It never hurts to have a little lunch dessert in the middle of the day! Snackable desserts like chocolate chip cookies, mini tarts and cereal bars pack up nicely in a lunch box and double as mid-day mood boosters.
33 Lunch Desserts to Sweeten Up Your Workday
Updated on May 21, 2025
1/33
Lemon Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delightful lemon bar recipe is from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. They has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. —Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona
2/33
Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
To make these chocolate chip cookies super crisp, we used all granulated sugar, butter and baking soda. All three contribute to a golden, crispy cookie. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3/33
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These chewy bars are the perfect no-fuss contribution to a potluck or bake sale. I’ve discovered the trick is to get them into the refrigerator so the chocolate can set before they disappear! —Lorri Speer, Centralia, Washington
4/33
Mini Blueberry Tarts
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 mini tarts
From the Recipe Creator:
I served this recipe to my family while we were on vacation and they were all amazed! The best part: I didn't spend tons of time on it thanks to refrigerated pie crust. Watch your mini tarts around the 13-minute mark to make sure they don't brown too quickly. If you'd like, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar for a beautiful finishing touch. —Allison Bell, Hillsdale, New Jersey
5/33
Peppermint Patty Recipe
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make lots of different candy at Christmas to give as gifts. It can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to see the delight it brings people. Calling for just a few ingredients, this candy is one that is quite simple to prepare. —Joanne Adams, Bath, Maine
6/33
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks who adore the classic cookies will enjoy that same beloved flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois
7/33
Berry-Filled Butter Ribbons
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Tangy boysenberry is an unusual for a cookie, but it goes well with chocolate. I change the sprinkles and even the type of chocolate to suit the season.—Amy Sauerwalt, Columbia, Maryland
8/33
Apple-Cinnamon Mini Pies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with the idea for my mini pie recipes while snacking on applesauce one night and thought it would make a quick and delicious pie filling. They were a total hit and what's better than a mini pie that you can actually hold in your hand to eat? —Kandy Bingham, Green River, Wyoming
9/33
Cranberry Bog Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet and chewy, these fun bars combine the flavors of oats, cranberries, brown sugar and pecans. I like to sprinkle the squares with confectioners’ sugar before serving. —Sally Wakefield, Gans, Pennsylvania
10/33
Orange-Chili Chocolate Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love spicy chocolate so I came up with this recipe. Because it starts with a packaged sugar cookie mix, it’s super easy! And orange, cinnamon and cayenne are a surprising combo that can’t be beat.—Debbie Blunt, Wickenburg, Arizona.
11/33
Molasses Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy cookies are also perfect for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
12/33
Loaded M&M Oreo Cookie Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 bars
From the Recipe Creator:
We’re all so busy and pressed for time. I find myself creating recipes that are fast to prepare and deliver fabulous results, proving you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen. Here’s a favorite of mine that combines chocolate candies and cookies into one wonderful bar. —Averie Sunshine, San Diego, California
13/33
Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
14/33
Date-Nut Honey Bars
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The flavor combination here reminds me of baklava—without the hours of work! These bars are perfect for holiday gifts, party platters and bake sales. They never fail to impress. —Anna Wood, Cullowhee, North Carolina
15/33
Nutty Pie-Crust Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I like Italian cream cake, so I used it as inspiration for this cookie recipe. The splash of orange liqueur in the filling is my special touch. —Sonji McCarty-Onezine, Beaumont, Texas
16/33
Chia Seed Protein Bites
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or a snack when I'm in a hurry. We have a lot of food allergies in our family and I like to keep healthy snacks around that everyone can eat. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy or corn, so it's the perfect go-to treat in our house. —Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona
17/33
Fruity Cereal Bars
Total Time
20 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With dried apples and cranberries, these crispy cereal bars are perfect for snacks or brown-bag lunches. —Giovanna Kranenberg, Cambridge, Minnesota
18/33
