Creating your own bucket list of must-try recipes? These top-rated bakes deserve a spot on your agenda.
If you’d like to learn how to bake bread, here’s a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread recipe bakes up deliciously golden brown. There’s nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York
Banana-Zucchini Bread
My grandmother made this quick bread for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been making it ever since I learned how to bake. Children love it for a snack, and it’s good to serve at any meal. It’s another delicious way to use zucchini, which is so abundant in late summer. —Eva Mae Hebert, Lafayette, LA
Best Braided Bread
I use these shiny beautiful loaves as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the taste of honey, but you can also add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest or almonds. Leftover slices of this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or for French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California
Oat Dinner Rolls
These soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois
Best Cinnamon Rolls
When I married him, I discovered that my husband’s family has the best cinnamon roll recipe! I asked his mom how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and I’ve been making them ever since. Serve them with scrambled eggs, and you have a filling breakfast. As a variation, you can replace the filling with a mixture of raisins and pecans. —Shenai Fisher, Topeka, Kansas
Homemade Irish Soda Bread
Who has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Zucchini-Chocolate Chip Muffins
Whenever I make these muffins, I freeze several. As I’m leaving for work in the morning, I pull one out and enjoy it at the office with a cup of coffee. —Janet Pierce DeCori, Rockton, Illinois
Skillet Corn Bread
This skillet corn bread looks like a puffy pancake but has an easy-to-cut texture. It complements everything from chicken to chili. —Kathy Teela, Tucson, Arizona
Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Scones
Chocolate, hazelnuts and the tangy taste of buttermilk —these delicious scones are easy to make, come together fast, and taste so good with your morning coffee. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Cranberry Crumble Coffee Cake
People are delighted to find the ruby cranberry sauce swirled inside this tempting coffee cake. With the crumble topping, moist cake and tangy filling, it won’t last long! —Jeani Robinson, Weirton, West Virginia
Best Ever Bread Pudding
The secret to incredible bread pudding with a soft middle and crisp edges starts with leftover dinner rolls. I picked up the rich brown sugar sauce recipe from my friend Kathryn Gartmann. A big drizzle of it takes this dessert over the top and really makes it the best bread pudding ever. —Maria Petrella, Taste of Home Prep Cook
Ultimate Fudgy Brownies
Put these beauties out at a potluck and you’ll find only crumbs on your platter when it’s time to head home. Everyone will ask who made those scrumptious blondies, so be sure to bring copies of the recipe! —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor
Old-Fashioned Whoopie Pies
Who can resist soft chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a layer of fluffy white frosting? Mom has made these whoopie pies for years. They’re a treat that never lasts very long with me and my two brothers around. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Cranberry Pecan Cookies
These are so tasty and simple to prepare! Each delightful little cookie is loaded with cranberries, nuts and vanilla, giving them the taste of a treat that’s been slaved over. —Louise Hawkins, Lubbock, Texas
Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread
My Scottish grandmother was renowned for her baking, and one of the highlights whenever we visited my grandparents was her bringing out the baking tin. Her shortbread cookies were my favorite, and now, whenever I make them, I remember her. This is not a thin, crispy dessert shortbread; it’s a deep bar that is best served with a cup of tea. —Jane Kelly, Wayland, Massachusetts
Almond Spritz Cookies
This almond spritz cookies recipe can be left plain or decorated with colored sugar and frosting. In our house, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without some cookie press recipes.—Tanya Hart, Muncie, Indiana
Chocolate Cutout Cookies
I love gingerbread cookies, but my grandchildren don’t like the ginger flavor. Now I use chocolate and watch them smile as they take that first bite. —Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
Cookie Butter Pie
I tasted Biscoff cookie spread at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make this pie your own by substituting peanut butter or another kind of spread for the Biscoff spread and then matching toppings. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama
Best Angel Food Cake
For our daughter’s wedding, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she’s used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I’ve found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. And be sure to avoid common angel food cake mistakes. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
Chocolate Chiffon Cake
