Sweet Treats I Make When I Don’t Feel Like Baking…
One thing I love about baking is how quick and simple some recipes can be. After a long day at work, or on a slow Sunday morning, sometimes you just want a sweet treat without putting loads of effort in.
These are the easy bakes I always come back to when I want something homemade but can’t be bothered with anything complicated. They are simple, low effort, and made with basic ingredients I usually already have in the baking cupboard.
Cookies
Cookies are the perfect evening treat. If you are anything like me and have a well stocked baking drawer, you will usually have everything you need.
After dinner, when the dishwasher is already on and you are ready to get cosy on the sofa, cookies are ideal. All it takes is about 10 minutes, one bowl, and a handful of basics. Eggs, flour, butter, sugar, chocolate chips, and any extras you fancy.
Scoop them onto a lined baking tray, bake for around 10 to 12 minutes, and you have warm, gooey cookies ready to enjoy with a cup of tea. Even thinking about it feels cosy.
Loaf Cake
You might be wondering why not just cake in general, but for me a loaf cake is the ultimate low effort bake.
No multiple layers, no complicated fillings, and no piles of washing up. Just one bowl, one tin, and simple ingredients you probably already have.
If you don’t have fruit, you can easily switch things up with chocolate chips or cocoa powder. Line your loaf tin with baking paper to save on washing up, mix everything together, and pop it in the oven.
It does take a little longer to bake, but it is more than worth the wait. Perfect with a warm drink or as a simple post Sunday dinner treat.
Chocolate Crispy Bites
E Z P Z. These are as easy as it gets. Milk and dark chocolate, a bit of butter, golden syrup, and rice crispies.
Melt everything together, stir through the cereal, then press into a lined tin.
Pop it in the fridge and they will be ready in a minimum 30 minutes.
They are perfect for popping into a lunchbox for the week (if they last that long, hehe).
Meringue
If you have the time, meringues are surprisingly simple.
Just whisk egg whites with sugar and icing sugar until glossy, spoon onto a baking tray, and bake low and slow for around 1½ to 1¾ hours.
Once they are done, you can do anything with them. Serve with whipped cream and berries, crumble over yoghurt and honey, or just eat them as they are. Simple, but so good.
Cinnamon French Toast
This might not always be seen as a bake, but in our house it definitely counts as a sweet treat.
All you need is bread, I always go for brioche, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar.
Mix the eggs, milk, and vanilla, dip in your bread, and fry until golden. Then coat in cinnamon sugar and top with whatever you like. I usually go for honey and berries, but cream is always a good idea too.
There are so many sweet treats that are much quicker and easier to make than you would expect. I always try to keep the baking basics stocked up, so whenever I fancy something sweet, I can throw together an easy bake without really thinking about it.
Low effort, minimal mess, and something warm and homemade at the end of it. It really is the best kind of baking.
