The Best 45 Fun Things to Bake (2024)

This is the ultimate list of fun things to bake whether you're looking for fun things to bake with friends, things to bake when bored, or even the best things to bake for a special occasion. The huge range of tried and true recipes below will serve as inspiration, guiding you right to your next favorite creation to bake at home. I chose these recipes because of their straightforward instructions, relative ease for all skill levels, and delicious final products.

When getting ready to start baking at home, you might begin by asking yourself, what should I bake? Use this guide, filled with fun recipes to bake, as your answer to that question, and keep coming back every time you’re at a loss for the next food to bake. With no shortage of ingredient combinations and fun stuff to bake, this list caters to a variety of flavor preferences and delivers thorough instructions to help you recreate bakery-quality desserts. Read on to discover your next easy fun things to bake!

Fun Things to Bake

1. Chocolate Ganache Cake

If you’re in need of the perfect chocolate cake recipe, look no further than this rich chocolate ganache cake. Not only is it simple and straightforward, but it also has enough decadent chocolate flavor to satisfy even the most intense chocolate lovers.

2. Banana Bread

Fluffy and flavorful, this banana bread recipe makes the perfect weekend baking project. This version of the quick bread is particularly designed for those who don’t have baking soda on hand, but it can be appreciated by anyone for its moisture and bold banana flavor.

3. Pecan Upside Down Cake

This pecan upside down cake is the perfect treat for your holiday dessert table. Similar to a pineapple upside down cake, this cake is inverted after cooking and served that way. However, instead of pineapple, a thick pecan-caramel layer tops this indulgent dessert. Together, the tender yogurt-based cake and the extra sweet, crunchy topping will make this beautiful cake one of the most aesthetic things to bake!

4. Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake

If you’ve been looking for a versatile cake that’s always right for any occasion, this marble loaf cake will be your new go-to. From birthdays to dinner parties, this refined cake has something for everyone, including a gorgeous swirl of vanilla and chocolate throughout the dessert. Finally, to take this cake to the next level, it’s topped with a chopped hazelnut and melted chocolate glaze for a subtle crunch in every slice.

5. Strawberry Charlotte Cake

Every element of the Charlotte Cake is so simple to make that anyone can recreate this professional-looking dessert with ease. From the creme mousseline to the strawberry coulis to the fresh strawberries, and finally, the spongey ladyfingers that layer and border the dessert, this cake is deceivingly straightforward and stunningly beautiful.

6. Basque Burnt Cheesecake

If you’re a beginner baker who loves cheesecake, you simply cannot go wrong with this recipe. Originating from the Basque region of Spain, this is one of the easiest European desserts you’ll ever make.

Forget about managing water baths or avoiding cracks. In all of its rustic flair, this amazing dessert is actually designed to appear imperfect on the outside. At the same time, it still delivers an incredibly rich and creamy cheesecake texture that you’ll love!

7. Jiggly Japanese Cheesecake

This unique dessert is a fun alternative to traditional creamy cheesecake. With a light and fluffy texture, this sponge-like cake relies on whipped egg whites to give it a high rise. Additionally, a subtle sweetness and cream cheese flavor combine to make this Japanese Cheesecake an irresistible treat.

8. Baklava Cheesecake

This cheesecake is a wonderfully creamy twist on the popular Mediterranean dessert, baklava. Complete with layers of roasted walnuts, filo dough, and creamy cheesecake filling, this fun and delicious dessert comes complete with a beautiful presentation and a luxurious, upscale taste.

9. Choux au craquelin

Choux au craquelin is a crispy cream puff recipe that comes out beautiful and delicious but is also more straightforward to make than you might think. Starting with a classic choux dough, the crunch from the added craquelin imparts a new dimension of flavor to all your favorite cream puff fillings.

From whipped chocolate ganache frosting and diplomat cream to more complex flavors such as tiramisu, creme brulee, and apple pie you’ll absolutely love all of the things you can do with choux au craquelin crispy cream puffs.

