Beginning bakers and seasoned pros, gather around. This list of supplies will help you pros to organize your baking equipment once and for all. If you’re a new baker, start setting up your kitchen with our list of must-have equipment, along with pastry tools to get you through any kind of sweet recipe. And if you have a cake recipe or trickier pastry recipe you’re trying to perfect, make sure to take a peek at our list of nonessential tools that are nice to have and will make your process faster, easier, and more impressive.
BHG / Niki Cutchall
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these 37 fun things to bake at home are super easy to make and will have you cooking up some tasty treats for your family in no time.
Comfort Baking Cookies Bread Sourdough
Baking is a fun and delicious way to spend time with friends and family.
There are so many different things that you can bake, from cakes and cookies to pies and bread. There’s always something new to learn when it comes to baking.
And this list of comforting things to bake is curated with delicious recipes in mind that are easy to make and that’s sure to keep your whole fam happy.
No kitchen is complete without an arsenal of papers such as parchment paper, wax paper and aluminum foil, which each come in handy for a variety of applications in cooking and baking. If you’ve ever tried to swap one for the other and ended up with inedible results (wax paper for parchment for baking chocolate chip cookies? Never again.) it’s time to get schooled on exactly when to use each type of paper.
Of course, while these three types of paper often seem like essentials, they aren’t eco-friendly. If you’re aiming for greater sustainability in your home kitchen, you can invest in a few silicone baking mats, which can replace parchment paper, wax paper, and foil in many different uses. (Plus, you can throw them in your dishwasher!) Read on for expert recommendations on exactly when to use parchment, wax paper, and foil in baking and cooking—including a few tips you probably haven’t thought of—and equally as important, where not to use each of the three.
Easy Baking Recipes- There’s nothing better than a house that smells like cake. Wouldn’t you agree? Baking is sort of magic – the slow process of stirring the batter, the kitchen becoming saturated with enticing whiffs of chocolate and cinnamon, watching the dough rise in the oven and finally feeling content with the gorgeous outcome. For bakers, baking is more than a means to an end, it’s a way of life. You start off with butter and eggs, and end up with a batch of heavenly brownies.
From flaky pie crusts, fudgy brownies, and chewy cookies, we’ve rounded up essential tips every baker should adopt before firing up the oven. So toss the boxed cake mixes to the side and conquer your fear of home-made cakes, pies and more.
Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Believe it or not, the marbled design is such a breeze to pull off that even your kids can help decorate. Start with store-bought sugar cookie dough to save time.
Cardamom Crème Brûlée
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, gluen free
Be sure to steep whole cardamom pods—not ground cardamom—in the cream to give the custard its warm, soothing flavor.
Chocolate-covered cherry cookies
These chocolate-covered cherry cookies are a delicious and easy dessert.
They’re made with a soft, chewy sugar cookie dough, filled with maraschino cherries and topped with a rich chocolate ganache.
They’re fun to bake with the kids, and they make a great gift for the holidays.
Neapolitan Pie
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
This tri-flavored custard pie, layered with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry fillings, is peak nostalgia.
Lemon Pie with Blueberry Meringue
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Dense and chewy oatmeal fudge bars
They’re chewy, nutty, chocolaty, and so good that you’ll need to make a double batch of these oatmeal fudge bars!
One is never enough! The buttery chewy base with Bisquick and oats sets these fudge bars apart from all the other recipes, and the smooth chocolatey, nutty center is extremely indulgent.
Be careful though, because they are moreish and calorific at the same time.
When Not to Use Aluminum Foil
While it may seem obvious, make sure you never put anything with foil in the microwave. Even a tiny speck of remaining foil can cause a spark that leads to a fire.
Frozen Chocolate Soufflé
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, no-bake, gluten free
If you’ve been devastated by deflated soufflé before, fret not. This one comes together in the freezer instead of the oven.
Rosé Poached Pears with Ginger and Vanilla
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, no-bake, special occasion-worthy
Table this pear-y chic idea (sorry) for your next fancy dinner. All it takes is simmering the fruit in spiced wine until tender.
Chocolate Skillet Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
The secret ingredient in this ooey-gooey masterpiece? Freshly brewed coffee, for a bold kick. It enhances the rich cocoa flavor.
Cherry pie chimichangas
These cherry pie chimichangas are the perfect blend of sweet and tart.
The filling is made with cherry filling, sugar, and cream cheese, then it’s all wrapped up in a flour tortilla and fried to perfection.
You can use apple pie filling to make apple pie chimichangas if you wanted or a even with a crushed pineapple filling. Whichever flavor you choose, you won’t be disappointed with this Chimichangas recipe.
Giant Brown Sugar Snickerdoodles
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, kid-friendly, make ahead
They’re soft and chewy like the O.G., but also rolled in sugar before baking for crunchy, caramelized bottoms.
Easy Chocolate Marshmallow Cups
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, kid-friendly
These have Valentine’s Day goody bags written all over them, but they’d also make a great hostess gift for any occasion.
Ruby Red Grapefruit Panna Cotta
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, no-bake, gluten free
You only need six ingredients and a couple hours to pull off this sophisticated Italian treat. We feel a dinner party coming on.
Berry Galette
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Do fresh summer berries some justice by showing them off atop store-bought pie crust. Bonus points for topping it with vanilla ice cream.
