make, customize, and devour, making mealtime a breeze. With these recipes, you'll be the master chef of packed lunches, whipping up a storm and making everyone's day a little brighter.