Baking is where warmth, memory, and creativity come together. At Old Plain Recipes, our goal is to provide you with simple, reliable, and nostalgic recipes that anyone can master at home.
Whether you’re baking your very first loaf of bread, experimenting with seasonal pumpkin treats, or whipping up a batch of cookies for your family, this page serves as your baking hub. Here you’ll find essential baking tips, guides to tools and techniques, and a carefully curated collection of our best recipes, from cakes and cookies to muffins and cheesecakes.
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Baking Recipes Basics: Pantry & Tools
Before you dive into mixing, whisking, and kneading, it helps to have the right pantry staples and tools ready. Great baking isn’t about fancy equipment — it’s about consistency and preparation.
Essential Pantry Staples
To make most of the recipes in our Baking collection, you’ll want to keep these on hand:
- Flour — all-purpose flour is the backbone, but bread flour and cake flour give specialized results.
- Leaveners — baking soda and baking powder ensure your baked goods rise properly.
- Sugars — granulated, brown, and powdered sugar each serve different roles in sweetness and texture.
- Fats — unsalted butter for flavor, vegetable oil for moisture.
- Eggs — they bind, leaven, and add richness.
- Spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are essentials for fall baking.
- Vanilla extract — an irreplaceable flavor enhancer.
Must-Have Tools & Equipment
A beginner can bake successfully with a short list of tools:
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- A sturdy whisk and wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A kitchen scale (for accuracy)
- Sheet pans and loaf pans
- Parchment paper
- A stand or hand mixer (for cookies and cakes)
If you enjoy experimenting, expand your toolkit with a rolling pin, piping bags, or a springform pan for cheesecakes.
Baking Techniques & Tips
Learning a few core techniques will transform your results. Each recipe in our hub includes clear step-by-step instructions, but here are some evergreen tips:
Mixing Methods
- Creaming method — beating butter and sugar together to incorporate air. Perfect for cookies like our Black Velvet Cheesecake Cookies.
- Folding — gently combining ingredients to keep air bubbles intact (essential for sponges).
- Whisking — creating aeration in eggs and batters for lightness.
Dough Handling & Gluten Basics
Bread and muffin recipes often rely on gluten development for structure. Kneading stretches the gluten strands, while resting allows them to relax. For softer results like in our Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, avoid overmixing.
Oven & Air Fryer Baking
Convection ovens brown faster — reduce the temperature by about 25°F when converting. Even better, some recipes can be made without a traditional oven, such as our No-Bake Halloween Sponge Cake or the savory Air Fryer Cheesy Taco Bombs.
Seasonal Spotlight: Pumpkin & Apple Bakes
Nothing says fall quite like pumpkin and apple recipes. These timeless flavors anchor many of our most popular recipes.
- Pumpkin favorites: Try our Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies for a soft and creamy bite, or whip up Pumpkin Streusel Muffins topped with a crunchy crumb. For a giftable option, bake Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves.
- Apple delights: From Apple Bread to the indulgent Apple Crumble Cheesecake, apples bring natural sweetness and moisture. For something unique, don’t miss the Apple Cider Cheesecake or Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies.
Pumpkin and apple bakes not only taste delicious but also fill your kitchen with comforting seasonal aromas — a bonus for any home baker.
Recipe Index — Old Plain Recipes Baking Hub
Here you’ll find all of our baking recipes in one place. Click through for detailed instructions, tips, and printable recipe cards.
- Black Velvet Cheesecake Cookies
- Baked Cheese Mummies
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
- No-Bake Halloween Sponge Cake
- Apple Cider Cheesecake
- Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves
- Apple Bread Recipe
- Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
- Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar
- Apple Crumble Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Scones Recipe
- Apple Cider Whoopie Pie Cookies
- Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
- Air Fryer Cheesy Taco Bombs
- Pudding with Egg and Cornstarch
- Cake in a Jar Recipe
- Chantilly Lili Recipe
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why is my bread dense?
Most often, this comes from under-kneading or using expired yeast. Check your pantry staples before starting.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps cookies hold their shape — especially in recipes like our Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies.
Can I freeze baked goods?
Yes! Most breads, muffins, and cookies freeze beautifully. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
What if I don’t own a mixer?
Many recipes can be made by hand with a whisk or wooden spoon. It may take more effort but gives equally tasty results.
Get Started: Free Printable Checklist
To make your baking even easier, we’ve created a Beginner’s Baking Checklist with pantry staples and tools. Subscribe to our email list and download your free printable today — plus receive weekly recipes from our Baking hub.
Final Thoughts
Baking doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right staples, a few tools, and clear recipes, you can create everything from a humble loaf of Apple Bread to an impressive Apple Crumble Cheesecake. Bookmark this page, share it with fellow bakers, and keep coming back as we add new recipes to the collection.
At Old Plain Recipes, our goal is to make baking approachable and fun. Explore the recipes, experiment with seasonal flavors, and most importantly, enjoy every bite. and fin more in our Pinterest.