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    Home - Gift Guides and Round Ups

    Published: Mar 17, 2020 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Home Baking Projects

    Stay busy in these uncertain times with fun home baking projects that use pantry staples. Make baked goods to last you while you stay home. You'll find easy projects you can do with kids as well as a few fun challenging recipes! 

    collage of baking recipes

    It is times like this we really need to find comforting things to keep us distracted and busy. A list of fun recipes you can make and enjoy at home that use ingredients you probably already have at home (or have ingredients that can easily be substituted) and will also save you from needing to go out and buy more food and/or snacks. 

    My hope is that you will be able to find comfort and share a little happiness with those around you. I hope you find these baking projects as fun and fulfilling during the next few weeks as I have! 

    Jump to:
    • Cookie Projects
    • Brownie and Bar Projects
    • No-Bake Projects
    • Quick Bread Projects
    • Muffin Projects
    • Yeast Bread Projects
    • Fun Favorites
    • Bonus: Savory Pantry Meals

    Cookie Projects

    cookie dough scooped onto baking sheet close up

    Edible chocolate chip cookie dough - This is a very easy and fun recipe you can change up in infinite ways. It's easy enough for kids to do with you, and goes great folded in other treats! 

    3 ingredient peanut butter cookies stacked with bite eaten from one cookie

    3-ingredient peanut butter cookies - These cookies need only three ingredients, and are so delicious. Kids absolutely love mixing everything up and shaping the cookies. You can mix in chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, and so much more to switch up the flavors. 

    person holding brownie stuffed chocolate chip cookies with the filling showing

    Brownie-stuffed chocolate chip cookies - These require just a little more work, but are so much fun to make and are absolutely delicious. You also get extra brownie batter that you can bake up into a small batch of fudgy brownies. 

    S'mores Stuffed Cookies

    S'mores stuffed cookies - Chocolate chip cookies stuffed with gooey marshmallow. These are a favorite all around, and definitely a little challenging. I will also be updating the post with step by step photos and more explanations of how to make them!

    Brownie and Bar Projects

    lucky charms treats cut and scattered on table

    Lucky Charms treats - These only require a couple of ingredients and are so much fun! These bright colors are a great way to lift anyone's mood!

    blueberry vanilla almond granola bars close up

    Blueberry almond bars - These bars are a great way to keep yourself fueled while still keeping things relatively nutritious. Plus, they have a pretty good shelf life! This recipe uses dried blueberries, but you can substitute it with any dried fruit (or a mixture) that you have around.

    Four ingredient apricot almond oat bars are the perfect healthy snack that will keep you satisfied and full until mealtime. Pair with a glass of milk for an even more balanced treat!

    Apricot almond butter bars - Gooey and stuffed with almond butter and dried apricots, I love these bars. You can substitute the almond butter and the apricots with what you have around, too. 

    oreo brownies on parchment paper cut in squares

    Oreo brownies - Oreos and brownies are amazing on their own, but mixed together, they are even better! You can experiment with any of the Oreo flavors they have, too. I absolutely love using the mint ones! 

    No-Bake Projects

    overhead no bake cheesecake in jars with lemon zest and blueberries

    No-bake lemon cheesecakes - So easy to do and is a great way to enjoy the warming weather from the comfort of your home. 

    chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies

    Chocolate peanut butter cookies - These are so easy to make, are better for you, and make a great grab and go snack. I keep mine in the freezer whenever I want to indulge a little. 

    A rich and cream no-bake peanut butter pie with pretzel crust

    Peanut butter pie - This pie is decadent and a perfect blend of sweet meets salty. You can substitute the pretzel crust with your favorite graham cracker crust, too - or even do a blend! 

    An unbelievably light and refreshing raspberry fool layered with cubes of pound cake and drizzles of caramelized honey.

    Raspberry Fool - You can have so much fun with this recipe! I tossed in pound cake into mine, but you can use cake scraps, or even day-old croissants. If you don't have fresh raspberries, use frozen, or any other fruit you have at home! 

    Quick Bread Projects

    irish soda bread wrapped in tea towel

    Irish soda bread - This is a hearty basic bread that is great on its own, but also lends itself perfectly to all sorts of add-ins. I love it on its own slathered in butter or even some tapenade. Usually, we use it to dip into our stews and it is amazing! 

    This simple chocolate loaf cake is the perfect excuse to have chocolate for breakfast

    Chocolate Loaf - This loaf is super chocolaty requires only a few basic ingredients. It's great with some whipped cream, plus fresh (or frozen) fruit. I've had a lot of readers let me know they love making this loaf often! 

    close up of slices of chocolate chip banana bread

    Chocolate chip banana bread - This is one of my favorite banana breads. It is absolutely brimming with chocolate chips. You can also add in peanut butter chips, cinnamon chips, espresso chips, or even chopped chocolate. 

