World Baking Day: 7 Quick and Easy Baking Recipes for School Staff

Why Is World Baking Day a Great Opportunity for School Staff?

Working in a school can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Between managing budgets, supporting pupils, organising resources and keeping everything running smoothly, finding time for yourself isn’t always easy.

For school business managers (SBMs), teachers and support staff, World Baking Day offers a simple opportunity to switch off from everyday responsibilities and enjoy something creative.

Baking can be a relaxing activity outside school hours, while sharing homemade treats in the staffroom can bring colleagues together and encourage conversation.

Whether you’re looking for a chocolatey pick-me-up, a homemade lunch or something to enjoy with your afternoon cup of tea, we’ve brought together seven delicious recipes that are easy to prepare.

1. Chocolate Fudge Brownies

If you’re looking for an indulgent treat to enjoy during a busy school day, these chocolate fudge brownies are a great choice. Rich, gooey and packed with chocolate chunks, they’re ideal for sharing with colleagues or enjoying during a well-deserved break.

Baking time: 25 minutes | Oven: 200°C / 180°C fan

Ingredients

• 170g unsalted butter
• 150g milk chocolate, chopped
• 225g caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 30g cocoa powder
• 95g plain flour
• 100g milk and dark chocolate chunks

How to Make Chocolate Fudge Brownies

• Prepare your ingredients. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan and lightly grease a square baking tin with extra butter. Melt the butter and chopped milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth. Leave to cool slightly.
• Whisk the eggs and sugar. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and caster sugar until the mixture doubles in volume and forms a ribbon that holds for approximately three seconds when the whisk is lifted.
• Combine the ingredients. Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs and sugar. Sift in the cocoa powder and plain flour, mixing until combined. Fold in most of the chocolate chunks, saving a few for the top.
• Bake the brownies. Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking tin, sprinkle over the remaining chocolate chunks and bake for approximately 25 minutes. The brownies should have a shiny top with a slight wobble in the centre.
• Cool and serve. Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing into squares. Pack them into airtight containers for a delicious staffroom treat.

Top tip: For particularly fudgy brownies, avoid overbaking. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.

2. Goat’s Cheese and Spinach Muffins

Not every bake needs to be sweet! These savoury goat’s cheese and spinach muffins are ideal for a homemade lunch, afternoon snack or something different to enjoy during your break.

They’re also easy to pack into lunchboxes, making them a practical option for busy school staff.

Baking time: 15 minutes | Oven: 200°C / 180°C fan

Ingredients

• 175g self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 40g unsalted butter, melted
• 115ml semi-skimmed milk or suitable alternative
• 20g hard cheese, grated
• 50g baby spinach, finely chopped
• 1½ tbsp chives
• 60g soft goat’s cheese

How to Make Goat’s Cheese and Spinach Muffins

• Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 200°C/180°C fan and line a muffin tray with paper cases.
• Mix the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour, baking powder, egg, melted butter, milk, grated cheese, spinach and chives. Stir using a wooden spoon until combined.
• Add the goat’s cheese. Gently mix 40g of goat’s cheese into the muffin mixture. Divide evenly between the muffin cases and crumble the remaining goat’s cheese over the top.
• Bake until golden. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until the muffins are risen and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Top tip: These muffins are particularly tasty served with soup or alongside a fresh salad.

3. Blueberry Flapjacks

Blueberry flapjacks are a simple homemade treat that combines hearty oats with sweet blueberries. They’re easy to prepare, require just five ingredients and are ideal for enjoying with a cup of tea during your break.

You could even make a batch to share with colleagues during World Baking Day.

