Easy bank holiday baking ideas

Fill your house with the smell of freshly-baked cakes and have something to look forward to digging into this bank holiday.

Want to whip up a speedy bake? Try some simple biscuit recipes or a savoury scone. Have a bit more time on your hands? Delve into an impressive cake recipe or an intricate tear & share.

For even more inspiration, see our complete bank holiday recipe collection including mains, desserts and sharing dishes.

1) Easy carrot cake

This easy carrot cake is the ultimate weekend bake to enjoy with an afternoon cuppa. The sponge is lightly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of orange zest. Spread a generous dollop of frosting over the top and decorate with chopped walnuts.

2) Vegan banana bread

Use up some blackening bananas with this simple, vegan recipe. Toast thick slices and spread with peanut butter or jam to keep you going over the long weekend.

3) Chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits

Our top-rated chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits are brilliant for emergency sweet cravings – they’re simple, quick and use storecupboard ingredients. The crinkle effect comes from coating the cookie dough in icing sugar before baking.

4) Easy blondies

A batch of these foolproof blondies are guaranteed to brighten the long weekend. The gooey, golden squares are made extra special with moreish chunks of white chocolate dotted throughout. They’ll keep in an airtight container for three days or you can freeze them for later.

5) Classic cheese scones

Switch up the sweet bakes for these savoury cheese scones. Our highly rated recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family. Use mature cheddar and add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle warming kick. They’re great served alongside soups and you can freeze them for later use.

6) Caramel apple cinnamon buns

Channel the flavours of a toffee apple with these decadent cinnamon rolls, topped with soft cheese frosting and salted caramel. Spread a simple dough with cinnamon butter and stewed apple pieces. Roll into a tight spiral, cut into slices and bake until golden brown.

7) Easy lemon layer cake

Lemon cake was made for afternoon tea on a bank holiday weekend. Golden, citrusy sponge is drenched in lemon drizzle and topped with creamy, sweet soft cheese icing and candied lemon zest.

8) Chewy chocolate chip cookies

You don’t need many ingredients to make this simple cookie dough, which is best left overnight before baking for the optimum flavour and texture. Ten minutes in the oven and you’re rewarded with crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside cookies.

9) Easy caramel cake

This gorgeous caramel cake screams ‘long weekend’. Fabulously foolproof, and irresistibly indulgent, it’s also quick and makes use of storecupboard ingredients. For chocolate lovers, add three tablespoons of cocoa to the cake batter and drizzle over melted and cooled chocolate instead of caramel.

10) Cheese & pesto whirls

These cheesy tear & share whirls are ideal for packing into a picnic. Fill the dough with fresh pesto, sundried tomatoes, grated mozzarella, parmesan and a handful of basil leaves.