50 Best Baking Recipes (2024)

Marbled cakes make the perfectafternoon tea.The crumble topping adds a contrasting crunch as well as an extra hit of chocolate. Serve with a cup of tea or as a dessert with some softly whipped cream or crème fraiche.

Try Rachel Allen’s chocolate crumble cake recipe

The only fat in this gluten-free cake comes from almonds and eggs, yet it is moist, tender textured and very moreish. The citrus syrup adds a sticky sweet finish, but if you love a frosting you can drizzle a citrus icing over the top instead using icing sugar and clementine juice.

Try this sticky clementine cake recipe

Perfect for afternoon tea, this versatile banana and chocolate cake is a great way of using up overripe bananas.

Try this banana and chocolate loaf recipe

Peanut butter and chocolate are made for each other. This recipe results in cookies that have a crispy edge and a gooey centre. Cook them for a little bit longer if you prefer a more biscuity cookie.

Try this peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies recipe

The combination of cheesecake swirled through the dark chocolate brownies is delicious. They look fabulous and the rich, strong flavour of the chocolate is nicely complemented by the slight tang of the cream cheese. These are perfect for those times when a standard brownie just doesn’t seem indulgent enough.

Try Rachel Allen’s cheesecake brownies recipe

Indulge in the perfect teatime treat - home-made scones with a generous helping of clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Try this homemade scones recipe

This pretty, modern take on a British teatime favourite is delicious decorated with sugar cherries and pink fondant.

Try this cherry bakewell tarts recipe

A creamy cheesecake is hard to beat, and this New York bake tastes just as good as it looks. Baked rather than set, it’s deliciously rich, and ever so slightly wobbly.

Try this baked New York cheesecake recipe

A chocolate biscuit spoon can add that special touch to a simple cup of tea and makes the perfect afternoon treat.

Try this teaspoon chocolate biscuits recipe

This is a true English afternoon tea classic. This pretty cake tastes so much better when it has been homemade.

Try this Battenberg recipe

Sweet, crisp and moreish, these easy walnut tarts will make the perfect quick dinner party dessert.

Try this walnut tarts recipe

These little apple tarts are very popular in the bakery during winter. They are best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and finished with edible flowers as decoration – if preferred make a larger version to cut up and share amongst family and friends.

Try Lily Vanilli’s spiced apple custard tarts recipe

Some might be fancier, other might be flashier, but no cake beats the simple perfection of a Victoria sandwich.

Try this Victoria sandwich recipe

This gingerbread isn’t for wimps. It doesn’t flirt with ginger but packs a dark, intense, spicy punch. It’s great by itself, or serve it with a little honey-sweetened mascarpone or crème fraîche.

Try this dark and spicy gingerbread recipe

This nostalgic marble cake is a delicious retro classic. Using a bundt cake pan adds a contemporary twist.

Try this Neapolitan marble cake recipe

These little chocolate tarts from Gordon Ramsay are ideal for a post dinner or afternoon treat, combining smooth ganache and crunchy peanuts - if desired, skip a step by using shop bought pastry for an end result that looks just as impressive.

Try this indulgent chocolate tarts recipe

Indulge in a thick wedge of comforting, traditional shortbread this winter. Or cut into thin fingers to have alongside a warming beverage as an after-dinner treat.

Try this shortbread recipe

A classic frangipane-filled tart, this recipe hails from Normandy in northern France where they grow the most wonderful pears. A delicious dessert best eaten warm or at room temperature the day it is made.

Try this Normandy pear tart recipe

Alcohol and chocolate have long been combined in desserts, the alcohol accentuating and offsetting the rich, fruity flavour of dark chocolate. It also shows how versatile chocolate can be: often associated with sweet cakes and dishes for children, here it is elegant and sophisticated, perfect for a dinner party. This will keep for 4–5 days and, as it contains no flour, has the advantage of being gluten free.

Try Rachel Allen’s chocolate and almond cake recipe

The humble croissant is one of the most delicious foodie joys around. Although the method is quite challenging, once you get the hang of it, they are so easy to make. Perfect for special breakfasts, using in desserts or just for a lazy Sunday morning burnch with the papers

Try this croissants recipe