Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Annie Probst / Prop Styling: Kristin Schooley
Just 5 years ago, Janelle Nichole was daunted by the prospect of baking. But thanks to a friend who taught her how to make cinnamon rolls from scratch, Janelle realized that baking need not be intimidating—and can actually be fun.
In the time since she first conquered that sweet roll recipe, Allrecipes Allstar Janelle has been “putting in the reps,” baking her way through many of the sweet and savory bakes here on Allrecipes, and eventually, testing and perfecting her own. Janelle feels so comfortable in the kitchen that she now posts tip videos on social media daily. (You can follow the action at @janellenichole_baker.)
In an effort to help all of us find as much delight in the making of the desserts as we do in the savoring of them, we asked Janelle to share 10 easy dessert recipes she’s had tucked away in her MyRecipes collection. These beginner-friendly options won’t disappoint, Janelle vows.
01 of 09
Almond Croissant Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Credit: Peyton Beckwith
We’re kicking things off with a boxed cake mix creation dreamed up by Janelle herself, who describes this as “the ultimate almond croissant and gooey butter cake mashup.” Since this is essentially a doctored-up boxed cake mix creation that pays homage to St. Louis’ signature dessert, it is a terrific “training wheels” recipe for new bakers.
Another Allstar, Yoly chimes in to declare this as “delicious!” Since it tastes best warm, if you’re not enjoying this soon after baking, Yoly suggests microwaving your slice for 15 seconds “to get the cream cheese layer ooey gooey again.”
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02 of 09
Birthday Cake Dip
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Sammy Mila / Prop Styling: Kristen Schooley
Also ideal for folks easing into the DIY dessert space, this no-bake dessert asks for just five ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time. Rainbow sprinkles, cream cheese, and cheesecake or vanilla instant pudding mix team up to make each bite reminiscent of a slice of birthday cake.
Allrecipes Test Kitchen Assistant and Recipe Creator Jaelyn Luong confirms that this dessert dip is “light and tasty,” especially once you blend in a tub of whipped topping. Jaelyn digs this with strawberries, graham crackers, or apple wedges, but we’re giving you a permission slip to dunk any kind of fruit or cookie (or hey, even cubes of cake) you like.
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03 of 09
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Pound cake is a foundational baking recipe that showcases how simple ingredients—butter, sugar, flour, and eggs—can transform into something spectacular. For this Bundt pan twist, Allrecipes member LVJOANNE recommends inviting sour cream to the party for light yet dense, rich, and moist results.
“It’s great for brunch, or dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with berries for dessert,” LVJOANNE says. Home cook Eugene Danker says, “This is one of my favorite pound cake recipes. I also sometimes add peaches and pecans or apples and walnuts. I coat the pan with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon to add a bit of extra flavor.”
Speaking of coating the pan, Janelle swears by generously covering the nooks and crannies with a DIY baking paste made with equal parts flour, shortening, and vegetable oil to ensure the cake slides right out.
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04 of 09
Double-Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
Credit: AllRecipes / Julia Hartbeck
Pumpkin pie meets classic cheesecake, all atop a graham cracker crust, in this dessert that has raked in more than 3,400 five-star reviews. Allrecipes member Anne says, “I have never baked before in my life. The closest I have come is making cake from a box. I’ve made this pie three times, and all three times have been a huge success! This recipe was fairly easy for a first-timer, and it had a good texture, flavor, and presentation. This is an overall crowd-pleaser!”
Elizabeth agrees, adding, “It’s always a hit, even with the non-pumpkin lovers.” For a single-serving treat that will put an end to any spats over who gets the largest slice, consider using the same layer of fillings inside mini graham cracker pie crusts.
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05 of 09
Carrot Cake
Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Many carrot cakes call for baking, frosting, and stacking layers of spice cake. But this, one of our top-rated carrot cake recipes, is designed to fill a 9×13-inch pan for ease of execution, decoration, and slicing. Don’t worry, this still makes a moist, light, fluffy, and warmly-spiced fluffy cake, complete with a generous layer of silky cream cheese frosting for good measure.
It’s so delicious that member Crystal S says, “My family hovers in the kitchen when I set out ingredients to make this cake.” Applauding this carrot cake recipe’s more than 6,000 five-star ratings, Allrecipes member MK MOM admits, “I really didn’t want to do anything to change this. However, I have two persnickety children who absolutely hate nuts. So instead of adding the pecans to the cake, I added lots of big chunky ones to the icing on part of the cake and everyone was happy!”
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06 of 09
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Credit: Aimee B
How did we get this far without a bite of chocolate? It’s about time, and this luscious, lava cake-like dessert is a delightful introduction. Round up cocoa powder, flour, sugar, milk, chocolate chips, and a couple baking staples, and you’re all set to whip up this treat that’s “so easy,” according to reviewer gingin. They had a chocolate craving and had never made a pudding cake before, but they were blown away: “This was done quickly and perfectly. I’ll add nuts next time. It’s like a gooey brownie.”
True, it might not win any beauty contests. However, Allrecipes member Aimee B. says, “This is one of those recipes you don’t judge by what it looks like in the pan.” Enjoy it warm and topped with a dollop of whipped cream, and everyone will be begging for the recipe.
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07 of 09
Snickers Cheesecake Bars
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Annie Probst / Prop Styling: Kristin Schooley
What’s your favorite Dairy Queen Blizzard flavor? If it’s Oreos or Snickers, then you’re in luck with this easy cheesecake bar recipe that features both in each bite. The chocolate cookies star in the cookie crust, while chunks of the caramel-peanut nougat candy bar are folded into the sour cream and cream cheese batter and pressed into the top of the finished bake.
Test Kitchen Cook Jaelyn Luong swears that the “extra Snickers pieces on top of the cheesecake really bring home the Snickers flavor. Feel free to add more!”
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08 of 09
Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars
Credit: Photographer: Jason Donnelly / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Kristen Schooley
Continuing with the mash-up dessert theme, folks go nuts when we bring this pecan pie-meets-salted-caramel candy treat to gatherings. It all starts with a buttery shortbread crust. Then comes a soft caramel layer with just the right amount of chopped pecans.
These salted caramel pecan pie bars have a buttery crust, a soft caramel layer infused with salted pecans, and a shower of flaky sea salt. There’s a sneaky seminar hidden in this recipe: You’re just 16 minutes away from mastering how to make homemade caramel. Home baker Simao says, “These turned out beautifully! Great mouthfeel, perfect crumbly-but-firm base, and the caramel was both easy to make and delicious to eat.”
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09 of 09
Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake
The snooze button will lose its appeal when you have a slice of this coffee cake (with a hidden cinnamon-sugar layer in the middle!) awaiting you. Ruth says a pal shared this formula with her years ago, and she kindly shared it with us on Allrecipes.
The key ingredient is sour cream, which makes the crumb tender and moist. Mia Macey recreated this in her own kitchen, and “didn’t change a thing.” It’s now a weekly family dessert staple, which she serves with caramel swirl ice cream. Ready to mix things up? Try brown sugar instead of white sugar in the filling, swap in walnuts for pecans, and top this with a drizzle of powdered sugar icing, if you like.
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More inspiration:
Credit: Hannah Hufham / Food Styling: Amanda Stanfield / Prop Styling: Keoshia McGhee
Read the original article on Allrecipes
Dining and Cooking