The majority of us are spending more time at home and while a lot of us are still working, we are experiencing more down time than normal. If you’re looking for something to do, why not try one (or more) of our easy at-home bakes – each of them is delicious and you should have the ingredients already in your pantry.

 

 

 

1. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salted butter, melted
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (or any crumbled cookie)
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, divided
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
Mix the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and confectioners’ sugar together in a medium bowl. Stir in 1 cup of peanut butter, then press evenly into prepared baking pan.
Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with the chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove. Stir until smooth. Spread over peanut butter layer.
Chill in the refrigerator until completely firm, at least 2 hours. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve chilled. Setting them out for a few hours at room temperature for serving is OK.
Cover leftover bars tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

 


2. Three-Ingredient Homemade Bagels

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups self-rising flour + more for dusting
1 cup greek yogurt
1 egg beaten + 1 tbsp water if you want the wash thinner

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment & set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour & yogurt & mix well until it forms a smooth ball – you can also use a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface & work dough into a large 8-10″ disk.
Using a bench scraper or butter knife, cut dough into 4 equal parts.
Roll each piece into a long log – approximately 8-10″ long.
Shape into a ring & transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
Brush with egg wash (this would be the time you can add seasonings like salt if desired)
Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Store in a closed paper bag (an airtight container will make them sweat & become too doughy)
Enjoy toasted with some butter or cream cheese.

 

3. Cinnamon Baked Apples

Ingredients:
3 pounds apples peeled, cored, sliced
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Lemon juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Peel the apples, cut and remove the core and cut into slices about 1/3-1/2 an inch thick.
Add the apples to a large bowl or you can mix right in a pie dish, or 2 quart baking dish. Add the light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. If using a bowl, spoon the apples into a pie dish or 2 quart baking dish.
Cut the butter into small squares, and place them over the top of the apples.
Bake for 30 minutes, stirring after the apples have baked for 15 minutes. This prevents apples on the top from drying. Bake until the apples are tender and soft.
Remove and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Serve warm.

 

 

4. Super Simple Sweet Bread

Ingredients:
2 cup sugar
4 cup flour
2 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cup milk
2/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions:
Grease 6 mini loaf pans and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
Beat eggs, milk and oil.
Gradually add dry mixture to wet until just moist.
Pour batter into pans an inch below to compensate for rise.
Bake 40 minutes.