Baking time: 15 minutes | Oven: 200°C / 180°C fan

Ingredients

• 250g oats
• 125g butter
• 125g light brown sugar
• 2–3 tbsp golden syrup
• 125g blueberries

How to Make Blueberry Flapjacks

• Prepare the mixture. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan. Place the oats, butter, light brown sugar and golden syrup into a food processor and pulse briefly until combined. Avoid overmixing, as you want to retain some texture.
• Add the blueberries. Gently stir the blueberries into the oat mixture using a spoon.
• Transfer to a baking tin. Lightly grease a baking tin with butter and spoon in the mixture. Use the back of a spoon to press it evenly into the corners.
• Bake until golden. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown. Allow the flapjacks to cool and firm up before cutting into squares.

Top tip: Store your flapjacks in an airtight container to keep them ready for a homemade snack during the working week.

4. Classic Homemade Shortbread

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. This homemade shortbread recipe uses just four ingredients and creates delicious, buttery biscuits that melt in your mouth.

Perfect alongside your morning coffee or afternoon cup of tea, shortbread is a great choice for school staff looking for an easy baking activity.

Baking time: 25–30 minutes | Oven: 180°C / 160°C fan

Ingredients

• 250g unsalted butter, softened
• 350g plain flour
• 50g rice flour
• 100g caster sugar, plus 1 tbsp for sprinkling

How to Make Homemade Shortbread

• Prepare the oven and baking tin. Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan and lightly butter a baking tray or tin.
• Combine the ingredients. Using a food processor or mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, plain flour, rice flour and caster sugar until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Shape your dough. Bring the mixture together to form a dough, then press it evenly into your prepared tin.
• Mark and bake. Using a sharp knife, lightly mark the dough into approximately 16 rectangular bars. Sprinkle the remaining caster sugar over the top and bake for 25–30 minutes until set and lightly golden.
• Cool and cut. Leave the shortbread in the tin for five minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Cut along the marked lines to create individual shortbread bars.

Top tip: Shortbread makes a lovely homemade gift for colleagues, particularly when packaged in a decorative bag or box.

5. Cheese and Potato Loaf

If you prefer savoury baking, this cheese and potato loaf is a delicious alternative to traditional bread.

Combining soft potato, garlic and melted cheese, it’s particularly enjoyable served warm alongside a bowl of soup.

It’s a great option for preparing a homemade lunch to enjoy away from your desk.

Baking time: 25 minutes | Oven: 220°C / 200°C fan

Ingredients

• 350g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 85g butter, cubed
• 150g natural yoghurt
• 4 tbsp milk
• 250g cooked potato, sliced
• 50g Parmesan cheese
• 85g cheese of your choice

How to Make Cheese and Potato Loaf

• Prepare the garlic. Heat some of the olive oil in a frying pan and gently cook the sliced garlic for approximately 10 minutes until softened. Set aside and preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan.
• Make the dough mixture. In a large bowl or food processor, combine the self-raising flour, salt and baking powder. Add the cubed butter and rub or blend until evenly incorporated. Make a well in the centre.
• Add the yoghurt and milk. Warm the yoghurt and milk together in a saucepan for approximately one minute. Pour the mixture into the flour and quickly combine using a cutlery knife until a dough begins to form.
• Add the filling. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Press into a large rectangle, then add the cooked potato, softened garlic and most of the grated cheese. Gently fold and knead the dough a few more times before shaping it into a round loaf.
• Bake the loaf. Transfer to a floured baking tray, score the top and sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and bake for approximately 25 minutes until risen, golden and bubbling around the edges.

Top tip: Serve a slice of this loaf alongside homemade vegetable soup for a comforting lunch during a busy school day.

6. Strawberry and White Chocolate Blondies

These strawberry and white chocolate blondies offer a fruity alternative to traditional chocolate brownies.

Combining creamy white chocolate with fresh strawberries, they’re a delicious homemade treat to enjoy during World Baking Day or share with colleagues in the staffroom.

Baking time: 40–45 minutes | Oven: 180°C / 160°C fan

Ingredients

• 100g unsalted butter, cubed
• 200g white chocolate, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 175g caster sugar
• 100g strawberries, halved

Recipe note: The original recipe also uses plain flour but does not specify the quantity. This needs to be confirmed before the recipe can be followed reliably.