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, dairy free, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
These sweet-and-salty handhelds, made with sugar-free peanut butter, keep in the freezer for up to three months. (That means you can bake some whenever you get a craving.) Bonus: You probably have everything you need to make them already on hand.
Brown Sugar-Pear Puff Pastries
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
They’re destined to be the finale of your Thanksgiving feast. Can you believe they start with store-bought dough?
Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
You’ll have two dozen of ’em ready to eat in less time than it takes to watch an episode of Love Is Blind.
10-Minute Caramel Apple Baked Brie
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, gluten free
Keep this Brie recipe in your back pocket for the next time your in-laws make an unexpected visit—it’s just fancy-looking enough.
Microwave Double Chocolate Cake Bowl
Cassava flour, maple syrup and coconut whipped cream keep this 10-minute wonder Paleo-friendly.
Salted dark chocolate truffle cake
This salted dark chocolate truffle cake is an ultra-decadent dessert perfect for a special occasion.
It’s made with buttery chocolate and almond graham cracker crust, topped with a thick layer of chocolate ganache and finished with a sprinkling of flaked sea salt.
This cake is rich and delicious and will satisfy even the most die-hard chocolate lover.
Mini Key Lime Pies
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
What’s sweet, sour, silky and crunchy in every bite? These lime-kissed cuties, which come together in mess-free muffin tins.
Broiler S’mores
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Craving this summer staple in the off-season? Trade the bonfire for your oven’s broiler and a cast iron skillet.
Ginger Cherry Pie
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
We hope you like things a lil’ spicy, because this pie calls for fresh, ground *and* crystallized ginger.
Dessert Nachos
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Trade baking for frying and you’ve got cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips with a slew of sweet fixings.
Skillet Peach Cobbler
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, one pan
Make this for every summer barbecue you ever throw and boom: You’re the hostess with the mostest.
Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cider Frosting
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
The key to this fall-inspired cake is boiling apple cider until it reduces into a highly concentrated, flavorful syrup. One bite, and it’ll become your new favorite lazy Sunday baking project in the fall.
Mississippi mud cake
This Mississippi mud cake is a classic recipe perfect for any chocolate lover.
The brownie base is dense and fudgy, making it all the more indulgent, and then it’s topped with marshmallows, semi-sweet chocolate chips, walnuts, and chocolate drizzle.
You’ll be in chocolate heaven with this cake!
Salted caramel Samoa bars
These gluten-free salted caramel Samoa bars are guaranteed to be a huge hit with your family and friends.
The chewy cookie base with coconut and the salted caramel sauce is pure heaven in every bite.
You’ll want to make a double batch of these because they will go so fast!
Best Uses for Aluminum Foil
A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: “Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil,” says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.
Similar to parchment, aluminum works well for individual foil packs for dinner, but since it’s more heat resistant, you can cook a wider variety of items using foil this way, especially on the grill or over an open flame. Rothacker recommends chicken with summer squash, onions, garlic and tomatoes for an Italian meal, or steak with bell peppers, jalapeño, onions and lots of spices to make fajitas. To make them, cut about an 18-inch square of foil; place your items in the middle and tent the foil, pressing the shiny sides flat together; then rolling up the sides toward the center.
Additionally, you can use heavy-duty foil to line large roasting pans or sheet pans for roasting meats or vegetables, making for easy cleanup later. Weaver even lines her oven with a double layer of foil to help keep it clean if something like a juicy fruit pie drips.
Aluminum foil can also be great for food storage. “It molds easily around bowls, food, and tops of containers of all shapes and sizes, ensuring a snug fit to keep out air while locking in smell and freshness,” says Tomlan. She also uses bits of crumpled-up foil to clean cast-iron pans, which helps to remove any extra food bits left behind. (BTW, here’s how to care for your beloved cast-iron skillet.)
Starbucks pumpkin bread
This Starbucks pumpkin bread is a clone of the popular coffee shop’s fall favorite.
It’s just as delicious as the one we’re accustomed to eating with a spiced latte, and it’s easier than you think to make it too, with pantry staples and some pumpkin puree.
It has a lovely sweet pumpkin flavor, and it’s the perfect cake to treat your friends with on your next coffee cate.
Blackberry-Raspberry Skillet Cobbler
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Way less work than crimping and blind-baking a homemade pie crust, but every bit as satisfying. It’s a great way to use your farmers market berry haul come summer.
Glazed Doughnut Cookies
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, make ahead
C’mon, how ridiculously adorable are these Homer Simpson doughnut doppelgangers? They’re basically edible emojis.
8 Tips to Make Your Baked Goods Better | Tips and Tricks For A Perfect Baked Dish
The calculated science behind baking is not always simple, especially when you’re an amateur. So it’s very important that you are familiar with the recipe before beginning the process. Read it two or three times to make sure everything is clear.
Preheat The Oven
Get into the habit of preheating the oven before you put anything in. Most recipes will remind you at the start, and with good reason. Also, try to not mess with the oven temperature and cooking time mentioned.
3. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Prior to beginning, pull out all of the ingredients that the recipe calls for and leave them on the counter. Many baking recipes start with creaming together butter and sugar, which becomes much easier with room temperature ingredients.
4. Sift Away!
Yes, it can be a pain. But sifting dry ingredients improves the overall texture of the dessert, and even gets rid of lumps.
5. Add Eggs One by One
If you’re using the creaming technique, add eggs one at a time and beat in between or else the mixture will become lumpy.
