What Is the First Thing I Should Bake? A Beginner’s Guide to Simple and Successful Recipes

If you’re just getting started with baking, pick something easy. Cookies—like classic chocolate chip or shortbread—are a great first choice.

They don’t call for complicated steps or fancy gadgets. You’ll get to practice measuring, mixing, and figuring out baking times without feeling lost.

Baking cookies also means you get a quick treat, and you probably have the ingredients already. Once you feel comfortable, why not try muffins, quick breads, or a simple cake?

These bakes help you build up your kitchen confidence. If you want more ideas, check out beginner recipes from Food & Wine or ZoëBakes.

Choosing the Best First Recipe

When you pick your first bake, think about what you actually like to eat. How much time do you have? What kitchen tools can you use?

Go for a recipe that’s simple and sets you up for a win. Avoid anything with too many steps or weird ingredients.

Factors to Consider as a Beginner

Start with recipes that use what you already have—flour, sugar, eggs, butter. Skip anything that demands special gadgets or strange techniques.

Clear, simple instructions are your friend. Shorter baking times mean you’ll see results fast and can tweak things if you need to.

Check your schedule, too. Some recipes want you to wait for dough to rest or cool, and that can get annoying if you’re in a hurry.

Recommended Easy Recipes

Here’s what works well when you’re new:

• Cookies: Easy to mix, fast to bake. Chocolate chip or sugar cookies are classics.
• Cupcakes: Basic batter, easy decorations. Good for practice.
• Muffins: Quick, and they forgive small mistakes.
• Scones or quick breads: No yeast, so you don’t have to wait for rising.

You’ll pick up measuring, mixing, and baking basics without getting overwhelmed. For more, check out 15 Beginner Bakes That Every Novice Should Master.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Measure carefully—baking’s not the time to eyeball things. Too much or too little flour or sugar can wreck your results.

Try not to open the oven door a bunch; it messes with the temperature and can ruin how your bake rises.

Stick to the recipe’s time and temperature. Changing them changes everything.

Don’t rush through mixing or cooling. Baking rewards patience, and skipping steps usually leads to letdowns.

Essential Baking Tools and Ingredients

If you want to bake well, you’ll need the right tools and some reliable basics in your pantry. Good equipment helps you measure right, mix well, and bake evenly.

Getting familiar with your gear and ingredients makes everything smoother. You’ll feel more at home in the kitchen, too.

Basic Baking Equipment Checklist

You don’t need a ton of stuff to start baking. Grab measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.

A mixing bowl set is helpful for combining everything. Rubber spatulas let you scrape every last bit from the bowl.

A hand or stand mixer makes mixing easier, especially for thicker batters. You’ll want a baking pan—an 8- or 9-inch round or a loaf pan covers a lot of recipes.

An oven thermometer is surprisingly useful, since ovens often lie about their temperature.

Here’s a quick list:

• Measuring cups (dry and liquid)
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowls (different sizes)
• Rubber spatula
• Hand or stand mixer
• Baking pans (cake pans, loaf pans)
• Oven thermometer

Core Pantry Ingredients

Stock up on staples you’ll use all the time. All-purpose flour and granulated sugar are must-haves.

Keep baking powder or baking soda for leavening. You’ll also want salt, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract—they add flavor and texture.

Have milk or another liquid (like water or juice) handy for moisture. Keep these basics fresh, since the right amounts really affect how your bakes turn out.

Essentials to keep around:

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder or baking soda
• Salt
• Butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Milk or other liquids

Where to Find Quality Tools

You’ll usually spot baking tools at kitchen specialty stores. Larger supermarkets sometimes carry a decent selection too.

Online retailers? They have just about everything, but it’s smart to skim through reviews before you buy. That way, you can dodge flimsy or awkward gadgets.

Go for nonreactive pans—think anodized aluminum or silicone-coated bakeware. They won’t mess with the flavor in your favorite acidic recipes.

If you’re planning to bake more than just occasionally, a kitchen scale is a solid investment. Honestly, it’s just more accurate than measuring with cups or spoons.

For more ideas, check out this guide to essential baking tools.