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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    15+ Easy Beginner Baking Recipes

    January 2, 2020 by Amee Leave a Comment

    New to baking? These 15+ Easy Beginner Baking Recipes are just what you need to get started!

    Collage of Easy Baking Recipes for Beginners.

    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    There are times that I've spoken with people about baking to find that they don't bake. Not because they don't want to, but because they're intimidated by it. It got me thinking about how I make a lot of my recipes involved and complicated, but that there are some easy-to-make gems on my blog! I've gathered them up for you here: 15+ Easy Beginner Baking Recipes!

    Jump to:
    • What Makes a Good Beginner Recipe?
    • Recipes for Beginners
    • Basic Kitchen Equipment for Beginners
    • Other Posts You May Like
    • 💬 Comments

    What Makes a Good Beginner Recipe?

    When I was thinking about dessert recipes for beginners, a few things came to mind:

    • No special equipment - If you're a beginner baker, it's possible/likely that you don't have special kitchen equipment. As such, none of these recipes require any specialty equipment. That includes mixers and food processors. The recipe may state to use a mixer for ease of mixing, but it isn't necessary!
    • No special ingredients - Beginner bakers also likely don't have specialty ingredients at their disposal, or don't want to invest in such ingredients (yet)! So, I made sure to only include recipes with ingredients that are readily available at most grocery stores.
    • Resources for Basic Baking Supplies - If you're *really* starting out, you might not have basic kitchen equipment. At the end of this post (following the recipes), I've included a list of basic equipment along with links to where you can buy them if you're interested. They're affiliate links (meaning that I get a small commission if you use them), but there's no additional cost to you, and all the items are ones that I use myself, or are something similar to what I use in my own kitchen.

    Recipes for Beginners

    Cookies & Bars

    Cookies and bars are the easiest of easy! If you're just starting out, this is the section for you. Nothing intimidating here, and all super delicious.

    Chocolate Cherry Brownies
    These Chocolate Cherry Brownies are fudgy dark chocolate brownies with fresh cherries and chunks of dark chocolate! Whether you're looking for a sweet addition to a special occasion or simply craving a treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, these brownies are easy to make and impossible to resist!
    Check out this recipe!
    A Chocolate Cherry Brownie with a fresh cherry on top with chocolate and white hydrangeas in the background.
    Sprinkle Cookies with Browned Butter
    These Sprinkle Cookies are thick, chewy, and delicious! The deep, rich flavor of browned butter and festive sprinkles make these cookies a year-round favorite!
    Check out this recipe!
    Sprinkle Cookies stacked on a white plate with a bite missing.
    Lemon Sugar Cookies
    These Lemon Sugar Cookies are simple, lemony perfection!! Crisp on the edges, chewy in the middle, and with fantastic lemon flavor, you won't be able to stop at one!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of four Lemon Sugar Cookies on a white plate with white and yellow twine tied in a bow around them.
    Buttermilk Brownies
    These old-fashioned Buttermilk Brownies are soft and cakey thanks to buttermilk! Super chocolatey and simple to make, these brownies are the perfect addition to any occasion!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Buttermilk Brownie with a bite missing.
    Honey Cookies
    These Honey Cookies are tender and chewy, with the floral flavor of honey! Drizzled with a honey vanilla bean glaze, these cuties are simple and delicious!
    Check out this recipe!
    Glazed Honey Cookies on a gold cooling rack with a honey dipper nearby.
    Blondie Brownies
    These Blondie Brownies are two desserts in one! The browned butter blondie layer is topped with a fudgy brownie layer for the ultimate treat! I drizzled a few of mine with homemade salted caramel sauce for a truly decadent dessert, but these are so rich and delicious they don't really need it!
    Check out this recipe!
    Stack of Blondie Brownies with salted caramel sauce dripping down the side.
    Lemon White Chocolate Cookies
    These soft and chewy Lemon White Chocolate Cookies are bright, zesty, and irresistible! Sweet, tart, and packed with white chocolate chips, they'll become a new family favorite!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Lemon White Chocolate Cookies, one with a bite missing.
    Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
    These Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies are crisp at the edges, soft and chewy in the center, and absolutely delicious! With a little tweak to my go-to recipe, you don't need eggs to make perfect chocolate chip cookies!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies, one with a bite missing.
    Oatmeal Brownies
    These fudgy Oatmeal Brownies have a buttery, crisp oatmeal crust! A recipe tried-and-true from my childhood, and a regular occurrence at my house during the holidays!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of Oatmeal Brownies with one brownie turned on its side.
    Sour Cream Cookies
    These Sour Cream Cookies are soft, chewy, and frosted with an irresistible sour cream frosting! They're the perfect canvas for festive sprinkles to dress them up for any holiday or occasion!
    Check out this recipe!
    Three Sour Cream Cookies on a white fluted plate, one with a bite missing.
    Cinnamon Roll Bars
    These Cinnamon Roll Bars taste just like your favorite cinnamon roll slathered in vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting, but bake up in a fraction of the time!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Cinnamon Roll Bar with bite missing.
    Coconut Pecan Cookies
    These Coconut Pecan Cookies are crisp at the edges and chewy in the center with the stellar flavor team of browned butter, coconut, and toasted pecans! Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a random Tuesday night!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Coconut Pecan Cookie with bite missing.
    Earl Grey Cookies
    These Earl Grey Cookies combine buttery shortbread with the delicate, citrusy notes of Earl Grey tea! These comforting cookies are perfect alongside a cup of tea for any occasion, from a fancy tea party to a simple afternoon treat.
    Check out this recipe!
    Brown Butter Sugar Cookies
    These Brown Butter Sugar Cookies elevate your average sugar cookie with the nutty, caramelized flavor of brown butter! So simple and scrumptious, they may just become your new favorite cookie recipe!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of Brown Butter Sugar Cookie with bite missing, with more cookies stacked in the background.
    Pumpkin Blondies with Cinnamon Swirl
    These Pumpkin Blondies with Cinnamon Swirl are soft, cakey pumpkin blondies with rich cinnamon swirled throughout! The combination of pumpkin with warm cinnamon spice is the perfect Fall twist on traditional blondies!
    Check out this recipe!
    Three Pumpkin Blondies with Cinnamon Swirl stacked on a white plate, one with a bite missing.
    Lemon Blondies
    These Lemon Blondies are rich and zesty with the perfect balance of sweet and tart! Made with nutty browned butter and topped with lemon cream cheese glaze, this soft and chewy blondie recipe is a keeper!
    Check out this recipe!
    Lemon Blondie topped with cream cheese glaze and fresh lemon on a white plate with a yellow daisy beside it.
    Buttermilk Cookies
    These Buttermilk Cookies are soooo soft and cakey, and topped with buttermilk frosting! You'll love how simple, delicious, and versatile this recipe is! Appropriate for any season or occasion, you'll find yourself making them again and again!
    Check out this recipe!
    Three Buttermilk Cookies on a white plate, one with a bite missing.

