Mary Berry, the queen of British baking, has a plethora of recipe books and TV shows for aspiring home chefs to delve into. Her 'Complete Cookbook' alone boasts over 650 mouth-watering recipes.
However, it’s her spins on classic dishes that she's most renowned for - think Victoria sponge, hearty casseroles, roast dinner essentials, and festive favourites for every occasion, from Easter to .
If you're looking to broaden your culinary horizons or just fancy shaking things up in the kitchen, has compiled a list of Mary's easiest meals that we've tested ourselves. Some were shockingly quick to whip up and even replaced supermarket staples we thought were impossible to recreate at home.
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From fluffy scones to speedy pasta dishes, here are our top picks from Mary Berry's simplest recipes:
uses the all-in-one method and is filled with cream and jam. It's the perfect choice for those craving a light, airy chocolate cake that isn't overly rich. This cake took five minutes to prepare and required just 25 minutes in the oven.
2. Banana breadsuggests adding a drizzle of dark chocolate in a zig-zag pattern or a sprinkling of nuts on top of the finished loaf for an optional decorative touch. The banana bread emerges from the oven after 30 minutes with a lightly crunchy crust and a soft, spongey centre that's refreshingly light and moist.
3. Lemon drizzle traybakecalls for just eight ingredients, and the cake is topped off with a signature crunchy topping made from granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice. The lemon zest is also added to the cake for an extra zing.
4. Rocky RoadAccording to is "a super simple, no-bake fridge cake. Rocky Road is a real crowd pleaser for kids, but also lovely for grown-ups served with a cup of coffee as a relaxed dessert after a meal." The recipe couldn't be simpler, with six ingredients, including a crunchy honeycomb.
Despite needing several hours to set, the cheesecake takes less than 10 minutes to assemble. and butter for the base, which Express.co.uk suggests doubling to create a thicker base.
6. Pancakes, making them a speedy treat. Because they are intended to be super thin, there's enough pancake batter to make 12. However, Express.co.uk found that this recipe should be doubled to make the pancakes large enough to fit in a large frying pan.
7. 15-minute pastaSharing , Mary said, "This is my standby pasta supper as it is so delicious, so quick, and everyone loves it. It's great for everyday or casual supper parties, too. Its base is a creme fraiche pasta sauce topped with crispy parma ham, adding flavour and great texture."
8. Fluffy sconesScones are a classic British treat, and promises perfect results with minimal fuss. You can find her straightforward method at Food, which means you can bake 16 petite scones in no more than half an hour.
When it comes to Easter indulgences, Mary Berry truly outdoes herself. While she's known for her luxurious Easter simnel cake and rich chocolate steamed pudding, as well as delectable lemon pavlova and chocolate truffle pots, it's that stand out for their simplicity and quick prep time – ideal for those who prefer a lighter sweet treat.
10. Chicken Chow Mein, branding its taste as "gently spiced" in her book Mary's Foolproof Dinners. An added perk of cooking this takeout favourite at home is that any spare ingredients enhance your pantry, ready for another culinary adventure.
11. Coffee and walnut cakeAmong – a timeless two-layered coffee-infused sponge packed with crunchy walnuts within and atop the cake.
12. Sausage and potato hotpotWhip up some homely grub with minimal fuss using —it's the ultimate comfort food ready in a jiffy. Peel, chop, toss it all together in a dish, and let the oven do the rest.
Sink your teeth into , crowned with a silky milk chocolate ganache and artfully feathered with white chocolate. The secret to its incredibly moist sponge? A dollop of apricot jam, as Mary recommended, brushed on while it's still warm.
14. Foolproof flapjacksWith just four staple ingredients, is as "foolproof" as they come. Whip them up in no time and stash them in an airtight tin—they'll keep for a fortnight.
15. Victoria sponge sandwich cakeExpress.co.uk suggests sweetening the whipped cream filling with a couple of tablespoons of icing sugar for a twist on . It's not overly sweet but adds a scrumptious touch that brings the cake together.
16. Chicken traybakeWhen dinner decisions have you stumped, and you're not keen on kitchen marathons, turn to – a simple, one-dish wonder.