With all the noise in our chaotic world, it is hard to know where to focus our attention. Our minds race as they think of what we can possibly do to help our brothers and sisters who are fighting, displaced, frightened, mourning, or captive? While we might not feel like we are physically on the battlefield, this war is all of ours, and every little bit of chessed or good deed that we can accomplish is another victory toward the effort.

Creating a bake sale might be a way to focus our energies, get the children and teens involved, collect tzedakah, and send tangible relief to those who are on the actual frontline or living under the constant fear of a rocket barrage. It might seem like a mundane task to bake cookies, but the intention behind each measured cup of flour shows the One Above that we are here, reporting for duty, with the rest of His children constantly on our minds. May we merit to see the end of all our suffering and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash.

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies by Sweet Moments: Rega Matok

Do you love chocolate chip cookies? Here is the easiest, quickest and most delicious recipe. Classic dairy chocolate chip cookies dripping with melted chocolate that melts between each bite. Served warm with a soft texture.

2. Brittle-Topped Triple Chocolate Cookies by Estee Kafra

Chocolate cookies on steroids! I like to serve these alongside a fruit salad for a perfect finishing to a heavy meal.

3. Peanut Butter Bars by Chaya Ruchie Schwartz

These literally take five minutes to put together and the results are amazing! For those with allergies, you can use any allergy-friendly substitute. The flour and sugar can be subbed as well, if desired.

4. Caramel Apple Bars by Wendy Paul

Caramel apples sound good, especially in the fall. Try this cookie bar. You’re sure to make it again and again and again.

5. Lemon-Lime Bars by Rivky Kleiman

A sweet and tangy treat that can be enjoyed any time of day.

6. Irresistible Chocolate Pecan Bars by Renee Muller

These bars aren’t baked too often at my house. If they are baked, I kinda hide them in the washing machine or something. They are just impossible to resist. Therefore, I only bake them for special occasions or when someone really insists. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

7. The Best Blueberry Crumb Muffins by Shoshy Lefkovitz

These really are the best blueberry muffins: a creamy milky batter, tart blueberries, topped with a buttery crumb. Mmmm..!

8. One Bowl Wild Berries Tea Loaf Cake by Batsheva Kanter

9. Cookie Butter Apple Bundt by Tamar Teitelbaum

Cookie Butter Apple Bundt contains everything that makes a bundt cake amazing. The sponge is fluffy and enhanced with cookie butter and fall spices AND it’s filled with apples that have been pre-cooked to bring out deeper caramelization. The outside of the cake bakes to a perfect crust. Then it’s topped with a creamy Cookie Butter glaze. Having guests? This fall bundt cake is the recipe that you need.

10. Strawberries and Cream Bundt Cake by Miriam (Pascal) Cohen

This is one of the first recipes I ever came up with on my own. After it was published in my column in Ami Magazine, it was also my first recipe to ever “go viral.” It was an instant favorite with my family — and my readers. Nobody can get enough of the somewhat unusual strawberry flavor — or the light, fluffy texture. This was way back in the beginning of my food writing career, but even then, I thought … maybe I’ll write a cookbook some day and include this cake recipe in it.

11. Kokosh Cake or Buns from the Nitra Cookbook

Whether you make this into buns or a kokosh cake, you won’t be sorry! The dough rolls out like a dream, so smooth and soft. Any filling can be used, so tailor it to your family’s palate. The end result is a fabulous, moist dessert that won’t last very long on your kitchen counter!

12. Favorite Cinnamon Buns by Faigy Murray

Yeasty dough and sweet cinnamon filling need no introduction. It’s the ultimate comfort food!

13. Professional Cupcakes from the Nitra Cookbook

These cupcakes really live up to their name! The finished product comes out with a perfect dome on top, moist and light, and they are super easy to make. Be sure not to overfill the cupcake holders or they will spill over onto the cupcake tray. Frost with your favorite frosting recipe, top with some sprinkles, and voila! Professional cupcakes!

14. Carrot Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting by Shoshy Lefkovitz

Super moist, delicious and easy to make. Need I say more?

15. Cheesecake – 3 Ways by Erin Grunstein

These 3 cheesecakes are all decadently delicious and you can’t go wrong with any of them! For more delicious cheesecakes like this one, see our post The Ultimate Cheesecake Roundup.

16. Dairy Chocolate Babka with Butter Streusel by Malky and Yossi Levine

A twist on the familiar, this dairy version of traditional will get you rave reviews. A soft and buttery dough that is easy to work with. Fill ‘er up with chocolate, and enjoy!

17. Our Favorite Kokosh Babka by The Peppermill

When it’s tried and true, you know it will turn out delicious!

18. Babka Bites by Paula Shoyer

Adorable bite-size versions of the classic Jewish yeast cake.

19. Cranberry Bliss Biscotti by Victoria Dwek

I once tasted biscotti that reminded me of a sugar cookie, just in a biscotti shape. They weren’t crispy or dry at the edges, but rather chewy and moist. And because I wanted to recreate them with white chocolate, I waited for Chanukah and melaveh malkah season…because if you’re not fleishig, your sweets should be dairy.

20. Pumpkin Biscotti by Chaia Frishman

I gotta admit that I’ve been getting lazy. Most of the baked goods I serve are store-bought (or filched off my friends who love to bake, in exchange for sorbet from our business). But that doesn’t mean that when Chanie encouraged me to deviate from my usual soup-for-Yom Tov recipe genre that I wasn’t up to the challenge. Since this is the season for pumpkin spice lattes, I decided to make a seasonal (and not cloyingly sweet) treat to go with them.

21. Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies (Big-Batch) from the Dining In Cookbook

These absolutely scrumptious cookies come with a warning: no one can eat just one!

22. Cinnamon Buns (Big Batch) by Chaya Ruchie Schwartz

Nothing beats the aroma of cinnamon buns baking in the oven.

23. The Perfect Marble Cake (Big-Batch) from the Nitra Cookbook

This marble cake really lives up to its name! It’s really perfect! Beating the eggs first allows for a very airy, moist cake. Take your pick from the variety of chocolate filling options to create the perfect marble cake for your family!

There is no shortage of people and places that can use the funds. If you have anyone specific to donate to, this is a great opportunity. Other established organizations like United Hatzalah are also doing great work in the field, and every dollar counts. If you are based in Israel, feel free to send a freshly baked batch of pastry directly to an army base, police station, or family that can use the love. Tizku l’mitzvot!