If you want to offer family and friends a dessert that really stands out from the rest, this is the cake to make. Beautiful high layers of rich sponge cake are drizzled with a succulent chocolate glaze. —Erma Fox, Memphis, Missouri
Lemon Berry Dump Cake
This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just “dumping it all in” and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
Italian Cream Cheese Cake
Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round.—Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri
Lemon-Berry Shortcake
This simple lemon shortcake is tender and not overly sweet. Enjoy this summertime classic with a generous layer of whipped topping and berries. —Meryl Herr, Overland Park, Kansas
Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter Cupcakes
I’ve been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
Cinnamon-Spiced Pumpkin Flan
I love pumpkin and decided to add it to a traditional recipe for flan. It’s an interesting change of pace from the usual holiday pie. —Alisha Rodrigues, Tetonia, Idaho
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Apple cranberry crisp is a wonderful dessert for fall, when both cranberries and apples are in season. The fruits are quite compatible in flavor and color, and they help make any table look festive and inviting. —Martha Sue Stroud, Clarksville, Texas
Classic Blueberry Buckle
This blueberry buckle recipe came from my grandmother. As children, my sister and I remember going to Pennsylvania for blueberry picking. Mother taught us to pick only perfect berries, and those gems went into this wonderful recipe. —Carol Dolan Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler
Crumbled macaroons are a surprising addition to this cobbler’s topping. We love that you can make the sweet treat in a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet.
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Mousse Trifle
You can speed up this recipe by using a store-bought pound cake or baking and freezing one ahead of time. The sugared pecans can also be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container.—Becky McClaflin, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake
I used to think cheesecake sounded intimidating, but since I started making them I can’t stop! This simple but special cookie-topped version will make your family feel fussed over. —Rose Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana
Chocolate-Topped Strawberry Cheesecake
Creamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
You did it! All the cookies have been baked and the festive cakes consumed. You might be asking yourself, “What’s next on the baking agenda?” If you’re coming up blank, don’t fret. This month is actually a sneaky great time to bake: With winter weather settled in, it’s time to hunker down and tackle a project bake you’ve always wanted to try. Or use this time to bake all the recipes you were dying to make while cookies and candies took up your time in December.
To inspire you, I’m sharing my favorite recipes — from hearty entrées to breakfast treats to sweet indulgences — to keep you and your family warm and well-fed this month.
Make your coffee break extra-special with coffee-infused Mocha Whoopie Pies.
1) Mocha Whoopie Pies
Embrace the darker side of winter with these devilishly dark whoopie pies. They feature espresso-enhanced cake rounds sandwiched around a rich chocolate ganache filling. Pair with a warm mug of hot cocoa or your favorite cup of coffee.
Photography and food styling by Liz Neily
Popovers are a fun way to liven up your normal breakfast routine.
2) Popovers
If you think it’s difficult to whip up freshly baked treats on a cold winter morning, think again. I love popovers for their simplicity — they’re made with only four ingredients and five minutes of prep time — and their versatility. Serve with jam for breakfast (my preferred way) or in the breadbasket for dinner. Heed my warning: Keep that oven door closed while baking! If you open the door, the popovers may not fully “pop,” ruining the “whoa-you-made-those?!” effect these tend to elicit.
Chicken and Dumplings are the ultimate comfort food for cold winter nights.
3) Chicken and Dumplings
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, I have a soft spot for this variation of the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch recipe. (I even remember eating it in my elementary school cafeteria when I was a little girl.) This quick and easy recipe features fluffy, homemade dumplings (made even easier with self-rising flour!) that sit atop a flavorful chicken soup-style filling. A one-pot recipe, it’s perfect for your Dutch oven.
Discover the sweet surprise tucked inside these stuffed cookies.
4) Salted Caramel Stuffed Cookie
A mashup of an oatmeal cookie, coffee cake, and muffin, these impressive cookies are stuffed with warm, gooey caramel for the ultimate decadent dessert. Senior Recipe Developer Molly Marzalek-Kelly spent countless hours perfecting the ratio of cookie to caramel to streusel topping, and she nailed it. Unlike your average cookie, they’re baked in a muffin pan to ensure they’re adorably chubby and perfectly round.
Experience potato perfection with Classic Scalloped Potatoes.
