Sometimes you feel like baking something from scratch and wonder: What should I bake today? There are so many things to bake. You can bake a cake, cupcakes, brownies, bread, rolls, muffins, cookies, a pie, pudding, and more. Baking can be as simple or involved as you want it to be.
Before deciding, it comes down to a few things for me:
- What ingredients do I have
- Do I want to bake today or another day
- Do I have time to shop for additional ingredients
- How much time do I have to do the actual baking
- What do I have a taste for
- How simple or involved do I want to get
- Do I want to eat it now or is it for an occasion later
- Does the recipe require special equipment
- Am I baking with friends and family or by myself
- Are there any ingredients to avoid because of allergies or intolerances
If you are undecided about what to bake, considering the above questions can help you narrow it down. The baking universe is vast! There are many things you can make whether you are a beginner or experienced.
When you’ve got basic staples on hand, it’s much easier. I keep all of my baking ingredients in dishpan tubs. This makes them simple to pull out whenever the mood to bake strikes. Having basic baking pantry staples like flour, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and brown sugar, etc. means you will always be prepared.
Here are some ideas of what to bake when you are bored, for fun, for a special occasion, with friends, and more. Use these ideas whether you want something sweet or savory. I have included lots of categories so be sure to check them out for inspiration for whatever you want to bake today and in the future.
Things to Bake
Please note, because this site focuses on ingredients without palm oil, none of these recipe ideas use store-bought food coloring or food dyes. Yes, I know. Many fun things to bake are “fun” because of the colorful frostings, layers, etc.
However, they also contain lots of chemicals. Many companies use Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, and/or Glycerin in their dyes. These ingredients often contain palm oil. You can make your own natural food coloring from strawberries, beets, etc.
In addition, when I mention whipped cream and frosting, I mean homemade. Both are easy to make with only a few ingredients.
Fun things to bake ~ Image credit: Crystal Jo, Unsplash
Fun Things to Bake
Here are some fun baking ideas that don’t require food coloring. I list the main ingredients in each of them to give you an idea of what you will need. There may be additional ingredients required.
Homemade Pretzels
Pretzels are fun and easy to make. Get creative making them into different shapes. It’s fun to top them with different salts, herbs, and spices. You can also dip them in your favorite mustards and sauces.
- Flour, yeast, sugar, butter, salt
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
It’s interactive and fun to pull apart!
- Bread dough, butter, garlic, parsley
Churros with Chocolate Sauce
A traditional Spanish dessert, fun to make and even more fun to eat.
- Flour, butter, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, chocolate
Peanut butter kiss cookies ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Fun for all ages! a sugar dipped peanut butter cookie topped with a Hershey’s Kiss. When making peanut butter blossoms, put the Kisses in the refrigerator before topping the cookie so they don’t melt.
- Granulated sugar, brown sugar, creamy peanut butter, butter, egg, flour, Hershey Kisses
Chocolate Lava Cake
A delicious surprise of molten chocolate awaits inside.
- Dark chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, flour
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
The cake is baked with a layer of fruit at the bottom, then flipped before serving.
- Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, pineapple
Homemade cannolis ~ Image credit: Dawn Head (my friend’s cannolis!)
Baked Alaska
This is a bit of a difficult dessert to make but for experienced bakers, it’s fun to make. It features a hot meringue exterior with cold ice cream inside. Be sure to use palm oil free ice cream such as Ben & Jerry’s.
- Cake, ice cream, egg whites, sugar
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowls
These chocolate chip cookie bowls can hold ice cream or other sweet treats!
- Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips
Cinnamon Roll Wreath or Monkey Bread
The wreath shape makes them perfect for a festive breakfast or dessert.
- Flour, yeast, milk, butter, sugar, cinnamon
Fig Galette
Rustic and French-inspired, these open-faced pies highlight the natural sweetness of figs.
- Flour, butter, sugar, figs
S’mores Brownies
Combines the comfort of a campfire classic with the richness of a brownie.
- Graham crackers (many store brands don’t contain palm oil; read ingredients), chocolate, cocoa powder, marshmallows
Sourdough Bread
Though a bit more challenging, the process of maintaining a sourdough starter can be an educational and fun baking project.
