50 of the easiest (and tastiest) baking recipes (2024)

Eaten warm, these sugary, fluffy doughnuts are nothing short of sublime.

Try our mini cinnamon doughnuts recipe

The classic sponge cake is given a tropical twist with the addition of lime and coconut.

Try our lime and coconut Victoria sponge recipe

Best enjoyed warm and sticky from the oven with a cup of tea, these will become a firm family favourite.

Try our orange and maple Chelsea buns recipe

The queen of baking has perfected the simple, flawless, works-every-time cupcake recipe with this delicious vanilla bake. This cupcake recipe uses self-raising flour and baking powder for an extra-fluffy texture and an all-important drop of vanilla extract to add that moreish vanilla flavour. They're quick, simple and brilliant to make with kids.

Try Mary Berry's vanilla cupcakes

This classic pudding is given a zesty twist that complements the almond flavours.

Try this marmalade Bakewell tart recipe

The combination of buttery, crumbly shortbread, oozing caramel and indulgent chocolate is delicious. Perfect for an afternoon tea treat or easy dinner party dessert, this is sure to go down well with children and adults alike.

Try this salted caramel shortbread recipe

Although tarte tatin is traditionally made with apple, this recipe allows you to experiment with plums, figs, nectarines or peaches. Serve with crème fraîche or ice cream and you’ll be hard pressed to beat this simple warming dessert.

Try this apricot tarte tatin recipe

The combination of cheesecake swirled through the dark chocolate brownies is delicious. They look fabulous and the rich, strong flavour of the chocolate is nicely complemented by the slight tang of the cream cheese. These are perfect for those times when a standard brownie just doesn’t seem indulgent enough.

Try Rachel Allen’s cheesecake brownies recipe

This is a homely cake that, while baking, fills the house with a wonderful aroma. In the autumn I would bring home basketfuls of apples and always made sure I gave lots to my grandma because I knew she would make this cake.

Try Gennaro’s apple cake recipe

Deliciously moist and studded with jewel-like juicy cherries, these mini cakes are hard to resist. Perfect served for afternoon tea, they’re sure to go down well with children too.

Try this cherry and lemon drizzle cakes recipe

Calling all sweet toothed foodies. These vanilla chai infused cream biscuits will make the perfect dinner party dessert or food gift.

Try this vanilla chai cream biscuits recipe

This rustic blackberry and apple pie is the perfect dessert to round off a Sunday lunch. Easy to make, serve with a good scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Try this blackberry and apple pie recipe

Impress your guests with these decadent and easy to make at home mini éclairs, perfect for afternoon tea or as an indulgent snack or dessert.

Try this mini éclairs recipe

You can’t go wrong with a classic Victoria sandwich cake. Serve with a pot of tea for a tasty traditional tea time treat.

Try this Vicotria sandwich recipe

Nothing beats a pavlova – ice white meringue piled high with vibrant fruits and silky cream is a sight to be hold and a delight to eat. Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite’s recipe is divine and very simple to bake. All it needs is a little patience and you’ll have the perfect dessert.

Try John Whaite’s tropical fruit pavlova recipe

Most muffin recipes come as a fruity option for breakfast but these rich muffins are more a mid-afternoon treat when served warm straight from the oven.

Try this chocolate and hazelnut muffins recipe

These fruity scones are delicious served warm or cold. Cut in half and top with clotted cream and lemon curd they will make the perfect addition to a traditional afternoon tea.

Try this blueberry and lemon curd scones

A classic frangipane-filled tart, this recipe hails from Normandy in northern France where they grow the most wonderful pears. A delicious dessert best eaten warm or at room temperature the day it is made.

Try this Normandy pear tart recipe

Looking for an impressive dessert to finish off your dinner party? This easy chocolate and raspberry tart is sure to do the trick. Easy to make and deliciously moreish, this is the perfect chocoholics treat.

Try this chocolate and raspberry tart recipe

This recipe is perfect for a children’s tea party treat, and is also a great way to get mini gourmets interested in cooking. They can make both the shortbread biscuits and the strawberry icing.

Try this strawberry shortbread recipe