Stress Baking: 12 Recipes To Keep Your Mind Off The Pandemic

Let's face it — a lot of us are stuck inside and stressed right now. And we could all use a sweet distraction. (Plus, some of us have a bit more time on our hands while we're trying to stay home, right?) 

That's why we rounded up a bunch of our favorite baking recipes that you (and the kids!) can pour all of your energy into — and then devour. So turn off the news for just a bit, turn up your favorite music and get baking. (Self-care for the win!)

MORE: WFH Help — Quick Desk Setup Ideas For Even The Tiniest Apartments

First things first, though — the last thing we want is for baking to stress you out, too, so here are some of our best baking tips before you get started. 

STRESS-FREE BAKING TIPS

1. How To Soften Cold Hard Butter Fast 

2. How To Measure Sticky Ingredients (like honey) Without Making a Mess

3. How To Measure Peanut Butter Without Making a Mess 

4. How To Bring Eggs to Room Temperature Quickly

STRESS BAKING RECIPES 

1. Potato Chip Brownies 

Rachael Ray Show

As if they already didn't sound amazing, these brownies are made with cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate — which means you'll only need one bowl to make the batter and can skip the fuss of a double-boiler. 

Watch how to make them in the video above.

2. Blueberry Almond Jam Bars  

Rachael Ray Show

These easy dessert bars are so good that we won't tell anyone if you roll them over for breakfast. 

3. (Anything But) Basic Banana Bread

Rachael Ray Show

This is our favorite recipe for basic banana bread. It’s not too sweet, too wet or too cakey, and has just the right amount of deliciously healthy banana.

4. Chocolate Chunk Potato Chip Cookies

Rachael Ray Show

Pro tip: If you have kettle-cooked potato chips sitting in your pantry, use 'em for these! They tend to be thicker and will maintain their crunch even after baking.

5. Chocolate Chip Scones

Rachael Ray Show

Just a few basic baking ingredients make these scrumptious quick breads possible.

6. Giant Toaster Pastry

Rachael Ray Show

The kids are going to LOVE this one. 

7. Glazed Lemon Dream Cookies

Rachael Ray Show

An easy dough for lemon cookies bakes up into a fragrant, short-bread-like cookie that then gets a creamy lemon glaze drizzled on top.

8. Donut Cake

Abrams Books

It's easy to make a cake that looks like a giant donut with this how-to from NYC's Flour Shop founder Amirah Kassem.

9. Black & White Cookies

Rachael Ray Show

Don't fret if your icing doesn't seem quite right at first — make it thicker by adding more sugar to the boiling water, or thinner by using less sugar.

10. Blueberry Muffins

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The streusel topping really outdoes itself. 

11. Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

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This one's made for sharing — but no double dipping! ?

12. Skillet PB&J Cookie

Rachael Ray Show

Everyone's favorite feel-good sandwich turned into a skillet cookie — what more could you ask for?