Top 41+ easy baking ideas

Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned baker – baking from scratch doesn’t have to be difficult. From scones to cakes, chocolate cookies and bread, we’ve got all the easy baking recipes you need.

When it comes to home cooking in Australia, there is no one more well-respected than The Australian Women’s Weekly. And apart from our classic lunch and family dinner recipes, we’re best known for our beautiful easy baked goods. From cakes and cupcakes, to pies and tarts, these delightful recipes are easy for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experts looking for something simple. Take a flick through and see what you’ll be baking for your loved ones this weekend.

Baking 101: Cake tins and baking pans

It might seem like common sense, but a lot of people get confused with the ins and outs of baking tins. We explain everything you need to know about sizes, shapes, materials and greasing techniques.

Which pan for which cake?

Mud cakes and gingerbread-type cakes, with a wet pourable mixture, bake best in a flat open pan. If these mixtures are baked in deep pans, they often rise and fall in the middle, or they take a long time to cook through.

Sponge cakes are best cooked in deep-sided pans as the high sides protect the delicate sponge mixture and prevent a crisp crust developing. Traditionally, sponge layer cakes are cooked in a pair of shallow sandwich pans, but we recommend the deeper pans for a better result.

Butter cakes are usually fairly forgiving and will happily bake in flat, deep or patty pans. The baking times will change, and sometimes the oven temperatures will need to be adjusted slightly, too.

Fruit cakes are really only fruit-packed butter cakes, and can be baked in just about any cake pan you choose – from really large to really small. Baking times and oven temperatures need to be adjusted. Also, the longer a rich fruit cake is baked the darker it becomes – small cakes remain quite (often disappointingly) pale.

Christmas cakes usually have quite a bit of height, so they’re best cooked in a deep square or round pan.

Biscuits cook best on flat oven trays or pans with shallow sides so that the heat skims over the top and ensures proper circulation and browning.

Material

Stainless-steel or tin provides better results if the oven temperature is reduced by 10°C. These tins usually have straight sides and sharp corners. Tin will rust, so dry thoroughly (do this using the oven’s stored heat) after washing.

Non-stick pans are readily available now. Reduce the oven temperature by 10°C as the dark surface absorbs the heat and can cause the cake to burn. Even though the pans are non-stick, we recommend that you grease them lightly or spray them with a cooking-oil spray.

Silicon bakeware is becoming increasingly popular. Buy the best you can afford and it will last you a lifetime. It does not brown as well as metal but is wonderfully non-stick and flexible, so you can twist it to “pop” the cakes out. Depending on its shape, silicone bakeware may need to be supported on an oven tray once filled.

Essential cake pans

If you’re a beginner baker, you should start off your collection with:

After buying these pans, add to the collection as you need them.

Greasing

To grease a cake pan, use either a light, even coating of cooking-oil spray, or use a pastry brush to brush melted butter lightly and evenly over the base and sides of the pan.

To grease and flour a cake pan, grease with melted butter and allow it to set before sprinkling with a little flour. Tap the pan, upside-down, on the bench to remove any excess flour from the pan.

Lining a pan with baking paper makes it easier to remove the cake once baked, it also stops the cake from sticking to the pan and from burning during long baking times.

If you’re lining a pan with baking paper, grease the sides of the pan first – this holds the paper in place. In most cases, it is not necessary to grease the baking paper as well.

Date and oat slice

Date and oat slice

Sweet and full of texture, cut yourself a piece of this oat slice to enjoy with a cup of tea.

Lemon loaf cake with lemon drizzle

Julie Goodwin’s magic slice

Julie Goodwin’s magic slice

This old-fashioned favourite is one of those slices you’ll become known for in your circle of friends and asked to make for every gathering!

Homemade muesli bars in the air fryer

Julie Goodwin’s simple lemon blueberry cake on a cake stand with a slice missing

lemon blueberry loaf cake

Lemon blueberry loaf cake with mascarpone icing

A luscious lemon loaf cake topped with a dramatic overload of icing!

lemon ricotta cake

Julie Goodwin's lemon coconut slice

Air fryer banana muffins with pecans

Cornflake biscuits in a jar

Butter cake with icing on top and a standmixer in background

One-bowl butter cake

Use this easy butter cake as-is or as a base for a birthday cake. It’s as easy as a packet mix, and tastier!

Anzac slice

Easy chocolate cake

Blueberry muffins straight from the oven in muffin tins

Bread and butter pudding

a half cut passionfruit cheesecake slice

Apple loaf cake with a slice cut, ready to serve

Simple apple loaf cake

Serve with a steaming cup of tea for the perfect afternoon treat!

Julie Goodwin's sour cream cheesecake slice with strawberries and passionfruit

raspberry muffins

Raspberry muffins

Use this basic muffin recipe as your starting point and experiment with other berries.

Chai-spiced apple crumble cake

Chai-spiced apple crumble cake

This dessert-in-a-cake can be served for morning or afternoon tea, or even as the sweet course at your next dinner party.

Banana bread

easy chocolate chip cookies

Easy orange cake

white chocolate caramel slice

White chocolate caramel slice

Melt-and-mix strawberry yoghurt cake

23 easy bread recipes

23 easy bread recipes

You will fall in love with the smell of fresh bread in your home.

Honey Jumbles

Classic honey jumbles

These delicious sweet baked fingers iced with a sweet glaze are a classic dessert that children from every generation loved.

chocolate raspberry brownies

buttermilk scones

40 sweet and savoury scone recipes

Sweet, savoury – we have the best of both!

Shortbread fingers

Shortbread fingers

Irresistibly crumbly and buttery, shortbread has been a year-round favourite biscuit for centuries.

big chocolate cookie

One-bowl chocolate velvet cake

Irish soda bread rolls

Irish soda bread rolls

This Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk.

carrot cake with lemon cream cheese frosting

Carrot cake with caramelised pecans

You’ll love this moist and easy carrot cake with a silky smooth cream cheese frosting

Simple butter cake

Simple butter cake

This classic butter cake, smothered in butter cream icing, will satisfy your sweet tooth. Best served with a cup of tea or coffee for a simple afternoon treat.

moist chocolate and coconut cake

Moist chocolate and coconut cake

This moist and flavourful cake is easy to make with a touch of coconut to perfectly balance the rich chocolate.

Buttery citrus orange and lemon cake

Citrus butter cake

Citrus lovers, this one’s for you. A spongey citrus cake with glace icing and candied orange and lemon slices.

Peanut caramel squares

Peanut caramel squares

The delightful caramel peanut topping on a buttery shortbread base makes for one unforgettable slice.

The Australian Women's Weekly July 2007

Apricot upside-down cakes

These delightful mini cakes are wonderfully light, moist and are topped with beautiful juicy fresh apricot.

RASPBERRY Crumble ALMOND Tart

Raspberry crumble almond tart

This raspberry crumble tart recipe, made with raspberries and a simple crumble crust, is the perfect summer dessert.

dark chocolate mud cake