Rolling pins at the ready!

Here are three super simple recipes you can follow to celebrate world baking day:

1. Basic sponge cake

Ingredients:

• 225g self-raising flour
• 225g caster sugar
• 225g unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-assisted). Grease and line two 20cm round cake tins with baking paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with the last egg to prevent curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract if using.
4. Sift in the remaining flour and fold gently to combine, ensuring not to overmix.
5. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared tins and smooth the tops.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Simple shortbread cookies

Ingredients:

• 300g plain flour
• 200g unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 100g caster sugar

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan-assisted). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour and sugar. Add the butter and rub into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Knead the mixture briefly until it forms a dough.
4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1 cm thick and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
5. Place the cookies on the prepared tray and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until pale golden.
7. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before serving.

3. Easy chocolate brownies

Ingredients:

• 200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 100g unsalted butter
• 250g caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 50g plain flour

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-assisted). Grease and line a 20cm square baking tin.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Sift in the flour and fold until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is crusty and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
7. Allow to cool in the tin, then cut into squares and serve.

These recipes provide a great starting point for basic baking! Delicious treats that don't require a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques, its a no brainer.

Enjoy your baking!