You know how sometimes one small thing in the kitchen can change your whole mood? For me, it’s baking. Not professional, not fancy… just simple, homemade baking. I didn’t grow up in one of those houses where cakes were baked every Sunday, no. In fact, the first time I tried making a cake was during lockdown, when everybody was experimenting in the kitchen. And honestly, half of my first cake was stuck to the pan. My brother still teases me about it.
But slowly, I started collecting those little things—what people call baking essentials. A whisk that doesn’t feel like it’ll break in your hand, measuring cups (because “A little bit” doesn’t work in baking like it does in making dal), and good quality baking ingredients like flour, cocoa, butter that’s not too salty. I realised once you have these basics in your shelf, half the job is already done.
There’s also this joy in adding your own twist. Like, last winter I made brownies and instead of buying some fancy topping, I just crushed Parle-G biscuits and sprinkled them on top. My friends went crazy for it. That’s the thing with dessert toppings—you don’t always need imported stuff. Sometimes it’s just about using what’s lying around. A bit of grated chocolate from a leftover Dairy Milk, or even some roasted nuts from the snack jar. Suddenly your plain cake looks festive.
One memory I’ll never forget—my cousin’s birthday. Everyone was tired, no one had time to order cake, and my aunt was in full panic. I said, “Chill, we’ll bake at home.” We had atta, sugar, and a little vanilla. That’s it. No cream, no cherries. But the way everyone helped—my uncle holding the bowl, kids fighting over who’ll lick the spoon, me trying to keep the batter safe—it became more than just a cake. When it came out warm and smelling so good, I swear it was gone in ten minutes. Homemade baking somehow makes the house feel alive, na?
Obviously, there are days when I just mess up. Once I added baking soda instead of baking powder, and the poor muffins tasted like chemical. However those mistakes are also part of the fun. My mom always says, “Kitchen is not a showroom, it is a workshop.” And I love that.
Now whenever I see small packets of sprinkles or those colourful sugar balls in the shop, I can’t resist picking them up. Dessert toppings have become my little guilty pleasure. Even if I don’t bake, I’ll put them on ice cream or halwa just to make it look extra.
Baking for me doesn’t show off; it brightens a dull Tuesday and surprises my family with something warm and sweet. With just a few baking essentials and a little heart, I create magic at home.
How every family has that one favourite place for shopping? For us, it’s Aap Ka Bazar