5) Classic Scalloped Potatoes
This recipe is simple to make, quite affordable, and makes a lot. With layers of thinly sliced, tender potatoes and a creamy sauce made with just flour, milk, and butter, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better way to eat these seasonal tubers.
Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa gives these Fudge Brownies their irresistible chocolatiness.
6) Fudge Brownies
I have baked numerous batches of brownies, and I keep returning to this recipe. They’re easy to make and taste so much better than boxed. This recipe also taught me how to accomplish the perfect shiny crust quintessential to a picture-perfect brownie. (The secret? Chocolate chips!) There’s a reason these brownies are beloved by everyone at King Arthur — they’re simply the best.
7) Cinnamon-Sugar Crunch Bagels
We’ve got Recipe of the Year on the mind since our 2023 recipe, Cinnamon-Crisp Coffee Cake, just made its debut. This sweet bagel recipe is a twist on our 2022 Recipe of the Year — Ultimate Sandwich Bagels — and the well-loved Cinnamon Crunch Bagel from Panera. It’s distinguished by its spectacularly crunchy crust, made from a streusel topping that shatters with every bite and includes coarse sparkling sugar for a sprinkle-like crunch.
Add an extra sprinkle of cheese to this savory quiche right before baking for extra flavor.
8) Roasted Butternut Squash & Spinach Quiche
I love quiche for its versatility, and this recipe is no exception. Butternut squash and aromatic herbs provide a rich, earthy, comforting flavor, but you can just as easily substitute other winter squashes or vegetables you have on hand. Baked in a buttery, flaky pie crust with a creamy custard filling, it’s great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner.
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
This Chocolate Cream Pie will satisfy any chocolate lover.
9) Chocolate Cream Pie
The silky-smooth chocolate filling is what really takes this luscious pie over the top. Crowned with lightly sweetened whipped cream reminiscent of a blanket of fresh snow, this pie is a diner staple that’s even better when made at home. Add some shaved chocolate on top for an elegant touch. Make sure to check out our vegan-friendly version too: No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Pie.
Prep this bread the night before and bake it fresh in the morning.
10) No-Knead Harvest Bread
Made with whole grains, dried fruit, and nuts, this hearty bread is hands down my favorite bread to toast for breakfast. It packs flavor and texture and needs only a small smattering of butter to bring out all its flavors. No-knead breads are also some of the easiest you’ll ever make thanks to the longer resting times that replace kneading.
Homemade Pierogi beat store-bought every time.
11) Homemade Pierogi
These little pockets of mashed potatoes and cheese are a recipe to put on repeat all winter long. They’re easy to make, and you can customize your fillings based on your taste — sauerkraut is my personal favorite. Serve them like I do, with a dollop of sour cream.
Joseph De Leo
Kouign-Amann is a classic sweet and flaky pastry that’s worth making at home.
12) Classic Kouign-Amann (Breton Butter Cake)
If you’re snowed in and want a baking project, give this traditional French cake a whirl. Kouign-amann translates to “butter cake,” and for good reason. Like a croissant, it’s made by layering dough with sheets of butter, creating delicate layers that melt in your mouth — but with the pleasant addition of sugar in each of those layers. This recipe is a great place to start if you’re new to laminated doughs, as it’s very forgiving.
The addition of chili crisp gives these savory rolls a spicy punch.
13) Tahini-Scallion Rolls
These rolls are unlike any I’ve had before. Creamy tahini lends a slightly nutty flavor that sets them apart from your average dinner roll, while the scallions add a somewhat peppery flavor. I like to sprinkle Everything Bagel Topping on top for added flavor and crunch. (And if you like tahini, don’t miss this Tahini Poppy Seed Pound Cake.)
Hot bread is delicious, and with the addition of hot cheese in these crusty loaves, it’s even better.
14) Gruyère-Stuffed Crusty Loaves
Filled with melty Gruyère cheese and pizza seasoning, these crusty loaves are just what every dinner table needs. I like to utilize the long rest option included at the bottom of the recipe page so I can more easily fit this recipe into my schedule.
Cover photo (Mocha Whoopie Pies) by Shilpa Iyer.
