The Beginner’s Guide to Baking: 3 Easy Recipes Anyone Can Make

Baking can seem intimidating if you’re just starting out, but it doesn’t have to be! With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up delicious treats that impress family and friends. This beginner’s guide covers three easy recipes — banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and basic vanilla cupcakes — perfect for building your baking confidence.

1. Classic Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/3 cup melted butter

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• Pinch of salt

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

How to Make:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix mashed bananas with melted butter. Stir in sugar, baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Add flour and mix until just combined. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

2. Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened butter

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 cups chocolate chips

How to Make:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cream butter and sugars together. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.

3. Basic Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ cup milk

How to Make:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Divide batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Tips for Baking Beginners

• Measure ingredients carefully — baking is a science!

• Don’t overmix batter to keep treats tender.

• Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing.

• Start simple and have fun experimenting.

Final Thoughts

Baking at home is rewarding and delicious, even for beginners. These three recipes offer a great starting point to build skills and enjoy homemade treats. Grab your apron, and let’s bake!

Tried these recipes? Share your baking wins or questions in the comments below!