9 Cozy Baking Ideas for a Rainy Day: Get Creative

Rainy days can really spoil the mood, but only if you allow them to. Even though you may not be able to go on a relaxing stroll or take your kids to the park, it doesn’t mean you have to be as miserable as the weather outside.

Instead, roll up your sleeves, get your creativity flowing and think about all the things to bake on a rainy day. Fill your house with delicious aromas, your kitchen with never-ending laughter and giggles, and your bellies with mouthwatering treats.

So, grab a delicious baking kit by eat2explore, round up your sous chefs and let’s get down to some baking, shall we?

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Banana Bread
3. Brownies
4. Cinnamon Rolls
5. Apple Pie
6. Gingerbread Cookies
7. Matcha Snickerdoodles
8. Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
9. Linzer Cookies

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are arguably the all-time favorite treat. They are not too complicated to make, yet they are finger-lickingly delicious, both warm and cold. The best part is that once you’re done mixing the dough, you can entrust your sous chefs with adding the chocolate chips and dividing the dough into cookies.

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted)
• ½ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

Step-By-Step Prep 

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
• Melt the butter in the microwave for about 40 seconds.
• Combine sugars with the melted butter and mix until creamy.
• Slowly add vanilla and the egg to the mix and beat on low speed until well combined.
• Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix until the dough becomes crumbly.
• Use your hands to shape the dough into a ball.
• Add chocolate chips or chunks, and use your hands to incorporate them into the dough evenly.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal balls (make more if you want smaller cookies) and place them on the baking sheet.
• Bake until the cookies become golden or for around 10 minutes.
• Take the baking sheet out of the oven and allow the cookies to cool for about 30 minutes. 

Bonus tip: You can even double the recipe and freeze half of it (unbaked, of course) so you can have it for later. 

How to keep them soft: Make sure you keep your chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. You can also add a slice of fresh bread to the container to keep the cookies nice and moist for longer.

 

2. Banana Bread

Not only delicious, but jam-packed with vitamins and minerals as well, banana bread is the perfect little treat when it comes to rainy day desserts. Eat it plain or top it off with some yummy peanut butter and jelly – the choice is up to you.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup margarine, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups ripe, mashed banana
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Step-By-Step Prep

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
• Grease and flour a loaf pan.
• Beat sugar and margarine in a bowl until smooth. 
• Add eggs and bananas.
• Mix the rest of the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
• Pour into the pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about an hour.

Bonus tip: You can also use a clean wooden toothpick or skewer to check if the bread is done. Simply poke the loaf, and if the tool comes out entirely clean, the banana bread is ready to be removed from the oven and cooled.

How to keep it fresh: Store your banana bread in a cool, dry place and wrap it up in a cling film or use an airtight container to preserve natural moisture and prevent it from drying out too quickly.

 

3. Brownies

Who can resist a good brownie, right? So, if your kids are also fans of this delectable treat, make the gloomy day a bit better with this amazing rainy day baking recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup or 2 sticks of unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder

Step-By-Step Prep 

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
• Microwave the butter and one cup of chocolate chips for about one and a half minutes, and then let them sit for three minutes before combining.
• Slowly whisk in the granulated and brown sugars, vanilla and salt.
• Mix in the eggs until fully combined.
• Sift cocoa powder and flour into a bowl and combine well.
• Add the remaining chocolate chips.
• Line a baking pan with parchment paper and spread the batter evenly.
• Bake for about 35-40 minutes.
• Cool it off completely before cutting.

How to make them even more yummy: To top things off, you can also add whipped cream, crushed almonds and hazelnuts, or caramel topping to your brownies. Trust us, this will only improve the flavor.

 

4. Cinnamon Rolls

If you’re not sure what to bake on a rainy day, you simply can’t go wrong with cinnamon rolls. While they may take some time to prepare, these delightful baked goods are best enjoyed with a nice tall glass of cold milk.

Ingredients

Dough

• ½ cup unsalted, melted butter
• 2 cups warm milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 5 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt

Filling

• ¾ cup softened butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Frosting

• ½ cup softened cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar

 Step-By-Step Prep

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F. 
• Grease two cake pans.
• Combine warm milk, melted butter and sugar in a large bowl.
• Add yeast evenly over the mixture and leave it to rest for about one to two minutes.
• Gradually add four cups of flour to the milk mixture until combined.
• Cover the bowl and leave it in a warm place for about an hour so that the dough can rise.
• Once risen, add a mixture of ¾ cup flour, baking powder and salt to the dough.
• Mix well and pour the mixture out on a floured surface.
• As you knead the dough, add the remaining flour, if necessary, to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface.
• Roll out the dough in a rectangular shape until it’s about ½ inch thick.
• Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
• Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the dough.
• Roll up the dough to form a log and pinch the seam closed.
• Place seam-side down to prevent it from unrolling.
• Cut the log in half and divide each half into about six to seven evenly-sized pieces.
• Place the rolls in pans.
• Cover with cling film and leave the dough in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes.
• Remove the cling film and bake until golden brown or for about 25-30 minutes.

For the frosting:

• Mix together cream cheese, butter, milk, vanilla and powdered sugar.
• Drizzle the frosting over baked, warm cinnamon rolls.

How to heat up cinnamon rolls: To warm up your cinnamon rolls, preheat the oven to 275˚F. Place an oven-safe cup of water into a baking dish and place it on a lower shelf of the oven. Then, put your cinnamon rolls on another baking pan and reheat them in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will help warm up the cinnamon rolls thoroughly while also preventing them from drying out. 