And since you’ll likely be taking these treats with you on the go, we’ve made sure that they’re all easy to transfer. Whether you make a big batch of blondies and sell slices individually or package up your favorite cookie recipes in cellophane for a grab-and-go treat, these ideas are perfect for any situation. With this collection of bake sale recipes, you’ll find crowd-pleasing favorites like cowboy cookies and peanut butter blossoms, plus plenty of fall treats that are perfect for the start of the school year. Try the apple pie bars, the Halloween cheesecake bars, or the pumpkin spice muffins—and any leftovers can double as an after-school snack! No matter which bake sale recipe you choose, these goodies are sure to become instant bestsellers.
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These rich, nutty, caramel-y bars are a classic bake sale treat. They’re easy to make ahead and they’re a hit with anyone who has a sweet tooth.
Get the Blondies recipe.
Cowboy Cookies
These Texas-sized cookies are loaded with tasty mix-ins, like chocolate chips, coconut flakes, chopped pecans, and rolled oats. If you like a salty-sweet treat, try topping them with flaky sea salt.
Get the Cowboy Cookies recipe.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes. Then, all you have to do is pop the bars in the fridge so they’re ready for your next bake sale. It couldn’t be easier!
Get the No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
The cream cheese frosting on these fall muffins is completely optional, but it also happens to be a very good idea. Either way—they’re delicious!
Get the Pumpkin Spice Muffins recipe.
Halloween Cheesecake Bars
With an Oreo cookie crust and a pumpkin cheesecake filling, these bars are the ultimate fall treat. You can make them with or without the fun sprinkles and Halloween candy depending on the time of year.
Get the Halloween Cheesecake Bars recipe.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
These chewy, chocolate-y oatmeal cookies are loaded with peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut spread. If you’re not a fan of coconut flakes, simply swap them out for any chopped nuts.
Get the No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Brookies
Don’t make your customers decide between brownies and cookies (that’s just cruel!). Instead, make this popular mash-up that combines the best of both worlds.
Get the Brookies recipe.
Apple Pie Bars
Serving pie at a bake sale isn’t always easy (and it requires plates). But with these apple pie bars, you can grab a slice without the fuss.
Get the Apple Pie Bars recipe.
Applesauce Cake
From the tender apple-spiced cake to the maple brown butter frosting, there’s so much to love about this simple snack cake. You might even want to make an extra to round out your holiday desserts.
Get the Applesauce Cake recipe.
SHOP BAKING TOOLS
Graduation Brownie Bites
These chocolate-glazed brownie bites are so good, it’ll be hard to eat just one. If your bake sale is happening later in the school year, turn the brownies into graduation hats using chocolate squares and sour candy belts.
Get Ree’s Graduation Brownie Bites recipe.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Who can resist the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter? Roll the dough in sanding sugar (using your school colors) for even more school spirit.
Get the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe.
Oreo Truffles
Here’s a fun bake sale idea: Top these no-bake truffles with pretty sprinkles or nonpareils, then wrap a few of them up in cellophane bags with ribbon for an impressive presentation.
Get Ree’s Oreo Truffles recipe.
Whether you’re selling entire loaves or just individual slices, you can’t go wrong with this healthy-ish recipe. It’s a great way to sneak some veggies onto the table of sweets.
Get the Zucchini Bread recipe.
My guide to the best easy baking recipes contains a wide range of simple dessert recipes and easy baking ideas that you and your family will love. If you’re looking for easy baking recipes for kids or dessert recipes with few ingredients, this list has you covered.
Perhaps you are looking for things to bake when bored? Or, searching for quick bakes to satisfy a persistent sweet tooth? You’ll love the delicious range of easy and quick baking recipes on this list.
Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
Every bit of these cheesecake-stuffed cookies is full of rich and creamy flavor. The dough itself is loaded with fresh raspberries, while the inside impresses with a sweetened cream cheese filling. Finally, graham cracker crumbs and freeze-dried raspberries adorn each cookie, bringing this raspberry dessert to the next level.
