12 Impressive Baking Therapy Recipes
Chase those blues away with decadent desserts!
While an unbelievably fudgy brownie or a slice of lemon cheesecake may not be a cure-all, we've never known a dessert to put a damper on anyone's mood. If you've had a bad day and need to eat your feelings, feel like baking up a storm to match that whirlwind of a week you just experienced, or want to channel your stress, exhaustion, worries, or all of the above into something devilishly delicious, these decadent, over-the-top (in the best way) desserts are your ticket.
The Benefits of Stress Baking
Stress baking is more than just a way to whip up delicious treats; it’s a wonderful coping mechanism that can significantly benefit your mental health!
The repetitive motions of mixing and kneading can be incredibly calming, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Plus, the sense of accomplishment you get from creating something delicious can boost your mood and self-esteem.
Baking also allows you to express your creativity, whether you’re experimenting with new recipes or adding your unique twist to old favorites. Sharing your baked goods with friends and family can foster a strong sense of community and connection, easing feelings of loneliness.
And let’s not forget the mindfulness aspect—baking requires focus and attention, which can help you stay present and grounded in the moment. So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider turning to stress baking as a delightful way to relieve stress and improve your overall well-being!
1. Shirley Temple Cupcakes
Is there anything more comforting than this childhood favorite turned dessert? These cupcakes are a pretty shade of pink thanks to alcohol-free grenadine and marischino cherries, two hallmarks of the Shirley Temple mocktail. You'll want to eat the frosting with a spoon!
2. Donut Muffins
If there's a freshly baked cinnamon sugar donut hole in your life, grab the muffin pan and get ready for these bites of buttery donut muffin goodness. And with an easy dump-and-stir recipe, these sweet and nostalgic muffins are easy for bakers of all ages to enjoy.
3. Neapolitan Cake
A flavor to fit every mood! With vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate layers separated by Swiss meringue buttercream, this Neapolitan cake stacks up against just about every dessert out there.
4. Grasshopper Sandwich Cookies
These minty cookie sandwiches are sure to put a spring in your step. grasshopper sandwich cookies are chock full of cool minty goodness. Between two fudgy chocolate rounds, you'll find fluffy buttercream tinted green with alcohol-free crème de menthe syrup. Drizzle and top each cookie sandwich with melted chocolate and chopped candies and you've got yourself a treat that the whole family can enjoy!
5. Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
Grab the biggest dessert spoon you can find, because you'll want to taste all the layers of this lemon meringue cheesecake in every single bite; buttery graham cracker crust, zesty cheesecake filling, tart lemon curd, and sky-high toasted meringue.
6. Angel Food Cake
This angel food cake lives up to its name: it's so airy and light that you'll definitely want to go back for seconds (maybe thirds, too). Top it with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or all of the above, because a cake like this is versatile enough to be paired with whatever yummy toppings you're in the mood for!
7. S'mores Donut Sandwiches
There's something cathartic about eating a messy, gooey, ultra-decadent dessert with your hands. Take these s'mores donut sandwiches, for example: they're stuffed with toasted marshmallow that's guaranteed to ooze out when you go in for that first bite. Don't forget the napkins!
8. Baked Alaska Cupcakes
On a particularly bad day, cake just doesn't cut it. But cake and ice cream just might do the trick! These baked Alaska cupcakes are made with a vanilla sponge and raspberry chip ice cream, so you'll get the best of both worlds when you dig in.
9. Banana Pudding Cheesecake
When you need a pick-me-up, classic Southern comfort foods never fail. And with its vanilla wafer cookie crust, creamy banana and cream cheese filling, homemade whipped cream, and drizzles of caramel sauce, this banana pudding cheesecake is the ultimate dessert version of comfort food.
10. Red, White, and Blue Almond Trifle
When you're feeling down, there's nothing like some fresh fruit and whipped cream to help cheer you up! Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are the main event in this amond pound cake trifle, but it wouldn't be complete without the lip-smacking white chocolate pudding.
11. Maple Pecan Cheesecake
Calling all maple syrup lovers: this dessert is for you! Between the full cup of maple syrup and dash of maple extract, each slice of this maple pecan cheesecake comes dripping with authentic maple flavor and silky sweet pecan caramel that is guaranteed to warm the hearts of maple lovers every
12. Raspberry Pound Cake Cupcakes
How could the beautiful candy butterflies that adorn these cupcakes not bring a smile to your face? Whether you include the decorations or not, the combination of raspberry pound cake and cream cheese frosting is delicious enough to turn any day around.
13. Marble Cake
Need a break from the stresses of work, school, or just daily life? Get lost in the hypnotizing swirls of chocolate and vanilla when you cut a slice of this marble cake. No guarantee that it will make your worries disappear, but it's worth a try!
14. 4 Ingredient Hazelnut Brownies
When you want a brownie, you want a rich, chewy, dense brownie that's as close to straight-up fudge as you can get. These hazelnut brownies are exactly that! They also take under half an hour to make, so it wouldn't hurt to file the recipe away for any future chocolate emergencies.
15. Almond Custard Layer Cake
The silky smooth almond custard is the star of this layer cake. One bite and you'll know why! It's nestled between a light almond crumb and a classic frosting, which makes the perfect base for piping, colorful decorations, or even sprinkles.