- Sourdough starter, flour, water, salt
Apple Pie Cookies
Miniaturized apple pies you can hold in one hand.
- Flour, butter, sugar, apples, cinnamon
Swiss Roll
This cake is baked flat, then rolled up with a filling.
- Flour, eggs, sugar, your choice of filling
Cherry-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
A surprise cherry center in every cookie.
- Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, cherries
Eclairs
This classic French pastry is a fun challenge for any baker.
- Flour, butter, eggs, water, pastry cream (heavy cream, butter, egg yolks, milk)
Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Aromatic lavender gives these cookies a unique, refreshing taste.
- Flour, butter, sugar, lavender, lemon zest
Matcha Green Tea Bread
Enjoy tea with your book club group? For your next meeting, change it up and bake together. The bread has a unique green color and earthy flavor from the matcha.
- Flour, yeast, sugar, milk, butter, matcha powder.
Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping
Despite the name, coffee cake doesn’t usually contain coffee. It’s traditionally served with coffee.
- Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar
Raspberry Chocolate Tart
Combines the decadence of chocolate with the tartness of fresh raspberries.
- Flour, butter, sugar, chocolate, heavy cream, raspberries
Gingerbread House
More of a creative project than a dessert, and a great activity for kids. Decorate with cinnamon sticks, chocolate chips, peppermint, and more.
- Flour, butter, brown sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon
Peach Cobbler
This classic Southern dessert is delicious year-round but particularly good with summer peaches.
- Main ingredients in old fashioned peach cobbler: Peaches, flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, milk
Cheese and Herb Scones
Savory baking can be just as rewarding as sweet. Enjoy these with a warm soup.
- Flour, butter, cheese, herbs, eggs, baking powder, milk
Black Forest Cake
This German dessert features layers of chocolate cake, cherries, and whipped cream.
- Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, cherries, heavy cream (read labels; organic heavy cream doesn’t contain palm oil typically)
Pumpkin Bread
A delicious, moist, and spiced bread that’s a fall favorite.
- Flour, pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg
Types of Things You Can Bake at Home
It can be overwhelming when trying to decide what to bake. There are easy beginner-friendly recipes to more complex, intricate ones. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Bundt cake is an easy thing to bake ~ Image credit: Unsplash, Maja II
Quick & Easy for Beginning Bakers
- Brownies
- Chocolate cake with one bowl
- Chocolate chip cookies
- One bowl banana bread
- Muffins (blueberry, banana nut, chocolate chip, cranberry lemon, etc.)
- Cupcakes
- Zucchini bread
- Scones (sweet or savory)
- Biscuits
- Fluffy pancakes
- Simple pizza dough
- Crispy lemon cookies
- Basic white bread
- Focaccia bread
- No-knead bread
- Apple crisp
- 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies
- Granola bars
- Homemade date bars
- Cinnamon rolls
- Bundt cake
- Basic sponge cake
- Granola
- Oatmeal cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Cornbread recipe
- Soda bread
- Pizzelles
- Shortbread cookies
- Lemon bars
- Pound cake
- Bread pudding
- Kolacky
- Pretzels
- Thumbprint cookies
- Coconut macaroons
- Peach cobbler or blackberry cobbler
- Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
- Rice Krispie treats – As far as I know, Rice Krispies currently do not contain palm oil.
Baking Ideas with Medium Difficulty
- Choux pastry (for eclairs or cream puffs)
- French baguettes
- Angel food cake
- Cheesecake
- Flaky pie crust
- Brioche bread
- Chocolate chip waffles
- Quiche
- Tiramisu
- Sticky toffee pudding
- Tart shells
- Madeleines
- Caramel custard
- Pavlova
- Profiteroles
- Croissants
- Carrot cake
- Opera cake
- Swiss roll
- Oreo Cakesters
- Layered cakes (black forest, etc.)
