Are you stuck at home doing homework and completely stressed out? Are you so busy that you do not have the time to bake? Don’t worry; these recipes are quick, easy, and efficient. They will allow you to bake and have fun, especially if you are short on time. From cookies to chocolate mousse, try these easy-to-make desserts!
For those that need some advice:
Be organized. Layout all the essentials and ingredients before you start.
Have patience, because desserts take time. Sometimes it won’t work on the first try, so try again.
Measure accurately. Desserts need exact measurements for it to be baked the right way.
Preheat the oven if it’s needed, as this saves time in the end.
Read the recipe before beginning in order to make sure all the ingredients are there and ready to bake.
01 Chocolate Brownies
With a perfect blend of fudge and gooey chocolate, this delicious dessert is quick and easy to make, and only requires 5 ingredients. These brownies are great for an afternoon snack or pick me up during an IB study session! The beloved brownie was first invented in 1896 in the United States, and was The name “brownies” was given by Baden-Powell, who took the idea of characters from a story, “The Brownies,” by Juliana Horatia Ewing.
INGREDIENTS:
½ CUP unsalted butter
8 OUNCES semi-sweet or dark chocolate
2 large eggs
1 CUP sugar
½ TEASPOON salt
1/2 CUP all-purpose flour
INSTRUCTIONS:
1 Preheat the oven to 350ºF and grease an 8-inch cake pan with some butter.
2 Melt the chocolate and butter together in a microwavable bowl and let it cool.
3 Using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until the mixture falls from the mixer in a straight line. Beat thoroughly after adding the salt. Pour in the chocolate and butter mixture that has cooled.
4 Just until there are no visible flour strands, stir the flour into the batter. Avoid over-mixing at this point.
5 Transfer the batter into the greased pan, smoothing out the top.
6 Allow the brownies to bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7 Let the brownies cool completely in the pan, Then, remove the brownies from the pan. Cut them into the shape you prefer.
“These are one of the best brownies I have ever had!”
Esther, Grade 10
02 CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
Chocolate mousse is a rich and airy dessert, with a delightful taste of chocolate and cream. Students will love this easy, no-bake dessert. Chocolate mousse originated in Europe in the 17th-18th century and was started by the ancient Mesoamericans. When they were making frothy chocolate beverages, they got the inspiration to make chocolate mousse. With the help of the French, they were able to make this easy dessert with different ingredients such as butter and vanilla.
INGREDIENTS:
200g of chocolate (70 % dark chocolate)
2 Tablespoons of sugar (adjust to taste)
3 large eggs (separate the egg whites and yolk)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp of vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
1 Break the chocolate into pieces and melt it in a bowl (could be melted in the microwave or over a stove) Make sure it’s a smooth consistency.
2 In a mixing bowl, add the heavy cream and the vanilla extract. Mix well until it becomes a soft consistency. Set some on the side for decor on the chocolate mousse.
3 In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peak form, slowly adding the sugar inside, and continue beating until soft peak form.
4 Add the egg yolks to the bowl of chocolate. Then gently add the whipped cream into the bowl, as well as the egg whites. Gently fold the mixture to keep the mouse light and airy.
5 Distribute the mousse into the preferred serving cup and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. Top with some whipped cream and your preferred topping.
03 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Chocolate chip cookies are a great snack for a friend gathering or a quick baking session with friends. Want a sleepover with friends? This dessert would be the perfect addition.
Chocolate chip cookies were made in 1930 by accident by Ruth Wakefield. She decided to add pieces of Nestle chocolate chips into the cookies expecting to melt into the cookie, not expecting the chocolate chips to stay its shape, which created gooey chocolate chips.
INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup of butter (softened)
1 Cup sugar
2 Cup all-purpose flour
1 Cup chocolate chips
1 Tsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2 Add the butter and sugar together in a bowl and mix it until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well
3 Slowly add the flour to the mixture until combined. Add the chocolate chips and fold it in. Mix into a dough.
4 Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, making sure it is spaced out from each other.
5 Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until it’s golden brown. Let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack
“ Such a soft and delicious cookie, the chocolate just melts in your mouth”
Naomi, Grade 10
04 MANGO SORBET
With simple ingredients you can achieve this sorbet, perfect and refreshing for a hot afternoon! Mango sorbet started in the roots of Persian ice desserts when they combined crushed ice with mango sorbet. As cultures started to emerge, this dessert started spreading to Europe. Today, this dessert is loved worldwide for its light taste and is sometimes eaten as a palate cleanser after a hearty meal.
INGREDIENTS:
2 large mangoes ( cut in cubes and frozen )
½ of Sugar
2 limes
¼ cup of water
Pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
1 With your frozen mangoes that have been cut into cubes. Then, add them in a blender.
2 Combine the ingredients sugar, lime juice, water, and salt.
3 Blend until creamy, while stopping sometimes to mix the sorbet.
4 Serve immediately or put into a preferred container and put into the freezer for a later snack.
05 BANANA BREAD
This flavorful bread is moist and flavorful and can be eaten any time of day, with bananas as the key ingredient. It’s often enjoyed for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. With its crumbly and soft texture, it’s easy to pack as well.
It’s been believed that banana bread was created around the 1930s when people were trying to find ways to use their overripe bananas, which then created banana bread desserts.
INGREDIENTS:
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2 In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas and eggs. Whisk until well combined.
3 In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
4 Carefully, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Be careful not to over-mix.
5 Pour the batter into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan or any preferred pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick that has been inserted in the middle turns out clean.
6 Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ready to dive into the kitchen? Give these desserts a shot and let us know how it turns out!
For more information on one of our former bakers, check out this article!
