10 Easy Baking Recipes With Minimal Ingredients

And as a bonus, some of these are great for getting little helpers involved so that they can learn basic skills and have fun, too.

Simple Cakes, Muffins, and Breads

Poor Man’s Cake

This simple cake is similar to spice cake and can be enjoyed with or without frosting. It’s so easy to make you can try it both ways. 

Zucchini Bread

This lightly-spiced bread is so good that people who don’t like vegetables never even realize the “secret” ingredient which adds moistness. It makes a nice after dinner treat or an easy breakfast. 

Photo credit: Joseph E Ligori/Shutterstock

Lemon-Blueberry Muffins

These breakfast treats are not overly sweet and just the right amount of tart. You can make with fresh or frozen blueberries. Make several dozen and freeze what you can’t eat–you’ll thank us later.

Credit: Felix Furo/shutterstock

Simple Cookies and Bars

Snowball Cookies

Try these snowball cookies for a light treat after dinner or snack with a cup of tea. 

Best Butter Cookies

These butter cookies have just a hint of orange flavor from orange juice. Decorate them with sprinkles or frosting as a fun activity to do with kids. 

Old–Fashioned Raisin–Filled Cookies

These cookies might make you think of a certain fig filled goodie, but they will make a nice treat. Kids can help with filling the cookies. 

Shortbread Recipe

A shortbread is a hard cookie that keeps well—and has a mouthwateringly buttery taste. Homemade shortbread is amazing. 

Photo credit: Lilyana Vynogradova/shutterstock

Simple Pies

Irish Potato Pie

Potatoes in a pie? Don’t worry, this pie features a smoothy, creamy custard that uses plain mashed potatoes as its base. It’s sweet, yummy, and if you use a pre–made crust, comes together quickly. 

Strawberry Hand Pies

These individual pies are a great treat to make as fresh strawberries come into season and are available everywhere. 

…And Something Different!

Grape–Nut Pudding

This unexpected dessert uses cereal to make a crust that is topped with custard. You’ll never look at this fiber–rich cereal the same. 

Flourless Desserts

We’ve had a few readers express interest in baking without all-purpose flour, either because they have a flour shortage or their bodies are sensitive to flour.

See some of our favorite recipes below:

• Flourless Chocolate Cake. Only 5 ingredients, including black coffee. Sinfully decadent with a fudge-like consistency.
• Honey Oat Bread is made with only oat flour and delicious for those who have the urge to knead bread.
• Black Bean Brownies. No one will guess that these brownies are made with black beans for moistness and texture!
• Almond Cheesecake. This no-crust dessert is a delicious option for people with gluten sensitivities, too.

You may also enjoy or post on simple ways to bake with limited flour here.

We hope you find some inspiration! Don’t forget to check out our full recipe collection for more great ideas to keep you busy in the kitchen.