- Chocolate soufflé
- Cinnamon buns
- Baklava
- Lemon meringue pie
- Crème Brûlée
- Boston cream pie
- Cannoli
- Pecan pie
Baking Ideas for Experienced Bakers
- Sourdough bread
- Danish pastries
- Strudel
- Mille-Feuille
- Stollen
- Panettone
- Baked Alaska
- Chiffon cake
- Ciabatta bread
- Petit fours
- Soufflé
- Fruit tarts with creme patissiere
- Cannoli from scratch
- Wedding cake
- Homemade bagels
- Kouign-amann
- Pain au chocolat
- Decorative bread (bread scoring techniques)
- Figurative bread (shaped for holiday, etc.)
Best Things to Bake with Friends
It’s always fun to bake with friends. It’s also a great idea for teens to do together for “something to do”. These are also great ideas for baking ideas on a date.
You can pretty much bake anything with friends. Each of these recipe ideas offer a unique group baking experience. Some are simple one-bowl recipes and others involve creatively decorating and shaping.
Before deciding, consider the following:
- Why do you want to bake something with friends? Is it for something to do?
- Do you want to make an event out of it or is it more so you have something to eat?
- How many in the group?
- Will people be hungry waiting for it to bake?
- How complicated or easy do you need it to be?
- Will everyone be interested in helping or will some be happy to sit and hang out?
- Are there foods or ingredients to avoid?
What to Bake with Friends
Homemade Pizza
Making pizzas is always fun. If ou have an outdoor pizza oven, it’s really fantastic. Even if you don’t, everyone can customize their own pizza with their favorite toppings. After baking, it’s a hearty meal to share together.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Making chocolate chip cookies is easy with fast results. The sugary aroma will put everyone in a good mood.
Pretzels
Shaping pretzels can be fun, and they’re delicious fresh from the oven. Everyone can add salt to their liking. The host can set up different salt stations, have different spices and herbs to customize, etc. Some may enjoy a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar while others can enjoy garlic, salt, and sesame seeds.
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Fun to make on a summer night, everyone can assemble their own sandwich with their preferred flavor of ice cream. Make chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, or sugar cookies. Let them cool, and then add the ice cream.
Once pizzelles are cooled, you can stack them ~ Image credit: Dawn Head (my friend’s pizzelles!)
Pizzelles
You can buy a $10 mini pizzelle maker or buy two. (I bought my mini pizzelle maker from Target and have also seen them at TJMaxx, Ross, Home Goods, and a craft store.) The baking time will pass by quickly when you bake them with friends.
Scones
Simple to make, and everyone can knead their own dough and shape their scones. You can set up a station with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, fresh and frozen blueberries, strawberries, etc., and chocolate chips. Everyone can fill their own scones.
Oreo Cakesters ~ My son and I made these ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Oreo Cakesters
My house avoids palm oil which means we don’t buy Oreos. However, making Oreo Cakesters is a way around that! Oreo Cakesters have a lot of steps but they are relatively simple. You can make half a batch with vanilla cream and the other half chocolate.
Monkey Bread
Making monkey bread from scratch is interactive, and the final product is fun to pull apart. Friends can each take part in rolling the dough pieces in cinnamon sugar.
Banana Bread
Not only is it a great use for very ripe bananas, but banana bread in one bowl is simple to make and can easily serve a group for a cozy night in. You can customize it with add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips. Once it cools a bit, you can enjoy it with coffee, tea, or milk.
Pancakes
Pancakes are fun any time of day. This fluffy pancake recipe requires buttermilk which you can easily make from whole milk and white vinegar. Each person can flip their own pancake and add toppings of their choice. Fun for a breakfast or brunch gathering or a “breakfast for dinner” evening together.
Cupcakes
Cupcakes are easy to make. You can make them regular size or as mini cupcakes which bake and cool faster. Friends can get creative decorating cupcakes with various homemade frostings and toppings.
While some of group are making the cupcakes, you can have others making a frosting recipe with half chocolate and half vanilla. You can also smash strawberries, and make a strawberry vanilla frosting, or layer sliced strawberries on top.
Brownies
Brownies are easy and quick to bake.
Apple Pie
Friends can work together to make the crust and filling, and even create fun lattice-top designs.
Biscuits
Each person can cut out their own biscuits. It’s simple and goes well with lots of dishes if you provide a main course. Rolls are another idea.
