18 Recipes for Beginner Bakers
First order of business: bake up a batch of these soft ginger cookies
Are you looking for simple recipes that are easy to follow and yield delicious results? Welcome to my yummy recipe lair! Just kidding, picture this more as a cozy, warm kitchen ready for all the scrumptious smells you’re about to learn how to fill it with.
Whether you’re a new baker, looking to stretch your skills, or just bake once in a while and are looking for something easy to whip up, here are 18 basic baking recipes to have your kitchen giving off all the feels. This list offers a range of bakes from sweet to savory, dessert to appetizer, or even single-layer to a few.
So take your pick and get to making all of these delicious goodies!
Crumble up my favorite chocolate cake (or you could make it even easier by using a box cake mix!) and layer it with vanilla buttercream. Top with sprinkles and you’re all set for a fun and delicious dish!
One of my favorite recipes to come out of my time in pastry school in Scotland. These might very well be the simplest cookies to make. Just bring the dough together, press it into a pan, and bake! For an added finish, top with a two-ingredient rosemary sugar (yes, those are the two ingredients), slice, and enjoy!
Growing up, Texas Sheet Cake became one of my favorite desserts. For some reason, we always had it around the holidays too, which made it feel even more decadent. I converted my favorite Texas Sheet Cake recipe into these deliciously chocolatey cookies topped with that classic fudgy frosting, for a little bit of bite-sized fun.
Shortbread is such an easy classic that anyone (and I mean anyone) can whip up. Whether you press your dough into the pan (like the above Rosemary Shortbread) or roll it into a log, like these Earl Grey Lavender Shortbread, it’s simple, buttery, perfection. “Short” in baking implies crumbly, so once you roll, slice, and bake these herby goodies, they’ll simply melt in your mouth and pair perfectly with your favorite cup of tea. Because no, you can never have too much Earl Grey.
When I said that my sister requests this dessert every year for her birthday, I wasn’t kidding. It’s an easy, no-bake, chilled treat that suits perfectly year-round because while I did share it first in the summertime, my sister’s birthday is actually in January. This is a take on the classic French chocolate eclair using layers of graham crackers, french vanilla cream, and a rich chocolate glaze on top. What is it about soft graham cracker layers that just works?
Playing with fruit - fresh or frozen - to make compotes, jams, sauces, etc - is one of my favorite ways to level up a bake, or even just a piece of toast. They are also incredibly easy and often only require three ingredients to make them pop. This peach & mint compote is the perfect blend of summer flavors and adds a beautiful color to your plate.
This is one of my grandma’s recipes - she was known for bringing boxes of cookies and other bakes to various gatherings as well as creating goodies for weddings and parties - and is made every year in this household. They’re simple, no-nonsense cookies with the softest texture that makes them like a cake in cookie form. With a simple icing sugar glaze on top, these cookies just can’t be beat, especially when the craving for fall flavors starts rolling in.
Who doesn’t love a cinnamon roll? I don’t know you. These are a simpler take on a cozy classic, that comes together quickly and make a ton. Plus, they’re cute as hell - like tiny little snail shells! If you have homemade puff pastry (go you!), great but you can easily make these with some storebought dough, cut, roll, and bake. Dust with your cinnamon spices and drizzle with an easy glaze, no rising time required.
I first remember my brother making these, in an apartment our family was living in at the time, where he had these little chocolatey lumps spread out on wax paper sheets all along the kitchen counter. They’re simple, oaty, and oh-so fudgy and they make a massive batch. If you’re looking for an easy chocolate bake, this one is for you.
Ok, you have to not judge on this one cause the color does feel wild but it is SOOO good. The absolute perfect summer dessert staple and one we have at basically every annual family reunion. The Ritz cracker base offers a crunchy salty layer (plus a sprinkle on top), and the pistachio and cool whip topping make for the perfect creaminess… Ugh, I just can’t describe to you how good it is and so simple to make. Just please go make it.
Granola should be number one on your “Make Homemade” list. It’s the absolute easiest flex, makes a lot (some for you, some for a friend?), and is incredibly versatile. Swap in/out nuts, seeds, and flavorings as you desire for the perfect crunch (and pantry clear out). Plus, you’ll realize how much unnecessary extra sugar and oil is in storebought, so this pivot is not only delicious and money-saving, it’s healthy too.
Another holiday season staple are these classic soft ginger cookies. I’m telling you, the chew on these babies is an absolute delight that I will never get over. The spice level is perfect. Plus, they make plenty for you while also leaving some for your annual cookie boxes (if that’s a thing that you do, otherwise just keep them all). These will be one of your new go-to cookies come the holiday season, I promise.
Talk about a seasonal staple. There isn’t a Thanksgiving or Christmas morning that doesn’t have this on the table. It’s made even simpler with storebought bread dough - I love Rhodes or Bridgford - cut into bite-size pieces, rolled in a buttery, cinnamony sugar mix, and baked off in a bundt pan. It’s a tear-able delight that everyone, adults and kids, will look forward to year after year.
My mom has been making this stromboli recipe since I was a kid. Even if you’re not a big meat lover, the pocket of meat, cheese, and herbs surrounded by soft, perfectly baked bread is just… honestly, it’s immaculate. This makes for the perfect, quick, and easy meal - Halloween night? - that you can also slice and freeze for future you. You’re welcome!
My aunt introduced me to this recipe and truly, it’s like cinnamon rolls in scone form. If that description isn’t enough to sell you, they also come together in one bowl, with one fork. They make these delicious, small cinnamon-packed scones and drizzled with a quick glaze… gosh they are delightful. They are also a little more tender than your traditional scone and oh so good.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
This may very well be one of the best things I have ever made. Entirely no bake, what makes this peanut butter pie the most unique is the use of thin chocolate chip cookies (I love the Benton’s ones from Aldi’s!) that create a delicious texture, and pretty layers in every slice of pie. It’s also a lovely creamy peanut butter pie, in the sense that sometimes, in my opinion, peanut butter pie can be a little too heavy on the PB. This isn’t. It’s a light and creamy delight for all my chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
Did you know you can make your own butter at home with just one ingredient? And you only need two more to make a delicious salted herby butter? Uh yeah. Just make sure you have a towel ready when the whipping gets good, cause your bowls gonna get a little juicy as that butter starts to form. Plus, you can slice it and freeze it to take it out when you want it for the future!
These make for a great appetizer or to accompany a little salad and soup. At its simplest, grab some store-bought puff pastry, smear it with the goods, roll, slice, and bake! I love these paired with a tomato bisque cause they’re the perfect little dipper!
If you’re a beginner baker looking to grow your skills, be sure to follow @accentgolden on social!