35 Easy Baking Recipes and Dessert Ideas

Looking for easy baking recipes that even beginners can master?

From cookies and cakes to chocolate brownies, these tasty treats will inspire you to get cooking!

Easy Baking Recipes & Homemade Treats

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as freshly baked cookies right out of the oven.

Plus, baking is a fantastic way to have some fun in the kitchen or spend quality time with your kids.

So, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite baking recipes to try out this weekend.

They’re easy, fun, and insanely good!

1. Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Nothing brings more joy than a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookie bars! 

They have the classic taste that makes you feel all giddy inside. Soft and chewy, nutty and chocolatey, these Toll House bars are the best.

Plus, they serve a crowd. Barbecues, potlucks, office parties, or birthdays, you’ll put smiles on faces wherever you bring them.

2. Paula Deen’s Peach Cobbler

Queen Paula knows her Southern comfort food better than anyone. And I particularly love this recipe because it’s just so easy.

Juicy, fresh peaches baked under a bubbly, golden crust – what could be better?

Serve with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the perfect summer treat.

3. Easy Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is one of those Italian breads that I just can’t get enough of.

Not only is it scrumptious, but it’s also great for beginners. There’s no real shaping involved and you use instant yeast — no starter required.

Unlike other breads, it doesn’t take all day either. Just a few hours, which is mostly resting time.

4. Chocolate Bisquick Brownies

When it comes to baking recipes, brownies are at the top of my list!

With just 7 ingredients, it’s the perfect recipe to make with kids.

Just throw all the ingredients into a bowl, blend until smooth, then bake and enjoy!

5. Deliciously Moist Banana Bread

Banana bread is one of those classic comfort foods that everyone seems to love. And for good reason – it’s moist, fluffy, and packed with flavor.

It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert!

Spread some butter on top, pour a cup of coffee, and you’ll have the perfect weekend treat.

6. Apple Brown Betty

Want the flavor of apple pie without bothering with a homemade crust? Then you want this timeless classic!

Apple Brown Betty takes that juicy, cinnamony fruit filling and turns it into a sweet treat. Except you get a buttery crumble topping instead of crust. 

I’ll take mine a la mode.

7. Tres Leches Cake With Cake Mix

Tres leches cake doesn’t exactly scream easy. But thanks to boxed cake mix it is.

It only takes a fraction of the work to get that dreamy, creamy, heavenly dessert. And, this shortcut helps achieve a tender texture instead of soggy.

From the frosting to the milky layers, this tres leches is just how it should be.

8. Buttermilk Scones

Put down the boxed mix and pick up the flour. Today, you’re making scones from scratch!

Homemade buttermilk scones are easier than you think. You’ll wonder where this recipe has been all your life.

They’re flaky, tender, tangy, slightly sweet, and speckled with currants. And, they pair great with a cup of coffee. 

9. Louisiana Crunch Cake

If you’ve made a bundt cake before, you know they are easy to overbake. But follow this recipe and it’s a piece of cake!

Sour cream and buttermilk keep it moist. And the caramelized coconut and vanilla glaze take it up a notch.

It’s a simple masterpiece.

10. Carrot Cake

Nothing is more disappointing than slicing into a carrot cake to find out it’s dry. Lucky for you, this copycat recipe takes care of that. 

The cake is tender and moist like you would hope. Then there’s the luscious cream cheese frosting that makes it extra decadent. 

It’s the perfect centerpiece for your Easter brunch!

11. Blueberry Buckle

This blueberry lemon coffee cake is a winner any time of the day. It’s tender, sweet, fruity, and delectable. 

Lemon zest and blueberries folded through the batter make it extra bright. 

The streusel top is the best part, though, and makes it totally acceptable for breakfast.

12. Kitchen Sink Cookies

I’m a firm believer that chocolate chip cookies are basically perfect. And yet, these blew my mind.

Thick, chewy, and loaded with chocolate, pretzels, and toffee bits, they are the perfect salty-sweet treat.

I especially love the combination of semi-sweet and milk chocolate, though I wonder how amazing they would be with white chocolate!

13. Lemon Cake With Cake Mix

Not much of a baker? You don’t need to be with this easy dessert recipe.

With store-bought mix and Jello, you can create the picture-perfect lemon cake. It’s bright, zesty, tender, and just the right amount of sweet. 

Plus, it’s versatile enough for any occasion. Bridal showers, brunches, Mother’s Day, lazy Sundays, you name it.

14. Portillo’s Chocolate Cake Recipe

There are plenty of decadent and fancy desserts out there.

But is there really anything better than chocolate cake?

This insanely easy cake uses a boxed mix and just a handful of ingredients, and it will give you perfection every time. 

15. Nutella Filled Hand Pies Recipe

My only issue with hand pies is having to let them cool down enough to bite into!

With store-bought pie crust, you can have a batch of these babies ready to go in under 30 minutes. 

Flaky, buttery, and oozing with Nutella, nobody can resist these.

16. Mississippi Mud Pie

Kids and adults will both go crazy for this Mississippi mud pie. It’s a super fun treat that’s got chocolate in almost every layer. 

There’s the chocolate cookie crust, fudgy brownie, chocolate pudding, whipped cream frosting, and crushed Oreos.

Southern desserts like this would kill it at a bake sale. It’s also special enough for a kid’s birthday party.

17. One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Looking for the best chocolate cake that doesn’t make a mess? This simple recipe is sure to impress.