My pickiest eater never notices the corn kernels in the muffins! ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Muffins
Simple to prepare, and each person can add their own mix-ins. Have nuts, dried cranberries, blueberries, walnuts, chocolate chips, etc. The muffin cups make it easy for your group to customize their perfect muffin.
Cinnamon Rolls
It’s fun to roll the dough and swirl the cinnamon filling. Plus, the smell when they bake is amazing.
Date Bars and Granola Bars
These are healthy, easy to make, and everyone can add their preferred ingredients. Learn about baking with dates.
Homemade Pop-Tarts
While Pop Tarts contain palm oil, you and your friends can make homemade versions of this nostalgic treat with various fillings.
Bread Pudding
This is a great way to use up stale bread, and everyone can help tear the bread and mix the custard.
Cheesecake
A bit more involved, but it’s fun to crush the biscuits for the base and smooth the creamy filling on top. Plus, there’s a flavor to suit everyone’s tastes.
Churros with Chocolate Sauce
It’s a fun challenge to pipe and fry the dough, then coat the churros in sugar. The results will be amazing!
S’mores Brownies
These combine two favorite treats in one and are as fun to eat as they are to make.
Whoopie Pies
These soft, cake-like cookies with cream filling are a fun and easy treat to make and customize.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Making the thumbprint and filling it with different types of jam and jelly can be a fun group activity. Thumbprint cookies are fast and easy to make.
Homemade Granola
Granola not be the first thing you think of when you think of baking something. However, granola is simple to make and it bakes quickly. Everyone can have fun choosing the add-ins.
Tiramisu
Depending on how many friends you have helping, everyone can help with the ingredients and assemble a layer.
Crepes
Crepes are fun to make with friends and may seem fancier than making pancakes. Everyone can make their own crepe and choose their fillings/toppings.
Fruit Galettes
These rustic, free-form pies are easy to make. Everyone can create their own.
Breadsticks
It’s a simple recipe where everyone can roll and shape their own breadsticks. Enjoy with different pastas (easy to do a red sauce and one with olive oil) for a fun pasta night with friends.
Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
These bite-sized treats are fun to make and eat. You can each have a tray to fill with batter and add your own amount of chocolate chips.
Chocolate Chip Waffles
Breakfast items can be baked too! Making chocolate chip waffles (or blueberry, etc.) is interactive and allows each person to cook and customize their own. If someone in your group has a waffle maker, this is a great activity. You can top with ice cream, serve breakfast for dinner, etc.
Palmiers
These French “elephant ear” pastries are fun to shape and bake up crispy and sweet.
Butter Tarts
These classic Canadian pastries are fun to fill and bake. You can also customize them with add-ins like raisins or pecans.
Empanadas
Making these hand pies can be a great group activity. Empanadas can be savory or sweet. Everyone can make one of each for a main course and then dessert.
French Toast Casserole
Assembling this sweet breakfast dish can be fun, and it’s a great way to serve a crowd.
Crostata
This Italian style tart is simple to make and can be filled with any kind of jam you like.
These homemade biscotti were so simple to make ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Biscotti
Making these twice-baked cookies can be fun, and they’re perfect for dunking in coffee or hot chocolate. Reserve some dough for vanilla biscotti, some add chocolate chips, and some add dried cranberries and sliced almonds.
Sugar Cookies
Whether it’s for the holidays or anytime, have everyone bring their cookie cutters for some fun shapes and toppings. Great for kids to decorate. You can also make vanilla frosting to spread on top.
Magic Cookie Bars
Layering all the different ingredients is simple and fun, and the result is a delicious, gooey treat.
Churros
Piping, frying, and coating these in sugar is a fun process, and they’re delicious when served with melted chocolate.
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake with Homemade Frosting
It’s a straightforward and delicious recipe. It’s so quick and easy to make. Everyone can contribute to mixing, and decorating the cake with frosting can be a fun group activity.
Donut cake is easy and fun to make ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Homemade Doughnuts
Shaping and frying these sweet treats can be a fun and rewarding endeavor. You can also experiment with different glazes and toppings. Donut cake is wonderful too — the key is the nutmeg. It’s easy to bake, cool, and then dust with powdered sugar.