Butter and Flour Your Pans Unsparingly
Be generous while oiling or flouring your pans. Consider every nook and cranny of your pans that could get sticky otherwise.
7. Rotate Halfway Through
Every oven has a hot spot, so you must position the pan as close to the center of the oven as possible. Halfway through the process, turn the pan 180 degrees to ensure evenly baked goods. Don’t open the oven door often as it can lower the temperature and alter the baking time.
Cool Down Completely
Do not unmold fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goods. Let them cool completely, allowing the steam to evaporate which makes it easier to handle.
Now that we have gone over the basics, let’s turn up the heat in the oven because it’s time to bake! How about some crumbly cookies for an afternoon treat? Or perhaps you’re looking for the perfect dessert for a dinner party? Whatever the occasion, click through our delectable treats, from a classic chocolate cake recipe to mouth-watering baked muffins.
Apple Tart with Soft-Pretzel Crust
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
If you’re a sucker for all things sweet and salty, add this stunner to your to-bake list, stat.
3-Ingredient Brigadeiro
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes chilling)
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients
These Brazilian sweets are dangerously poppable, not to mention a breeze to make. Take your pick of classic chocolate and unexpected strawberry milk.
Oreo-Stuffed Brownies
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Because no baker (or eater) should ever have to choose between cookies and brownies.
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, no-bake, gluten free
The best impromptu baking recipes are those that require no baking at all. We’re looking at you, cheater’s fudge.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Ginger Tart
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Why We Love It: gluten free, dairy free, vegan, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
We fell hard for both the gingersnap crust and the candied ginger-pistachio topping, but they merely gild the chocolate lily.
Botanical Shortbread Cookies
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Violets, pansies, lavender, roses—the garden is your oyster. (P.S.: You can find dried edible flowers at Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.)
Giant Cinnamon Roll
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Less is more—unless we’re talking about breakfast pastries. (And two-ingredient vanilla icing.)
Homemade Milano Cookies
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Lemon raspberry pound cake muffins
These lemon raspberry pound cake muffins are a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic flavor combination.
They’re made with a moist and fluffy pound cake base, filled with raspberry jam, and topped with a tart lemon glaze.
They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack and are ready in 45 minutes!
Spiced Palmiers
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
On the hunt for a weekend baking project? Look no further than this impressive pick, starring homemade puff pastry.
Oatmeal raisin cookies
If you’re running out of things to bake, give oatmeal raisin cookies are go. They’re the perfect mix of chewy and crunchy, with a hint of cinnamon and plenty of raisins.
They’re a classic cookie that’s always a hit and easy to make too, using pantry staples.
Oatmeal raisin cookies are a great choice for a snack or any time you’re craving a classic cookie.
Homemade Toaster Pastries
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Pillsbury has nothing on these beauties. Consider them your picky kids’ new favorite breakfast.
Best Uses for Parchment Paper
When it comes to baking, a roll of parchment paper is one of the most versatile tools you can have in your kitchen. Not only is it non-stick, it’s also heat resistant (up to a point), resulting in perfect texture for all your favorite baked goods. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper to ensure your cookies cook evenly and the bottoms don’t get too brown, or place a piece inside your square or round pans for brownies and cakes that will pop out easily after they’re baked, says Kristen Tomlan, founder and CEO of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections. (A pro tip when using parchment for baking: Spritz your pan with nonstick spray before laying the parchment down, which will help prevent it from rolling up.)
In cooking, parchment comes in handy for making easy, healthy dinners in the form of individual packets (like these can’t-miss parchment packet dinners). This is a method used by the French known as “en papillote.” For instance, you can use parchment to wrap a fish filet with herbs, lemon slices and chopped vegetables, then slide it into a hot oven. “This allows for a hybrid of baking and steaming, keeping moisture and flavor concentrated in the fish without having to use oil or butter,” says Jessica Rothacker, owner and head chef at Heirloom Café in Athens, Georgia.
Another surprising use for parchment paper? It works beautifully in helping to keep your kitchen clean as you bake and cook, says Tomlan. Simply add a small piece to the top of your kitchen scale, panini press, waffle maker, or any other kitchen gadget to avoid scrubbing that innards of that item later.
Edible Cookie Dough
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
On the worst of days, there’s no cure quite like raw cookie dough. Do yourself a favor and indulge safely in this egg- and wheat-free take instead of the store-bought kind.
Texas roadhouse rolls
This Texas roadhouse rolls copycat recipe is absolutely fantastic!
The milk, honey, and butter used to make these copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls are what makes them so soft, light, and a little sweet.
These rolls goes with just about any classic American meal, whether it is hand-cut beef steaks, barbecue pork ribs, a burger bun with cinnamon honey butter, or deep-fried chicken.
I absolutely love making homemade sugar cookies because it is a great baking activity to get your kids involved and entertained.
These fun sugar cookies are sure to be a hit with the whole family and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Pumpkin cheesecake
This is a classic pumpkin cheesecake recipe with a graham crackers crust and a creamy pumpkin filling.
It’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for entertaining. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin puree you might have from making pumpkin pies.
The combination of pumpkin pie and cheesecake together in one dessert that everyone can enjoy.
Jack Daniels pumpkin pie with oat streusel
This Jack Daniels pumpkin pie is a delicious twist on the classic Thanksgiving dessert.
