20 Rainy Day Baking Recipes
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My Rainy Day Baking collection is my list of 20 baking recipes for days when you're stuck indoors, from sticky buns and muffins to pound cakes, tarts, and cookies. These are some of our favorites, and I can't wait for you to try them!
There is something about a grey, drizzly afternoon that makes me want to turn on the oven. The windows fog up, the kitchen smells like butter and cinnamon, and suddenly the lack of sunshine doesn't matter so much anymore.
I've gathered 20 recipes that work especially well on rainy days. You'll find breakfasts you can make ahead, like sticky buns and French toast casserole, along with muffins and quick breads that bake up in one bowl. There are also chocolate desserts, pound cakes, and a handful of cookies you can mix up while the kettle heats.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, moist cinnamon rolls spiraled with gooey brown sugar and warm cinnamon, then finished with a tangy icing. They're a natural pick for a lazy morning when the rain has you staying in your pajamas. Your family will be happy to wait for them.
Sticky Buns Recipe
These sticky buns are gooey and sweet, and you can assemble them the day before and bake them fresh in the morning. That make-ahead step is what makes them perfect for a wet weekend breakfast. Nothing gets the house smelling better on a gray day.
Monkey Bread
Monkey bread made from scratch with homemade biscuit dough, cinnamon sugar, and a buttery brown sugar glaze. Pull-apart pieces make it fun to share at the table. It's an easy way to turn a rainy morning into a little celebration.
Homemade Cinnamon Bread Recipe
A soft, yeasty cinnamon bread with just a touch of sweetness. It's wonderful toasted and buttered with a cup of tea. Kids love helping shape it, which makes it a good indoor project for a rainy afternoon.
Croissant Bread Pudding
Day-old croissants soak up a sweet vanilla custard and bake into something airy and buttery. It's a quick and easy way to use up leftover pastries. Serve it warm on a chilly, damp morning.
French Toast Casserole
Soft in the middle, crispy on the edges, and flavored with maple, cinnamon, and vanilla. You can make it the night before, so breakfast is ready to bake while everyone is still sleepy. It's a reliable crowd pleaser for slow weekend mornings.
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Moist, light muffins with zippy orange and tart cranberries. The recipe is simple enough to mix quickly when the weather is too dreary to go out. They're a bright treat when the sky is gray.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Little chocolate chip muffins that are especially good in mini size, which my kids love. You can bake a big batch and keep them in the freezer for busy mornings. They're a cheerful way to start a rainy day.
Brownie Pudding Cake
A warm chocolate dessert with a soft, pudding-like center and gooey sauce that forms as it bakes. There's nothing fussy about it, and it's a comforting pick for a cold evening. Serve it with a spoon.
German Chocolate Bundt Cake
A chocolate quick bread made with coconut milk and ribboned with toasted pecans and coconut flakes. A drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce adds a buttery glaze. It makes a satisfying treat for a quiet, wet afternoon.
Pineapple Cream Cheese Pound Cake
A simple pound cake with cream cheese and pineapple that bakes up so moist and velvety. It's easy to make, and the tropical flavor feels like a little escape from gray skies. Slice it and enjoy with coffee.
Mini Brown Sugar Pound Cakes
Mini brown sugar pound cakes that are moist and velvety-soft, topped with a sweet icing. Their small size makes them easy to share or wrap up as a gift. They're a cozy choice for an indoor afternoon.
Swiss Roll Cake
A rich chocolate sponge rolled around a light, fluffy whipped cream filling and coated in chocolate glaze. It looks impressive, but the method is straightforward. This is a good project when you have a few quiet hours at home.
Chocolate Cheesecake
A creamy, rich chocolate cheesecake for when you really need a decadent treat. It's dense and satisfying, the kind of dessert that suits a chilly, gloomy evening. A small slice goes a long way.
Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
A buttery shortbread crust filled with salted caramel and topped with dark chocolate glaze. It tastes like a Twix bar in tart form. Its rich flavor makes it a welcome treat on a dreary day.
Cream Puff Recipe
Cream puffs that bake up light as air and are filled with sweet whipped cream and dusted with powdered sugar. The method takes some attention, but the results are reliable. They're a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon in the kitchen.
Chocolate Rugelach
Tender cream cheese pastry rolled around rich dark chocolate. These cookies are wonderful with a cup of coffee while the rain keeps falling outside. They also make a thoughtful gift for the holidays.
Shortbread Cookies
Classic shortbread made with just 5 ingredients. The method is as simple as can be, and the cookies come out buttery and delicious. They're a dependable choice when your pantry is nearly bare.
Almond Biscotti Recipe
Crisp, crunchy biscotti infused with sweet almond flavor. They keep well in a jar, so you can bake once and enjoy them all week. They pair nicely with a hot cup of coffee on a damp morning.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Jam thumbprint cookies with a soft, tender cream cheese base and a dollop of sweet, fruity jam. They practically melt in your mouth. This is an easy batch to make while the kettle is on.
Rainy days are made for slow baking, so pick one recipe from this list and give it a try this week. Come back and tell me how it turned out, and let me know which one becomes your new favorite!
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