Keen to start baking but not sure which treat to try first? Today we recommend some bakery recipes that are easy to make.
If you would like to try baking at home but cannot decide where to begin, here are some bakery recipes that are simple, need only a few ingredients and do not require lots of fiddly baking equipment. Our recommendations are:
1. Egg Tarts
A bakery favorite whose name alone brings its wonderful aroma to mind. Although an egg tart has two components that are made separately, the pastry case and the custard filling, it is easy to make if you use ready-made tart shells and ready-made egg tart filling, both available from bakery supply shops.
Making egg tarts with ready-made shells and filling takes just a few steps. Place the tart shells on a tray, pour in the filling until almost full, then put the tarts straight into the oven. Bake at a high heat of about 220–230°C for 20 minutes, and you will have beautiful egg tarts with nicely caramelized edges.
2. Pancakes
Pancakes are pan-cooked treats that are very easy to make. The batter needs just a few ingredients: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, cow's milk, butter and salt, mixed together until smooth in the quantities your recipe calls for. Once the batter is smooth, heat a flat pan over medium heat.
When the pan is hot, add a little butter and let it melt, then pour in the pancake batter in whatever size you like. When the underside starts to set, flip the pancake and cook the other side until done. Serve with berries or any syrup you like.
There is an even easier way to make pancakes: use a ready-made pancake mix, available in most supermarkets. With this kind of mix, you just add milk and 2 eggs, and the batter is ready in no time.
3. Waffles
Waffles, known in Thai as khanom rang phueng ('honeycomb cake'), are another easy bake, because like pancakes they consist of just one batter. The only extra you need is a waffle maker. The batter is made from all-purpose flour, fresh milk, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract and a little fine salt. Once everything is mixed until smooth, it is ready to cook in the waffle maker.
Before pouring in the batter, brush the waffle plates with a little vegetable oil, then cook the batter in the machine. If you want to add fillings such as raisins, sweetcorn or foi thong (sweet golden egg-yolk threads), pour batter into half of the mold first, add your filling, then pour the remaining batter over the top.
If you would rather not fuss with mixing batter, there are ready-made waffle mixes just like pancake mixes; you only need to add your own eggs and fresh milk. When using a ready-made mix, simply follow the instructions on the box.