It’s made with a flaky pie crust, rich and creamy pumpkin filling, and topped with an oat streusel.
The pie is then finished with a maple whiskey whipped cream, making it the perfect dessert for any holiday gathering.
Oatmeal cream pie
These oatmeal cream pies has an amazing texture, the molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla extract give them a delicious flavor and they pair perfectly with a glass of milk.
These cookies are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!
If you’re looking for easy and fun things to bake for a party these oatmeal cream pies are a perfect choice.
Peanut Butter Bread
This peanut butter bread is the perfect afternoon snacks or even breakfast. They’re light and packed with the peanut buttery flavor.
This bread pairs phenomenal with any jam and a glass of milk.
Best part? It only takes 50 minutes to make from start to finish. Yum!
Turtle cheesecake
Baked turtle cheesecake is a delicious and decadent dessert that is perfect for any occasion.
The crunchy sweet crust with pecans and the caramel-flavored cheesecake batter combined with the silky chocolate sauce on top is mouth-wateringly good.
It’s fun to make and sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth!
Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Not only are tiny desserts more fun to eat, but they’re also more fun to bake. Your guests will gush over these mini treats.
Nice-to-Have Baking Equipment
Once you’ve made sure you have enough space in your kitchen for the baking essentials, you can start adding a few tools from this nice-to-have list. While not crucial to most baking recipes, these additional baking supplies will make your most tried and true recipes quicker and easier.
Pastry Blender
If you’re big on baking pies and flaky biscuits, this is a handy tool to have. It’ll make cutting cold butter or shortening into flour much easier. However, if you don’t have one, you can use two butter knives instead. Just move the knives in a crisscross motion to cut the butter into the flour.
Offset Spatula/Spreader
While this tool is great for putting the finishing touches on cakes or a pan of brownies, it’s probably not one you’ll use every day. But if you want the frosting on your baked goods to look almost perfectly smooth, it’s hard to beat an offset spatula for the job.
Zester/Rasp Grater
If you think using a special grater is the only possible way to zest a lemon, think again. While having this tool on hand will certainly make zesting easier, it’s not strictly necessary. If you don’t have one, you can use a sharp knife to slice off thin slices of the peel, then finely chop them. Voilà, lemon zest.
Pastry Wheel
You might use a slotted spoon more often while cooking dinner, but it can also come in handy for baking. If you’re making a custard or sauce, a slotted spoon will be the quickest and easiest way to spoon out large spices like a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean.
Citrus Juicer
You can just as easily use your hands or a fork to help squeeze out the juice of a lemon for your citrus desserts, but if you want to get every last drop, invest in a juicer. The sieve will also strain out pulp and seeds, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally mixing them into your batter or dough.
Other Knives
A serrated bread knife might come in handy for some baked recipes, but you can usually get by with just your chef’s or paring knives. But if you do have serrated knives in your kitchen, use your tomato knife for cutting fruits and vegetables and your bread knife for slicing into your homemade bread without squashing your loaf.
Tart Pan
This pastry tool certainly comes in handy if you are a big fan of fruit tarts. You’ll definitely want to invest in this specialty pan, although there aren’t many uses for it outside tarts.
Springform Pan
This pan has a latch that opens, allowing you to remove the sides, making it great for authentic cheesecakes and deep-dish pizza. But if you’re not dead-set on making a traditional New York-style cheesecake, there are other recipes (like bars and no-bake recipes) you can make without this pan that are equally delicious.
Fluted Tube Pan
You’ll definitely need this pan if you want to make a traditional bundt (like the beautiful blueberry one pictured) or angel food cake, but you probably won’t pull it out of your cupboard as often as you think. For most cake recipes, just a round or rectangular baking pan is all you need.
Pizza Pan
Yes, if you want to make a perfectly round pizza, you’ll need this pan in your kitchen. But if your heart isn’t completely set on a circular pizza, you can just easily bake your pie on a regular baking sheet.
Jelly Roll Pan
Jelly rolls, cake rolls, and pumpkin bars all make the case for having this pan in your pantry, but most cake, brownie, and bar recipes can also be made in a rectangular baking pan. If you do have a jelly roll pan, it’s also useful for toasting nuts and roasting veggies, but a sheet pan will usually accomplish the same tasks.
Soufflé Dish
This dish can certainly turn out a sky-high soufflé, which might make it worth it for master bakers to keep in their kitchens. But if you’re not a frequent soufflé maker, you can easily skip this item.
Ramekins are nice to have for making individual portions of desserts, such as crème brûlée, but you don’t necessarily need them in your kitchen. Of course, if you do have a set, they’ll also come in handy for serving desserts to a crowd.
A blender will definitely make some recipes quicker, but it doesn’t have a ton of uses for bakers beyond pureeing fruit sauces or soups. Of course, if you love a morning smoothie on your way out the door, you’ll want a blender on hand in your kitchen.
Food Processor
While having this kitchen appliance can certainly speed some recipes along, you can get by without one. You can crush cookies and crackers for crusts with a rolling pin, and you can mix up pie crusts in a good old-fashioned bowl with a pastry cutter (or two knives). Don’t get us wrong, though. Having a food processor will definitely come in handy if you’re a frequent baker.
If you’re new to working with some of these tools, be sure to check out the best tips and tricks as well as essential cooking basics for working in the kitchen by our Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen.