Triple Chocolate Brownies
Featuring dark, milk, and white chocolate, these dense and fudgy treats are a chocolate lover’s dream come true. The winning combination of easy-to-make brownies and intense chocolate flavor will make this your go-to recipe for when you need to quickly satisfy a raging craving for delicious chocolate.
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Basque Burnt Cheesecake
This unique cheesecake originates from the Basque region of Spain and so one of the easier European desserts. Its stunning caramelized exterior differentiates it from more traditional cheesecake recipes. Designed to be imperfect, with its rustic outer appearance, this deceivingly rich and velvety cheesecake is the perfect one bowl recipe for even the most inexperienced baker to tackle.
Lemonade Bundt Cake
This lemonade bundt cake simply tastes like summer. Its delightful blend of three different citrus fruits – lemon, orange, and lime – adds a bright and bold flavor that is evident in every bite. Undoubtedly, the super moist texture makes this dessert irresistibly tender and perfect for enjoying at warm-weather gatherings or as a refreshing treat on a sunny afternoon.
Palmiers
Palmiers is one of those easy baking recipes with few ingredients which is also surprisingly impressive. They are French pastry cookies that boast a wonderfully light and flaky texture. All you need to make them is puff pastry, sugar, and a simple egg wash. With this simple baking dessert recipe, you’ll be enjoying sweet and buttery delicate treats in no time!
Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust
Each bite of this easy dessert is full of sweet cinnamon-flavored peaches and, contrary to traditional cobbler, a homemade buttery pie crust is used on top. No question, this is a warm and comforting easy to make recipe, which is also perfect to enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Clafoutis
This classic French dessert combines delightful fruit flavors with a custard-like batter. This recipe features a velvety, flan-like base that surrounds and envelops the cherries, creating a warm and rustic comforting dessert. This quick baked fail-proof recipe is a great choice even for total baking beginners!
Tiramisu Cupcakes
A tiramisu lovers’ dream, these sweet and fluffy handheld treats hit all the right notes as a tribute to the authentic tiramisu recipe. You make them by infusing a moist cupcake with freshly brewed coffee and topping it with an incredibly creamy mascarpone-based frosting. On top, a dusting of cocoa powder adds just a hint of subtle bitterness to balance the sweetness of the frosting.
Nutella Babka
Nutella babka is a braided bread recipe with swirls of the luscious chocolate hazelnut spread. The bread itself is rich in flavor, similar to brioche, and when complemented by the deep flavors of Nutella, this is one of the delicious and easy recipes to bake that really stands out.
Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar
Whether you’re in a pinch or would simply prefer to omit the flavor, these delicious chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar are one of the best easy baking recipes for when you’re craving something sweet. With all the sweetness and gooey texture you love, you won’t even know the ingredient isn’t included.
Red Velvet Brownies
These stunning brownies boast an inviting red hue and delicious cocoa undertones. In addition, the marbled cream cheese layer gives each of these easy bakes a gorgeous presentation while adding the perfect balance of complementary flavors.
Mini Blueberry Muffins
With juicy blueberries and a tender crumb, these delicious mini blueberry muffins deserve a spot on your breakfast menu. Therefore, this easy-to-bake treat is perfect for when you need to take your breakfast on the go. You can even make a batch ahead of time to make your busy morning run a little smoother.
Sacher Torte Cake
Sacher is a rich and sophisticated Austrian easy chocolate cake recipe made with apricot jam right in the cake mix. This is one of the best easy baking recipes for a moist chocolate sponge cake with perfectly balanced fruit flavors intertwined. One of my favorite European desserts.
Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
These apple turnovers deliver all the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie in just a fraction of the total time. Thanks to the use of puff pastry, you’ll still enjoy the crunchy crust contrasting the perfectly gooey apple-based filling. Serve these hand pies with a side of homemade caramel sauce for that perfect bite of autumn bliss.
Strawberry Galette
you can make this flavorful strawberry gallate for dessert in just 30 minutes. The filling is so simple and comes together in no time. You can also top your dessert with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream for a deliciously sweet and creamy treat.
