With school starting up, it means bake sales are on the horizon. If you're a regular at creaming butter and sugar, this task will be nothing more than a commitment of your time. But, if everything you put into the oven comes out cracked, lopsided or burned, the thought of having to set your amateur cookies next to a more seasoned baker may be more than you can bear.

We're here to help. With a dozen easy-to-make and sure-to-please recipes, you can skip the pre-made cookie dough and whip up dessert from scratch in no time.

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  • No-Bake Fruity Cereal Treat Cupfakes

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://willowbirdbaking.com/2012/08/02/no-bake-fruity-cereal-treat-cupfakes/" target="_hplink">No-Bake Fruity Cereal Treat Cupfakes recipe</a> by Willow Bird Baking</strong> Not only will this dessert be insanely popular, but it's the simplest to make. With a can of whipped cream, a box of fruity pebbles and marshmallows, you're set.

  • Double-Chip Cookies

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/double-chip-cookies_n_1056922.html" target="_hplink">Double-Chip Cookies recipe</a></strong> If you're going through the trouble of making chocolate-chip cookies from scratch, you may as well throw in some potato chips and make these cookies stand out.

  • PB & J Bar Cookies

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/pb--j-bar-cookies_n_1057241.html" target="_hplink">PB & J Bar Cookies recipe</a></strong> Peanut butter and jelly is the perfect bake sale flavor combination. While this baked good requires a couple of steps, they're all easy enough for a beginning baker to master.

  • Chocolate Pretzel & Cherry Popcorn Balls

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/chocolate-pretzel--cherr_n_1062571.html" target="_hplink">Chocolate Pretzel & Cherry Popcorn Balls recipe</a> by EatingWell</strong> These popcorn balls are so easy to make, you don't even have to turn your oven on.

  • Snack Bars

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/09/snack-bars.html" target="_hplink">Snack Bars recipe</a> by The Sweets Life</strong> What's not to love about this sweet treat? It's got a mixture of our favorite snacks -- pretzels, Chex cereal, chocolate and M&Ms -- and is so simple to put together.

  • Peanut Butter Snack Cake With Milk Chocolate Frosting

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/peanut-butter-snack-cake-_n_1057238.html" target="_hplink">Peanut Butter Snack Cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting recipe</a></strong> This is one of the easiest cake recipes around, you can throw it together in 20 minutes and frosting it is as easy as adding sprinkles.

  • Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/mini-red-velvet-cheesecak_n_1057708.html" target="_hplink">Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes recipe</a></strong> If you're not a baker, making cheesecake can seem intimidating. But this recipe is a breeze to throw together -- and tastes impressive too.

  • 'Tater Toffee

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/tater-toffee_n_1056931.html" target="_hplink">'Tater Toffee recipe</a></strong> These addictive treats are made with three simple ingredients: potato chips, brown sugar and butter.

  • Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

    <strong>Get the<a href="http://www.motherthyme.com/2012/06/cake-batter-rice-krispie-treats.html" target="_hplink"> Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats recipe</a> by Mother Thyme</strong> Get the flavor of cake without any of the work of making one -- these Rice Krispie treats are the best of both worlds.

  • Rocky Road Brownies

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/rocky-road-brownies_n_1062377.html" target="_hplink">Rocky Road Brownies recipe</a></strong> These brownies are super rich, making them an immediate hit. They're topped with marshmallows and chocolate chips.

  • Easy Slice & Bake Cookies

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/easy-slice--bake-cookies_n_1311433.html" target="_hplink">Easy Slice & Bake Cookies recipe </a></strong> You can't find an easier to make cookie. Prepare a double batch and keep some in your freezer -- they're great to have at the ready.

  • No-Bake Peanut Butter And Oatmeal Bars

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://bakingblonde.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/no-bake-peanut-butter-and-oatmeal-bars/" target="_hplink">No-Bake Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars recipe</a> by Baking Blonde</strong> This cakey recipe only requires the use of the stove.

  • WATCH: Tips For The Perfect Brownie