93 Baking Recipes to Help You Relax and Destress

From the Recipe Creator: The night before I make these drop cookies, I measure out the pretzels, peanuts, raisins and chocolate. Assembly goes quickly the next day. —Kelly Ward-Hartman, Cape Coral, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: Fall always makes me yearn for this pecan cheesecake, but it’s delicious in any season. You’ll want to put it on your list of favorite holiday desserts. —Laura Sylvester, Mechanicsville, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: Eggs lend to the richness of this traditional challah bread recipe. The attractive golden color and delicious flavor make it hard to resist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: I try to slip zucchini into as many dishes as possible. These cake wedges have wonderful flavor and a tender texture. They are pretty, too, with bits of pineapple, cranberries and zucchini. And they're perfect for brunch.—Redawna Kalynchuk, Sexsmith, Alberta

From the Recipe Creator: My mother used to make this easy 10-cup cookie recipe for my sisters and me. You could find one of our favorite ingredients in every bite, whether it was chocolate, coconut, raisins or nuts. —Tracy Powers, Byron Center, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: I love to make bread from scratch and this has become one of our tried-and-true favorites to serve with any meal, casual or formal. —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: There's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Who can resist soft chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a layer of fluffy white frosting? Mom has made these for years. They're a treat that never lasts very long with my two brothers and me around. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: There's a reason this vanilla cake recipe is the best. Adding creamy vanilla bean paste into the moist, rich cake batter creates a power-packed vanilla flavor that can't be bought in stores. Try spreading vanilla buttercream frosting on top to finish it off. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: My comforting cinnamon peach kuchen showcases fresh summer fruit. You can use other stone fruits, too, such as plums or nectarines. This is one of those homey desserts that is perfect with a scoop of ice cream on top! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: Here's a fun and festive way to serve brownies. Family and friends will love topping their pieces with whipped cream and strawberries. —Johnnie McLeod, Bastrop, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: Fans of cheesecake will love these bite-sized desserts. Crunchy and smooth, they're perfect for the holidays—or any other time.—Judi Oudekerk, Buffalo, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: I always wanted to make my own bagels, so I searched to find a bagel recipe I could try. For variation and flavor, I sometimes add cinnamon and raisins or honey and sesame seeds to the dough. —Rebecca Phillips, Burlington, Connecticut

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

From the Recipe Creator: I used cranberries for decorations in a wedding, then challenged myself to find a way to use up the surplus. This pretty, super moist cake with cranberries in the batter and sometimes, sugared ones on top, was the result! —S. Jade Klope, Paducah, Kentucky

From the Recipe Creator: My grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. My mom and aunts would deliver the formed rolls at lunchtime. —Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: My uncles have always called these "cupcake cookies" because of the unique, pretty way they're baked. My maternal grandmother mixed many batches. —Marilyn Louise Riggenbach, Ravenna, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: These indulgent vegan chocolate cupcakes have no butter, eggs or dairy milk, but you'd never guess it. This recipe is perfect for potlucks and family gatherings that include guests with food restrictions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the ever-popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I are big fans of Irish cream, so I wanted to incorporate it into a brownie. I started with my mom's brownie recipe, then added frosting and ganache. These decadent treats are the result, and we really enjoy them! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I come from a big Italian family. When I was growing up, my mom cooked and baked many delicious meals and desserts from scratch. Now I do the same for my family. This cake is my finale to our special-occasion dinners. —Cathy Banks, Encinitas, California

From the Recipe Creator: If you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

From the Recipe Creator: My family loves that the kringle is flaky and not too sweet—it just melts in your mouth. This makes a beautiful presentation on a cookie platter along with other holiday sweets. —Connie Vjestica, Brookfield, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: I love to try new recipes. When I served these at a recent family gathering, I got lots of compliments. —Elsie Shell, Topeka, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: This blueberry coffee cake is my go-to recipe for all of our holiday get-togethers because it's perfect for breakfast or dessert. It's easy to make, and it's the most delicious coffee cake I've ever had. —Susan Ober, Franconia, New Hampshire

From the Recipe Creator: These macarons are a fall and winter staple for me. Inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and you can enjoy them as a dessert or just a snack. Other fillings would work well with this too—including custard, mousse, ganache or another buttercream. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California

From the Recipe Creator: This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: Similar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky with a rich almond center. It’s versatile, so you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It tastes as if it came from a high-end bakery, but packaged puff pastry dough makes it easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York