Baklava
This elegant pastry features layers of crispy, paper-thin filo dough generously filled with a mixture of finely chopped nuts, cinnamon, and sugar. Moreover, each bite is elevated by the delightful addition of a honey syrup that permeates the layers, creating a satisfyingly sticky treat.
Mini Brownie Bites
These Mini brownie bites bake much faster than a full pan of brownies, and can be dressed up to fit any occasion. Use these gooey brownie bites as a base for adding spices, nuts, or frosting. Alternatively, you can enjoy them as they are for a simple, bite-sized dessert.
Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
Oatmeal makes an incredible difference to the flavor and texture of cookies. And it hits all the right notes in this soft and chewy recipe. Uniquely partnered with dried cranberries, the fruity flavor adds delicious pops of brightness that make these oatmeal cookies a recipe to come back to over and over again.
Matcha Brownies
These unique and sophisticated brownies offer all of the fudgy texture without any of the dark chocolate taste. Instead, pleasantly earthy matcha blends with sweet and creamy white chocolate to deliver a chewy and delightful stunning dessert.
Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
These baked donuts are one of the best Fall easy baking recipes, but they’re so delicious you’ll want to make them all year long. From the perfectly seasoned pumpkin puree to the wonderfully complementary brown sugar, the batter is loaded with warm notes of sweet delight.
Banana Bread without Baking Soda
Everyone loves a warm, comforting loaf of banana bread, and this simple recipe allows you to achieve this ideal bake, even if you’re all out of baking soda. Of course, this is a quick bread, so it falls under the no yeast bread category, but it still gets plenty of rise. With only one simple baking soda substitute, you can still enjoy all of the classic flavors as well as a moist and tender crumb.
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists
Deliciously fragrant and amazingly flaky, these cinnamon twists will put you on the fast track to baking success. The puff pastry is brushed with butter and also generously sprinkled with cinnamon sugar before being twisted into a beautiful, spiraled treat. Baked to golden perfection, each twist offers a delicate crunch and a burst of warm, sweet cinnamon flavor.
Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
With a crunchy hazelnut crust and a creamy chocolate hazelnut ganache filling, this luscious tart is the perfect treat for any Nutella lover. The ultra-rich and creamy filling pairs perfectly with the crisp cookie crust. Requiring only 30 minutes of prep time, this elegant dessert is an absolute must-try.
Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
These vibrant cupcakes use golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries for a wonderful crunch and flavorful topping. The moist vanilla cupcake and cream cheese frosting create the perfect base to balance the topping and let the flavor shine through.
Baklava Cheesecake
From the incredibly flaky filo dough crust to the roasted walnut layer and creamy cheesecake filling, each layer of this mouthwatering cheesecake perfectly builds off of the previous one. This baklava cheesecake is both one of the most unique as well as one of the most delicious cheesecakes you’ll ever make.
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Cinnamon rolls make an excellent, soft and fluffy dessert as well as an anytime comfort food. This version, however, elevates the traditional recipe by including all of your favorite apple pie flavors. Topped with an irresistibly thick cream cheese icing, this easy baking recipe is perfect for holiday mornings and can even be prepared the night before to cut down on prep time in the morning.
Biscoff Butter Cookies
If you’ve ever enjoyed a scoop of Lotus Biscoff spread, you already understand why you need to make these cookies as soon as possible. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, just know that with a consistency similar to peanut butter, the amazing spiced caramel flavors will set a new standard for the quality of cookies you deserve. Try some of my other Biscoff recipes as well.
Brownie Blondies
You cannot decide between brownies and blondies? This recipe takes the best parts of two incredible desserts and brings them together in one pan. The result is a seamlessly harmonious blend of brownies and blondies that offers the perfect balance of flavors in every unique bite.
French Toast Brioche
Elevate your breakfast game with a sophisticated take on the classic French toast recipe. Thick slices of my homemade brioche are soaked in milk and eggs before being buttered up and caramelized with sugar. Finally, the slices of French toast are baked in the oven to seal in their flavors. You can garnish them with a wide variety of toppings to finish off the perfect baked breakfast.
