Easy Baking Recipes for the Busy Mom

After our second miscarriage, I lived some of the darkest days of my life. The woman who always found the silver lining was just trying to make it another day. After a month of living this way, I went to a baby shower at work where I found out the host baked all the desserts herself and did this periodically for her department and thus my love for baking began.

Something in me snapped that day and I had a new focus. I was going to bake one treat, every single week for my colleagues. My goal was to find a national food holiday for each week and bake that item. I did this for a year and a half before our son was born; after his birth, I wanted to keep it going as a reminder of where I came from.

There was no longer a need to bake, but it kept me grateful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The catch was that I was now a working mama who needed to find some quick and easy recipes. What I discovered was that the easiest things I made got the best reactions from my coworkers. Since no mama has time for baking, I’ve compiled a list of easy baking recipes for the busy mom. Once you try them, you’ll be amazed at how delicious they are. 

Cookie Bars

These are a hit for any party, holiday, or work event. You can use chocolate chips, Oreos,  baking M&Ms, Reese Pieces, etc. There really is no ruining these.

Ingredients:
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 stick butter, melted
  • 2 bags chocolate chips*
Directions:

Mix cake mix, eggs, and butter until smooth. Add in chocolate chips (*or whatever your heart desires). Place in greased 13×9 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

When I first saw the ingredients for these, I was convinced I missed something. However, when a coworker came up to me and said these were the best treat I’ve made, I was pumped. I dare you to limit yourself to one. 

Ingredients:
  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1 16oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 bag chocolate chips
Directions:

Mix cake mix and pumpkin puree until smooth. Add in chocolate chips. Place in muffin liners and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. 

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Bread was intimidating for me because of all the ingredients entailed, but this recipe was easy and delicious. I always made sure to bring two loaves to work and it would still be gone by 10 a.m. 

Ingredients:
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 bag chocolate chips
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini (approximately 2 zucchini)
  • 1/4 cup water
Directions: 

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes in two bread pans.  Remove from pan and let sit out for one hour. Cover tightly and serve within two days.

Coffee Cake

Please don’t think I am fancy. I think by now you’ve realized these recipes take little to no effort, and this recipe is no different. It is also a huge hit at Christmas each year.

Ingredients:
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 3.4oz box instant vanilla pudding
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 3 tsp cinnamon
Directions:

Mix cake mix, vegetable oil, water, eggs, and vanilla instant pudding. Pour half of the mixture into the pan. Mix cinnamon and sugar. Pour half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture on cake batter. Add the remainder of the cake batter on top. Pour the remainder of cinnamon/sugar mixture last. Swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Croissants 

I always make this one on National Croissant Day and National Cinnamon Croissant Day– yes, both are legit days. This one is near and dear to my heart because one of the most stuck-up people I know, who shall remain nameless, loved this treat so much, she asked me for the recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 3 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
  • 1 bag chocolate chips
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 tsp cinnamon
Directions:

Unroll Crescent Rolls. Place a spoonful of chocolate chips in the middle and wrap so there are no openings. Mix sugar and cinnamon and dip the croissant into the mixture. Bake using directions on Crescent Roll package.

It’s Your Turn!

By now, I am sure you are either starving or eager to try these recipes. My challenge to you is to find more. I had a lot of luck with recipes that used cake mixes which saved me from buying extra ingredients and having to measure multiple ingredients. These are meant for busy moms, so they shouldn’t be an added stress. The recipes are so easy you could even have your littles help out.

So, if you are needing an outlet, I highly recommend trying it. I read an article that noted baking for others is therapeutic, and after what I went though, I couldn’t agree more. You don’t have to bake something every week, but if baking is something you’d like to do and feel like you don’t have the time, trust me, with these easy baking recipes, you do. Now go get that spatula, Mama!

Ready for more Fall Recipes? Head here for more meals in the kitchen or follow Lansing Mom on Pinterest for more inspiration.

Jessica Walter
I am a working mom who left the education world after 7 years to pursue my business career. I work as a product developer at a local insurance company and love it. My husband and sons are my world. We struggled for 3 years with fertility prior to adopting our first son. Later, we really wanted him to have a sibling so pursued IVF using donor embryos (because we firmly believe love makes a family) and were then blessed with our second son. When I’m not working or playing the wife/mom role, I love to run, read, bake, write, and tinker with photography. We all have a story to share and I hope some of my experiences will help others.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.