Gluten-Free Apple Rose Tart
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
Well, well, well. Aren’t you ambitious? (JK, the apple roses are easier to assemble than you’d think.)
Ginger Sandwich Cookies
These sandwiched ginger snaps are a delicious and easy dessert to make at home with your kids.
They’re made with a soft and chewy ginger snap cookie, filled with a tart lemon cream cheese filling and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.
They make a great snack or dessert, and they’re sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Fudge dark chocolate brownies
Delicious recipes don’t get much better than fudge brownies, and these fudge dark chocolate brownies are ultra-rich and decadent!
They’re made with a combination of bittersweet chocolate, espresso powder, and cocoa powder, and they’re absolutely delicious.
These brownies are not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for a truly indulgent dessert, these are the brownies for you.
Chocolate chip peanut butter cookies
These chocolate chip peanut butter cookies are classic cookie that is perfect for those who love peanut butter and chocolate.
The cookies are made with, brown sugar, peanut butter, and chocolate chip dough that is then rolled into balls and baked until golden brown.
The result is a chewy and delicious nutty flavor cookie that is perfect for any occasion.
Sticky Toffee Honeycomb Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Sticky toffee pudding, a holiday date spongecake from Britain, was long overdue for an upgrade. This one boasts thick honey-butter caramel.
Pumpkin muffins with cream cheese
If you want to try a new muffin recipe, try these pumpkin muffins with a delicious cream cheese topping!
The muffins are perfectly moist and flavorful, and the topping is rich and creamy.
They are made with a simple muffin batter, a crunchy streusel topping, and a cream cheese coating. Pumpkin muffins are the perfect fall treat.
Blackberry Jam Pie-Crust Straws
For those days when you’re craving pie but have no time to bake one. (Store-bought puff pastry to the rescue!) You can thank us later.
No-Knead Cinnamon-Swirl Bread
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
And just like that, we’re craving buttered toast. This peasant bread recipe is mind-blowingly easy to pull off (and it’s hiding a generous layer of cinnamon sugar).
No-Bake, Gluten-Free Rose Petal Brownies
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no-bake, gluten free, vegan, special occasion-worthy
A sprinkling of rose tea is a great substitute if you don’t have dried rose petals in the spice cabinet (or don’t feel like searching for them at the store).
Traditional Yorkshire pudding
These Yorkshire puddings are perfect if you have a weekend baking project and need a few ideas on fun things to bake that are beginner-friendly.
Yorkshire puddings are used in meat dishes with vegetables and gravy. The idea is to make a big one and fill it with the mean veg or make small ones.
They are easy to make with equal quantities of white/wheat flour, egg, and milk. They’re light and airy with a lovely chewy dough, perfect for a Sunday roast dinner.
Tomato soup cake
This cake is made with a can of tomato soup and is surprisingly moist and flavorful.
The cake is super light and fluffy from the baking soda and flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It’s also studded with raisins for a bit of sweetness.
The cake is then iced with a delicious buttercream frosting made with brown sugar, condensed milk, and vanilla extract. It’s perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. It’s easy to make and transport, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.
When Not to Use Wax Paper
Whatever you do, don’t put it in the oven! While wax paper can be used for many things around the kitchen, getting near any kind of heat is not one of them, says Weaver, as the wax coating will melt off and into your food.
Related Comfort Food Recipes
Try one of these delicious comfort food recipes including my thumbprint cookies recipe ready in 30 minute!
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Try one of my comfort recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I’m here to help!
Easy Cherry Skillet Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, crowd-pleaser
Your cast iron skillet basically guarantees crispy edges and a fluffy center, aka the perfect cake.
Blueberry muffins with maple crumble
These blueberry muffins are made with a pancake mix and topped with a maple streusel crumble.
They’re easy to make and perfect for a fall breakfast or brunch.
The muffins are moist and fluffy, with a hint of cinnamon and plenty of blueberries in every bite. The maple crumble topping is sweet and crunchy, and it’s the perfect finishing touch to these delicious muffins.
It’s time to channel your inner Julia Child and whip up our 13 easy baking recipes
A delicious sinful chocolate cake to please your soul!
Eggless Atta Cake
In need of a healthy treat? Step this way please. Yes, it’s true – this scrumptious cake is surprisingly good for you. You’d never guess it’s free from butter, eggs and flour.
Light, fluffy, delicious and soft cake and that too eggless!
Oat Apple Crumble
Made from oats, flavoured with cinnamon and minus the flour, our apple crumble is nothing short of spectacular. This recipe is an all-time favourite of those hankering after the ultimate easy dessert.
Packed with the delicious flavours of lemon, nutmeg and cinnamon, this dessert is a delight.
Chocolate Lava Cake
There’s always room for something sweet, especially when it tastes this good and requires only 5 ingredients. Bask in the glory of every party with this absolute crowd-pleaser.
Classic chocolate lava cake made with five simple ingredients. So decadent, you just can’t say no!
Eggless Vanilla Muffins
Go on, make the world a better place one muffin at a time. Want to go fancy? Frost these eggless muffins and top off with sprinkles.
Beautiful and delicate vanilla muffins that you can also have as cupcakes!
Flourless Chocolate Cake
A sinful chocolate cake that you can whip up in a flash with just 5 ingredients. Wonderfully moist and so simple, take indulgent cake to the next level with our flourless version. (Just find a good hiding place for it).