Pistachio Cheesecake
This easy cheesecake recipe is bursting will all-natural pistachio flavor. This is thanks to the wonderfully luscious pistachio butter that serves as its rich and indulgent base. Topped with fresh, roasted pistachios for a satisfying crunch, this recipe is a dream come true for any pistachio dessert lover.
Strawberry Charlotte Cake
This Charlotte cake is one of the best ladyfinger desserts in both flavor and elegance. In this recipe, the spongy biscuits provide a beautiful border and separation of layers for the strawberry coulis, fresh strawberries, and luxurious cream. While traditional Charlotte cake uses Bavarian cream, my recipe opts for richer and creamier mousseline cream filling.
Nutella Puff Pastry Twists
Indulge your taste buds in the fantastic combination of rich, chocolatey Nutella and delicate puff pastry. These two-ingredient twists include a generous helping of hazelnut spread wrapped in a spiral-shaped dough. As you can probably imagine, biting into these golden and crispy treats will please your tastebuds beyond words.
Peach Galette
Anytime peaches are in season, you should expect to make this recipe several times over. You’ll be amazed at how the flaky crust and sweet, seasoned peaches make magic together in this easy summertime dessert.
Poached Pears
Did you know that poached pears are an excellent recipe for beginners because they use minimal ingredients and only take 20 minutes to cook? Additionally, they take on a whole new dimension of flavor when they’re simmered in a syrup flavored with aromatic spices and orange peels. Enjoy them with ice cream and also use them as a part of another recipe, e.g., pear galette.
Financiers
These moist and tender French teacakes have both a nutty and lovely browned butter taste. Offering three different ways to customize, your dessert table will have a unique variation for everyone to enjoy. A variety of nuts add texture to these moist cakes, and they can also be easily paired with orange zest or vanilla bean for an elevated flavor experience.
Coffee Cookies
The way coffee enhances these cookies is two-fold. The added scoop of caffeinated goodness helps bring out the flavors of the chocolate chips, and there’s enough espresso powder in the recipe to impart its own delicious taste. If you’re a coffee desserts lover who also enjoys snacking on sweets, this easy bake recipe is a must-try!
Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream cheese makes an excellent pairing for rich chocolate flavor in your easy baking desserts. It not only balances the intensity of the chocolate but also introduces its own palatable tang to the dish as a whole. This delicious homemade recipe is a crowd-pleasing favorite with smooth, complementary flavors throughout.
Banana Mini Muffins
This easy baking recipe is the perfect way to transform your overripe bananas into a delightful breakfast treat. Perfectly fluffy texture and delicious warm cinnamon flavor bursting from every bite. Seriously, you simply can’t go wrong with this easy-to-make baking recipe for breakfast.
Biscoff Cheesecake
Indulge in the irresistible flavor combination of creamy cheesecake and delightful Biscoff cookies with this decadent treat. In fact, this cheesecake will be one of the most delicious no bake desserts you ever make. The spiced, caramelized flavors of the Biscoff crust perfectly complement the tangy cheesecake filling that also includes the luscious Biscoff spread.
Caramelized Banana Upside Down Cake
This perfectly moist vanilla cake is a creative spin on the popular pineapple upside-down cake. And if you’re a fan of caramelized bananas, it will quickly become one of your favorite easy baking recipes desserts. The delicious way the caramelized bananas meld with the tender vanilla cake creates a luscious, irresistible dessert that will leave you craving more.
Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts
Buttery shortcrust is the base for these rich cheese tarts. Thanks to the cream cheese and Parmesan in these easy baked tarts, each bite is a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors. This makes them a much appreciated, unique addition to any dessert table.
White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
These Chocolate covered strawberries make for a sweet gift and an indulgent treat. However, buying them from your local chocolate shop will cost you much more than simply making them yourself. Use this recipe to learn how to hand dip plump, juicy strawberries in luscious white chocolate for a visually pleasing and elegant dessert.
Cinnamon Cupcakes
These Cinnamon cupcakes are a delicious and aromatic alternative to vanilla cupcakes for when you want to switch things up a little. You’ll love the warm spices and cream cheese that come together to top these moist cupcakes.