Peanut Butter Cookies
PB cookies are easy to make, and kids can have fun making the traditional cross-hatch pattern with a fork.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
A warm, comforting dessert that’s fun to prepare together and delicious to eat.
Fruit Crumble
It’s straightforward to make, and you can experiment with different fruits based on the season.
Lemon Drizzle Cake
This simple loaf cake is easy to whip up together, and drizzling the tangy lemon glaze is a lot of fun.
Blueberry Pie
Making a homemade flaky pie crust and filling it with juicy blueberries can be a great team effort.
Coconut Macaroons
These are easy to make and bake up quickly. Dipping them in chocolate can also be a fun additional step. Be sure to use a recipe with unsweetened shredded coconut; sweetened coconut contains Propylene Glycol.
Savory Things to Bake
I tend to think of savory baked goods as being more hearty and less dessert-like. Some can be the main course and others are good as sides or for snacks.
Savory Breads to Bake
- Baguettes
- Olive bread
- Easy cornbread
- Cheddar cheese bread
- Focaccia
- Rosemary garlic bread
- Jalapeño cornbread
- Irish soda bread
- Whole wheat bread
- Rye bread
- French bread
- Sourdough bread
- Buckwheat bread
- Pumpernickel bread
Rolls & Buns
- Garlic knots
- Pretzel rolls
- Cheddar biscuits
- Scallion pancakes
- Olive and feta scrolls
- Scones with cheddar and herbs
- Zucchini bread rolls
- Onion poppy seed rolls
Muffins & Quick Breads
- Cheddar corn muffins
- Zucchini muffins
- Chive and cheese muffins
- Breakfast frittata muffins
- Spinach and feta muffins
- Tomato and basil muffins
- Batter quick bread
- Sun-dried tomato quick bread
- Olive and thyme quick bread
Savory Pies & Tarts
- Spinach and cheese quiche
- Tomato galette
- Vegan pot pie
- Mushroom tart
- Empanadas
- Shepherd’s pie
- Vegetable tart
- Quiche lorraine
- Caramelized onion tart
- Roasted red pepper and feta quiche
Other Savory Baked Goods
- Tomato and basil pizza
- Cheese and spinach stuffed shells
- Enchiladas
- Baked ziti and other pasta
- Eggplant parmesan
- Stuffed bell peppers
- Baked salmon with dill
- Spinach and cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Baked ratatouille
- Baked falafel
Gluten Free Things to Bake
You can make many of the above with gluten free flours. However, it’s important to know that all gluten free flours are not the same. If you are a beginner baker or if you want ease and simplicity, my recommendation is to go with one-to-one gluten free flours.
One-to-one flour, also called measure-for-measure flour, are easy to use. With these types of GF flours, all you do is switch out the quantity of flour with the GF flour. You don’t have to make any other adjustments to the recipe.
These blends often include a mix of rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch. They may also contain xanthan gum or guar gum to mimic the binding properties of gluten.
Two gluten free flours I use regularly to make cakes, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, rolls, and zucchini bread, banana bread, etc.:
- King Arthur Baking Co. Measure-for-Measure Gluten Free Flour
- Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour
With the excellent gluten free flours available, you can change out the flour in most of these recipes for one-to-one gluten free flour easily.
I highly recommend not using coconut flour, almond flour, and other naturally gluten free flours unless the recipe is written including the specific flour. Substituting with flour other than one-to-one flour is not always easy.
Easy Things to Bake
Banana Bread
Why it’s easy: The ripe bananas do most of the work by providing natural sweetness and moisture. It’s a great recipe to use up overripe bananas.
Homemade chocolate chip cookies ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Just mix, drop on a baking sheet, and bake. It’s also a great base recipe to customize with your favorite add-ins.
Blueberry Muffins
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine. Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries and bake.
Vanilla Cupcakes
Why it’s easy: A straightforward recipe where the batter is divided into cupcake molds and baked. You can top them with simple whipped cream instead of elaborate frosting.
