With shows like The Great British Bake Off at the heart of British culture, it’s unsurprising that many of us enjoy getting creative in the kitchen.
Not only is baking a form of creative expression that provides us with a tasty treat at the end – but it can also help us to relax and keep feelings of anxiety at bay.
Psychology Professor, Donna Pincus, explains how baking can be used to help us stay in the present moment…
“Baking actually requires a lot of full attention. You have to measure, focus physically on rolling out dough. If you’re focusing on smell and taste, on being present with what you’re creating, that act of mindfulness in that present moment can also have a result in stress reduction.”
Several members of the Rest Less team enjoy baking in their spare time and between us, we’ve pulled together a list of our favourite recipes.
From cheese scones to millionaire’s shortbread and the ultimate gooey brownies, here are 12 baking ideas for you to try at home…
1. Millionaire's shortbread
Difficulty level: Easy
Total baking time: 1 hour
Try this when…
…you’re bored of your usual biscuits or fancy treating yourself to something a little different.
2. Healthy blueberry muffins
Difficulty level: Easy
Total baking time: 35 minutes
Try this when…
…you’re in the mood for a baked snack that’s lower in calories and packs a fruity punch! They also make for a quick and easy breakfast.
These blueberry muffins use wholewheat flour and can be made with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
3. Classic cheese scones
Difficulty level: Easy
Total baking time: 35 mins
Try this when…
…you’re looking for something savoury to have for brunch or lunch. You can treat cheese scones much in the same way as bread. Top with things like salad, ham, or chutney.
4. Cinnamon rolls
Difficulty level: Hard
Total baking time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Try this when…
…you fancy a soft, fluffy treat! These cinnamon-spiced rolls are best enjoyed for breakfast. This recipe will also show you how to freeze them to eat at a later date.
If one of these won’t get you out of bed in the morning, we don’t know what will!
5. Lemon drizzle cake
Difficulty level: Easy
Total baking time: 1 hour
Try this when…
…you fancy something light and citrusy. Pairs well with a cup of tea.
6. Banana bread
Difficulty level: Easy
Total baking time: 45 mins
Try this when…
…you’re looking to make something quick, comforting, and not too sweet. Or if you just have some bananas to use up!
We’ve created our own banana bread recipe, but it can easily be adapted by adding or swapping out ingredients – depending on what you have in your kitchen cupboards.
7. Butternut squash pie with shallots, radicchio, and feta
Difficulty level: Moderate
Total baking time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Try this when…
…you’re looking for a hearty, meat-free dinner idea. Sara, our chief techy, recently tried this veggie pie recipe and was really pleased with the results. She highly recommends it to others and wanted to share her photos (above).
8. Old-fashioned sour cream doughnuts
Difficulty level: Hard
Total baking time: 2 hours
Try this when…
…you can’t get hold of yeast, but you’re looking for a doughnut fix. These old-fashioned doughnuts are soft and cakey on the inside, and crunchy and cracked on the outside. The cracks are perfect for soaking up the sweet glaze.
9. Classic carrot cake
Difficulty level: Moderate
Total baking time: 1 hour
Try this when…
…you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing sweet treat. This family favourite recipe is characterised by flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnuts.
10. Ultimate gooey brownies
Difficulty level: Easy
Total baking time: 45 minutes
Try this when…
…you have a chocolate craving that needs satisfying, or you’re looking to really indulge.
These brownies are soft and gooey, with a thick layer of chocolate and sweet condensed milk in the middle. They’re not exactly diet-friendly, but we all need a treat sometimes.
11. Croissants
Difficulty level: Moderate
Total baking time: 14 hours, 24 minutes (14 hours prep time)
Try this when…
…you’re looking for a tasty breakfast. Croissants are the flaky, buttery continental breakfast that many of us love.
These can be enjoyed on their own or with a range of toppings and fillings – from butter and jam to ham and cheese. But, in any case, they’re best eaten warm.
This recipe will also show you how to freeze them.
12. Sourdough bread
Difficulty level: Hard
Total baking time: 50 minutes, plus proving and fermentation time
Try this when…
…you’re looking for an alternative to conventional bread. Sourdough is easier to digest and higher in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The process is a bit lengthy and consists of a lot of watching and waiting, but it’s definitely worth it.
Alternatively, for more inspiration, check out our article, 10 of the best bread recipes. It includes everything from bagels to French baguettes.
Final thoughts...
If you really want to up your baking game by mastering some new skills, you might also want to read our article; 8 technical baking skills you can learn from home. Or, if you’re short on time and want to skip the oven, why not try making one of our 7 best no-bake dessert recipes?
Alternatively, if you love baking delicious treats but are trying to make healthier lifestyle choices, our article 9 baking ideas with a healthy twist has plenty more ideas.
Do you have a baking recipe that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear about your creations and your baking experiences in the comments below.