A baking party with friends just might be the new dinner party. It’s more laid-back and it’s a fun, creative activity that’s just as much about togetherness as it is about the fresh-baked treats. Plus, you don’t have to cook an entire meal!
And it truly doesn’t matter if anyone knows how to bake. Whether you pipe perfect roses or are just happy to stir the batter, we believe there’s a place for everyone around the kitchen counter. With our versatile baking mixes and premium baking ingredients, you and your friends can create scratch-quality baked goods with confidence.
Four Cozy Baking Party Ideas
A stress-free baking party is easy when the emphasis is on gathering in the kitchen and having fun. To build excitement among your friends, choose a theme to plan your bakes and snacks around. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Share the joy of everyone’s favorite handheld treats: cupcakes! The aroma of warm sugar and vanilla, lopsided swirls of frosting and sprinkles everywhere—it’s all part of the experience.
After a night of sampling, send everyone home with a box to spread the love, one cupcake at a time. The kid who aced their spelling test? Cupcake. Your co-worker who goes heart-eyed over baked goods? Cupcake. The neighbor you wish you knew better? Definitely a cupcake.
A party in a cupcake! Soft, yellow cupcakes dotted with rainbow sprinkles, topped with fluffy pink buttercream and even more sprinkles … because, why not?
Sweet, sophisticated cupcakes with Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour and rosé champagne in the batter and frosting. Easy and elegant treat that feels a little fancy, even for a casual night in.
Indulge in rich, chocolate cupcakes stuffed with peanut butter cups and topped with creamy peanut butter frosting. Be sure to buy extra peanut butter cups—they tend to disappear!
Offer handheld snacks like fruit kebabs, veggie cups, Pizza Muffins, pinwheels, mini sliders and Tomato Basil & Feta Rolls. Serve in cupcake liners for a playful, on-theme touch.
Brunch is for sharing those easy, repeatable recipes that still feel special every time. Whether you’re whipping up fluffy pancakes with friends for holidays, making muffins for baby showers or dreaming up creative new waffle toppings for … no reason at all, brunch creates a communal moment around homemade food that feels tried and true.
And it doesn’t have to be reserved for mornings or weekends. Breakfast for dinner is always a hit! Go sweet, savory or both and keep it simple with Bob’s Red Mill® baking mixes and flours you can rely on.
Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins
Soft, tender bakery-style muffins made with Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Mix are bursting with fresh strawberries and topped with an irresistible buttery streusel.
Quick Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
These warm, gooey cinnamon rolls are made with Organic Whole Wheat Flour and Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour. With no proofing time, they’re surprisingly fast, easy and completely brunch-worthy.
Cinnamon Swirl Sheet Pan Pancakes
Bake one big pan of pancakes so no one is stuck at the stove flipping, and everyone can sit down to warm pancakes together. Set out syrups and bowls of berries, chocolate chips and whipped cream and let everyone build their perfect stack.
Have something ready to eat when everyone shows up, such as mason jars of overnight oats or yogurt parfaits layered with Muesli, or a tray of croissants, bagels and fresh fruit. Include a Bloody Mary or mimosa bar along with plenty of coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Set the Scene
Prep ahead. Get a jump start on prep by chopping produce and portioning dry ingredients into covered bowls the night before. You’ll feel like the star of your own cooking show when you get to just dump and mix!
Gathering around the kitchen counter to bake cookies is a time-honored tradition that naturally creates togetherness. No holiday required. Whether you’re making Nanna’s famous sugar cookie recipe or getting a head start with a baking mix, it’s all about connecting, starting new traditions and having fun in the kitchen. So get everyone involved mixing, scooping, decorating or picking the perfect playlist. After all, dancing in the kitchen always makes cookies taste better.
Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies
Crinkle cookies made even easier! Rich, fudgy brownie-like cookies rolled in powdered sugar for that classic crinkled look start with Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix, but taste completely homemade.
Oh, what fun! These soft, chewy cookies with a chocolate chip cookie base are loaded up with M&M's and festive sprinkles. Customize the colors for holidays, baby or bridal showers or team celebrations.
Everyone’s favorite classic sugar cookies are just right for any occasion or none at all. With no chill time, you can mix, cut and bake them right away and get straight to the best part—tasting!
Balance the sweetness with savory nibbles like tea sandwiches, a charcuterie board with crackers, cheese, nuts and spreads, and individual salad or chip-and-dip cups.
Sandwich scoops of ice cream between cookies for homemade ice cream sandwiches. Roll the edges in sprinkles, nuts or chocolate chips for extra yumminess.
Send a little sweetness home with a roll of Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookie dough to freeze and bake later. Make the dough ahead of time or mix it up together.
A casual night of baking brownies and blondies with friends is a sweet, simple way to slow down, reconnect and make new memories together. Keep prep easy and stress-free with Fudgy Brownie Mix and Brown Sugar Blondie Baking Mix, then get creative with sweet and savory mix-ins. As warm pans disappear sliver by sliver and debates over cakey vs. fudgy and edges vs. middles stretch well into the evening, no one will be in a hurry to leave.
Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies
The ultimate salty-sweet treat, these soft, chewy blondies are topped with a drizzle of dulce de leche, salty pretzels and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream for a swoon-worthy dessert.
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Brownies
Almost too pretty to eat! Fudgy brownies topped with a layer of cheesecake and swirled with ribbons of fresh raspberry purée look and taste like they came from a high-end bakery.
Brownies with Whipped Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Decadent homemade brownies frosted with creamy coconut buttercream, Shredded Coconut and fun sprinkles might remind you of a chocolate coconut candy bar!
Complement the sweet, rich flavors of brownies with salty pretzels, chips, popcorn or a cheese plate with nuts and crackers. Fresh fruit and dip or a veggie tray with hummus keeps it fresh and well-rounded.
Set up a sundae bar with a variety of ice cream flavors, whipped cream and plenty of toppings.
A baking party with friends is about taking the time to connect, share stories and laugh while baking sweet treats together. With a little planning and easy-to-use shortcut baking mixes, you can take the pressure off so everyone feels welcome and included.
1. Invite and involve your guests.
Keep the group small and cozy. Most kitchens can comfortably accommodate four to eight guests. Let everyone know if they should bring aprons, ingredients, equipment, take-home boxes or snacks. If someone offers to help, say yes! Planning together can be just as much fun as the party itself.
2. Plan easy bakes.
Choose two to three tried-and-true recipes using shortcut baking mixes and high-quality ingredients for reliable results. Skip recipes with long chill times and consider a no-bake option to avoid bottlenecks at the oven.
3. Set up stations.
Create spaces for mixing, rolling/cutting, decorating, cooling and dishwashing to keep the kitchen flowing smoothly. Set out ingredients and equipment ahead of time so everything feels organized when they arrive. Set snacks and beverages away from the main baking area.
4. Keep it casual.
Make a playlist to set the mood—whether you’re going for casual and laid-back or an upbeat party vibe. While the treats bake or cool, add a fun, interactive activity like a cookie or cupcake decorating contest or a blindfolded taste test.
5. Send them home with treats.
Have take-home boxes ready, so everyone leaves with a little taste of everything. Print out recipe cards so they can bake up a sweet reminder of the day anytime.
However you choose to gather, whether it’s over cupcakes, brunch, cookies or brownies, the best part of a baking party is the joy of being in the kitchen together: the beautiful mess of spontaneous dance parties, frosting on your shirt and a kitchen that smells like a bakery. With Bob’s Red Mill® baking mixes, you can keep things simple and focus on connecting and baking sweet memories together.
