48 Baking Ideas for When You’re Feeling Bored

Read Time: 20 mins

48 Baking Ideas for When You’re Feeling Bored2/49 Focaccia 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Focaccia Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 1 loaf (24 pieces) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Focaccia is one of my favorite bread recipes. It’s one of the least labor-intensive since there isn’t any kneading. The dough is very wet, which is perfect for a tender, yet chewy, bread with a very distinct salt bite. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 95 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 61mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate

(1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein

(1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 3/49 Olive Oil Cake 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A good olive oil cake isn’t overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as it can be a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 279 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 152mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 4/49 Lemon Chess Pie 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings

It’s one of my favorites

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This bright and creamy lemon chess pie cuts beautifully and has a smooth texture. It’s one of my favorites. —Hannah LaRue Rider, East Point, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 363 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 5/49 Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Doughnuts 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Doughnuts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings about 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My relatives have been making these tasty doughnuts

It tastes wonderful with a cup of coffee, hot cocoa or milk

for years. The potatoes keep them moist, and the glaze provides just the right amount of sweetness. —Marlene Reichart, Leesport, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 doughnut: 163 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 6/49 Jewish Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This traditional Jewish mandel bread recipe has been passed down in my family for four generations. It tastes wonderful with a cup of coffee, hot cocoa or milk. —Monica Schnapp, Irvine,

This is hands-down the best spritz cookie recipe ever

California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 84 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 33mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 7/49 Buttery Spritz Cookies 54 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings about 7-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tender spritz cookie recipe is quite eye-catching on my Christmas cookie tray. The dough is easy to work with, so it’s fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes. This is hands-down the best spritz cookie recipe ever. —Beverly Launius, Sandwich,

The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters

Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 43 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 8/49 Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cherries and chocolate are natural partners that make desserts such as this simply scrumptious! The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters. —Sandra Campbell, Chase Mills, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 606 calories, 31g fat (16g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (39g

sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein

sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. 9/49 Rosemary-Lemon Shortbread Sandwich Cookies Total Time 35 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These beautiful shortbread sandwich cookies are always a welcome addition to our annual ladies holiday tea luncheon. The distinctive rosemary flavor, paired so well with the tangy lemon curd, has made them a favorite in our group for years! —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich cookie: 144 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 10/49 11/49 Plum & Hazelnut Pie Test Kitchen

My mom taught me about Italian prune plums and pie

Approved Plum & Hazelnut Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom taught me about Italian prune plums and pie. Sprinkling the crust with ground hazelnuts gives it a luscious flavor and also keeps it from getting soggy. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 454 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 308mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 12/49 Chocolate-Hazelnut Magic Bars 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings

16 bars Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

16 bars Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This hazelnut bar recipe puts a Nutella spin on the classic magic bar! Drizzle melted Nutella spread on top for extra flair. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 305 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 138mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 13/49 Giant Molasses Cookies 118 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Giant Molasses Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family always requests these soft molasses

Pack these treats in a decorative container for an easy edible hostess gift

cookies. These chewy cookies are also great for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 310 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 14/49 Tiramisu Cookies 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tiramisu Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tiramisu cookies bring out the delicious flavors of tiramisu, sandwich-style. Pack these treats in a decorative container for an easy edible hostess gift. —Taste of

I like to use this dough when making pizza, too

Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich cookie: 344 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 15/49 Soft Garlic Breadsticks 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 20 breadsticks Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I rely on a bread machine to mix the dough for this buttery garlic breadsticks recipe that is mildly seasoned with garlic and basil. I like to use this dough when making pizza, too. —Charles Smith, Baltic, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 1 breadstick: 88 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg

cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate, 1g fiber), 3g protein

cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 16/49 Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 2 loaves Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tart berries, crunchy nuts and sweet chocolate are simply scrumptious when mixed together in this easy quick bread. Sometimes I’ll top it off with an orange-flavored glaze. —Donna Smith, Fairport, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 220 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 76mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 17/49 Meringue

It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy

Shells with Lemon Curd 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 meringue shell with 2 tablespoons curd: 146 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 77mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 18/49 19/49 Zucchini Walnut Cake 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

When it is abundant, I shred and freeze plenty

Total Time 55 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What gardener doesn’t have extra zucchini? When it is abundant, I shred and freeze plenty so I have it on hand to bake this moist zucchini cake with walnuts all year long. The cream cheese frosting is yummy, and the big panful always goes fast at a picnic or potluck. —Marie Hoyer, Hodgenville, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 275 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 20/49 Mexican Chocolate Walnut-Cherry Biscotti 3 Reviews Mexican Chocolate

21/49 Chocolate Babka 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate

Walnut-Cherry Biscotti Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to combine flavors and spices from different cultures. These cookies have ground cinnamon in them, which is a classic flavor in Mexican chocolate. They are very crunchy and are loaded with maraschino cherries and toasted walnuts. —Nancy C. Evans, Phoenix, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 208 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. 21/49 Chocolate Babka 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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