    Pistachio pound cake - If you have pistachio lovers in the house and have some stored away, this is a great recipe (I've even washed and dried salted pistachios to make this loaf before). It is so delicious and a great way to sneak in some nutrients from the nuts! You can also try substituting with other nuts you have around the house! 

    Muffin Projects

    blueberry doughnut muffins on plate with tea

    Blueberry doughnut muffins - Light and fluffy muffins that taste subtly of blueberry doughnuts. These are some of my favorite muffins to make for us to snack on. 

    Irresistibly chocolaty brownie muffins that no one will be able to resist

    Brownie muffins - Chocolaty, decadent, and based off my favorite brownie recipe. 

    These fluffy cinnamon peach muffins are like a peach cobbler you can have for breakfast

    Cinnamon peach muffins - These are so fluffy and full of flavor. If you don't have peaches, you can substitute with apples or other stone fruit. 

    Light and fluffy carrot cake muffins with crumb topping. These muffins have the perfect blend of sweetness, spice, and lots of crumb topping.

    Carrot cake muffins - Light, fluffy, and perfect for the season. These are our go-to springtime muffins and a great way to sneak some veggies into the kid because you cannot tell these are carrot cake!

    Yeast Bread Projects

    French buttery brioche loaf

    Homemade brioche - Tender, fluffy, and deliciously buttery. This is my favorite loaf to make and I make it often, at least once a month. It is great for French toast, making sandwiches, or just eating it fresh out the oven. 

    jalapeno cheddar bagels - the best bagels you will ever try.

    Jalapeno cheddar bagels - These are the perfect way to start your mornings. They're great fresh, but keep very well. You will love the challenge of using yeast, and the rewards are delicious! (There are also notes for making regular bagels if you want some plain for the kids!) 

    Funfetti soft pretzel sticks | @cookiedesire

    Funfetti Pretzel Sticks - These pretzels are so much fun to make and eat! I highly recommend baking up a batch and watching Pretzel Day on The Office! 

    overhead giant cinnamon roll cream cheese icing spread spoon

    Giant cinnamon roll - You've probably seen them everywhere, why not try making your own now?

    Fun Favorites

    Everyone will beg for another slice of this giant pop tart pie

    Giant pop tart - This baby is almost as big as your baking sheet! It is a ton of fun to make and will definitely impress everyone who sees it! 

    close up backlit shot of moose munch recipe in a black bowl

    Moose Munch - Movie night just got 10000x more fun with your homemade Moose Munch!  

    close up of macarons

    Homemade macarons - Making macarons are a ton of fun and a great challenge if you've never made them before. If you've always wanted to learn or master making them, now is the time.

    finished vanilla mug cake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles

    Vanilla mug cake - The perfect single serving of cake. It only takes a few ingredients and just a couple of minutes! 

    Bonus: Savory Pantry Meals

    overhead thai tuna power bowl with peanut sauce

    Thai tuna bowl - This recipe uses canned tuna in a new and delicious way! You can substitute any of the vegetables and grains you have available.

    No one will believe this easy chicken enchilada soup was finished in under 30 minutes! It is rich, full of flavor, and bound to be your new favorite weeknight dinner recipe.

    Enchilada soup - It's so hearty and bursting with flavor. Top it with just about anything you want for a great meal! 

    Weeknights are so much better when you make this slow cooker chicken pot pie

    Slow cooker chicken pot pie with biscuits - This is my favorite hearty meal. So comforting and a great way to keep everyone motivated throughout the day!

    Cheesy and irresistable turkey stuffed peppers. A healthy and delicious dinner recipe your family will love

    Turkey stuffed peppers - These are my family's favorite dinner ever. I usually end up needing to triple the recipe because everyone eats at least two and wants leftovers for lunch! 

    More Gift Guides and Round Ups

    • 14 stuffed cookies to stuff your face
      Delicious Stuffed Cookies To Stuff Your Face
    • collage for the best fall apple recipes
      Apple Recipes for Fall
    • Cozy Hot Chocolate Recipes to Warm Up
    • 17 Tasty Truffle Recipes To Sink Your Teeth Into

    About Amanda Powell

    Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

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    headshot of author with a cow

    Hi, I'm Amanda! I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese. While I'm mostly self-taught, I recently received a degree in Food Science!

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

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      S'mores Cookies Recipe
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      Avocado Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
    • Making salt water taffy at home is actually easier than you think
      How to Make Salt Water Taffy
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      Jelly Donut Shot

    Winter Favorites

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    • I love this gingerbread cake and those little gingerbread cookies! This cake is not only gluten-free, but it is super moist and has a ton of fresh ginger flavor. Can also be made with regular all-purppose flour with no recipe adjustments!
      Gingerbread Cake
    • 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies stacked with bite eaten from one cookie
      3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
    • edible brownie batter in bowl topped with fudge sauce and sprinkles
      Edible Brownie Batter

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