Quarantine can be difficult, but it’s about to get a lot better. There are a million good baking recipes out there, but I’ve compiled my favorites just for you! You’re guaranteed to find your next quarantine snack in here along with its quick and easy baking recipe.
1. Ginger Snaps
My all-time favorite cookies. They are just comforting enough to give you the same feelings as other cookies, but they just have something to them that makes you want to jump up and down. Perfect for dipping in your tea or late-night treats, ginger snaps are here for you.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 & Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or by greasing it.
In a bowl mix the cream butter and sugar together on medium speed. Add egg and molasses and mix.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger together.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl on low speed until everything is incorporated and a dough forms.
Scoop dough into balls. It’s best to measure about 1 1/2 tablespoons. Roll the dough balls in the sugar and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake for 11-13 minutes. Allow them to cool on the cookie sheet before you transfer them onto a cooling rack to cool completely
Best stored in an airtight bag or tin!
2. Lemon Bars
Nothing says a pick-me-up like lemons, so why not make a good dessert out of it! After all, when life gives you lemons, make lemon bars! That’s that saying, isn’t it? Lemon bars are perfect to put a smile on your face and give you a little slice of sunshine whenever you need it. So use this baking recipe next time you want to have a little bit of sunshine in your home.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Ingredients:
Shortbread Base
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup flour
1 pinch salt (more if using unsalted butter)
Lemon Filling
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 pinch salt
Zest of 1/2 – 1 lemon (1/2 – 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350
Lightly grease and flour a cake pan or line with parchment paper
Shortbread Base
In a medium bowl, mix butter and powdered sugar on medium speed until combined
Add flour to the mixture and mix until a soft dough forms (approximately 1 1/2 minutes)
Pat evenly onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan
Bake for 18-20 minutes
Lemon Filling
In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt and zest.
Pour over the warm base of the shortbread and put it back in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
Cool in pan or chill in the fridge for one hour before cutting
Cut into squares and enjoy!
3. Whole Wheat Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread
I know, it sounds like a mouthful. But, alas! A healthy-ish dessert! This is a very easy baking recipe to make banana bread with a crumb topping that won’t have you feeling too guilty after you eat it. The warm cinnamon flavors will have you feeling comfy and loved at home. This is a good loaf to make and deliver to your friends during quarantine! (Just make sure to save some for yourself.)
3/4 sugar (or less if you don’t want it to be too sweet)
1/2 cup brown sugar for the crumb topping
1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup flour for the crumb topping (plain or whole wheat)
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
5 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 360
Grease or line a loaf pan
For the crumb topping, mix the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Rub in the butter with your hands until crumbs form. Refrigerate until ready to use
Combine the whole wheat flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, bananas, sugar, oil, and Greek yogurt
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and slowly mix
Place the batter in the loaf tin and evenly sprinkle with the crumb topping
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
Cool in pan for 10 minutes then move to a cooling rack to cool completely
4. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Soft, chewy, buttery goodness. I promise you’ll love this quick and easy baking recipe, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Welcome to cookie heaven, make sure to try one while they’re still warm.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 9 mins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick oats
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350
In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, and peanut butter until fluffy
Mix in the egg and vanilla
Beat in the flour, baking soda and salt on a low speed
Add in the oats and mix
Form the dough into balls about 1-1.5 tablespoons in size
Place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet
Bake for 8-10 minutes
*If you want thicker cookies, you can cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Make sure to let them warm for 5-10 minutes if left overnight.
So what are you waiting for? Get up and bake! You’ll find that these little delights will keep your mind and your stomach satisfied during the quarantine and long after. Just follow these baking recipes and you’ll be well on your way to being a true baker.
If you have any other baking recipes you would like our readers to try, along with any questions or comments, write to us below! Let us know how your baking went.
I’m from Long Beach, CA and I’m currently a student at Villanova University, pursuing a major in Communications with a double minor in Psychology and Spanish. I started writing articles in the fall of 2019 and fell in love with writing, hopefully, you’ll enjoy my articles just as much as I do!