 

5. Apple Pie

Apple pie is a staple in many cultures, so why not treat your kids to a dessert that’s favored across the globe? Although you may nowadays find plenty of delicious store-bought apple pies, none of them can really compete with a homemade version.

Ingredients

Pie Dough

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ sticks butter, 1 1/2 sticks, cold, cubed
• 8 tablespoons ice water

Filling

• 7 cups granny smith apples, cored, sliced and peeled
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ lemon
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Step-By-Step Prep

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Mix flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
• Mix in butter to the best of your abilities – pea-sized lumps of butter are okay.
• Gradually add the ice water and continue to mix until dough is formed.
• Work the dough with your hands until you form a ball, cover it with cling film and refrigerate.
• Prep your apples and combine them with sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice.
• Mix until all apples are coated and refrigerate.
• Flour a surface, cut the pie dough in half and roll out both halves until round and about ⅛-inch thick.
• Transfer the dough onto a pie dish.
• Pour in the apple filling mixture.
• Roll the other half of the dough on top.
• Seal the edges together.
• Give the pie an egg wash and sprinkle it with sugar.
• Cut four slits in the top of the pie to create a vent.
• Bake the pie until golden brown, or for about 50-60 minutes.
• Allow to cool completely before slicing.

For some extra flavor: You can also top your apple pie off with whipped cream or even vanilla ice cream and serve it with hot cocoa. And, if you’ve invited some friends over, serve the apple pie with ice cream topping and a warm latte or espresso on the side.

 

6. Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are all-time favorite holiday treats, but that doesn’t mean you have to make them for holidays only. Instead, you can use the rainy weather outside as the perfect excuse to have some fun with your kids and make gingerbread cookies of all shapes and sizes.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ sticks softened, unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups sugar, divided
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Step-By-Step Prep

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Use a hand mixer to combine butter and one cup of sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg and molasses, and beat until smooth.
• Combine all-purpose flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking and salt in a medium bowl.
• Slowly mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until well combined.
• Add the remaining half cup of sugar to a shallow dish and spread it out evenly.
• Roll the dough into one-and-a-half-inch balls.
• Use cookie cutters to shape or shape by hand.
• Coat the cookies in sugar (optional) and place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Space the cookies about two inches apart.
• Bake until puffed and lightly brown or for about 10–12 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.

Let the fun begin: Once the cookies have cooled, mix up a simple frosting, divide it into a few containers and add food coloring. Use a piping bag to draw up designs, or have your kids create edible art with plastic spoons. For even more style and pizzazz, add colorful sprinkles and edible glitter.

 

7. Matcha Snickerdoodles

Not only are macadoodles super popular with kids of all ages – due to their vibrant green color and unique taste, but they are also a very healthy snack packed with antioxidants and vitamins. So, if you wish to try out this star of rainy day baking recipes, make sure you keep reading.

Ingredients

• ¾ cups softened, unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 room-temperature eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons matcha powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Step-By-Step Prep

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix sugar and matcha powder in a small bowl.
• Cream butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl.
• Add beaten eggs mixed with vanilla and salt.
• Sift all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, and mix well.
• Gradually combine with the batter until it forms a silky-smooth dough.
• Scoop out the cookie dough portions with a cookie scoop.
• Flatten the cookie dough balls or use a cookie cutter to shape them.
• Cover the cookies with matcha sugar mixture and place them on a baking sheet.
• Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes.
• Leave the cookies to cool on a wire rack.

How to prevent matcha snickerdoodles from turning brown: If you wish to keep your matcha snickerdoodles nice and green, make sure you bake them correctly. Place the pan on the middle oven rack to ensure that your cookies are not too close to the heat source, check on them regularly and even consider using an oven thermometer if your oven runs a bit hotter.

 

8. Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Raspberry cheesecake is a great sweet and tart option, especially if your kids still can’t eat super firm and crisp desserts. With their light and airy texture, raspberry cheesecake bars instantly remind us of summer and sunny days that are sure to come once the rain passes. So, bring a bit of summer and sunshine to your kitchen with this baked goodie. 

Ingredients

• 10 graham crackers
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups reduced-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 cups raspberry
• 1 pack of raspberry jello

Step-By-Step Prep

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Crush or ground graham crackers.
• Mix the ground cracker crumbs with milk until well incorporated.
• Transfer the cracker mixture to a baking pan.
• Press down evenly to form a flat crust.
• Bake for 15 minutes and then allow to cool completely.
• Reduce the oven to 300°F.
• Whisk cream cheese, honey, greek yogurt, eggs, vanilla and cornstarch in a large bowl until smooth.
• Evenly spread the cheesecake batter over the cooled graham cracker crust.
• Put it back into the oven and bake for about one hour.
• Allow the cheesecake to cool before topping it with fresh raspberries.
• Pour cooked raspberry jello over the fresh raspberries and leave it to set for about two hours.
• Once set, unmold, slice into bars and serve.

How to store cheesecake: In order to preserve the structure and the flavor, store your raspberry cheesecake bars in the fridge, but not before wrapping them with cling film to preserve moisture.

 

9. Linzer Cookies

Rainy days can get quite doomy and gloomy, so it’s super important that you find a fun indoor activity that will keep both you and your little ones entertained. And what better activity to choose than baking?

The atmosphere you create once you turn on all the lights, start preheating the oven and get all the pots and pans ready will simply chase the gloom away. For even more fun, allow your kids to play with flour, get them to help you decorate the baked treats and even dare to get a little creative and experiment with various ingredients and recipes.

The best part is that once you’re all done, you’ll get to enjoy all of the freshly baked treats. And who cares that it’s raining outside when you have a full plate of fresh cookies to go through, right?

 

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