When in lockdown people had lots and lots of time on their hands. People were dying of boredom and had no idea what to do with their time. With so much time on their hands they went to find new and fun hobbies. One of the hobbies that was big was baking. Baking was a good way to make time go by quicker and you would have a nice dessert after that you could enjoy. Baking was big, a lot of new recipes came out. Here is a couple that were pretty easy and fun to make.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• salted butter 150g, melted
• soft dark brown sugar 75g
• caster sugar 75g
• egg 1
• vanilla extract ½ tsp
• plain flour 100g
• strong white bread flour 100g
• baking powder ½ tsp
• sea salt flakes a pinch, plus extra to serve
• dark chocolate 100g, chopped into small chunks

Steps:

1. Whisk together the melted butter and sugars using electric beaters until light, thick and fluffy, then add the egg and vanilla extract, and whisk again until really light and fluffy.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the flours, baking powder and a pinch of sea salt, then fold into the butter and sugar mixture to make a dough. Reserve 16 of the largest dark chocolate pieces and set aside. Fold the remaining chopped chocolate into the dough.

3. Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. Use an ice-cream scoop to make 8 dough balls, then place them on the trays ensuring there are large gaps around each one (the cookies will spread in the oven). Push the large chunks of reserved chocolate into each ball and chill in the fridge for an hour.

4. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just set, and a little brown at the edges. Cool on the trays for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with extra sea salt, if you like.

Cinnamon Buns

Ingredients

• plain flour for dusting
• puff pastry 500g block
• egg 1, beaten
• golden caster sugar 75g
• ground cinnamon 1 1/2 tbsp

Steps:

1. Lightly dust a work surface with flour, roll out the pastry to a 50cm x 50cm square, then brush well with beaten egg.
2. Mix the sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle over the pastry.

3. Fold the pastry in half towards you and pinch the edges to seal.

4. Roll out again to a 40cm x 50cm rectangle, then cut the pastry into 10 (5cm-wide) strips.

5. Take a strip and twist it into a corkscrew shape by holding one end and twisting the other.

6. Wrap the pastry around itself so that you have a flat, twisted spiral.

7. Tuck the end underneath the pastry, squeezing to stick it. Repeat with the remaining strips.

8. At this stage the pastries can be frozen on a baking tray and, once frozen, transferred to freezer bags.

9. To cook, fully defrost in the fridge overnight before baking.

10. To bake, heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Put the pastries on a baking paper-lined tray and glaze with more beaten egg.

11. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Cool a little on a wire rack before eating warm.

These are some awesome recipes that’ll leave you’re cravings satisfied and get rid of your boredom. Don’t be afraid to try these and and your own little twist on them.