10. Eclairs

This recipe is a fun project with an incredible reward at the end. There’s nothing quite like biting into a classic French eclair, and the fact that you made it yourself at home makes the experience even better. The ingredients are simple, but the magic reveals itself in the technique and care you put into following the recipe.

Additionally, there’s an eclair filling suitable for every taste, from whipped chocolate ganache to vanilla bean pastry cream or even the lighter and fluffy diplomat cream.

11. Baked Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Donuts are always a crowd-pleasing treat, and these baked chocolate donuts are no different. With less than two hours to make them, from start to finish, this recipe is perfect for a last-minute bake, with little advanced preparation necessary. Finally, what really sends these donuts over the top is the delicious chocolate ganache they’re coated in, adding an extra rich taste to every bite.

12. Beignets

Popular in French cuisine and a staple in the Louisiana city of New Orleans, theseNew Orleans-style homemade beignetsare fun to make and hard to resist! Theirlight,sweet, andpillowytexture make them the perfect treat to enjoy any time of day: For breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert. Hands down one of the most fun things to bake!

13. Mini Blueberry Muffins

Mini blueberry muffins bake quickly and can be enjoyed as an on-the-go breakfast or a simple, sweet treat at any time of the day. This recipe will be your new go-to mini muffin base. By swapping out the blueberries for other fruit, chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of spices, you can make this recipe fit any taste craving in an equally delicious way.

14. Mini Brownie Bites

Mini brownie bites are fudgy and versatile. You can dress them up with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or fruit, or enjoy them by themselves for a classic chocolate brownie in bite-size form. Additionally, these snackable brownie bites take much less time to bake than a full pan of brownies, making them an excellent last-minute recipe for when your cravings strike.

15. Brownie Muffins

If you’re a fan of chocolate, you’ll quickly fall in love with these delightful brownie muffins. They’re fluffier in texture than a classic, dense brownie, but they have all the same amazing flavor. A sweet crackly top and fudgy middle combine to make these muffins a treat you will crave.

16. Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Baking donuts is a healthier alternative to frying them, and because they bake in a mold, this method also reduces the risk that anything will go wrong in the oven. This pumpkin spice recipe is absolutely ideal for Fall, delivering warm and comforting flavors to this sweet treat that’sperfect for breakfast or dessert.

17. Mochi Donuts

Mochi Donuts are a Japanese treat made in a bubble ring shape of 8 circular dough balls. Complete with a crisp exterior and soft, chewy inside, these delicious, deep-fried donuts can be filled and glazed with any flavor you can imagine.

18. Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate and cream cheese are an underutilized but wonderfully complementary flavor combination. The richness of the bold chocolate is tamed by the creamy, tangy cream cheese, making each bite a well-balanced harmony of flavors.

This recipe makes a particularly ideal dessert to share at gatherings because by taking classic brownies to the next level, you are sure to have everyone talking about their rich and decadent taste.

19. Coffee Cookies

These amazing espresso chocolate chip cookies are the perfect pick-me-up dessert to satisfy your taste for coffee flavor. The espresso powder not only ensures these coffee cookies have a solid coffee taste but also intensifies the full-bodied flavor of the chocolate chips. Surprise the coffee lover in your life with a batch of these incredible cookies!

20. Espresso Brownies

Espresso intensifies chocolate flavor, making it the perfect addition to any brownie batter. You can whip up these brownies in less than one hour for a satisfying chocolate lover’s treat. This ultra-rich recipe is particularly delicious alongside a creamy latte for a complementary flavor that will transform dessert time into an entire experience to please all of the senses.

21. Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies

These stuffed cookies are perfect for cheesecake and anyone who enjoys extra gooey cookies. A sweetened cream cheese layer rests in the center of these fruit-filled cookies, making each bite taste like a mini cheesecake. The topping mimics graham cracker crust with broken cookie pieces and freeze-dried raspberries give a burst of tartness throughout each cookie.

22. Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar

Brown sugar gives cookies a caramelized deep flavor, but if you’re all out, you can easily make a yummy batch using just white sugar. This quick recipe will have you sinking your teeth into a perfectly sweet, chewy, and chocolatey cookie in no time. Additionally, this recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, allowing you to mix up a batch at a moment’s notice.

23. Red Velvet Brownies

Chewy and decadent, brownies are an easy-to-make treat for any time, no occasion necessary. For a creative spin on the classic recipe, red velvet brownies serve as a fun alternative. With a deep red hue and a sweet cream cheese swirl, these must-try brownies are anything but boring.

24. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

If you love chunky cookies loaded with only the best mix-ins, these chocolate chip walnut cookies should be next on your baking list. With big pieces of walnuts and gooey chocolate chips all the way through, they make for a super satisfying batch every time. This recipe is an excellent alternative to classic chocolate chip cookies, and the addition of nuts gives them the feel of a brand-new recipe you’ll want to bake again and again.

25. Biscoff Brownies

Biscoff cookie butter is growing in popularity, and for good reason - it’s absolutely delicious! These brownies include a layer of spiced cookie butter spread that makes this recipe absolutely unforgettable. In addition, the super moist brownies are topped with the famous cookies themselves for an extra punch of flavor that will have Biscoff fans rejoicing.

26. Biscoff Butter Cookies

What could be better than a cookie filled with biscoff cookie butter spread? These cookies, which make a great alternative to peanut butter cookies, are loaded with rich brown sugar and spice flavor that goes incredibly well with the creamy chocolate chips. Moreover, these indulgent homemade cookies make the perfect gift for loved ones who appreciate the delicious flavor of Biscoff cookie butter.

27. Pecan Brownies

Salty pecans and rich chocolate combine to make the ultimate brownie recipe. These pecan brownies are fudgy and crunchy with all the flavors of a chocolate pecan pie. If you love rocky road flavor, add an additional layer of marshmallows after baking and broil them until browned for a fun twist on the recipe.

28. Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These simple pecan cookies combine nutty, buttery, and chocolatey flavors for an all-around decadent dessert. These are fun and easy cookies to whip up anytime. Plus, you’ll be treated to a gooey center in the middle of each cookie that will keep you coming back for more.

29. Brownie Blondies

This brownie blondie recipe is the best of both worlds. It offers all the richness of a chocolate brownie and the buttery taste of a blondie all in one. Well-balanced and not overly sweet, each bite of these chewy, swirled bars has both dark chocolate and white chocolate chips for the ultimate flavor mash-up.

30. Palmiers

With just a package of puff pastry and little white sugar, you can make these incredibly flaky cookies in no time. This is a great recipe to make when you are in the mood for baking but don’t want to deal with too many ingredients or too intense of a cleanup. Light tasting and packed with buttery flavor, these elegant cookies are one of the most fun and easy sweet treats you can bake.

31. Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists

Puff pastry is such a fun ingredient to keep on hand because it can be used in so many different ways. Just a few ingredients can transform these simple twists into a sweet and flaky dessert that anyone can make. And these cinnamon twists are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

32. Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers

These spiced apple turnovers are so much fun to bake, especially in late summer and early fall when apples are in season and the most flavorful. These turnovers are a great alternative to pie crust because they’re super light and flaky, not to mention much easier to work with.

The homemade filling can be customized with your favorite varieties of apple, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, depending on how sweet or tart you like your filling.

33. Peach Cobbler with Pie Crust

Peach cobbler is an easy-to-make Southern favorite that’s an excellent recipe to share with your family or friends. The ingredients are simple, but the end result is full of satisfying sweet and savory flavors. The filling in this peach cobbler won’t make your topping soggy, leaving it ready to serve with a generous scoop of ice cream.

34. Puff Pastry Pumpkin Turnovers

Hand pies are often associated with berries, but pumpkin pie filling can make a seasonal Fall flavored turnover that’s simply irresistible. One bowl is all it takes to put together this savory and sweet pumpkin filling, which pairs perfectly with the buttery puff pastry. Each flaky bite of this simple pumpkin pie alternative is filled with delicious flavor but comes with absolutely no hassle.

35. Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts

Parmesan and cream cheese fill a crispy, buttery shortcrust pastry in this uniquely flavorful dessert. These Japanese baked cheese tarts strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory, delivering an amazing recipe for when you want to try something new and unique.

36. Creamy Sicilian Ricotta Pie

Contrary to what you might believe, ricotta cheese isn’t just for savory recipes. It can also be made into this wonderfully light, lemony dessert that’s perfect for Spring. This ricotta pie uses simple ingredients that won’t have you running to the store at the last minute. However, if you don’t have any ricotta on hand, you can use a simple ricotta substitute, which is another fun cooking project all its own.

37. Pear Galette

Galettes are a simple and sometimes overlooked dessert. However, these open-faced pies have a beautiful rustic crust and a subtle sweetness that can’t be beaten. This lovely pear galette lets the fruit’s natural flavor truly shine while treating you to a beautiful presentation that adds up to being of the most aesthetic things to bake at home.

38. Nutella Cupcakes

When it comes to easy fun things to bake, these Nutella cupcakes are a top choice. The homemade cake mix is packed with chocolate-hazelnut flavor, and after baking, these sweet treats are so much fun to decorate. If you’re a huge fan of Nutella, or have close friends who are, you’ll want to add these tender cupcakes to your bake list immediately.

39. Cinnamon Cupcakes

Cinnamon cupcakes offer a treat in two waves because they smell amazing while they bake and taste incredible once you bite into them. These simple cupcakes can be made in no time and are the perfect way to end any meal, no matter the occasion. Ready from start to finish in just one hour, these cupcakes are great to bake with family because they don’t require a long list of ingredients in order to achieve a fluffy treat that everyone will love.

40. Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

This delicious, moist and fluffy recipe is the miniature version of my easy-to-make Strawberry Crunch Cake. Reminiscent of the old-school Good Humor Bars, the strawberry crunch topping on these cupcakes makes them absolutely irresistible. The secret behind that topping is revealed in this recipe, along with a perfectly moist and fluffy cake base that you’ll want to keep making over and over again.

41. Biscoff Cupcakes with Biscoff Buttercream

If you’re on the hunt for impressive things to bake, look no further than these gorgeous Biscoff cupcakes. Loaded with spiced flavor in every bite, these cakes are the perfect treat for true Biscoff lovers interested in sinking their teeth into a fun dessert that tastes as good as it looks. Cookie butter fills the center of these soft cupcakes, and a silky mousseline cream with a drizzle of more cookie butter beautifully adorns the top.

42. Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

Lemon and poppy seeds are a classic muffin combination, but they go equally well together in cupcakes too! With lots of bright lemon flavor, these refreshing cupcakes are perfect for Summer. Cupcakes are a fun and easy thing to bake at home, and this recipe is particularly inviting, topped with a beautiful swirl of whipped mascarpone frosting.

43. Tiramisu Cupcakes

Now you can enjoy all the incredible flavors of Tiramisu baked up into moist cupcakes. In addition to their subtle coffee flavor, these baked treats are frosted with a luscious whipped mascarpone. Finally, a dusting of cocoa powder finishes these indulgent cupcakes with complementary flavors that tie the entire dessert together.

44. Mini Tiramisu Cups

These Tiramisu cups are an elegant and fun shortcut to homemade tiramisu goodness. This dessert uses layers of ladyfingers with creamy mascarpone for an even and balanced, delicious bite all throughout the cup. You can easily use store-bought ladyfingers for these cups; however, making homemade ladyfingers is always worth the effort.

45. Mini Carrot Cakes

This moist and delicious carrot cake recipe will give you sweet and perfectly spiced, individually portioned mini cakes. These are the perfect Spring desserts to bring to a party because they’re full of flavor and make each guest feel special with their own cake. Rather than drizzling frosting, top these carrot cakes with a scoop of cream cheese icing and an elegant sweetened carrot slice for an absolutely showstopping presentation.

Fun Desserts FAQs

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Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your desserts turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!