This World Baking Day, we are highlighting delicious bakes from around the world. We have created a list of international favourites and recipes for you to try out at home. This World Baking Day is the perfect excuse to explore new flavours, all from your own kitchen.
First up is the UK, and what better way to kick things off than with a batch of freshly baked scones?
Ingredients
350g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
85g unsalted butter
3 tbsp caster sugar
175ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
Jam and clotted cream
Instructions
Preheat your oven to fan 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix the flour and baking powder, then rub in butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Stir in the sugar and make a well in the middle of the mixture.
Warm the milk slightly and mix in the vanilla before pouring into the dry mix. Combine quickly into a soft dough.
Flip the mixture onto a floured surface and fold a few times before patting to around 2.5cm thick.
Use a cutter to shape the scones play on the tray before brushing with the beaten egg.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and cool before serving.
Serve with clotted cream and a delicious fruit jam of your choice.
From Japan, we’re bringing you a Matcha Butter Cake, a delicious way to join in on the growing matcha trend.
Ingredients
200g plain flour
2 tsp matcha powder
1 tsp baking powder
225g unsalted butter
180g caster sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
60ml milk
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 170°C and grease and line an 8-inch round tin.
Sift together flour, baking powder and matcha powder.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time while beating well. Stir in the vanilla.
Fold in the flour mix and the milk until combined.
Pour into the tin and bake for 45-55 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Next up is France, with a classic breakfast favourite, the Pain au Chocolat.
Ingredients
250g strong white bread flour
30g sugar
5g salt
5g instant yeast
150ml cold water
165g unsalted butter
1 egg
8 sticks of dark chocolate
Instructions
Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl. Gradually add water and mix into dough. Knead for 8–10 minutes.
Roll into a rectangle, wrap, and chill for 30 mins.
Place butter between parchment paper and flatten into a square.
Roll dough, place butter in the centre, fold like an envelope, and chill.
Do two more folds with chilling in between.
Roll out, cut into rectangles, place chocolate, and roll up.
Proof on a tray for 1–2 hours. Preheat oven to 200°C.
Brush with egg wash and bake for 15–20 mins.
If you love shortbread but want something a little different, try Nankhatai — a spiced Indian twist on the classic cookie.
Ingredients
150g plain flour
50g gram flour
50g semolina
125g ghee or unsalted butter
100g icing sugar
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
Chopped pistachios or almonds
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 170°C and line a tray with parchment.
Beat the ghee and icing sugar together until light.
Mix in the cardamom, flours, baking soda and knead into a soft dough.
Make small balls, flatten them slightly and garnish with the nuts.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges are golden.
Cool completely until they crisp up!
And lastly, we’re finishing in the USA with a classic treat, the cinnamon swirl. Sweet, sticky, and impossible to resist.
Ingredients
Dough:
500g strong white bread flour
75g caster sugar
7g dried yeast
1 tsp salt
250ml warm milk
75g unsalted butter
1 egg
Filling:
100g soft brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
60g unsalted butter
Icing:
100g icing sugar
1–2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Mix the flour, sugar, yeast and salt together before adding the warm milk, melter butter and egg.
Knead the dough until smooth (around 10 minutes), cover, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours.
Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread with butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
Roll tightly and cut into 12 pieces.
Place in a greased dish, cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Bake at 180°C for 20–25 mins.
Drizzle icing over while warm!
Whether you bake all the time or you are just starting out on a new hobby, World Baking Day is a great opportunity to try something new. From scones to nankhatai, these recipes bring a small taste of cultures from around the world, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. Happy Baking!