A chocolate cake that is just too easy to cook, prepare for a tea-party or festivals.
Ragi Cookies
Crunchy, crumbly and packed with calcium – you’ll leave your family reaching for another. Enjoy these easy and guilt-free cookies with a healthy twist.
A crunchy, sweet treat made with healthy ragi flour. Enjoy these cookies guilt-free along with a cup of tea.
Fudgy Chocolate Brownies
These heavenly brownies are pure chocolate overload, featuring a fudgy center, slightly crusty top and layers of decadence. It doesn’t get better than this. With juts a few ingredients, you can bake this delightful dessert at home.
A sinful treat, fudgy chocolate brownie is exactly what you need to satiate your sweet tooth.
Coffee Cake with Mocha Frosting
Give coffee cake the ultimate upgrade – layer with a creamy mocha frosting and sprinkle with crushed nuts. Serve for breakfast or high-tea and get that quintessential caffeine kick.
For the one’s with caffeine addiction, your coffee dreams packed right inside this cake.
This peach cobbler will tantalize your taste buds no end. Looks so gorgeous you won’t want to dig in, but once you start you won’t be able to stop. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and go straight to heaven!
A delicious blend of fruits, nuts and vanilla, peach crumble is a great dessert to prepare for a party.
Baked Vanilla Cream
A dessert to relish at any time. Baked vanilla cream is a delicious dessert with the goodness of caramel sauce topped over and served with fresh seasonal fruits. Easy and fuss-free to prepare with few simple ingredients.
This dessert is a favourite of both kids and adults alike! Baked vanilla with caramel and fresh fruits. A treat to relish!
Sticky Date Pudding
Gooey, spongy and sticky, this date pudding is a comfort food at its best. You can also serve this pudding with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of double cream during tea time.
Eggless Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red velvet cupcakes calling, this time with a unique twist. Get the radiant red colour with an innovative addition of beetroot. Indulge and enjoy.
Try these amazing baking recipes at home and let us know your experience in the comments section below.
Brownie Cupcakes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Let your kids top them off with marshmallows right before they finish baking, so they can watch them melt in the oven.
Baked beef empanadas
First on the list of fun things to bake is these beef empanadas are packed with flavor and easy to make. The filling is made with a delicious ground beef mixture of boiled eggs, onion, garlic, and jalapeno pepper.
The filling is placed in the middle of each circle, and the dough is then sealed and crimped. The empanadas are then brushed with egg yolk and baked until golden brown.
These beef empanadas are the perfect party food. They’re flavorful, easy to eat, and can be made ahead of time. If you’re looking for a new recipe to try, this is it!
Chrissy Teigen’s 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Crowned with salted crisped rice-hazelnut crackle for good measure (and whipped cream, of course).
Carrot cake
Last on the list of things to bake is this festive carrot cake is moist, flavorful, and topped with a rich and creamy cream frosting.
The cake is made with a mixture of fresh carrots, raisins, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to pair with the shredded carrot and orange zest.
It’s one of the best cakes on this list and definitely carries a punch in flavor and light texture.
Easy one-dish Blueberry cake
This easy one-dish Blueberry cake is perfect for those who want a quick and easy dessert.
The cake is made with a buttery cake base and fresh blueberries. It’s so simple to make and only requires one cast-iron skillet to combine the batter and bake it.
The cake is best served warm with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
Almond joy brownies
These almond joy brownies are similar to the other fudge brownies on our list but with tropical coconut and crunchy almond topping to with the chocolate goodness.
The brownie base is still dense and fudgy, but the addition of shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and chocolate chips make these brownies even more delicious.
You could make these brownies and the others on the list to give guests a variety of brownies to choose from!
OREO cheesecake
This OREO cheesecake is a clone of the popular Cheesecake Factory dessert. It’s rich and creamy, with a layer of OREO cookies on top and easy to make.
The Oreo moist crumb crust is crunchy, and the cheesecake filling is smooth and fluffy.
This dessert is perfect for a special occasion or a crowd, and it can be made ahead of time and frozen, so it’s perfect for entertaining.
Caramel Almond Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Slivered almonds + sugar = a sweet, crunchy caramel crust that will impress every guest imaginable.
Cranberry Apple Danish
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Warning: Your brunch guests will think you scored these at a posh local café. Let the compliments roll in.
Strawberry Pie with Strawberry Crust
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Food coloring? You can do better than that. Pulse freeze-dried strawberries and sugar in the food processor instead to turn the crust pink.
No-Bake Sugar Cookie Truffles
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no bake
Otherwise known as the tastiest way to repurpose leftover sugar cookies. (The secret is cream cheese, BTW.)
Must-Have Baking Tools
Baking is all about precision, so having a full set of measuring cups and spoons on hand is a must. Don’t think you can get by with just one type of measuring cup, you’ll need both dry and wet measuring cups to accurately measure all your ingredients. Keep these tools in a spot that’s easy to reach, because you’ll use them all the time.
Most measuring spoon sets include a tablespoon, teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, and ¼ teaspoon, while most measuring cups come in sets with one cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup. For liquid measuring cups, you can get by with a 1-cup size, but it can be handy to have 2-cup and 4-cup ones in your cupboard, too.
Wooden Spoon(s)
One wooden spoon is enough, but this tool is so handy, it can sometimes be helpful to have a couple around. Wooden spoons are so sturdy they’re great for all kinds of stirring. You’ll be able to use them with even the thickest, heaviest doughs. Just remember to handwash them when you’re done, so they don’t end up cracked.