    Bread, Muffins, & Scones

    These bread and muffin recipes will build your skills and fill your belly! Making a batter and baking it up will lead you onto more complicated recipes (if you want)!

    Sliced Date Bread on a cooling rack with a bowl of oranges in the background.
    Nutella Muffins
    These Nutella Muffins are tender buttermilk muffins filled and topped with nutella for a decadent breakfast treat! Mixing up in just one bowl, you'll be making these muffins on repeat!
    Check out this recipe!
    Nutella Muffin with a bite missing on a small metal plate.
    Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins
    These Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins are soft, moist, and bursting with mini chocolate chips! These muffins are a tried-and-true recipe that you and your family will love!
    Check out this recipe!
    Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins stacked on a silver cooling rack, one with a bite missing.
    Blackberry Muffins
    These Blackberry Muffins are soft, moist bakery style buttermilk muffins that are bursting with fresh blackberries! The lovely flavors and textures of these muffins make them a fantastic way to start your day!
    Check out this recipe!
    Tin of Blackberry Buttermilk Muffins with blackberries and chamomile flowers nearby.
    Moist Date Bread
    This Date Bread is moist and delicious with dates, spices, and loads of orange zest!
    Check out this recipe!
    sliced date bread on a cooling rack.
    Peach Streusel Scones
    Rich, moist scones filled with fresh peaches, topped with the delightful crunch of brown sugar streusel, and drizzled with a vanilla bean glaze!
    Check out this recipe!
    Peach Streusel Scones
    Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins
    These Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins are bursting with juicy blueberries and are sooo soft and tender thanks to buttermilk! These babies are perfect for breakfast or a afternoon snack. With a soft, tender crumb and a golden, slightly crisp top (thanks to a sprinkle of raw sugar), each bite is a treat!
    Check out this recipe!
    Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins on a cooling rack with fresh blueberries in the foreground.
    Strawberry Biscuits
    These Strawberry Biscuits are a twist on traditional buttermilk biscuits with a little added sweetness and lots of fresh strawberries! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up!
    Check out this recipe!
    Strawberry Biscuits on a baking sheet with parchment paper and fresh strawberries.
    Cherry Scones
    These Cherry Scones have cornmeal and fresh cherries for a soft and flavorful summer treat! Drizzled with a gorgeous cherry glaze, they're perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up!
    Check out this recipe!
    A Cherry Scone drizzled with cherry glaze on parchment paper with a fresh cherry and pink hydrangea flowers alongside.

    Cakes & Cupcakes

    If you can make muffins, you can make cupcakes! Making the buttercream is an additional step, but as long as all your ingredients are at room temperature, it's a breeze to whip up! The swirls of buttercream are pretty, but totally not necessary for a successful, delicious bake! Dollop some buttercream on top with a knife and enjoy! The easiest of this bunch is definitely the Wacky Cake, which mixes up in the same dish you bake it in!

    High Hat Cupcake on a white plate with sprinkles on top and around it.
    High Hat Cupcakes
    These Hi-Hat Cupcakes are super moist and super chocolatey! Frosted sky-high with vanilla buttercream, then dipped in chocolate, these babies are over the top in the best way!
    Check out this recipe!
    Wacky Cake
    This Depression-era Wacky Cake uses no milk, butter, or eggs! It's super chocolatey and delicious! I topped mine with vanilla buttercream, but check out other options that don't use butter in the recipe notes!
    Check out this recipe!
    Wacky Cake

    More Recipes for Beginners

    These recipes don't fit into a category nicely, but they're not to be overlooked!

    Cranberry Apple Crumble
    This Cranberry Apple Crumble is the perfect blend of tart cranberries, sweet apples, and warm spices topped with a buttery crumble topping! Make this crumble to impress your guests or as a casual treat for yourself. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you're craving a cozy dessert!
    Check out this recipe!
    Closeup of small white bowl filled with Cranberry Apple Crumble topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    Nectarine Cobbler
    This Nectarine Cobbler is spiced nectarine filling topped with sweet cornmeal biscuits! The sweet, juicy nectarines paired with the warm flavor of cinnamon and irresistible cornmeal biscuits will have you reaching for seconds!
    Check out this recipe!
    Nectarine Cobbler in a black oval baking dish topped with fresh nectarines and three scoops of vanilla ice cream.
    Cookie Dough Bark
    This Cookie Dough Bark is a classic dark chocolate bark covered with safe-to-eat sugar cookie dough cut-outs and festive sprinkles!
    Check out this recipe!
    Easter Cookie Dough Bark in a small wooden crate with Easter grass.
    Apple and Blackberry Crumble
    This Apple and Blackberry Crumble has flavorful blackberries and sliced apples topped with a crunchy crumble topping! Served warm or at room temperature (my favorite is with a scoop of ice cream!), this dessert is so cozy!
    Check out this recipe!
    Top view of Blackberry and Apple Crumble.

    Basic Kitchen Equipment for Beginners

    As promised, here is a list of some basic kitchen equipment that you may need if you're just starting out. I believe that if you have the items on this list, you can make any of the above recipes! Each item has a link so you can see what I'm using in my kitchen!

    Bowls

    Mixing bowl set - I love this set because you get a variety of sizes, and the silicone bottoms and handles make them easy to use!

    Pans

    These are all standard baking pans. I love this brand because they're light in color (so less likely to burn) and made in the USA!

    Loaf pan

    8x8 baking pan

    9x13 baking pan

    Standard Muffin/Cupcake Pan

    Cookie Sheets

    Pie plate - there are many, many different kinds and styles to choose from! This one is a good no-frills (see: not expensive!) starting point.

    Baking Tools

    Silpats - I love using silpats to line my cookie sheets because nothing sticks to them and you can use them over and over again!

    Nonstick Parchment - Some recipes are better served by lining your pans with nonstick parchment. It's also a much more cost-effective solution if you're just starting out!

    Small Cookie Scoop - Using cookie scoops isn't necessary, but it keeps your hands cleaner and ensures that your cookies are all the same size!

    Large Cookie Scoop

    Fine Grater - Useful for a variety of things, but especially for zesting citrus!

    Measuring Cups - Gotta have 'em. I chose this metal set because they last longer (I've killed plastic measuring cups too many times)!

    Measuring Spoons - Again, gotta have 'em. I like these because they're metal, and because they're shaped to fit inside those tiny spice bottles!

    Measuring Beakers - Okay...not exactly necessary if you have measuring cups and spoons, but I LOVE this set!

    Offset Spatula - You can make it work with a butter knife, it's just easier to frost and keep your hand out of the way with one of these babies.

    Silicone Spatulas - Extremely useful tool! I like this kind because it's all one piece. No head to fall off or have to clean in/around.

    Whisk - Useful for incorporating both wet and dry ingredients. If you're using on a nonstick pan, look into getting a silicone-coated one to save your pans!

    Biscuit Cutters - Can be used for cookies, biscuits, etc. If you don't have any, you could use a drinking glass in a pinch!

    Fine Mesh Strainers - I use mine aaaall the time for sifting dry ingredients and dusting powdered sugar or cocoa powder over baked goods.

    Pizza Cutter - Not a "have to have," but very useful for cutting scones, pie crust, etc. Quicker, easier, and more accurate than using a knife.

    Wire Cooling Racks - very helpful so your baked goods can cool off your counter. I like this set because they stack, saving you counter space.

    Rolling Pin - Just your average rolling pin! 😉

    Bench Scraper - I love my bench scraper for cutting/portioning dough and for scraping my counter clean when I'm done playing with dough. 🙂

    Bowl Scraper - This baby is super affordable and is a great tool to have to scrape dough out of the bowl while keeping your hands clean. Also a great method of working dough together without the heat of your hands warming the dough! It's not as durable, but it can also do the job of a bench scraper with a more affordable price tag!

    Other Posts You May Like

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      20+ Delicious Eggless Desserts
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      35+ Delicious Layered Desserts
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    Updated 8/10/2024

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