There’s always something to celebrate during the school year — from classroom parties to holiday gatherings and everything in between. But if you’re navigating food allergies, sending in treats can feel more stressful than sweet.
With an estimated two students in every classroom managing food allergies, many schools now limit nuts, dairy, and other common allergens. Finding desserts that are fun, festive, and safe for everyone isn’t always easy.
This article is sponsored by Abe's Muffins.
That's where Abe's Muffins and these school-friendly, nut-free, and dairy-free ideas come in! Everything Abe's makes is free from nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, sesame, and pea protein, making it simple to turn any of their baked goods into fun, allergy-friendly desserts for class celebrations, birthdays, and seasonal parties — no complicated swaps required.
From Valentine’s Day to Christmas, here are 10 school-safe holiday treats to inspire a whole sweet year of celebrations.
Ready to start creating? Use Abe’s store locator to find muffins and brownies near you before your next classroom celebration.
Valentine’s Day: Dye-Free Pink Cupcakes
Need a Valentine’s Day treat that skips artificial dyes? These pink cupcakes made with Abe’s Chocolate Mini Muffins are nut-free, dairy-free, and perfect for classroom celebrations.
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- Use Abe’s Chocolate Mini Muffins as your base
- Top with naturally colored pink frosting (make by mixing a few drops of beet apple juice with your favorite vanilla frosting)
- Ice your cupcake and top with sprinkles
- Wrap individually for easy class distribution
St. Patrick’s Day: Pot of Gold Brownies
These festive “Pot of Gold” brownies turn Abe’s allergy-friendly brownies into a fun classroom dessert that’s as lucky as a leprechaun.
- Pipe frosting around the edges to form a “pot”
- Fill the center with melted allergy-friendly chocolate
- Top with gold sprinkles and a rainbow topper
Spring Brunch: Coconut Carrot Tres Leches Jars
Hosting Easter or a spring gathering? These dairy-free tres leches jars come together in under 10 minutes using Abe’s Coconut Carrot Mini Muffins.
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- Place one muffin in a small jar
- Pour a mix of 3 dairy-free milk options over top (ex. coconut milk, rice milk, and oat milk)
- Add whipped coconut cream
- Sprinkle toasted coconut if desired
4th of July: American Flag Iced Cake
This patriotic dessert starts with Abe’s cake or muffins and turns into a simple nut-free, dairy-free showstopper for summer parties.
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- Evenly spread and smooth the icing already found on Abe's Iced Cake
- Add blueberries for “stars”
- Use sliced strawberries for stripes
- Chill before serving
Summer Campfire Fun: Brownie S’mores
Love classic s’mores? This fudgier version swaps in Abe’s brownies or mini muffins for an allergy-friendly twist.
- Toast your marshmallow until gooey
- Place your brownie and marshmallow between two graham crackers
- Sandwich and enjoy warm
Back-to-School: Chocolate Chip Cake Pops
Birthday treat duty just got easier. These school-friendly cake pops are nut-free, dairy-free, and perfect for in-class celebrations.
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- Mash muffins with allergy-friendly frosting
- Roll into balls and freeze
- Dip in melted chocolate
- Add sprinkles and chill
Halloween: Sunbutter-Cup Spider Cupcakes
These spooky spider cupcakes are a classroom favorite — made with Abe’s Chocolate Mini Muffins and sunflower butter cups for a nut-free Halloween treat.
- Frost each mini muffin
- Add sunflower butter cup upside down
- Attach candy eyes
- Pipe icing legs
Thanksgiving: Turkey Cupcakes
These adorable turkey cupcakes are vegan-friendly and allergy-conscious — perfect for classroom or family Thanksgiving gatherings.
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- Frost each mini muffin
- Add frosted biscuit for feathers
- Decorate with chocolate sprinkles, candy eyes, and a frosting beak
Winter Festivities: Snowman Cake Pops
These snowman cake pops are a winter party hit — nut-free, dairy-free, and easy to assemble for holiday celebrations.
- Mix crumbled muffins with frosting
- Roll and stack into snowmen
- Dip in white chocolate
- Decorate with chocolate chips and sprinkles
Christmas: Reindeer Cupcakes
These reindeer cupcakes are sweet, simple, and classroom-ready. A festive nut-free and dairy-free dessert for holiday celebrations.
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- Frost each muffin
- Dip in chocolate sprinkles
- Add pretzels for antlers
- Finish with eyes and red candy nose
Save these easy, school-friendly holiday treats for your next classroom party, birthday celebration, or anytime you need nut-free, dairy-free desserts everyone can safely enjoy.
Planning your next class party or holiday celebration? Find Abe’s nut-free and dairy-free muffins and brownies near you using their store locator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a treat school-friendly?
School-friendly treats avoid common allergens like peanuts and tree nuts and may also exclude dairy or eggs depending on classroom policies.
Are nut-free desserts required for classroom parties?
Many schools have nut-free rules to protect students with severe allergies. Always check your school’s guidelines first.
Are dairy-free desserts better for school events?
Dairy-free options can help ensure more children can safely participate in celebrations.
Can I bring homemade treats to school?
Some schools allow homemade items, while others require store-bought treats with ingredient labels.
What are easy allergy-friendly classroom treats?
Cake pops, brownies, cupcakes, and decorated mini desserts made without common allergens are simple, inclusive options.