Rubber Spatula/Scraper
We’re willing to bet you reach for your rubber spatula more often than you think. This tool is ideal for scraping the last bit of batter or dough out of a pan or for scraping all the nooks and crannies out of your jam jar. They’re also super handy for folding together wet and dry ingredients. Note that silicone scrapers will stand up to high heat better than rubber ones.
Spatula/Metal Turner
When you need to transfer fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies to a cooling rack or serve a piece of cake from a 9×13 pan, there’s no tool better than a good old spatula. Having one with a thin metal blade can be especially handy, and it’ll be flexible enough to easily slide under anything you’re moving without squishing the dough or crumbling your cookies.
Pastry Brush
This handy tool has more uses than you may realize. It can be used to grease a pan before pouring in cake batter, to coat the dough with melted butter or egg wash, or to “paint” milk on top of a pie crust. Especially if you’re a frequent baker, this is a must-have!
Yes, you can use a wire whisk to beat together a few eggs, but it’s handy for other things too. In particular, it’s one of the best ways to thoroughly mix together dry ingredients. It’s also great for stirring together a homemade custard.
Kitchen Scissors
Whenever we’re making a recipe, baking or otherwise, we always have our kitchen shears handy. They can be useful in so many ways, including snipping fresh herbs, cutting parchment to fit a pan, or even just opening stubborn packages and containers.
Rolling Pin
Rolling pins are definitely most useful for rolling out pie crusts, cookie dough, and puff pastry, but there are other ways you can put this tool to work in your kitchen. For example, if you don’t have a food processor and need to crush cookies, chips, or crackers for a recipe, just put them in a sealable bag, then use your rolling pin to smash them to pieces.
Fine-Mesh Sieve
You can put a sieve to work in a lot of different ways. For bakers, it’s probably the most useful for sifting dry ingredients or adding a dusting of powdered sugar to a finished pan of brownies or cookies. This piece of baking equipment also comes in handy for draining wet ingredients (especially small items, like quinoa, that would slip through a regular colander) and removing seeds from raspberry sauces.
Chef’s Knife
If you have only one knife in your whole kitchen, make it this one. A chef’s knife is great for slicing, dicing, chopping, and mincing just about any ingredient your recipe calls for.
Paring Knife
A regular baking pan (13x9x2 inches) is a definite must-have. You can use it for so many sweet things—cakes, brownies, cookie bars—and, of course, it has savory uses as well. If you pick only one baking pan to stock your kitchen with, make it this one.
Round Cake Pan
You should have two of these baking essentials on hand, since you’ll need more than one to make a layer cake. Round cake pans come in 8-inch and 9-inch diameters, but either size will work with most layer cake recipes—just be sure you have two pans in the same size.
Loaf Pan
Banana bread, pumpkin bread, zucchini bread—all of our favorite homemade bread recipes call for a loaf pan. If you also want to bake your own yeast bread, it’ll pay to have two of these pans in your cupboard.
Pie Plate
Yes, the most obvious use for a pie plate is baking your own homemade pies, but there are other desserts that make this baking item useful to have around. You also can make savory pies for dinner, like meatball pie and taco pie, along with some frozen icebox pies. They work well as shallow dishes for dredging and breading meats, too.
Square Baking Pan
You don’t always need to make a huge pan of brownies, and when you just want a small batch, you’ll need a square baking pan. Cookie bars, cakes, brownies, and corn bread are just a few of the baked goods you can create using this baking essential.
Wire Rack
No one wants soggy, overbaked cookies and cakes for dessert, so make sure you’ve got a wire rack on hand. This handy tool allows air to circulate around baked goods as they cool, so they’ll taste just as great at room temperature as they did fresh from the oven.
Muffin Pan
Use this pan to create a tray of freshly-baked muffins for a brunch, or to make cupcakes for your next birthday celebration. You can also use a muffin pan for many savory recipes, like meatballs, pizza cups, and mini meat loaves.
Baking Sheet/Cookie Sheet/Sheet Pan
You definitely need at least one cookie sheet in your kitchen, and you’ll probably benefit from having two. If you do opt for two, we recommend having one with a raised side to bake your cookies, which allows proper air circulation and even baking. This pan is essential for baking almost any kind of cookie, but baking sheets and sheet pans with raised sides are also useful for cookies and work best for sheet pan dinner recipes.
Hand Mixer/Stand Mixer
While you don’t need to go all-out on a fancy stand mixer, you do need at least a hand mixer in your arsenal of baking essentials. It will make mixing doughs and batters faster and easier, and it’s by far the best way to mix ingredients into a thick, stiff cookie dough without tiring out your arm.
If you haven’t been baking with parchment paper, start now. Spreading a sheet over your pan before you start baking will make cleanup much easier and prevent your baked goods from sticking to the pan. Avid bakers might consider investing in a reusable silicone baking mat to be more eco-friendly.
Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
This dessert is inspired by light-as-clouds semlor, a yeasted Swedish cake. Cardamom makes the cake delightfully fragrant.
Grapefruit Meringue Stacks
- Time Commitment: 3 hours
- Why We Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy
Sweet, airy meringues layered with tart, five-ingredient grapefruit curd? Don’t mind if we do.
