School lunch ideas - baking

[Upandonward]

Could anyone share please any ideas for small sweet items that you can make/bake yourself to put in the school lunch box (for primary-age)?

I would usually put only small things such as 2 biscuits, or a small homemade fruit muffin etc. This is in addition to the usual sandwich/bagel, fruit, yoghurt etc.

I am looking for ideas that are:
Nut-free (school policy)
Fairly low/medium sugar
Preferably contain some goodness like fruit, oats etc
Not the combo of banana and oats as they are too stodgy-tasting/textured

I’d just like to try and make a few of my own things rather than buy store-bought items all the time. DS feels hard done by when he sees those having school lunches getting ‘puddings’ which is why I put a small sweet item in (info in case anyone tries to tell me no child needs sweet items at lunchtime!).

What about traditional yorkshire parkin? Make a big tray, it keeps for ages and you only need to give him a little bit of it.

I used to do muffins for DS - usually a fruit based muffin but sometimes chocolate muffins but it's my "not very sweet or chocolatey" recipe!

If you're baking though, surely the trick is just to give him a small piece of whatever it is rather than a big one. eg I give DS a small slice of banana bread sometimes or if we've made cakes, he can have a small slice of cake.

Rock buns, quick and cheap to make, won't break up while being transported, you could change the fruit eg chopped dried apricots or dates or semi dried pineapple.

Tea loaf (bara brith) should travel well, high fruit content.

I’ve just made flapjack (but it’s high im sugar) and a chocolate and beetroot loaf from bbc good food but I put in less sugar than the recipe suggested.

Cheerio fruit bars www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/cereal-recipes/on-the-go/apple-berry-fruit-bar

Not sweet but nigellas cheese stars are delicious.

www.nigella.com/recipes/cheese-stars

Oh, and her custard creams

www.nigella.com/recipes/custard-cream-hearts

Nigella also has a great chocolate and banana muffin recipe

www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-banana-muffins

I love all the lunchbox treat recipes from 5 o'clock Apron - she's written lots of books and also shares loads on insta too, I'm making her olive oil and apple cake as soon as my kitchen has cooled down

Definitely second rock cakes. My DM still makes them for us ( we are 40s/ 50s) and they are amazing.

Although it's quite hard to find a recipe for them these days? Can ask DM if anyone's interested.

The BeRo cookery book is sure to have a rock bun recipe, you can order one for about £3, and it's posted to you. A very handy little book if you want to do any home baking.

I made this today and it’s gorgeous!!

Sorry, the above was for @JammyDodgersandPeas re the olive oil & apple cake!

I do loaf cakes, then cut them and freeze in portions. Then you can defrost it in the morning and put it in a lunch box. It might be a solution so you have them on rotation.
So far we did chocolate loaf ( the one with with soured cream), jam loaf, lemon loaf. I found it very convenient.

Courgette muffins

These are great

@Sammysquiz it sound yummy, am planning on baking tomorrow when the kitchen temp drops below 30!