5 Easy Baking Recipes Using Common Pantry Ingredients
Craving something sweet for these cozy nights, but don't feel like heading to the supermarket? Before you grab your keys, take another look in your cupboards.
With a few everyday ingredients, you might already have everything you need to make something delicious. These five easy recipes are perfect for those days when a homemade treat is just the ticket.
1. Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
With no flour or butter required, these simple cookies come together in minutes.
Ingredients
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Mix the peanut butter, sugar, and egg until combined.
Roll into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheet.
Flatten each with a fork, making a crisscross pattern.
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, until the edges are set.
Cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring.
2. Cinnamon Sugar Mug Cake
When you’re in the mood for a slice of cake, but don’t want to bake one from scratch, this little microwave treat comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar, for topping
Instructions
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large microwave-safe mug.
Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top.
Microwave on high for 60 - 90 seconds, until the center is set.
Let it rest for one minute before eating.
3. Easy Homemade Shortbread
This shortbread is buttery, crumbly, and lovely with a cup of tea. Best of all, it only needs three ingredients.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
Gradually mix in the flour to form a soft dough.
Shape into a disk and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Roll into ½-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
Bake for 18 - 22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely before serving.
4. Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
Those oats in your pantry are perfect for a batch of chewy, cinnamon-scented cookies.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Cream the butter and both sugars until fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt separately.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then stir in oats.
Drop rounded tablespoons onto the baking sheet, leaving space between the cookies.
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until the edges are golden.
Cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring.
5. Simple Cocoa Brownies
Even if you don’t have baking chocolate, cocoa powder is enough to make these brownies nice and rich.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square pan.
Whisk the melted butter and sugar together.
Stir in the eggs and vanilla until smooth.
Add the cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until combined.
Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool before slicing.
A Sweet Treat Without the Shopping Trip
Sometimes, the best homemade treats are the simplest ones. And, when you already have all the ingredients at home, there's no need to wait for a special occasion. Just resist the urge to lick the spoon, since the FDA warns that raw dough and batter can carry harmful bacteria.
Just grab a mixing bowl and enjoy a little special something, straight from your own kitchen.
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