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I recently found this old family recipe in my mom’s kitchen. I made a few adjustments to streamline the process, and the cookies turned out wonderfully. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
19/33
Nutella Hand Pies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
20/33
Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I had been searching for a dessert to make for my brother's girlfriend (who is gluten intolerant), and I came across a naturally gluten-free dessert—a flourless peanut butter cookie. After tweaking the recipe a bit and adding Nutella and a sprinkling of sea salt, I finally found the perfect cookie for her. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
21/33
Candy Bar Brownies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The two kinds of candy bars baked into these brownies make them an extra-special treat. —Sharon Evans, Clear Lake, Iowa
22/33
Raspberry White Chocolate Bars
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A co-worker's mother gave me this gem of a recipe a few years back. I can never decide what's more appealing—the attractive look of the bars or their incredible aroma while they're baking! Everyone who tries these asks for the recipe. —Mimi Priesman, Pace, Florida
23/33
Baki’s Old-World Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My uncles have always called these "cupcake cookies" because of the unique, pretty way they're baked. My maternal grandmother mixed many batches. —Marilyn Louise Riggenbach, Ravenna, Ohio
24/33
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Using hot cocoa mix and marshmallow bits in the cookie dough really makes these hot chocolate cookies taste like the cozy drink. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
25/33
Magic Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Peanut butter, candy corn and macaroons are three of my favorite things, so I combine them all to make one magical sweet that's perfect for Halloween. —Jeanette Nelson, Bridgeport, West Virginia
26/33
Honey Walnut Delights
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Even after being frozen, these no-fail cookies stay moist and taste freshly baked. They are among my best holiday giveaway treats and are so easy to make. If you prefer, you can use other nut varieties, such as pecans or almonds. —Jessica Clemens, Wimbledon, North Dakota
27/33
Cranberry Port Cookies
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my version of a recipe I tasted years ago—my family loves it. The flaky cookies are filled with a scrumptious combination of dried cranberries, cinnamon, lemon and a hint of port wine. —Leslie Forte, Oakhill, Virginia
28/33
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these for an office party cookie contest—not a crumb was left on the platter! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
29/33
Coconut Chocolate Slices
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These crispy cookies with a chewy coconut center travel really well. When my son was in the Army, I often sent boxes to him, and he told me they always arrived in perfect condition. —Cheri Booth, Gering, Nebraska
30/33
Cranberry Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.
31/33
Behr Track Cookie Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in these ooey-gooey, salty-sweet peanut butter bars. A lot of people comment that the pretzels in the filling are a pleasant surprise. Just make sure to cut cookie bars small—they're super rich. —Megan Behr, Marion, Iowa
32/33
Oatmeal Caramel Apple Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe for caramel apple cookies is a fun twist on traditional oatmeal raisin. These treats are hard to resist! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
33/33
Chocolate Chip Bars
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
People are always surprised when I tell them these chocolate chip bars come from the microwave. Chockfull of chocolate chips, the bars are especially good served with a big glass of cold milk. —Shirley A. Glaab, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Lunch Desserts FAQ
What is the best dessert for lunch?
The best lunch desserts are sturdy, easy to pack and taste great at room temperature. Cookies, chewy brownies, mini fruit tarts and quickbreads can be kept at room temperature for several days. Refrigerated desserts, like moist lemon bars, cheesecake bites and fruit crisps, like air-fryer apple crisp, should be kept cold, so stash them in your lunchbox with an ice pack.
What are the easiest lunchtime dessert ideas?
The easiest lunch desserts are simple baked goods and no-bake desserts that can be prepped ahead in batches. Rice Krispies treats, soft banana muffins and barks and brittles are all easy to make and hold up well in a lunch bag.
How do I pack a lunch dessert?
Pack your lunch desserts in airtight containers to keep them fresh and protected. Slip parchment paper between layers of cookies or bars to prevent sticking. Sturdy reusable silicone bags or bento boxes also work well for storing treats. For items that require refrigeration or soften in the heat, use an insulated bag or pack them with a small ice pack. If you’re looking to upgrade your lunchtime setup, smart desk lunch products, like insulated containers and leakproof lunch boxes, can make packing and carrying desserts even easier.