Heart Shaped Cookies
These gooey chocolate chip cookies bake up in the cutest heart shapes, all without a mold or cookie cutter. This recipe will help you celebrate love in an impressive and delicious way, whether it’s Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, or any day that calls for a little extra sweetness.
Floating Island
Espresso Brownies
If you’re looking for new ways to combine your love of chocolate with the bold and robust flavor of espresso, get ready for these brownies! Unquestionably, with an irresistible velvety texture and intense mocha flavors, this easy baking dessert makes the perfect treat when your day calls for an extra layer of indulgence.
Baked Raspberry Donuts with Raspberry Glaze
These delightful raspberry donuts are the perfect way to wake up or just to enjoy as a mid-day breakfast-inspired treat. Fresh raspberries bake right into the batter, and then a white chocolate and raspberry glaze presents even more fruity flavor in these easy treats.
As a final touch, decorate the donuts with a white chocolate drizzle, freeze-dried raspberries, and rose petals for an even more stunning presentation.
Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a super simple no-bake apple pie. The graham cracker crust provides the perfect texture to complement the soft spiced apples. This is a completely from-scratch recipe that is full of flavor, and serves as a unique pie alternative that will leave you wanting more.
Pecan Upside Down Cake
This delectable pecan upside-down cake features an inviting layer of caramelized pecans atop a moist yogurt-based cake. The rich pecans and caramel pair seamlessly with the vanilla cake in both flavor and presentation. As a result, this creates a satisfying delight for all of your senses that can be enjoyed after a holiday meal or simply as a spontaneous comfort dish.
Mini Tiramisu Cups
Delicate ladyfingers are soaked in rich coffee and placed between velvety mascarpone cream, creating a harmony of textures and flavors in this Italian desserts recipe. Dusted with fine cocoa powder, these individual servings of indulgence are also perfect for serving at dinner parties or intimate gatherings.
Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake
This quick and easy cake recipe includes gorgeously swirled chocolate and vanilla flavors. Certainly, it’s the perfect pound cake for when you can’t decide which of the two flavors you’d prefer to indulge in. After baking, it’s coated in a delicious three-ingredient icing, which elevates the dessert from striking to downright irresistible.
Easy Desserts FAQs
What are some easy bake recipes?
There are many easy quick baking recipes that fit every skill level. Cookies, brownies, and cupcakes are all excellent choices for most beginners, what key is that you pay attention to the recipe, avoid substitutions and read the expert tips. As you progress in skill, you can try more intricate recipes that will feel easier to you as your experience grows. Regardless of what you choose to bake, it’s important that you start with a good recipe. Thorough, well-written, step-by-step instructions make baking recipes easy quick, and fun.
What can you bake when you’re bored?
I suggest baking some cookies when you are bored, those are my recommended easy baking recipes that are also rather quick to make. Cookies can be really satisfying to cheer yourself or your family up and require only a few basic ingredients like egg, butter, sugar, flour, and some chocolate chips.
- Triple Chocolate Brownies (VIDEO)
- Baked Raspberry Donuts with Raspberry glaze
- Clafoutis (VIDEO)
- Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar (VIDEO)
- Strawberry Galette
- Baklava cheesecake (VIDEO)
- Banana Mini Muffins (VIDEO)
- Mini Tiramisu Cups (VIDEO)
Have you tried these recipes?
Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your desserts turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!
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3-Ingredient Peanut Butter 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.
Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake
- 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.
Dessert Nachos
- 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.
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.
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.)
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?
Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cider Frosting
- 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.
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.
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.
Frozen Chocolate Soufflé
- 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.
Neapolitan Pie
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
Caramel Almond Cake
- 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.
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.
3-Ingredient Brigadeiro
- 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.
Microwave Double Chocolate Cake Bowl
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, gluten free
Cassava flour, maple syrup and coconut whipped cream keep this 10-minute wonder Paleo-friendly.
No-Bake, Gluten-Free Rose Petal Brownies
- 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.
Giant Brown Sugar Snickerdoodles
- 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.
Strawberry Pie with Strawberry Crust
- 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.
Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
- 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.
Broiler S’mores
- 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.
Mini Key Lime Pies
- 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).
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.