School bells are ringing! In addition to getting the kids up, fed, dressed and off to school, many parents have to pack a lunch. Brown bags that get eaten and enjoyed may be a challenge, but not an impossibility.

In a perfect world, kids would get up early and pack their own lunches. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. However, parents can include their children in the decision making, which is key to packing lunches that get eaten. Offer them choices and ask for their ideas. Include treats that are easy to make and can double as after-school goodies. Here are some more ideas:

• Kids are the ultimate nibblers, so pack a variety of items with an emphasis on finger foods.
• Kids love to dip, so include small fruits and veggies such as grapes, berries, cherry tomatoes and baby carrots along with a small container of salad dressing or fruit-flavored yogurt.
• Pack your own trail mix with nuts, chocolate chips, pretzels and dried fruit.
• Pack half or quarter sandwiches, using cookie cutters to turn them into whimsical shapes.
• Occasionally include a note to brighten your student’s day, or decorate the lunch bag with special stickers.
• Include small treats, like Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups. to make a lunch bag special.

Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups feature convenient refrigerated cookie dough tucked into mini muffin tins to make a little well. After baking and cooling, place a dab of melted peanut-butter-and-milk-chocolate morsels into each cup and let harden at room temperature.

Both kids and moms can make easy treats with refrigerated cookie dough. Whether baking with the kids after school or planning treats for their lunch boxes, check out the creative ideas at www.VeryBestBaking.com for sweets that send love from the kitchen.

Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
(Makes 20 cookie cups)

1 package (18 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Dough
1 cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels

PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease or paper-line 20 mini-muffin cups.
PLACE squares of dough into prepared muffin cups; press down center to make deep well.
BAKE 10 to 11 minutes or until edges are set. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
MICROWAVE morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power 30 seconds; knead until smooth. Microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze chocolate into each cup.

*TIP: For an extra chocolatey version, substitute 1 cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels for Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels.

Nutrition Information per serving: 160 calories; 70 calories from fat; 8g total fat; 4g saturated fat; 10mg cholesterol; 115mg sodium; 21g carbohydrate; <1g fiber; 15g sugars; 1g protein