Looking for unique things to bake when you want something a little different? Purple cookies, green cake rolls and a tiny mushroom garden on bread give you plenty to choose from.
Even a familiar loaf or fruit pie can get a pretty little twist.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Pick a colorful swirl, try a different shape or let the decorations do the work.
These pictures are baking inspiration rather than full recipes, so use a tested recipe for whichever idea you choose.
Baking Ideas Worth Saving
purple flower-topped cookies
We’re starting off strong with these pretty purple-topped cookies. I love the little dark flecks and the golden edges showing underneath.
The scattered purple flowers make them even prettier.
If you want to try a floral decoration yourself, choose culinary flowers verified as edible. You don’t need to cover the whole cookie to get this look.
swirled matcha cake rolls
How cute are these matcha cake rolls? The green pattern runs across the pale yellow cake, with a white filling curled through the middle.
Cut your roll into individual portions for a similar serving idea. I’d keep the tops bare so you can see all those little green swirls.
purple and cream marbled cookies
I am obsessed with this color combination. The purple and cream patches are different on every cookie, which is half the fun.
Look for a tested two-color cookie recipe if you want to recreate the marbling. The picture gives you the pattern to aim for, but the purple color alone doesn’t tell us the flavor.
dark-swirled loaf cake
Don’t want to add frosting or decorations? No problem!
This marbled loaf has plenty going on inside, with big dark swirls running through the pale crumb.
I love how the slices are fanned out in front. Try serving yours that way so the pattern isn’t hidden until someone cuts into it.
sugar-covered pastry knot
This golden pastry knot may just be one of my favorite shapes here. The overlapping twists and generous sugar coating are so pretty on that blue-and-white plate.
Save this shape for a bake when you feel like trying something beyond a simple round bun.
chocolate puddle cookies
The chocolate fans are going to love this! There are big glossy patches of chocolate across these golden-brown cookies, plus little white flakes on top.
For your own version, try a chocolate chunk cookie recipe with a flaky salt finish. I’d skip any extra drizzle and let those chocolate puddles be the main detail.
lemon and blackberry cake
If you are looking for cake decorating inspo, then this one is for you. I love the lemon slices and blackberries arranged around one side of the white frosting.
Keep some of the top clear if you want the same look. For a simpler version, you could use just the fruit and frosting dollops, leaving off the flowers and greenery.
pumpkin chai sugar cookies
Pumpkin chai sugar cookies are such a fun change from a plain sugar cookie. These have cracked tops, a sandy-looking coating and a deep orange interior that you can see in the broken one.
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No icing needed for this look. I’d serve them piled on a simple plate just like this.
white icing and lemon curls
How pretty are these little cookies? The white icing leaves a golden border around each one, with yellow zest curls and tiny green leaves scattered on top.
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For a similar decoration, try lemon zest and a few culinary thyme leaves. Keep the topping scattered rather than making every cookie exactly the same.
pecan-topped spiral buns
I love these tall spiral buns with their thick white frosting. The chopped pecans are my favorite little extra, especially where they gather over the dark swirls.
If you already have a favorite cinnamon roll recipe, you could use this as your finishing inspiration. Leave a few swirls showing around the frosting.
pear galette with a drizzle
Don’t want to make a decorated pie lid? This pear galette is a lovely alternative.
The crust folds over the fruit around the edges, leaving the sliced pears visible in the middle.
Try a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle for a serving idea like this one. That uneven folded edge is worth keeping.
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dark cookies with pale chips
This is another cookie idea with a little contrast. I love the pale chips against the dark dough, especially in the broken cookie at the front.
You could try a chocolate cookie recipe with white chocolate chips for a similar look. Keep the cookies undecorated so those little pieces stand out.
Read also: 20 Snow Day Food Ideas From Cheesy Bowls to Sweet Treats
mushroom garden focaccia
OMG, how adorable is this little bread garden? The red and yellow tomato pieces look like mushroom caps, with pale vegetable stems and green sprigs around them.
Use the arrangement as inspiration for your next focaccia. The before-and-after pictures are especially helpful for seeing how the little shapes change in the oven.
pumpkin Basque cheesecake
If you’re looking for something without lots of decorations, go with this pumpkin Basque cheesecake. The deeply browned top and orange center already give you plenty to look at.
I’d leave this one just as it is. A plain white serving plate lets that dark top stand out.
little filled pastry cups
How cute are these individual pastries? Each one has folded golden corners, a pale filling and a deep red rectangular piece in the center.
Read also: 20 New Years Party Food Ideas for a Fun Midnight Spread
For your own take, you could try a tested guava-and-cream-cheese pastry recipe. Keep the individual paper liners and light dusting of powdered sugar if you like this presentation.
tahini chocolate chip cookies
Here’s another way to change up your chocolate chip cookies. These tahini cookies have sesame seeds scattered over the tops and big chocolate pieces showing through the broken center.
I especially love the split cookie at the front. There’s no need for an elaborate serving setup when you can show off the inside like that.
flower-sprinkled madeleines
These little golden madeleines are so pretty with their dusting of powdered sugar. The purple flower pieces add just a little color without hiding the cakes.
If you want a floral version, look for a tested culinary lavender madeleine recipe. A few on a parchment-lined board would make a lovely serving arrangement.
green-swirled croissants
Those green layers are such a fun surprise! The cut croissant shows pale and green bands curled together beneath the golden outside.
Save this one if you want a more involved baking project. Choose a tested two-color croissant recipe rather than guessing the filling or flavor from the picture.
pull-apart milk bread
Not everything needs swirls or toppings to be worth baking. This milk bread has a rounded golden top and a pale interior that pulls into long, fine strands.
I love the torn piece sitting on top of the loaf. If you usually bake sliced sandwich bread, this pull-apart presentation is a pretty change.
flower-topped strawberry pie
Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous strawberry pie. I am obsessed with the flower-shaped pastry pieces!
The red filling peeks through all the spaces between them.
Try using flower cutters in a few sizes for your own pie topping. Keep the shapes loosely scattered rather than covering every little gap.