The Joy of Weekend Baking

There's something therapeutic about spending a weekend morning in the kitchen, transforming simple ingredients into something magical. Here are baking projects perfect for beginners, with enough satisfaction for experienced bakers too.

Banana Bread

The gateway baking project. Use those overripe bananas:

• The riper the bananas, the better the flavor
• Don't overmix—lumpy batter is fine
• Add chocolate chips, walnuts, or both
• Test doneness with a toothpick
• Let cool before slicing (if you can wait)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Master this and you'll always have a crowd-pleaser:

• Room temperature butter creams better
• Chill dough for richer flavor
• Scoop uniform sizes for even baking
• Pull from oven when edges are set but centers look underdone
• Cool on the pan—carryover heat finishes them

Brownies

Fudgy, chewy, or cakey—pick your style:

• More fat = fudgier brownies
• More flour = cakier texture
• Use quality cocoa and chocolate
• Don't overbake—the middle should be just set
• Let cool completely for clean slices

Simple Scones

Perfect with morning coffee:

• Keep butter cold—cut in quickly
• Don't overwork the dough
• Pat, don't roll
• Add berries, chocolate chips, or cheese and herbs
• Brush with cream before baking

No-Knead Bread

Artisan-looking bread with minimal effort:

• Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water
• Let rise 12-18 hours (start Friday night for Saturday bread)
• Shape loosely
• Bake in a Dutch oven for crusty results
• Cool before slicing (the hardest part)

Quick Breads

Beyond banana bread, try:

• Zucchini bread - Uses up summer squash
• Pumpkin bread - Warm spices, fall vibes
• Lemon poppy seed - Bright and tender
• Beer bread - Cheater yeast bread, savory option

Basic Muffins

Endlessly customizable:

• Master a basic batter (flour, sugar, egg, butter, milk)
• Add fruits, chocolate, nuts, or spices
• Fill cups 2/3 full for perfect domes
• Cool on a rack to prevent soggy bottoms

Cinnamon Rolls

More ambitious but so rewarding:

• Don't rush the rise
• Roll filling tightly
• Use dental floss to slice cleanly
• Bake touching for soft sides
• Frost while warm

Baking Tips for Success

• Read the entire recipe first
• Measure accurately (scale preferred)
• Use room temperature eggs unless specified
• Don't open the oven too often
• Accept imperfection—homemade means handmade

Find Your Next Project

Instagram and TikTok are full of satisfying baking videos. Save the ones that inspire you, extract the recipes with ReelToMeal, and add them to your weekend baking rotation. There's always another delicious project to try.