As far as homemade chocolate cakes go, this one tops my list. It’s fudgy, rich, and purely decadent. 

What’s even better is you can make it with just one bowl. So you don’t have to own a stand mixer.

18. Seven Layer Magic Bars

There’s a reason they call these Magic Bars!

Using just seven ingredients, you’ll be making a cookie bar that is chewy, sticky, sweet, and incredibly moreish.

The best part? It takes just 15 minutes to have everything ready to bake!

19. Bisquick Peanut Butter Cookies

Odds are you have a jar of peanut butter in your pantry. Add Bisquick to the mix and you’re in the cookie business. 

These treats are soft, moist, and super flavorful. You’d never guess they’re just peanut butter, Bisquick, condensed milk, and vanilla.

Add chocolate if you like. But they’re pretty amazing on their own.

20. Strawberry Cobbler Recipe

Strawberry cobbler is often overshadowed by peach or apple, but you should really give it a fair shot. 

Not only is it beautifully vibrant, but the sweet juicy strawberries also make the perfect base for the cobbler topping. 

Not only that, they work well with everything from blueberries to rhubarb. 

21. Zucchini Bread

Wish your baked goods were just a little more healthy? Make this zucchini bread. 

You won’t find any chocolate or frosting here. What you will find is a tender loaf full of zucchini and walnuts. 

Sure, it’s got some sugar. But you can tailor that to your needs. Plus, you can also make it keto-friendly.

22. Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake (Copycat Recipe)

Can you guess the secret ingredient in this cake? It’s Coca-Cola!

The deep caramel notes enhance the chocolate the same way as coffee. It creates a moist, fudgy chocolate cake you’ll crave.  

Serve it to your guests and see if they can guess. After one bite, they’ll know it’s something special.

23. Air Fryer Apple Pies

Sometimes, I want just a slice of apple pie without making the whole thing. That’s why I love these adorable desserts. 

These fruity hand pies are the perfect single serving. Better yet, you make them in the air fryer with just five ingredients. 

Apple pie doesn’t get any quicker or easier than that.

24. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

Listen, I love dried fruit and raisins as much as the next gal. But cookies are an indulgence, and they need chocolate!

These are perfectly chewy, but they also have a great texture from the oats, making them extra special. 

Add these to your Christmas baking list, and make everyone happy.

25. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

A match made in heaven, the only nuts I like even more with white chocolate are pistachios. 

I like to use way more brown sugar than white for these babies to give a caramel flavor and ultra-chewy cookie.

When buying white chocolate, be sure to get quality chocolate. Cheaper white chocolate will often burn and split when heated. 

26. Sugar Cookies

When you’re doing all your holiday baking, sugar cookies are a must. They’re a classic that brings joy to everybody’s faces year after year. 

They’re sugary, buttery, and oh-so-chewy. What I love even more is that they’re easy. 

So when you’re baking up a storm, you can count on these to be a breeze.

27. To Die For Blueberry Muffins

Looking for the best blueberry muffins? Save this recipe and thank me later.

These muffins are crazy delicious! They’re soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh blueberries.

But my favorite part is the sugar-cinnamon streusel crumble. That buttery, crumbly topping makes for a decadent treat.

28. Chocolate Chip Muffins

And finally, we have arrived… at one of my favorite baking recipes!

Nothing beats a warm chocolate chip muffin right out of the oven. Ooey, gooey and simply irresistible.

They’re soft, fluffy and packed with chocolatey goodness. Plus, they’re super easy to make – no fancy baking skills required!

29. Bisquick Cinnamon Rolls

Nothing brings the family to the breakfast table like the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls!

These sweet treats are a weekend favorite in my household. They’re super gooey, packed with cinnamon, and topped with the most delectable frosting. 

But can I tell you a little secret? I use Bisquick. It makes them nice and fluffy without yeast.

30. Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie will always be a favorite. A buttery pastry with an indulgent sweet and sticky filling? I’ll just take a fork and the dish, please!

These bars are everything you love about pecan pie, turned into an easy to pick up treat that travels well.

If serving at home, go all-out and drizzle some bourbon salted caramel on top.

31. Popeye’s Biscuits Copycat Recipe

If you’re making biscuits at home, you might as well follow a recipe that you know people love. 

And people LOVE Popeye’s Biscuits.

Be sure to use cold butter in the dough and don’t skip the folds. It’s how they get those glorious flakes.

32. Savoury Cheese Muffins

If you love cheese, just wait until you try these!

The garlic and cheese butter is out of this world. It coats each muffin in a golden crust that is jam-packed with flavor.

Amazing as they are, they’re also great with jalapeno and bacon. Mmm!

33. No-Knead Bread

I’m a big fan of homemade bread, but not so much the process. So you can imagine how much I love this no-knead recipe.

You get the most heavenly rustic loaf by just folding the dough.

Mind you, this bread baby does entail a bit of love. So it’s a great baking project for when you’re hanging around the house.

34. Flourless Chocolate Cake

Friends, meet my new obsession: flourless chocolate cake. 

This high-protein dessert skips the all-purpose flour for almond. The results are just as decadent with less guilt.

There’s no need for frosting or extra layers, either. This rich, luscious, chocolatey wonder is all you need.

35. Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Did you know you can create a stunning cake with zero decorating? Well, you can with this classic.

Pineapple upside-down cake is a real head-turner that’s insanely simple. Just bake, flip, and it’s ready to present.

Serve it at a barbecue or a pool party. Wherever you share it, this summer dessert will steal the show.