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  1. Home
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  4. 13 Recipes Every Beginner Baker Should Master

13 Recipes Every Beginner Baker Should Master

By Maria Yagoda Updated March 30, 2021
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Milk-Chocolate-Frosted Layer Cake
Credit: Con Poulos

So you're not an expert baker—maybe precise measurements scare you, or you prefer French fries to French pastry. But if you're looking to improve your baking skills and add some foolproof cakes, cookies, and muffins to your repertoire, try out any of these classic recipes, which we're pretty sure you'll make for the rest of your life.

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Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: © EMILY FARRIS
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Start to finish, these cookies take only thirty-five minutes to make.

1 of 12

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Brown Sugar Cake with Ricotta and Blueberries

Brown Sugar Cake with Ricotta and Blueberries
Credit: Jennifer Causey
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File this under "Easier Than It Looks."

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Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping
Credit: © James Baigrie
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For soft edges, use liners; for crisp edges, use a well-greased, unlined pan.

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Buttery Vanilla Shortbread

Buttery Vanilla Shortbread
Credit: © Lucy Schaeffer
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Gail Simmons' five-ingredient shortbread can be stored in an air-tight container for up to a week.

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German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake
Credit: Amy Neunsinger
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All cooks should have a show-stopping German chocolate cake in their repertoire, and this is one of our favorites.

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Golden Cupcakes

Golden Cupcakes
Credit: Kana Okada
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Classic, iconic, beautiful, and delicious, these cupcakes can be frosted any way you like.

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Milk-Chocolate-Frosted Layer Cake

Milk-Chocolate-Frosted Layer Cake
Credit: Con Poulos
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Make extra of the milk-chocolate ganache to eat by the spoonful. Trust us.

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Carrot Coconut and Zucchini Bread

Carrot Coconut and Zucchini Bread
Credit: John Kernick
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Hey, this one has vegetables in it!

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Coffee Cookie Crumble

Coffee Cookie Crumble
Credit: Eric Wolfinger
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Crunchy, salty, and coffee-laced, this streusel topping is one of a kind.

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Jacques Pépin's Favorite Pound Cake

Jacques Pépin's Favorite Pound Cake
Credit: Edward Pond
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Equal parts flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, pound cake is a classic for a reason.

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Chocolate-Pecan Shortbread Bars

Chocolate-Pecan Shortbread Bars
Credit: John Kernick
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Bars are the unsung heroes of the dessert world, as the dough doesn't need to be molded into complicated shapes.

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Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

Old-Fashioned Banana Bread
Credit: © Fredrika Stjärne
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A great way to use up bananas that are past their prime and a delicious quick bread, banana bread is an easy recipe that anyone can throw together.

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By Maria Yagoda

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    1 of 12 Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
    2 of 12 Brown Sugar Cake with Ricotta and Blueberries
    3 of 12 Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping
    4 of 12 Buttery Vanilla Shortbread
    5 of 12 German Chocolate Cake
    6 of 12 Golden Cupcakes
    7 of 12 Milk-Chocolate-Frosted Layer Cake
    8 of 12 Carrot Coconut and Zucchini Bread
    9 of 12 Coffee Cookie Crumble
    10 of 12 Jacques Pépin's Favorite Pound Cake
    11 of 12 Chocolate-Pecan Shortbread Bars
    12 of 12 Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

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