Teachers Apparently Hate When Parents Send In Cupcakes, So Send These 13 Treats Instead
With all that delicious back-to-school energy (New pencils! New backpacks! New friends!) in the air, it might feel tempting to send your kiddo off to class with a sweet treat the whole classroom can enjoy, whether it's for a birthday or a special holiday. Because what's a better way to make a good impression on your kid's teacher than with a beautifully frosted batch of cupcakes, right? Well, that idea is actually...not the best idea. A kindergarten teacher recently proclaimed the exact opposite: Do not, I repeat, do not ever send your kids off to school with cupcakes! Why is that? Well, cupcakes are a "ginormous" mess waiting to happen, according to teacher Ann Brackmyer in her now-viral Tik Tok, who adds that "kids honestly don't eat them that great."
But that doesn't mean that the classroom has to be a no-dessert zone. Far from it! Brackmyer makes a great argument for bringing in easier-to-eat (see: less frosted) treats that are easier to share and eat. Desserts like cookies, cookie bars, donuts, ice cream cups (or these handy nutella pops that come in their own cup) are bound to make both teachers and kids very happy. We're especially fond of utilizing M&Ms to add a pop of color to where frosting might go (like we did for our M&M cookie bars) and the same is true of sprinkles. Make those sprinkles rain all over these recipes for cake pops, cake mix cookies, and cookie cake.
And if you just can't resist a cupcake, maybe try our ultra-colorful (yet frosting-free) steamed blooming cupcakes? Just add a maraschino cherry on top and you'll have a mess-free winner on your hands.
Nutella Pops
Nutella, whipped topping, and milk combine to create a frozen, fudgy treat that kids and adults will go crazy for. The best part? They only take 15 minutes to create—then you just let this no-bake treat rest in the fridge until firm. Nutella lovers, you might want to double this recipe—these bite-sized treats go fast.
Get the Nutella Pops recipe.
Best Rice Krispie Treats
We've got THE fail-proof tips for the best Rice Krispies treat of your life. Let's just say: use lots of butter, don't hold back on the marshmallow, and do not (we repeat, do NOT) pack the pan!
Get the Best Rice Krispie Treats recipe.
M&M Cookie Bars
These have all the comfort of a chocolate chip cookie, with the added crunch of M&M's and the heft of a bar shape, making for a delicious treat that’s impossible to put down. Try them with seasonal M&M's to switch them up for holidays too.
Get the M&M Cookie Bars recipe.
Steamed Blooming Cupcakes
Steaming might not be your first thought when it comes to making cupcakes, but hear us out: It’s a method worth trying that kids will be obsessed with. While these cupcakes may look complex, they come together surprisingly fast. A dump-and-stir batter + 15 minutes in a steamer basket = blooming sweet easy treats ready to be topped with maraschino cherries.
Get the Steamed Blooming Cupcakes recipe.
Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
Forget caramel corn—cinnamon bun popcorn is the sweet snack you need. This classic movie snack gets an extra sweet upgrade with the addition of a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and a simple powdered sugar glaze. We're all about savory popcorn (taco night popcorn or sushi popcorn, anyone?), but when we're looking for a sugary sweet treat, this popcorn hits all the right notes.
Get the Cinnamon Bun Popcorn recipe.
Cookie Cake
Bigger is better, especially when we're talking cookies, so don't be shy with your decorations here (feel free to go easy on the frosting, but not the sprinkles). Mix up the chocolate chips in the cookie dough for peanut butter or butterscotch chips instead, or, if you love all things chocolate, decorate the baked cookie with chocolate icing or a chocolate ganache glaze. 😍
Get the Cookie Cake recipe.
Homemade Cake Pops
Tiny, adorable, and all the rage a few years ago, cake pops are the bite-sized treat we’ll never get tired of here at Delish. If you only have this mini dessert at celebrations or on your Starbucks run, it’s time to try your hand at making them at home. While they can take some practice, our recipe has all the steps, tips, and tricks you need to master these iconic pops. Make them for your next birthday party, graduation, or any celebration you want to take over the top.
Get the Homemade Cake Pops recipe.
Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
We've made our fair share of variations on the chocolate chip cookie over the years, from chewy to brown butter, but this recipe takes the cake: They’re the most classic, least-fussy version—exactly what you want when you’re looking for a no-frills, soft, and fudgy cookie.
Get the Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Pop-Tart Blondies
Buttery, chewy, and filled with strawberry jam, this dessert combines the nostalgia of Pop-Tarts and the classic comfort of blondies in one adorable bar cookie. The bite-size treats are great for breakfast or brunch, but also make a fun party dessert— plus they’re easy to pull together.
Get the Strawberry Pop-Tart Blondies recipe.
As soon as we even think we feel a slight chill in the air, we're craving an apple cider donut. These ones are baked, which yields a soft, dense donut, and brushed in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. One bite, and you'll feel transported to an apple orchard.
Get the Apple Cider Donuts recipe.
Oreo Cookie Cake
This version of our OG cookie cake takes things to the next level by putting cookies INSIDE the "cake". It’s packed with chopped Oreos (in place of chocolate chips), decorated with a rich Oreo buttercream (in place of plain chocolate or vanilla), and crowned with even more Oreos. 😍
Get the Oreo Cookie Cake recipe.
Sugar Cookie Bars
The easiest way to make sugar cookies for a crowd is to turn them into bars. Somewhere between a blondie and cookie, these sugar cookie bars are thick and soft with buttercream spread on top that's a bit sturdier and less fluffy than a cupcake's frosting. They take less time than scooping individual cookies and are just as good.
Get the Sugar Cookie Bars recipe.
Cake Mix Cookies
If you’re looking for a last-minute homemade dessert to bring to school, this recipe will give you festive cookies with just a few ingredients. All you need is a box of cake mix and sprinkles!
Get the Cake Mix Cookies recipe.
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