Our Best Simple Baking Recipes

Craving homemade baked goods but not the effort? From savory corn muffins to blueberry bread, these simple New England baking recipes will have you snacking on warm, freshly-baked treats in no time.

18 of Our Simplest Baking Recipes

Bacon–Scallion Corn Muffins

Who says muffins have to be sweet? Inspired by the savory scones that have become ubiquitous in bakeries and cafés, we created these hearty bacon–scallion corn muffins studded with little bits of bacon and green onion. Serve alone or with eggs, soup, or salad.

Nutty Oatmeal-Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These nutty oatmeal-raisin chocolate chip cookies call for walnuts, peanut butter, and canola oil instead of butter, making them a healthier alternative.

Maple Walnut Muffins

Sweetened with pure maple syrup and the perfect size for snacking, these maple walnut muffins are a popular morning treat.

Meringue Cookies (Forgotten Cookies)

Incredibly easy (and gluten free!), this recipe for Forgotten Cookies, better known as meringue cookies, is perfect for busy bakers because you just turn off the oven and leave the cookies unattended. Because meringues don’t hold up well in humid weather, they are best made in winter.

Herbed Popovers

Like soufflés, popovers are very dramatic when they come out of the oven, all golden brown and puffed. But, like soufflés, they deflate quickly. Made with fresh rosemary and thyme, these homemade herbed popovers make a delicious addition to the dinner table.

Crumb Coffee Cake

Like sour cream coffee cake, crumb cake was a Northern European invention, originally prepared with a yeast-raised dough but simplified in the 20th century with the use of chemical leaveners like baking powder. It’s generally thought of as a New York specialty, but it’s found all through New England as well.

Morning Glory Muffins

This moist and flavorful morning glory muffins recipe is made with carrot, apple, coconut, raisins, and cinnamon. It also halves beautifully, so make an extra batch to freeze or share with someone special.

Homemade Whoopie Pies

A classic, old-fashioned New England dessert. Soft chocolate cookies with Marshmallow Fluff cream filling never had it so good.

Old-Fashioned Hermit Bars

Sweet and spicy thanks to cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, these old-fashioned hermit bars are a New England cookie classic.

Cheddar-Scallion Beer Bread

The beer here adds flavor and helps the bread rise, making this one of the easiest loaves you’ll ever prepare: no kneading, no rising time. Cheddar cheese and fresh scallions give a little extra kick.

Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins

These fantastic cider doughnut muffins pack all the flavor of apple cider doughnuts without the fuss and the frying. Yum!

Blueberry Dutch Baby

This oven-baked blueberry Dutch baby pancake has the drama of a soufflé without any of the stress. Bring it straight from the oven to the table for all to admire—it will deflate fast but remain slightly puffed and delicious.

Cranberry Crumble Bars

These Cranberry Crumble Bars are a great use for those cans of cranberry sauce in the back of your cupboard: Stir them into a fruit filling for these sweet-tart-buttery bars. We love their bright ruby color and ease of preparation.

Ginger Molasses Cookies

An old-fashioned recipe for soft ginger molasses cookies from the old Shaker Colony in Alfred, Maine.

Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cake

This nutty two-layer pineapple right-side-up cake, filled and frosted with tangy cream cheese frosting and slivered almonds, makes for a lovely dessert.

Pumpkin Muffins

The Publick House restaurant and inn in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is most famous for its dinner bread basket stocked with sweet and savory treats. But these sweet, golden pumpkin muffins are just as delectable.

Sweet Corn Bread

The type of cornmeal has a big impact on the texture of cornbread. Use coarse-grind cornmeal for a toothsome texture; medium-grind (stone-ground Rhode Island brands) for a pleasant crunch; or fine-grind (common in supermarkets) for a light, floury finish.