Rich brownies with rocky road topping
One of my favorite desserts is brownies, but they have to be gooey and rich in chocolate, and these rich brownies with a rocky road topping are truly unique.
They’re made with a dense and fudgy brownie base, topped with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
Some people say they are the best brownies in the world! And I wouldn’t argue with that statement!
When Not to Use Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is not designed for high-heat cooking. Avoid using it in your oven or on the grill if temperature will exceed 400 degrees, says Michelle Weaver, chef at Charleston Grill in South Carolina, as there’s a chance it could catch fire.
Puff Pastry Plum and Thyme Galette
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
It’s as easy as crinkling store-bought dough into a skillet, plopping in fresh plums and letting your oven do the rest.
Coconut Cookies
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, <10 ingredients
They taste like a blissful combo of sugar cookies and coconut macaroons, and we’re here for it.
Fig Tarte Tatin
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Store-bought puff pastry meets sticky-sweet, caramelized produce. Bookmark this now to wow the relatives at Christmas dinner.
Peanut butter chocolate pie
And this dessert right here is my number 1 foolproof peanut butter chocolate pie recipe to make that tastes and looks amazing every time.
This pie has a store-bought pie crust, a rich and creamy peanut butter filling, and is decorated with chocolate ganache and creamy peanut butter.
It’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time.
Lemon raspberry sour cream pound cake
This lemon raspberry sour cream pound cake is a delicious and easy dessert.
It’s made with a Cake Mix, sour cream, eggs, raspberry jam, and lemon juice. It’s then topped with a raspberry sauce and a lemon glaze.
This cake is moist and flavorful, and the raspberry and lemon combination is delicious. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Best Uses for Wax Paper
Working on a messy project, such as decorating cookies (especially with kids)? Put down a few sheets of wax paper to cover your table or countertop, says Weaver. That way, when you’re done, you can roll up any excess and simply toss it. This comes in handy particularly if you’re decorating with sprinkles! You can do the same thing when rolling out cookie dough or bread dough to avoid covering your countertop in flour and dough, says Rothacker. Wax paper is also an ideal surface when you’re dipping something in chocolate, like strawberries or pretzels, and need a place for the chocolate to harden before you remove it, says Tomlan.
Packing a picnic? Wrap individual sandwiches in wax paper instead of plastic wrap or plastic bags, says Weaver. Not only will it look adorable, especially if you tie it with a pretty string, it will protect your sandwich from getting soggy (and you can save the piece to wipe off and reuse later, too!).
Outside the kitchen, wax paper has a magical way of helping things glide more easily—think loosening a stuck zipper or making a can opener operate more smoothly. “Just rub it along the edge, and the wax will transfer and help glide things along,” says Tomlan.
Caramel Coconut Macaroons
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
A simple caramel sauce sweetens the cookies and gives them a killer burnt sugar flavor. Feel free to dip them in dark chocolate or top them with flaky salt.
Cinnamon rolls
Fun things to bake like cinnamon rolls are a classic breakfast treat served with a coffee!
They’re made with fluffy cinnamon-sugar dough and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
These cinnamon rolls are easy to make and taste even better than they look.
Cookies-and-Cream Shortbread Cookies
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Think of them as classy homemade Oreos. Your kids will love finding one in their lunchboxes.
Chocolate eclairs
If you ever wanted to make those delicious eclairs you always buy at the local patisserie, now is your chance with this homemade chocolate eclairs recipe.
They are made with a simple choux pastry that is filled with vanilla pastry cream and then dipped in a chocolate glaze.
They are light, fluffy, and so delicious! The perfect treat for any chocolate lover.
Cream cheese banana bread
This cream cheese banana bread is a delicious twist on classic banana bread.
It’s packed with walnuts to give it a crunchy texture, and the creamy cheese makes it fluffy and moist.
It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack, and great for freezing and eating later.
Cranberry orange zucchini bread
Using zucchini in bread helps keep it moist and soft during baking, and the flavor combinations are endless, like this fruity cranberry and orange zucchini bread.
This bread combines two of my favorite flavors, cranberry, and orange. The orange juice and zest give the bread a lovely citrus flavor that goes so well with the sweet cranberries. The bread is also studded with chopped walnuts for some texture and crunch.
This bread is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. It’s moist, flavorful, and packed with nutrients.
Lemon Meringue Cookies
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Rubbing lemon zest into the sugar helps release more of its natural citrus flavor into the cookies.
Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
In case you simply can’t be trusted around a whole fresh batch, this quick confection will hit the spot without tempting you for days.
Blueberry buttermilk banana bread
We have quite a few banana and zucchini bread recipes on this list simply because they are easy to make for any home chef.
And they’re great for mixing different ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, and fresh fruits like this recipe with blueberries.
It’s soo good and filled with juicy sweet blueberries. It’s in my top 3 banana bread recipes of all time.
Chocolate-dipped biscotti
These chocolate-dipped biscotti are a great choice if you want fun things to bake with to bake your kids.
They are easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time required and minimal kitchen equipment.
The biscotti are dipped in melted chocolate and then sprinkled with chopped pistachios. Perfect served with tea and coffee.
Triple Cookie Skillet Pie
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
Something tells us your kids won’t want birthday cake for their next party once they catch wind of this triple threat.
Classic Banana Bread
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, kid-friendly
Just in case quarantine hasn’t turned you into a total pro yet, this banana bread is impeccably moist and pretty darn foolproof.
