25 After-School Treats You Can Make with the Kid

After-school snacks are even better when the kids get to help make them. These easy treats include soft cookies, fluffy muffins, gooey bars, and simple no-bake favorites that are fun to put together. Pick one for a little afternoon kitchen time and enjoy the sweet reward when you’re done.

Carmelita Bars

Thick oatmeal cookie layers sandwich gooey caramel and semisweet chocolate in these rich, chewy bars. Let the kids help layer everything in the pan before they head into the oven.
Get the Recipe: Carmelita Bars

Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes

These bite-sized pumpkin cupcakes are soft, warmly spiced, and finished with creamy cream cheese frosting. Kids can help mix the batter and have even more fun decorating the tops.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes

Mini Pumpkin Muffins

Soft and fluffy with plenty of warm spice, these mini pumpkin muffins are just the right size for little hands. They’re also freezer-friendly, so you can keep extras around for busy afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Muffins

Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins

Juicy cherries and chocolate come together in soft, bakery-style muffins that only need one bowl. It’s an easy baking project with less cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins

Peach Cobbler Cookies

Fresh peaches, buttery cookie dough, and a crumbly topping turn classic peach cobbler into a handheld treat. Kids can help assemble the cookies before they bake.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Cookies

Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes

Real pumpkin and warm spices give these little donut holes plenty of fall flavor. After they cook in the air fryer, roll them in cinnamon sugar for the finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

Thick, soft, and covered in cinnamon sugar, these snickerdoodles are made without cream of tartar. Rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar is an especially easy job for little helpers.
Get the Recipe: Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

Chocolate Cool Whip Cookies

A short ingredient list keeps these soft chocolate cookies simple enough for beginner bakers. They’re an easy choice when you want a homemade treat without a complicated afternoon project.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cool Whip Cookies

Cinnamon Roll Mini Apple Pies

Cinnamon rolls make an easy shortcut for these individual apple pies. Their small size makes them fun to assemble and gives everyone their own little dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Mini Apple Pies

Easy Acorn Cookies

Turn a few simple ingredients into adorable little acorn-shaped cookies for fall. There’s minimal prep involved, making these especially fun for kids who want to help in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Acorn Cookies

Oreo Pudding Fluff

No oven is needed for this creamy Oreo dessert. It comes together quickly with plenty of chocolate cookie flavor and a fluffy texture that makes it fun to scoop and share.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Pudding Fluff

No-Bake Oreo Truffles

Just three ingredients turn Oreo cookies into rich little truffle bites. Kids can get involved with rolling them into balls before they’re ready to decorate or enjoy.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Oreo Truffles

Cocoa Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Chocolate and peanut butter give classic crispy cereal treats an extra-rich twist. They come together quickly on the stovetop or in the microwave and stay soft and chewy.
Get the Recipe: Cocoa Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Carrot Cake Mix Cookies

Boxed cake mix keeps these carrot cake cookies simple while grated carrots and warm spices give them homemade flavor. Finish them with cream cheese frosting for an extra-special afternoon treat.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Mix Cookies

4-Ingredient Banana Muffins

Ripe bananas and boxed cake mix make these fluffy muffins especially easy to prepare. With only four ingredients and less than 30 minutes of baking time, they’re a handy option for after-school snacking.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Banana Muffins

Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins

Ripe bananas keep these muffins moist and naturally sweet while generous chocolate chunks melt throughout. They’re budget-friendly, simple to prepare, and great for hungry kids after school.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins

4-Ingredient Cool Whip Lemon Cookies

Lemon cake mix and Cool Whip help make these citrusy cookies soft and chewy with very little work. With only four ingredients, they’re an approachable recipe for kids learning to bake.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Cool Whip Lemon Cookies

Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

These pretty strawberry cookies need just five ingredients and bake up soft inside with a crinkly sugar-coated exterior. The simple method makes them a fun weekday baking project with kids.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Praline Graham Cracker Bars

Graham crackers are transformed into a rich, sweet treat with very little effort. These simple bars are a good choice when everyone wants dessert without a long baking project.
Get the Recipe: Praline Graham Cracker Bars

Banana Granola Muffins

Banana muffins get a little extra crunch from granola, coconut, and nuts. They’re easy to make and work just as well for an afternoon snack as they do for breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Banana Granola Muffins

Special K Cookies

Cereal adds a surprising crunch to these cookies alongside white chocolate, cranberries, and almonds. They’re an easy way to turn an everyday pantry staple into something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Special K Cookies

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Peanut butter, oats, and plenty of chocolate chips come together in one chewy cookie. They’re hearty enough to hold hungry kids over until dinner while still feeling like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Streusel Bars

A sweet streusel topping and juicy cherries make these bars simple but satisfying. They’re easy to slice into snack-size portions and sturdy enough to share with friends.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Streusel Bars

Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

Fresh blueberries fill these soft, cake-like muffins, while sour cream helps keep the crumb tender. A buttery topping gives them a little something extra for afternoon snack time.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Buttery shortbread and chunks of chocolate make these simple cookies hard to resist. Make them mini for an after-school treat, then freeze an extra batch for another day.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies