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    Home Β» Tips

    15+ Beginner Baker Recipes

    January 2, 2020 by Amee Leave a Comment

    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+ Beginner Baker Recipes!

    Collage of desserts for beginner bakers.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Cookies & Bars For Beginners
    • Bread, Muffins, & Scones for Beginners
    • Cakes & Cupcakes for Beginners
    • Candy for Beginners
    • Kitchen Equipment for Beginners

    When I was thinking about Beginner Baker Recipes, a few things came to mind:

    • If you're a beginning baker, it's possible/likely that you don't have special kitchen equipment. As such, none of these recipes require any speciality equipment. That includes mixers and food processors. The recipe may state to use a mixer for ease of mixing, but it isn't necessary!
    • 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.
    • 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. The links are either items that I use myself, or something similar to what I use in my kitchen.

    Cookies & Bars For Beginners

    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.

    Lemon Sugar Cookies
    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!
    Chocolate Espresso Shortbread
    These Chocolate Espresso Shortbread cookies are crisp, crumbly, and dipped in dark chocolate! Does it get any better?
    Check out this recipe!
    chocolate espresso shortbread
    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!
    Valentine's Day Sprinkle Cookies stacked on a white plate.
    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!
    Honey Cookies with heart pattern on a gold cooling rack.
    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.
    Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    These Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies require just a few kitchen staples and bake up in no time! Easy and sooo delicious!
    Check out this recipe!
    Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Maple Cinnamon Cookies
    These Maple Cinnamon Cookies are soft, chewy, and delicious! The warm flavors of maple, cinnamon, and brown sugar are complemented so well by the vanilla maple glaze! <3
    Check out this recipe!
    Maple Cinnamon Cookies
    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.
    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!
    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    Bread, Muffins, & Scones for Beginners

    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)! The Buttermilk Biscuits require some rolling out and cutting, but if you can make cookies you can make biscuits, too!

    Sliced Date Bread on a cooling rack with a bowl of oranges in the background.
    Date Bread
    Blackberry Buttermilk Muffins
    These Blackberry Buttermilk 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.
    Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins
    Simple and delicious, these Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Muffins will make your morning! The recipe makes a fabulous base for other flavors, so check out the recipe notes for apple-cinnamon and blueberry variations!
    Check out this recipe!
    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.
    Buttermilk Biscuits
    Flaky, buttery goodness. You really can't go wrong with Buttermilk Biscuits. Have two. πŸ™‚
    Check out this recipe!
    (The Best Ever) Banana Bread
    This (The Best Ever) Banana Bread is everything banana bread should be: great banana flavor without being heavy or slimy, and light in texture without being dry. I also add a sprinkle of raw sugar to the top of mine just before baking for a sweet crunch. (I save that part for last...my kids eat it first.)
    Check out this recipe!
    Banana Bread
    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

    Cakes & Cupcakes for Beginners

    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 CupcakesHigh Hat Cupcakes
    Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream
    These Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream are a classic! Deep, rich chocolate cupcakes with smooth, creamy vanilla buttercream. Who could resist? (Spoiler: not me!)
    Check out this recipe!
    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
    Funfetti Wacky Cake
    This Funfetti Wacky Cake has all the fun and none of the dairy! With no milk, eggs, or butter, this cake uses a minimum of ingredients with maximum flavor! If you don't want to use the butter for buttercream, this cake would also be delicious with just a dusting of powdered sugar!
    Check out this recipe!

    Candy for Beginners

    There's only one recipe in this section, but it's sooo easy it should be illegal! If you love this recipe, take the next step in your skills and check out my recipe for Hazelnut Espresso Truffles!

    Sugar Cookie Dough Bark
    This Sugar 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!
    Valentine's Day Sugar Cookie Dough Bark in a white container with heart sprinkles scattered nearby.

    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! πŸ˜‰

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

    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!

    Updated 5/20/2022

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