Looking to get into baking but don't know where to start? This blog is for you! Here you will find easy baking recipes for beginners, as well as tips and techniques to help you on your baking journey. Whether you're a complete novice or just looking to brush up on your baking skills, this is the place for you. So what are you waiting for? Grab your apron. Let's get started
3 Easy Baking Recipes For Beginners
• Chocolate Muffins
• Cocoa Brownies
• Chocolate Chip Blondies
Chocolate Muffins
Ingredients
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Low-fat buttermilk | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| All-purpose flour spooned into a measuring cup and levelled | 1¾ cups |
| Natural unsweetened cocoa powder | ⅔ cup |
| Light brown sugar, packaged (make sure it's fresh and free of hard lumps) | 1¼ cups |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled | 1 stick (½ cup) |
Steps
- Place a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat to 425°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
- In another large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Rub the mixture through your fingers to break up any brown sugar clumps.
- To the dry ingredients, add ¾ cup of the chocolate chips, the buttermilk and egg mixture, and the melted butter. Mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until just combined.
- Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons, fill the muffin cases to the brim with batter. Divide remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips evenly over muffin tops and press lightly into batter.
- Place in the oven and bake for 8 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350F and bake an additional 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean (check a few spots as the melted chocolate chips will make the tester look wet).
- Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing the muffins from the pan; cool on a grid.
Cocoa Brownies
Ingredients
| Melted butter or 1 stick | 1/2 cup |
| Unsweetened cocoa | 1/2 cup |
| Sugar | 1 cup |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Vanilla | 1 teaspoon |
| Flour | 1/2 cup |
| Salt if not using salted butter | 1/4 tsp |
Steps
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line an 8×8 square pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix melted butter and cocoa, and sugar until completely dissolved.
3. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, and stir until well combined.
4. Stir in the flour and salt until the flour is completely combined. Be careful not to overmix the mixture.
5. (optional) Fold in 1 cup of nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or anything you desire.
6. Spread in the pan and bake for about 20-22 minutes or until the center is slightly set. Be careful not to overbake!
7. Let cool completely then cut into 9 large squares or 16 small squares.
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Ingredients
| Unsalted butter, melted | 1/2 cup |
| Packed light brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Kosher salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips | 1 cup |
Steps
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and stir. Stir in the flour and salt just until well combined.
3. Stir in chocolate chips, reserving a few tablespoons to sprinkle on top if desired.
4. Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out with moist crumbs.
5. The blondies are lightly tanned at the edges. Let it cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before lifting the blondies out by the parchment paper.
6. Set on a wire rack to finish cooling before slicing and storing in an airtight container.
Top Tips To Remember
If you're new to baking, it can be daunting trying to find recipes that are both easy to follow and produce great results. But have no fear!
Before you get started, here are a few top tips to help you achieve perfect results:
1. Read the recipe thoroughly before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients and the method so that you can plan.
2. Make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need before you start. There's nothing worse than getting halfway through a recipe only to realise you're missing an essential ingredient.
3. Preheat the oven before you start baking. This will help to ensure that your food is cooked evenly.
4. Be precise with your measurements. Baking is a science, so making sure you measure the ingredients correctly is crucial for success.
5. Follow the recipe to the word. Don't be tempted to make changes, as this can often lead to disaster!
6. Be patient
