What Are Good Things To Bake?
Baking has become an increasingly popular hobby and pastime in recent years. According to sources, the popularity of baking as a hobby among many people has raised demand for baking ingredients and equipment (https://in-bakery.com/baking-ingredients-market-due-to-grow/). The rising interest in homemade baked goods is driven by factors like the satisfaction of creating tasty treats, the ability to control ingredients, and the enjoyment of learning a new skill.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic led to more people spending time at home and taking up hobbies like baking bread and other comforting items (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/baking-equipment-market-challenges-opportunities-growth-gy0ke/). The increased desire for homemade baked goods has created opportunities for growth in the markets for baking ingredients, equipment, and accessories.
Overall, baking has become a beloved pastime that allows people to explore their creativity, share their creations, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Bread
Bread is a baking staple and there are many delicious options to make at home. Some breads that are great for baking include:
Sourdough bread is a popular choice. The tangy flavor comes from the fermentation process using wild yeasts. Sourdough takes time to develop but the result is worth it (Source: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/honey-beer-bread/).
Banana bread is a sweet, moist quick bread that uses ripe bananas. It’s easy to throw together and makes your kitchen smell amazing (Source: https://www.dearcreatives.com/15-quick-and-easy-bread-recipes/).
Zucchini bread is similar to banana bread but uses shredded zucchini. It’s a delicious way to use up extra garden zucchini. The veggies add moisture while allowing you to cut back on oil (Source: https://www.bibbyskitchenat36.com/seven-easy-bread-recipes/).
Other great options include focaccia, brioche, challah, naan, and sandwich bread.
Cookies
Some of the most popular cookie recipes to bake are chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter. Chocolate chip cookies are a classic favorite, with their sweet chocolate and butterscotch flavors. The original Nestle chocolate chip cookie recipe from 1939 is still one of the best. For a soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie, bake them just until the edges start to brown. Sugar cookies are great for decorating into fun shapes and designs. Cutout sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles make a perfect holiday treat. Oatmeal raisin cookies are a healthy choice, using oats, raisins, cinnamon, and honey or maple syrup. They have a crispy outside and chewy inside. Peanut butter cookies are packed with peanut flavor, especially when you use crunchy peanut butter. Add chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over peanut butter cookies for extra decadence.
Some of the most popular and highly-rated cookie recipes include:
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies from All Recipes
World’s Best Sugar Cookies from Taste of Home
Cakes
Cakes are a classic baking option with endless variety and fun decorating possibilities. Here are some cake ideas that are enjoyable to make at home:
Layer cakes like chocolate cake or vanilla cake layered with frosting are a tasty option. They look impressive but are easy to bake by preparing cake rounds to stack (Simple cakes).
Bundt cakes baked in a fluted pan are simple but beautiful. Pound cakes and citrus cakes work well as bundt cakes. Decorate with a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle of glaze (Easy Homemade Cake Recipes).
Cupcakes are fun single-serve cakes perfect for parties and gatherings. Kids enjoy decorating them with frosting and sprinkles. Make a variety of flavors and frostings for customized treats.
Pies
Pies are a classic baking choice perfect for both desserts and meals. From sweet pies like pecan, apple, and pumpkin to savory chicken or vegetable pot pies, there’s an endless variety to bake. Pies allow you to be creative with fillings and crusts – you can make a traditional two-crust pie, a crumb topping, use store-bought or homemade crust, and customize flavors. Fruit pies are a simple way to highlight seasonal produce like berries, stone fruits, and fall apples. For best results, mix chunky and juicy fillings with a touch of cornstarch, lemon juice, or egg to thicken. Baked pies with creamy fillings like banana cream or coconut cream make decadent desserts. Custard and pumpkin pies are holiday favorites, bringing warmth and comfort. Savory pies like chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, or veggie hand pies make hearty, wholesome meals. The crust is key for any pie to ensure it’s flaky and golden. You can’t go wrong baking a homemade pie from scratch for that fresh from the oven flavor.
Muffins
Muffins are a quick and easy baked good that can be made in a variety of delicious flavors. Some tasty muffin recipes to try baking include:
Blueberry muffins are a classic favorite. They are easy to make and the sweet blueberries pair perfectly with the muffin base. You can find a simple recipe for homemade blueberry muffins at https://www.pinterest.com/cakewhiz/muffins/ that uses fresh or frozen blueberries folded into a basic muffin batter.
