Lunch

The Best Desserts to Pack for Your Weekday Lunch

July  8, 2014

As a defiant response to Sad Desk Lunches, the Food52 team works to keep our midday meals both interesting and pretty. Each week, we'll be sharing our happiest desk lunches -- and we want to see yours, too.

Today: Give your lunch dessert the respect it deserves.

Blondies on Food52

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It’s unfortunate how often we as a nation forget about lunch dessert. It has become an afterthought as we pack for work, thrown into our bags at the last minute.

Now is the time to rethink your approach to afternoon treats -- dessert was the highlight of your childhood lunches, and it's time to bring that excitement back.

To properly pack (and enjoy) this mid-day luxury, you'll want to plan ahead for its safe arrival to your desk (or wherever your day takes you). Picking the right portable dessert is key -- you don't want anything to smush, melt, or crumble in transit. Here are some of our favorite treats to round out a desk lunch:

  • Blondies, brownies, and other square, solid goodies make great on-the-go desserts. They last for days and transport well. Bake yourself a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have dessert all week (or freeze some and keep the treats going for a long time).

Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake on Food52

  • You can have your cake and eat it for lunch, too -- just make sure you skip the icing, so that it makes it to your office in good condition. Bake a chocolate loaf cake, or go with peaches. Serve a Rhubarb Almond Crumb Cake at brunch on Sunday, then bring in a slice for yourself on Monday. Or choose a snack cake, and take care of your snack and your dessert all in one.

Caramels on Food52

World Peace Cookies on Food52

Maple Cream on Food52

  • If you're down to do a little work in the office kitchen (and your office kitchen has a toaster), toast some bread, and spread something sweet on top. Bring in some Maple Cream with a hearty wheat bread, or go all-out-French with homemade Nutella on a slice of brioche. Hint: This is also a great way to get rid of leftover bread.

Now go forth and spread the word that lunch dessert is back.

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Laurie Fieldman
    Laurie Fieldman
  • Debbie
    Debbie
  • lunalovegood
    lunalovegood
  • Marian Bull
    Marian Bull
I put chocolate chips in 95% of the things I make and am a strong proponent for lunch dessert.

4 Comments

Laurie F. September 7, 2015
thank you for the yummy reminders and packed school lunch flashbacks! superb ideas!
 
Debbie May 3, 2015
I+love+the+World+Peace+cookies.+++They+are+super+chocolatie+with+a+nice+crunch+but+still+soft+in+the+middle.+++Love+them!
 
lunalovegood September 16, 2014
I've been rejecting the lunch dessert as of lately, other than a Fage whole-milk yogurt cup, or a homemade granola bar. Maybe I'll start adding something a bit more decadent- to boost my afternoon productivity ;)
 
Marian B. July 8, 2014
I'm pretty sure that a blondie after lunch every day might help my productivity.