Basic White Bread
It’s a simple, no-frills recipe that’s perfect for beginners learning yeast bread baking.
Brownies
Most brownie recipes are one-bowl and require simple ingredients. Plus, they’re fairly forgiving.
Apple Crisp
Why it’s easy: No need to worry about a pie crust, just mix apples with sugar and spices, top with a simple crumble, and bake.
Oatmeal Cookies
Similar to chocolate chip cookies but with added oats for extra texture and fiber.
Pancakes
Just combine ingredients, and pour onto a hot griddle or pan. A perfect recipe for weekend mornings.
Cinnamon Rolls
Why it’s easy: Though they require yeast, the process is quite straightforward, and the results are delicious.
Lemon Bars
Why it’s easy: A simple shortbread crust with a tangy lemon filling. Just bake, cool, and cut into squares.
Peach Cobbler
It’s easy because there isn’t crust to roll out. You just drop spoonfuls of batter over sweetened fruit and bake.
Zucchini Bread
In addition to using up zucchinis, it’s a simple quick bread recipe that also helps you sneak some veggies into your dessert.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Usually made with just a few ingredients, the dough comes together quickly and easily.
Cornbread
A basic recipe that’s often just mixed in one bowl and baked.
Shortbread Cookies
With just three main ingredients (butter, sugar, flour), this recipe is as simple as it gets.
Chocolate Cake
Why it’s easy: Most recipes are one-bowl and forgiving. You can frost it simply with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or make a homemade frosting.
Pumpkin Bread
Similar to banana bread, but uses canned pumpkin. It’s a simple mix-and-bake recipe.
Homemade Biscuits
A few simple ingredients, and they bake up quickly.
Bread Pudding
It’s a great way to use up stale bread. Just soak it in a sweet custard and bake.
Coffee Cake
You can whip up this comforting cake in no time with a few pantry staples. It typically has a simple streusel topping that’s just stirred together and sprinkled on top.
Scones
Scones are a quick, simple, and versatile treat that can be made sweet or savory.
Madeleines ~ Image credit: Dawn Head
Madeleines
These little French cakes are made with a simple batter and baked in a special mold. Despite their elegant appearance, they’re quite easy to make.
Coconut Macaroons
With just a few ingredients, these delightful cookies come together quickly and bake up into sweet, coconutty treats.
Peanut Butter Brownies
Adding peanut butter to a basic brownie recipe brings a fun twist and the process remains just as straightforward. Make sure to use palm oil free peanut butter. It should only contain peanuts and salt.
Carrot Cake
Grated carrots make this cake moist and sweet. It’s a simple, stir-together type of recipe that’s perfect for beginners.
Meringues
While they may seem fancy, meringues are actually quite simple. All you need is egg whites and sugar whipped to stiff peaks, then baked low and slow.
Desserts to Bake from Scratch
Here are some things to bake when you are bored, have some extra time, or feel like baking something. These are a few examples of the countless desserts that you can bake at home.
These recipes can be customized to fit your personal taste, dietary preferences, and ingredient availability.
Cookies and Bars:
- Almond Biscotti
- Anzac Biscuits
- Brownies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Fig Bars
- Linzer Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Shortbread Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
Cakes:
- Angel Food Cake
- Banana Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Chocolate Cake
- Coconut Cake
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Pound Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Spice Cake
- Vanilla Cake
Pastries and Pies:
- Apple Pie
- Cherry Turnovers
- Chocolate Croissants
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
- Raspberry Tart
- Sausage Rolls
- Shortcrust Pastry
Breads and Muffins:
- Banana Bread
- Blueberry Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Cornbread
- Focaccia Bread
- Irish Soda Bread
- Pumpkin Bread
- Zucchini Bread
Special Desserts:
- Churros
- Crepes
- Custard
- Flan
- Macarons
- Pavlova
- Souffle
- Tiramisu
What Cookies to Bake from Scratch
Easy Cookies:
Sugar cookies: This basic cookie is a great beginner’s recipe, simply combine butter, sugar, eggs, and flour.
Peanut butter cookies: Made primarily with peanut butter, sugar, and eggs, these are simple and tasty.
