Festive Lunch Box Treats

The holiday season is the perfect excuse to have more fun with your lunches! These wintery treats are just what you need to sprinkle some extra magic into lunchtime.

 

SNICKERDOODLE SPRINKLE COOKIES

Soft, chewy, and cinnamon-spiced, these classic cookies are a breeze compared to sugar cookies. No chilling or rolling out dough required—just mix and bake! Stick with the traditional cinnamon sugar coating or get festive by rolling them in your favorite colored sprinkles for a fun holiday twist.

 

Makes 24-30 cookies

Ingredients

2 ¾ cup flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar 

1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Topping:

⅓ cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

OR Sprinkles 

 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a small bow, whisk the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and cinnamon.

3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes.

4. Mix in the eggs, vanilla, and salt.

5. In thirds, add the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

6. Measure out 1 1/2 tablespoon of dough and shape into balls. Measure less for smaller, puffier cookies.

7. Roll the balls into the cinnamon sugar or sprinkles and place on the prepared baking sheet. Allow 3-4 inches between cookies to allow for spreading.

8.Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet.

*Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. 

 

HOT COCOA BROWNIES 

Perfect for chilly afternoons, these brownies bring all the warmth and sweetness of your favorite winter drink, baked right into a delicious lunch box friendly treat. 

 

Makes 8 Baking Tray sized brownies 

Ingredients

½ cup cocoa powder

⅔ cup dry milk

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

½ cup flour

1 ¼ cup mini marshmallows

 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and spray Baking Trays with cooking spray.

2. Whisk together the cocoa powder and dry milk.

3. Whisk in the melted butter and vanilla.

4. Mix in the eggs followed by the white and brown sugars.

5. Add the flour and mix. Fold in 1 cup of the marshmallows.

6. Scoop the batter into the Baking Trays. The batter will be thick- use a spatula to spread it evenly into each compartment.

7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick interest into the center of the brownies comes out clean.

8. As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, press the remaining marshmallows into the tops of each brownie.

9. Allow to cool completely before removing from the Baking Trays. 

*Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

 

BUILD-A-SNOWMAN LUNCH

 

Turn lunchtime into a winter wonderland! An easy, festive lunch that comes together in minutes, you can make your own melty snowman surrounded by a snowy scene. We used shredded mozzarella, mozzarella balls, carrot tips for noses, salami slices for scarves, and cucumbers for evergreen trees. Get creative with your snowman additions by filling your lunch box compartments with your favorite charcuterie fixings.