Let’s be honest. Back to school is never easy, especially all that running around in the morning. Add on allergies and needing to squeeze in time to make a packed lunch and it only gets harder.

To help a wee bit, I’ve put together some of my favourite lunch box recipes. They are simple bakes that can be done on a Sunday. They keep fresh for longer to last through the week, and they are easy to freeze, so you can get all your baking done in one day, and take it easy for a while.

There’s something on this list for everyone, including some brand new recipes, so I hope you all find a little inspiration for the new term.

Loaf Cakes

These are the easiest of all the lunchbox bakes. They are great for freezing, and as you can cut them into slices, the fit easily into square lunchboxes.

My first staple is a marble cake. This recipe for unicorn marbled cake is a bit embellished in its decorations which in a lunch box is totally unnecessary. Just leave off all the buttercream and stick with the plain cake. It’s still moist and delicious. Other advantages are you can make your sponge mixes in whatever colours you like, so if you have a fussy eater, you can always make something that appeals.

Next is a huge favourite in our house. Cherry and Choc Chip Loaf. This has a little hint of almond in the sponge so has a bakewell flavouring with added chocolate. What’s not to like! Just remember to cut up the cherries into quarters, as if they are too big, they can sink to the bottom. (not that it would stop us lot from eating it anyway)

Tray bakes

Basically a tray bake is quite literally, anything made in a tray. The advantage of them is you can make a large number of cakes, that are easy to stack in the freezer or cupboard, and with minimal washing up. I’ve picked the best travelers for this lunch box article as the last thing you want when it gets to lunch time is a crumbly mess where a cake should be.

First up is Gingerbread cake. I love this recipe, especially coming into autumn as it is nice and spicy. Its also fun to put a Halloween twist on as you get later into the term. This cake will sit in an air tight container quite happily for the whole week, and taste as good on a Friday as it did on a Monday.

Next up is Lemon drizzle bars. They are really quick to make and have a lovely fresh flavour at the end of your lunch. Again they freeze well and if you cut them before freezing, you can just get out a bar in the morning before school, and it will be defrosted and ready to eat by lunchtime. What could be better?

Finally, for tray bakes, I have to include my Freegan Flapjack. It’s a really simple recipe, and easily adapted to your own favourite flavour. It will keep a week quite happily in an air tight container, so once its made, you’re sorted. If your kids like to be involved in your baking, this would be my go-to recipe.

Cupcakes

If you have a nice little round box, there is no problem taking a Cupcake, and again they freeze well. I would avoid ones covered in buttercream however. Simplify them by using a basic icing and putting a cherry or a sweetie on the top. These are always a hit with little ones, and with so many little cases out there to choose from, you can brighten their day a bit with their favourite unicorn or dinosaur theme.

Mini Bakewells

If you’re feeling like a more adventurous bake, these Mini Bakewells are great in lunches as they travel really well. Again, there is no problem with freezing them. I tend to end up with lots of Jams and curds, half empty in the fridge after baking. I like to use them all up by putting them inside these. The kids always call them Bakewell Surprises as they never know what flavour they have in them.

So I hope you have found some back to school inspiration. Let me know your favourites, or if you have an old recipe that you would love to make dairy free, send me a message.