8 Easy Dessert Recipes That’ll Make You A Baking Star

Baking can seem intimidating, but with the right recipes, even a beginner can whip up delicious desserts that will impress family and friends. Here are eight easy dessert recipes that will make you a baking star.

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp hot water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
4. Dissolve baking soda in hot water and add to the batter along with the salt.
5. Stir in flour and chocolate chips.
6. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
7. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until edges are nicely browned.

2. Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 lemons, juiced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix butter, 2 cups flour, and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium bowl until well blended. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm and golden.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar and flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice.
5. Pour over the baked crust.
6. Bake for an additional 20 minutes. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar.

3. No-Bake Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, mixing until well blended.
3. Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla.
4. Pour the filling into the crust and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.

4. Fudgy Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Beat in cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. Spread the batter into a greased 8×8 inch baking pan.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not overcook.

5. Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4×8 inch loaf pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
3. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
4. Mix in the baking soda and salt.
5. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.
6. Mix in the flour.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Easy Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place apples in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Mix granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples.
3. In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir in melted butter until well blended.
4. Spread the oat mixture evenly over the apples.
5. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.

7. Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together sugars, butter, and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in the egg.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture.
4. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern.
6. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are golden.

8. Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Combine milk and egg, then add to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Meanwhile, combine strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl. Let stand until juices form.
8. Split shortcakes in half horizontally. Fill with strawberries and top with whipped cream.

These easy dessert recipes are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply satisfy your own sweet tooth. Happy baking!