15 Bake Sale Ideas That Are Sure to Sell Out

Raising money will be a piece of cake with these irresistible treats.

Blueberry Cupcakes
Credit:

Rachel Marek

The sweetest way to raise money—for the PTA, local rec center, sports teams, drama clubs, and local and global causes of all kinds—is by holding a bake sale. There's something truly gratifying about whipping up a batch of treats—cookies, brownies, cupcakes, coffee cakes, and more—to provide much-needed financial support.

The only tricky part is knowing what to bake. Here are a few suggestions for bake sale ideas based on many years of selling sweet treats: First, opt for a recipe that features universally appealing flavors. Second, make sure there's something for everyone. That means you may need to prepare a few specialty items that people with dietary concerns can enjoy. A vegan baked good or something gluten-free, for example, will likely sell out quickly if there's nothing else like it on the table. Along the same lines, you'll want to clearly label items that feature potential allergens, like peanuts and dairy.

And to make things easier on yourself (or whoever will be selling the baked goods), prepare treats that can be easily portioned out for individual servings. It's a good idea to slice a cake, bar cookies, or brownies before you set it out on the sale table so that portions are even. Additionally, if you're donating cookies, cake pops, or something similarly single-serving size, make sure to deliver the necessary packaging along with them; consider mini paper envelopes or tiny brown paper bags.

01 of 15

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe
Credit: Bryan Gardner

If there's one baked good that's sure to steal the show, it's the classic chocolate chip cookie. This soft and chewy version is delightfully satisfying; one recipe yields three dozen, making it ideal for serving a crowd.

02 of 15

Snickerdoodle Crumb Bars

snickerdoodle crumb bars
Credit: Alpha Smoot

Coffee cake and snickerdoodles come together in this cinnamon-infused treat. It also calls for just 20 minutes of prep and basic pantry staples, making it one of our go-to bake sale ideas.

03 of 15

Cookies-and-Cream Sheet Cake

cookies-and-cream sheet cake recipe
Credit: Con Poulos

Inspired by a beloved ice cream flavor, this cookies-and-cream sheet cake is easy to make and share. A simple yellow cake batter is spread in a sheet pan and then garnished with broken Oreo cookies.

04 of 15

Double Chocolate Brownies

Double-Chocolate Brownies
Credit: Con Poulos

Forget about hotcakes. Since brownies are always the first thing to disappear at any bake sale, maybe the expression for something so wildly popular that the seller can't keep up with the demand should be forever known as "selling like brownies." Or, make that "double chocolate brownies."

05 of 15

Chocolate Whoopie Pies With Vanilla Buttercream Filling

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Credit: Yossy Arefi

There's much debate about where whoopie pies were invented—some say Pennsylvania, others say Maine—but the origin story is not nearly as important as the fact the sandwiched snack cakes are so very delicious.

06 of 15

No-Bake Chocolate Almond Oat Bars

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Credit: Con Poulos

No one at the bake sale needs to know that these chunky, crunchy, nutty, chocolatey bars are not baked at all. They'll be too busy snapping them up and gobbling them down to ask any questions.

07 of 15

Granola Cookies

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Credit: Con Poulos

Grown-ups will go for the granola part of the title of this recipe, while kids are sure to be won over by the word cookie. A win-win for all involved.

08 of 15

Popcorn Balls

Popcorn Balls

Popcorn, melted buttered, marshmallows, and light brown sugar come together to create a kid-friendly, fun dessert. You can even add your own vibe by mixing in rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, dried fruit, or toffee and almonds—anything goes in this sweet and salty treat!

09 of 15

Vegan Banana Bread

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Credit: Emily Kate Roemer

The first rule of the bake sale is to aim to please everyone. That means including a nice variety of baked goods that are inclusive of special dietary requirements, like this eggless, dairy-free banana bread that's perfect for vegans, and so tasty that non-vegans will love it, too.

10 of 15

Pumpkin Orange Bread

pumpkin orange bread
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

Pumpkin and warming flavors like allspice and nutmeg have an autumnal appeal, but you can make this easy loaf cake with supermarket ingredients all year long.

11 of 15

Chocolate Chip-Streusel Brownies

chocolate-chip streusel brownies
Credit: Linda Pugliese

Our food editors in the test kitchen took to calling these brownie-cookie hybrids "brookies" when they were first developed, and maybe you should, too! The bottom layer is made with brownie batter, which is then topped with portions of cookie dough before baking, for a deliciously cakey, fudgy, two-part dessert that adds up to ten times the fun.

12 of 15

Blueberry Cupcakes

Blueberry Cupcakes
Credit:

Rachel Marek

Make cupcakes that grown-ups can feel better about serving to their kids. Packed with fresh blueberries and moistened with a touch of sour cream, these treats aren't only pretty but also delicious.

13 of 15

Vanilla Sheet Cake With Malted-Chocolate Frosting

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Credit: Jonathan Lovekin

Sheet cakes are far more bake sale-friendly than layer cakes: easier to assemble, easier to transport, and easier to slice and serve. This recipe features the dynamite combination of vanilla cake and a swoopy, swirly, milk chocolate and malted milk powder frosting. Chopped malted milk balls scattered over the top make a super fun finish.

14 of 15

New York Crumb Cake

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New York-style crumb cake is generally heavier on the crumb than on the cake. It hits the spot with a cup of hot coffee or a cold glass of milk, morning, noon, or night, and it's another surefire bestseller at any bake sale.

15 of 15

S'mores Cookies

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An all-time favorite in cookie form! The dough has oats and whole-wheat flour, making it a healthier swap for children and grown-ups alike. To give them their signature browned top, place the cookies under the broiler for a gooey, chocolatey treat—no campfire necessary.

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