How to make cookies, pancakes and Nutella cake using three ingredients or less

Want to start with some simple baking? Try these easy recipes that use minimal ingredients

From two-igreedient Nutella cake to healthy banana pancakes, these baking ideas take minimal work. The National / TikTok

If being in quarantine has sparked your baking curiosity, you might be looking for the best place to start when it comes to whipping up some sweet treats in the kitchen.

And if you want to keep things simple to begin with, there are plenty of delicious options that need only a handful of ingredients and little preparation.

From cakes made from only two basic household items, to guilt-free cookies, here are some fool proofrecipes to get you started.

Two-ingredient Nutella cake

It really is as simple as it sounds. All you need is eight eggs and a jar of Nutella.

Start by preheating the oven to 180° Celsius and making sure your Nutella has been left at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Beat the eggs, preferably with an electric whisk, until they make a nice white foam. Gently fold in half a jar of Nutella – roughly 240 grams – and stir the mixture into a smooth batter.

Pour into a greased baking tray and bake for 40 minutes. Once it’s done, it should still be nice and gooey in the middle. Let it cool and, if you have it, sprinkle with icing sugar to serve.

Almond and banana cookies

Another two-ingredient win, shared on Instagram by The Petite Cook – and this one is guilt-free, too. All you need is some ripe bananas and ground almonds. Pop the two ingredients together in a blender and mix until they are well combined.

Once mixed, shape the mixture into balls and place on a lined baking tray. Bake in the oven for between 20 and 30 minutes at 180°C, depending on how you like the consistency of your cookies, and enjoy.

This one is dairy-free and gluten-free, too!

Banana pancakes 

If you have overdone banana bread, but have some ripe bananas lying around, these flourless pancakes are a great one to try. Mash one ripe banana in a bowl and mix in two eggs. Beat the mixture until it has combined, and add a quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda. You can sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon into the mix for flavour if required.

Melt coconut oil or butter in frying pan on medium heat, and pour the mixture into even-sized circles. Cook each side for about three minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with a drizzle of honey.