How to Make Strawberry Blondies

• Prepare the baking tin. Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan and line a square baking tin with non-stick baking paper.
• Melt the chocolate. Place the butter and half of the white chocolate into a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth, then leave to cool slightly.
• Whisk the eggs and sugar. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and caster sugar until creamy. Gently fold in the cooled chocolate mixture, followed by the flour once its quantity has been confirmed.
• Add the remaining chocolate. Lightly coat the remaining chocolate pieces in a little flour, then fold approximately three-quarters into the blondie mixture.
• Decorate with strawberries. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking tin and level the surface. Lightly coat the strawberry halves in flour before arranging them on top alongside the remaining chocolate pieces.
• Bake and cool. Bake for 40–45 minutes until lightly browned. Check after 30 minutes and loosely cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly. Leave to cool before cutting into approximately 16 squares.

Top tip: Allow your blondies to cool completely before cutting them to achieve neater slices.

7. Chorizo and Cheese Scones

For something savoury with a little extra flavour, these chorizo and cheese scones are a fantastic choice.

They’re quick to bake, easy to prepare and delicious served warm. Pack one into your lunchbox or enjoy it as a tasty afternoon snack.

Baking time: 10–12 minutes | Oven: 220°C / 200°C fan

Ingredients

• 225g self-raising flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 50g butter, diced
• 60g chorizo
• 110g cheese of your choice
• Pinch of paprika
• 150ml milk

How to Make Chorizo and Cheese Scones

• Prepare the dry ingredients. Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan. Place the self-raising flour, salt and diced butter into a mixing bowl or food processor. Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Add the chorizo and cheese. Dice the chorizo and 60g of the cheese into small cubes. Add them to the flour mixture along with a pinch of paprika.
• Make the dough. Pour in the milk and use a cutlery knife to quickly combine the ingredients into a soft dough. Avoid overmixing.
• Shape the scones. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together. Press until approximately 4cm thick, then cut into 6–7cm squares. Rework any leftover dough and repeat.
• Bake until golden. Arrange the scones on a greased baking tray, sprinkle over the remaining cheese and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and well risen.

Top tip: These savoury scones are particularly enjoyable served warm with a little butter.

How Can School Staff Celebrate World Baking Day Together?

World Baking Day doesn’t have to involve a large event or complicated preparations. Sometimes, sharing a few homemade treats in the staffroom is enough to make someone’s day a little brighter.

Here are some simple ways to get colleagues involved:

• Organise a staffroom bake-off: Invite colleagues to bring in their favourite homemade creations and enjoy an informal tasting session.
• Create a recipe-sharing board: Encourage staff to exchange simple baking ideas and favourite family recipes.
• Arrange a staffroom tea break: Set aside an optional time when colleagues can enjoy a drink, a homemade treat and a chat.
• Celebrate different baking traditions: Invite colleagues to share baked goods and recipes that reflect different cultures and family traditions.
• Make baking accessible: Offer a mixture of sweet, savoury and suitable dietary options so more colleagues can participate.

Before sharing homemade food in school, check for allergies and dietary requirements, provide clear ingredient information and follow your school’s food hygiene arrangements.

The most important thing is keeping activities simple, inclusive and enjoyable rather than creating extra work for already busy staff.

Enjoy a Well-Deserved Break This World Baking Day

Whether you’re a school business manager balancing budgets, a teacher preparing lessons or a member of the support team keeping the school running, it’s important to make time for the things you enjoy.

From indulgent chocolate fudge brownies to savoury cheese scones, these seven quick and easy baking recipes offer plenty of inspiration for World Baking Day.

At GLS, we understand how busy school life can be. Schools. We get you. That’s why we believe practical ideas that make everyday routines a little easier are worth sharing.

So, why not choose your favourite recipe, put the kettle on and enjoy a well-deserved homemade treat?