Oatmeal cookies: This recipe typically includes oats, flour, butter, sugar, and often raisins or chocolate chips.
Snickerdoodles: A simple sugar cookie dough rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking.
Shortbread cookies: Made with butter, sugar, and flour, these cookies are rich and crumbly.
Gingerbread cookies: A fun and easy recipe to make, especially around the holiday season.
Butter cookies: These cookies are soft, simple to make, and have a rich buttery flavor.
Chocolate chip cookies: A classic cookie made with a simple dough and chocolate chips.
Coconut macaroons: These are easy to make with shredded coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
Thumbprint cookies: Like kolaches, these cookies have a dollop of jam in the center.
Kolache cookies: Originating from Central Europe, these cookies are typically topped with fruit preserves, jam, or poppy seed filling.
Biscotti: Twice-baked Italian cookies that are perfect for dipping in coffee or tea.
Intermediate Cookies:
Madeleines: These small sponge cakes require a special mold but have a lovely, delicate flavor.
Pecan sandies: These cookies feature chopped pecans and have a shortbread-like texture.
Anzac biscuits: These Australian cookies made with oats and coconut have a chewy texture.
Dark chocolate macadamia nut cookies: This recipe adds dark chocolate and macadamia nuts to a basic cookie dough.
Pistachio cookies: These cookies feature ground pistachios for a rich, nutty flavor.
Gingersnaps: These cookies are flavored with ginger and molasses, resulting in a rich, spicy treat.
Brownie cookies: Combining the best parts of brownies and cookies, this recipe is slightly more complex but delicious.
Lemon cookies: With fresh lemon juice and zest, these cookies have a bright citrus flavor.
Pizzelle: These Italian waffle cookies require a special iron to make, but are a fun and delicious project. They are easy put time-consuming.
Advanced Cookies:
Florentines: These delicate, lacy cookies made with nuts and caramel are a bit tricky, but worth the effort.
Linzer cookies: These sandwich cookies feature a window of jam and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Palmiers: Made with puff pastry, these cookies are simple in ingredients but require some technique to achieve the perfect shape.
Alfajores: These Latin American sandwich cookies are filled with dulce de leche and often finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Checkerboard cookies: These require careful assembly to achieve their namesake pattern but are a fun baking project.
Black and white cookies: These cake-like cookies are half-glazed with vanilla icing and half with chocolate.
Russian tea cakes: Also known as Mexican wedding cookies, these are made with nuts and dusted with powdered sugar.
Chocolate lace cookies: These thin, crisp cookies are filled with chocolate and require careful handling.
More Advanced Cookies:
Stroopwafels: These Dutch treats consist of a caramel-like syrup sandwiched between two thin waffles. They require a special iron to make.
Sablés: These French shortbread cookies are known for their delicate, sandy texture.
Cannoli cookies: These cookies are a twist on the classic Italian dessert, filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta mixture.
Fortune cookies: These fun cookies can be customized with your own messages. They require quick folding once they come out of the oven.
Tuile cookies: These delicate French cookies are thin and crisp, often shaped over a rolling pin while hot.
French butter cookies (Sable Breton): These require some pastry skills, but their sweet and salty flavor is a reward.
Swiss Brunsli cookies: Made with almonds, sugar, and chocolate, these gluten-free cookies are a specialty from Switzerland.
Italian Pignoli cookies: Made from almond paste and pine nuts, these cookies are a bit tricky but absolutely delicious.
What to Bake Whenever the Mood Strikes
When deciding what to bake, consider what you have a taste for. Learn more about making palm oil free desserts and check out the recipes on site for inspiration. All of my recipes are meant to be palm oil free. I offer tips of what to buy.
Whether you are looking for fun things to bake, things you can bake, the many of the above ideas are cool, fun, and easy. For sure, they are all yummy!
Remember, part of the fun of baking is experimenting. Be bold and try out new recipes and techniques. There are many things you can bake whether you want to bake today or later. All of these ideas are delicious and most of them are fun things to bake as well.
Learn reasons to bake from scratch instead of buying premade baked goods. Also learn why I don’t buy premade desserts.
Featured image credit: My own