From the Recipe Creator: These cheesecake bars layer a buttery pecan shortbread crust with a rich and creamy filling and sweet-tart strawberry rhubarb jam. For larger squares, cut into nine bars instead of 16. —Amanda Scarlati, Sandy, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: Eat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California

From the Recipe Creator: My mom, Velma Perkins, loved to serve these light, golden rolls when I was growing up on our Iowa farm. They're extra nice since they require no kneading. The dough rises in the refrigerator overnight, so there's little last-minute fuss to serve fresh hot rolls with any meal. —Toni Hilscher, Omaha, Nebraska

From the Recipe Creator: Kids and adults alike will find these Oreo cupcakes irresistible. If you want to pipe the frosting, be sure to thoroughly crush the cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: These rolled cookies are tasty and fun to make with your family. The sugary mixture of walnuts and cinnamon is a light, sweet filling that will leave everyone wanting another bite. —Phyllis Cappuccio, Malden, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: Golden whirligigs with a tart lemon flavor float on a ruby raspberry sauce in this delectable dessert. I love serving it to guests. My children also like it made with blackberries. —Vicki Ayres, Wappingers Falls, New York

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is a different type of pull-apart bread. Eat it by itself, dipped in marinara, or as part of a meal. For a different flavor, add sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or an onion soup mix packet instead of the rosemary-garlic combo. —Christina Trikoris, Clarksville, Tennessee

From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a lovely dessert that your guests will think is almost too pretty to eat! I love the graceful heart shape of the raspberry meringue. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: This moist cake with cream cheese frosting is the best I've ever eaten. It's so simple, too, because it uses two jars of baby food instead of fresh carrots that need to be grated. —Jeanette McKenna, Vero Beach, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of this banana bread. It really is amazingly good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: These rolls with their cherry-filled centers melt in your mouth and store well unfrosted in the freezer. —Leann Sauder, Tremont, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: This chocolaty, flaky dessert is one of my favorite show-off recipes because it makes a spectacular presentation. The best part? It’s actually surprisingly easy and quick to make. —Anneliese Deising, Plymouth, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: These rolls are the lightest, most delicious ones I've ever tasted—and everyone else seems to agree. The pumpkin gives them mild flavor, moist texture and a pretty golden color. At our house, it wouldn't be the holidays without them. —Dianna Shimizu, Issaquah, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: It's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvets I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. For quicker assembly, you can leave the layers untrimmed and simply frost the top and side of the cake with icing. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: My chocolaty triangles layered with raspberry jam are a must during the holiday season. The cakelike bars look festive, and one batch goes a long way.—Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York

From the Recipe Creator: A blend of herbs and a special shape dress up ordinary frozen bread dough in this unbelievably easy recipe. —Deb Stapert, Comstock Park, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: This tempting cheese Danish bakes to flaky perfection's shines with the simple gloss of an egg wash. It tastes just as decadent as any breakfast pastry you'd find in a bakery or coffee shop. —Josephine Triton, Lakewood, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: This must-try cinnamon roll is all about the pillowy texture, the sweet spices and the homemade caramel drizzle. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Serve this classic from the Emerald Isle with butter, jam and a hot cup of tea. Baking this beauty in a 9-in. pan means there is enough to go around. —Sadie Rotondo, Rockland, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: These crisp, chewy cookies can be made any size you choose. They're also great with a variety of fillings—try making them with fruit preserves. —Marie Valdes, Brandon, FL

From the Recipe Creator: Since I have seven rhubarb plants in my backyard, everything's coming up rosy about now. My husband and two teen sons are crazy about these sticky buns. I discovered the treat in an old recipe file I purchased at a rummage sale.

From the Recipe Creator: Banana with chocolate is such an irresistible combo that I make this quick dessert often. You can also top these tasty bundles with the butter and brown sugar mixture left over from coating the bananas, or sprinkle on a dash of sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: Get ready for rave reviews with these crisp breadsticks twisted with Greek-inspired goodness. Best served fresh from the oven. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: When my kids were small, I could never get pancakes on the table while they were all still hot. Then I got the idea for these breakfast tarts. They're a good and simple recipe for any busy family. —Joan Elbourn, Gardner, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: Is it a cookie or a candy? No matter which answer folks choose, they find these minty morsels yummy. The recipe makes so much that you can whip up tons of gifts at once. —Adina Skilbred, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: I love making this pumpkin monkey bread for a holiday brunch. Leftovers reheat well, and the sauce is good enough to make extra to use as waffle and pancake syrup. —Emily Main, Tonopah, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: I acquired this delicious peach pie filling recipe some 40 years ago, when my husband and I first moved to southern Iowa and had peach trees growing in our backyard. It's been a family favorite since then and always brings back memories of both summer and those happy early years. — June Mueller, Sioux City, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: I got smart and started making double batches of these moist, fluffy biscuits to meet the demand. My dad loves their pumpkiny goodness and requests them for Christmas, Father’s Day and his birthday. —Liza Taylor, Seattle, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana

