37 Bake Sale Ideas That’ll Sell Out In a Snap
Bake sale prep requires a bit of strategy. It may not be the time to show off your layer cake skills; you want to be able to hand out individual portions without getting frosting on your fingers. And you do want a lot of portions: the best bake sale recipes scale easily and produce large batches without too much effort. Still, you want to show up with treats that will draw long lines: standout spins on classic cookies, exceptionally buttery, flaky scones, and baked goods that’ll keep for a bit in case your customers aren’t devouring all their purchases on the spot. Scroll down for a few guaranteed hits, including our newest staff-favorite cookie bars and the ultimate cinnamon buns.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele1/37Morning Glory Muffins
There are folks who come to a bake sale looking for dessert, and others who need a little breakfast first. These Morning Glory muffins are packed with crushed pineapple, shredded carrot and apple, toasted pecans, and coconut. They’re everything you’ve always loved about the late-’70s muffin, polished up and balanced for today’s taste.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog2/37Apple Pie Cookies
Lean into fall baking with these adorable sweets, which pack all the flavors of classic apple pie into a portable, handheld package.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht5/37Peanut Butter Brownies
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine6/37Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Baked sale goods should feel fun—and these pumpkin pie-spiced pumpkin cookies sandwiched with cream cheese icing certainly qualify.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer8/37Molasses Cookies
Scented with ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, these old-fashioned cookies are perpetual favorites. A stand mixer or hand mixer will make the prep faster, especially if you’re doubling the batch.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/37Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Classic chocolate chip cookies can do no wrong—but amping them up with a bit of brown butter is a pro move.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne & Jason Schreiber11/37Peanut Butter Blossoms, but Better
12/37Easy Coffee Cake
This no-mixer brunch favorite is such a nice way to start the day. The cinnamon streusel on top has the ideal balance of brown sugar and spice.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich13/37Blueberry Scones
For bakery-worthy scones with a flaky texture and lofty height, start by freezing your butter, then grating it on a box grater.
Photo by Alex Lau16/37Malted “Forever” Brownies
If you’ve spent your entire baking life wondering how to make truly chewy brownies, this recipe is for you. A touch of malted milk powder adds a toasty character to the chocolate.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Mira Evnine17/37Double Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Triple the chocolate, triple the fun. These muffins from baking legend Dorie Greenspan incorporate cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and big chocolate chunks. You can skip the paper liners and just grease the muffins pan well—or choose liners in festive seasonal or school colors.
Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon18/37Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich20/37Philly Fluff Cake
Cakes can be tricky at a bake sale—especially if they have elaborate frosting—but this fluffy-but-rich signature of the Northeast can be eaten out of hand, or wrapped for easy transport. Even more good news: it tastes just as good the next day.
Photo by Kelley Jordan Schuyler21/37Double Chocolate Potato Drops
Have your customers taste these tender and moist cakey cookies and see if they can guess the secret ingredient. (Psst! It’s mashed potato.)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell23/37Cream Cheese Brownies
These fudgy swirled brownies happen to be gluten-free. They also keep well for a couple of days.
27/37Devil’s Food Cupcakes
With a crown of fudgy frosting, these deeply flavored cupcakes are just what chocolate dessert lovers will be looking for.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson37/37Traditional Soft Pretzels
Not everyone at the bake sale has a sweet tooth. Dominate the savory-things-only market with these freshly baked pretzels—served with little cups of your favorite mustard for dipping.
