When it comes to baking, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless list of ingredients needed for each recipe. However, you don’t always need fancy or exotic ingredients to create delicious baked goods. In fact, with just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a variety of sweet and savory treats. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best things you can bake with basic ingredients.
Baking with Flour, Sugar, and Eggs
Flour, sugar, and eggs are the building blocks of many baked goods. With these basic ingredients, you can make a range of treats, from cakes to cookies to brownies.
Vanilla Cake
A classic vanilla cake is a staple for any baker. With just flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla extract, you can create a fluffy, moist cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Simply cream the butter and sugar together, then add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour and milk, and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a crowd-pleaser, and they’re incredibly easy to make with just flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and chocolate chips. Cream the butter and sugar together, then add in the eggs and mix in the flour and chocolate chips. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
Brownies
Fudgy brownies are a favorite dessert for many, and they only require a few ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, butter, cocoa powder, and salt. Melt the butter and mix in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Add in the eggs and flour, mix until just combined, and bake in a preheated oven until set.
Baking with Flour and Butter
Butter adds richness and flavor to baked goods, and it’s a staple ingredient in many classic treats. Here are some easy recipes that use flour and butter.
Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are a classic Scottish treat that require just flour, butter, and sugar. Cream the butter and sugar together, mix in the flour, and bake until golden brown. These buttery, crumbly cookies are perfect for tea time.
Scones
Scones are a breakfast staple, and they’re easy to make with just flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, and any flavorings you like. Mix the dry ingredients together, cut in the butter, then add in the milk and any flavorings. Cut the dough into circles and bake until golden brown.
Biscuits
Biscuits are a savory treat that go well with soup or as a side dish. They only require flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk. Mix the dry ingredients together, cut in the butter, then add in the milk. Roll out the dough and cut into circles, then bake until golden brown.
Baking with Flour and Oil
Oil is a great alternative to butter in baking, and it’s a healthier option as well. Here are some recipes that use flour and oil:
Banana Bread
Banana bread is a classic recipe that’s easy to make and uses up overripe bananas. It requires flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, salt, vegetable oil, and mashed bananas. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the eggs, oil, and mashed bananas. Bake until golden brown and enjoy a delicious slice of moist, banana-flavored bread.
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread is another recipe that uses oil instead of butter. It requires flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, oil, grated zucchini, and any other add-ins you like. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the eggs, oil, and grated zucchini. Bake until golden brown and enjoy a slice of moist, spiced zucchini bread.
Baking with Oats, Flour, and Sugar
Oats are a great ingredient to add to baked goods for added texture and flavor. Here are some recipes that use oats, flour, and sugar:
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies are a healthier alternative to regular cookies, as they use oats instead of some of the flour. They require flour, oats, sugar, eggs, baking soda, salt, butter, vanilla extract, and raisins. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the eggs, butter, and vanilla extract. Mix in the raisins, then scoop onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
Granola Bars
Granola bars are a great snack to have on hand, and they’re easy to make with just oats, flour, sugar, oil, honey, and any add-ins you like. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the oil and honey. Mix in any add-ins, then press the mixture into a baking dish and bake until golden brown. Cut into bars and enjoy as a healthy, on-the-go snack.
Baking with Flour and Yeast
Finally, yeast is a key ingredient in many baked goods, including bread and pizza dough. Here are some recipes that use flour and yeast:
Pizza Dough
Pizza dough requires flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and water. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the water and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough until it’s smooth, then let it rise until doubled in size. Roll out the dough and add your favorite toppings before baking in a hot oven.
Bread Rolls
Bread rolls are a great addition to any meal, and they’re easy to make with just flour, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, and milk. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add in the butter, milk, and yeast. Knead the dough until it’s smooth, then let it rise until doubled in size. Shape the dough into rolls and bake until golden brown.
FAQs
It depends on the recipe. While oil can be a great substitute for butter in many cases, some recipes require the richness and flavor of butter.
Yes, you can generally substitute brown sugar for white sugar in most baking recipes. However, keep in mind that brown sugar contains more moisture than white sugar, which can affect the texture of your baked goods.
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour for self-rising flour by adding baking powder and salt to the recipe. For every cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Yes, you can use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats in most baking recipes. However, keep in mind that quick oats have a finer texture and will result in a slightly different texture in your baked goods.
The best way to tell if your baked goods are done is by inserting a toothpick into the center of the item. If it comes out clean, the baked good is done. If there is batter or crumbs on the toothpick, it needs more time in the oven.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things you can bake with basic ingredients. From cakes to cookies to bread, you can create a wide range of delicious treats with just flour, sugar, eggs, butter, oil, oats, and yeast. So next time you’re in the mood for baking, don’t be afraid to keep it simple and stick to the basics.