Banana nut muffins are another tasty option. The bananas add natural sweetness and moisture while the walnuts provide crunch. Check out this easy homemade banana nut muffin recipe: https://www.livingonadime.com/homemade-muffins-recipes-tips/.
For a citrusy flavor, lemon poppyseed muffins are delicious. The tart lemon and floral poppy seeds make a bright, summery muffin. Find a homemade lemon poppyseed muffin recipe made from scratch at https://www.livingonadime.com/homemade-muffins-recipes-tips/.
With an assortment of flavors to choose from, muffins are a fun baked good to whip up on a weekend morning or as an after school snack. Try out a new muffin recipe and enjoy a warm, homemade treat.
Scones
Scones are a classic quick bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast or an afternoon tea. Some delicious scone varieties to bake include:
Blueberry scones are a crowd favorite. The sweet berries paired with the flaky, buttery scone make for a tasty treat. Add a sprinkling of lemon zest or a drizzle of glaze on top for extra flavor. Here’s a recipe for blueberry scones that uses both fresh and frozen berries.
Cranberry orange scones are a nice seasonal variety, perfect for fall and winter. The tart cranberries and bright citrus notes pair deliciously together. Try this cranberry orange scone recipe that adds orange zest for an extra burst of flavor.
For a cozy, comforting treat, bake up a batch of cinnamon scones. These scones are often studded with raisins or diced apples too. The cinnamon sugar filling and glaze makes them irresistible. Here’s a simple cinnamon scone recipe that’s easy to whip up.
Biscuits
Flaky, homemade biscuits are a classic comfort food that are easy to make and taste delicious. Some popular biscuit recipes include:
Buttermilk Biscuits – The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to give these biscuits a light and fluffy texture. The buttermilk also adds a subtle tangy flavor. These easy buttermilk biscuits are a staple for any Southern-style meal. They pair perfectly with sausage gravy for a hearty breakfast (source).
Cheddar Chive Biscuits – These biscuits are flavored with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh chives. The cheddar adds great flavor while the chives provide an herbal note. These flaky biscuits are delicious on their own or served alongside soup or chili (source).
Drop Biscuits – Drop biscuits are even easier to make than rolled biscuits because you simply drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet. They have a light and tender crumb. Make these fast and easy drop biscuits to go with any meal.
Pastries
Pastries make for a delightful treat any time of day. Both sweet and savory baked pastries like croissants, danishes, and strudels are fantastic options when you’re looking for something flaky and delicious to enjoy with coffee or tea.
For breakfast, try baking some croissants, chocolate croissants, or almond croissants, which can be enjoyed plain or with butter and jam. Light, layered Danish pastries filled with fruit, cheese, or nuts are another excellent morning pastry.
In the afternoon, serve an assortment of sweet and savory strudels, like apple strudel, cherry strudel, or spinach and feta strudel. The thin, flaky phyllo dough in strudels bakes up golden brown and provides the perfect complement to both sweet and salty fillings.
You really can’t go wrong when baking up a batch of delicious pastries. They make a thoughtful gift, a special treat for yourself, or an elegant dessert. Experiment with sweet and savory fillings baked inside a flaky, buttery pastry crust for a tasty homemade baked good.
Conclusion
To summarize, baking can be an extremely rewarding and tasty hobby for beginners. With some key tips, quality ingredients, and a bit of patience, anyone can become an excellent home baker. Here are some final tips for beginner bakers:
Always start by reading the full recipe and gathering all necessary ingredients beforehand. Measuring ingredients precisely is crucial, so invest in a good set of measuring cups and spoons. Avoid substitutions whenever possible, especially for key ingredients like baking powder or eggs. Follow recipe instructions carefully and set a timer to avoid under or over-baking.
Essential pantry items to have on hand include all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Quality ingredients like real butter and pure vanilla make a difference in flavor and texture. Keep an assortment of pans like cake pans, muffin tins, and baking sheets ready to use.
Don’t get discouraged if a recipe doesn’t turn out perfectly on the first try. Baking is a learning process. With practice and perseverance, beginner bakers can master techniques like creaming butter and sugar, properly folding in egg whites, and evenly spreading batter. Patience and passion are the keys to success. So preheat that oven, gather those ingredients, and enjoy the mouthwatering process of baking something wonderful!