From the Recipe Creator: Enjoy pumpkin pie flavor with these classic bagels. For a change, adjust the spices to suit your taste buds. —Kristy Reeves, LeRoy, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: These treats are so good! The strawberry filling, creamy glaze and crunchy nuts balance the sweet yeast rolls perfectly. My family loves to eat them as much as I enjoy making them. —Annie Thomas, Michigan, Mississippi

From the Recipe Creator: I took this rich dessert to a fellowship meeting at our church. Everyone loved it! In fact, so many people asked for the recipe that the church secretary printed it in our monthly newsletter. —Lisa Nash, Blaine, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: The lemon flavor in these yeast muffins makes them unique. My husband is a minister, and we're invited to many potlucks. People love these muffins.

From the Recipe Creator: I bake over 200 of these cupcakes for our church suppers, and we always run out. If you can't find Key lime juice, use lime juice. Just add a tad more sugar. —Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: A friend gave me the recipe for these rich cakelike brownies topped with a creamy coffee-enhanced filling and a chocolate glaze. I like to garnish each square with a coffee bean. —Michelle Tiemstra, Lacombe, Alberta

From the Recipe Creator: Flecks of zucchini give a third dimension to the popular lemon and poppy seed combination in this moist quick bread. My family loves this lemon zucchini bread at all times of the year.—Carol Funk, Richard, Saskatchewan.

From the Recipe Creator: What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts? I combined them! This snickerdoodle-blondie hybrid proved even better with caramel, always a favorite ingredient. —Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: These sweet pastries have Polish and Czech roots and can also be spelled "kolaches." They are usually filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture. The ice cream is a unique twist on traditional kolachkes, and it's simplest to use a square cookie cutter to cut the dough. —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: Your family will be impressed with the soft texture and appealing swirls of cinnamon in these buttery breakfast loaves. —Diane Armstrong, Elm Grove, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Be prepared to swoon when you dip into this indulgent flourless cake and warm chocolate oozes from its center. This is Kristin Page’s favorite dessert on the menu at La Boucherie. Try it, and you’ll understand why.

From the Recipe Creator: This savory cookie is the bestseller at our Christmas cookie bazaar. Everyone requests the tasty biscotti every year. They're simple but very delicious. I will also serve them year-round as an appetizer. —Paula Marchesi, Auburn, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: Fall in New England is so beautiful, and the apples here are the best! This apple cider cake is a family favorite and I like to serve it with hot cocoa.

From the Recipe Creator: Red wine and chocolate make an amazing pairing, especially in these rich, elegant cupcakes I make each year for my mother’s birthday. She adores them! —Candace Cheney, Fort McMurray, Alberta

From the Recipe Creator: I found this Kentucky butter cake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: This deep-dish apple pie is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: It takes just two ingredients to make these impressive but easy-to-do French pastries, which are often called palm leaves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I just had to have the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbreadlike crust and the rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to find rhubarb that they can use to fix a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds me of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful cookie a keeper. We gave a batch to our mail carrier, in thanks for trudging through so much snow, and she asked for the recipe. —Ruth Anne Dale, Titusville, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: S'mores are one of my favorite desserts. I wanted to create a cookie to replace the graham cracker—that's when my s'mookie was born. Just as delicious as the classic.—Maria Davis, Hermosa Beach, California

From the Recipe Creator: Instead of a layer cake, serve guests these delicate cupcakes tinged with a tangy lemon flavor. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta

From the Recipe Creator: I'm grateful my neighbor gave me this special recipe. When you see the cookies' pretty shape and savor the pineapple filling and sweet frosting, you'll know they're worth the effort. —Sarah Lukaszewicz, Batavia, New York

From the Recipe Creator: This special-occasion cake impresses all who see and taste it. People are surprised to hear that this torte starts with a simple cake mix—they're sure I bought it at a bakery. —Julie Hein, York, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: This is my favorite blueberry cheesecake recipe, which I often make for family get-togethers. —Cathy Medley, Clyde, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: Carrots, blueberries, pineapple and zucchini make an interesting and delicious combination in these unique little treats.—Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.