45 Easy Baking Recipes Perfect for Beginners and Beyond
Everything from cookies to zucchini bread and more to satisfy your sweet tooth!
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Maybe you have a rainy day off, or you've found yourself with a free afternoon and a hankering for something sweet. What to do? Bake! These easy and fun baking recipes will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen with breads, cakes, cookies, muffins and more delicious baked goods. Last-minute bake sale popped up? No fear: Twenty-minute chocolate chip blondies have got your back (and they're sure to sell). But if you've got some more time, gooey sweet rolls, caramel-stuffed cookies, creamy cheesecake and more crowd-pleasers are on this list too. Find light and colorful spring desserts like lavender-topped shortbread or recipes made for using up the best summer produce, like rich and flavorful zucchini bread. And, of course, you'll see all of our best cookies that are perfect for snacking any time of year.
The best baking recipes aren’t always the most impressive, most elaborate, highest-tiered cakes at the table. Our favorite ideas are the ones you can easily make, either solo, with friends or as a way to entertain your kids for hours. Sweets aren’t meant to be just a means to an end (we’re not getting dinner on the table over here); they’re meant to be fun, creative projects with a satisfying (and edible!) payoff.
We've gathered tons of easy baking recipes for beginners as well as more advanced projects, but they all have one thing in common: triple-tested, tried-and-true methods that yield delicious results, every time.
Tahini Banana Bread
Love banana with peanut butter? Then you'll love it with tahini — PB's slightly more complex, earthy cousin.
Get the Tahini Banana Bread recipe.
Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cakes
Serve up a personal-sized chocolate treat and save the rest for later — unbaked cakes can be stored in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Earl Grey Bundt Cake
This dreamy bundt gets a flavor boost from your favorite breakfast tea — the sipper's slightly floral notes are the perfect foil for bright citrus zest.
Get the Earl Grey Bundt Cake recipe.
Cranberry-Pistachio Cornmeal Biscotti
Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up? These crunchy cookies are the perfect pairing to a cup of coffee or tea.
Coffee Cake
The secret ingredient in this streusel-topped sour cream cake? Pancake mix!
Get the Coffee Cake recipe.
Jammy Pie Twists
Spread jam on pie dough and sprinkle with sugar before twisting into delicious little bites. Easy!
Get the Jammy Pie Twists recipe.
Ham and Cheese Beer Bread
It's a type of quick bread, which means you can have warm, toasted slices in about an hour. No yeast needed!
Get the Ham and Cheese Beer Bread recipe.
Chocolate-Pecan Cupcakes
They may look like regular chocolate cupcakes, but there's a gooey caramel-pecan surprise inside.
Get the Chocolate-Pecan Cupcakes recipe.
Lavender Shortbread Wedges
Bake shortbread in a 9-inch round cake pan for one big cookie that's made for sharing... or not.
Get the Lavender Shortbread Wedges recipe.
Mixed Berry Cobbler
Put peak summer blue and blackberries to good use in this comforting dessert — best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Mixed Berry Cobbler recipe.
Cheesy Bay Biscuits
Old Bay compound butter worked into the batter of these easy drop biscuits infuses each bite with subtle spice.
Get the Cheesy Bay Biscuits recipe.
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Sliceable, shareable blondies made with vanilla and chocolate please everyone's preferences.
Get the Chocolate Chip Blondies recipe.
Blueberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon
These ooey, gooey sweet rolls can be prepped the night before and baked right when you wake up.
Get the Blueberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon recipe.
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Chocolate Caramel Cookies
A soft caramel wrapped into double-chocolate dough makes warm, gooey and absolutely irresistible cookies.
Get the Chocolate Caramel Cookies recipe.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumbles
Since there's no need to make a crust, this delicious combo of juicy berries and buttery topping comes together easily.
Get the Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumbles recipe.
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Zucchini Bread
The perfect end-of-summer brunch recipe or sweet afternoon snack, zucchini bread is easy to make and doesn’t require any complicated steps or techniques.
Get the Zucchini Bread recipe.
White Chocolate and Lavender Madeleines
They might look fancy, but these lavender-infused madeleines are super simple.
Vanilla Bean Clafoutis with Raspberries and Nectarines
The batter for this summery fruit tart comes together in the blender. Genius!
Get the Vanilla Bean Clafoutis with Raspberries and Nectarines recipe.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
We don't skimp on the chocolate chips for this rich and decadent vegan recipe. Best enjoyed with a glass of (plant-based) milk!
Get the Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Lemon Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
Freeze-dried berries give the frosting a deep strawberry flavor and naturally rosy color.
Get the Lemon Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting recipe.
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