Mary Berry’s best recipes: pies, puddings, cupcakes, casseroles and more
Berry good recipes
She's the undisputed Queen of Baking, with more than 80 cookbooks and numerous TV shows to her name. So pretty much any recipe created by Mary Berry is guaranteed to yield delicious results. The former Great British Bake Off judge has made it her mission to get everyone baking and cooking at home, and we've rounded up some of her very best recipes – from stews, pies and picnic-perfect nibbles to classic puddings and (of course) cakes for every occasion.
Bean and pepper salad
This tasty bean and pepper creation is proof that salads needn't be boring. Colourful and packed with texture, it's filling, satisfying and completely meat-free. The recipe combines roasted peppers, protein-packed cannellini beans and crunchy ciabatta croutons – the perfect way to use up any leftover bread.
Scotch eggs
Scotch eggs aren't just for picnics, and taste great warm or cold. In this suprisingly easy recipe, Mary Berry pairs them up with a classic Caesar salad for a more substantial meal – and we think it's the perfect match.
Onion, artichoke and sage tart
Tarts are the ultimate one-tray meals, and this Mary Berry favourite packs in plenty of big, hearty flavours, topped with a generous layer of golden cheese. The recipe combines meaty mushrooms, caramelised onions and chargrilled artichokes for an easy, summery dish that everyone's sure to love.
Mushroom and spinach en croûte recipe
Everyone will fancy a slice of this vegetarian dish. Packed with the umami notes of chestnut mushrooms, balanced with a creamy, cheesy spinach filling, this puff pastry en croûte is perfect for a light meal – simply serve with a side of salad leaves and a tangy dressing. The best part? It can be made ahead, which makes it a great choice if you're planning a party.
Quiche Lorraine
Mary Berry's quiche Lorraine is perfect for a light dinner or lunch, and it can be served warm or at room temperature. The recipe consists of a pillowy egg mixture, baked on a buttery pastry crust and laced with streaky bacon and delicious Gruyère cheese. Remember to blind bake your pastry crust first; we all know Mary isn't a fan of soggy bottoms!
Chicken pot pie
This traditional chicken pot pie is a real crowd-pleaser. Packed with tender meat and colourful vegetables, it's crowned with crispy, melt-in-the-mouth pastry for the ultimate comforting dinner. You can use store-bought pastry or make it from scratch, and you can swap in whichever vegetables you like, too, depending on what's available.
Chicken with pesto, taleggio and roasted tomatoes
This Italian-inspired traybake will look great on a dinner party table, but it's also easy enough to whip up for a hearty midweek meal. The chicken is topped with a blend of cheese, pesto and basil, and served with juicy, flavourful tomatoes: a classic combination that never fails. Want to prep it in advance? The chicken can be prepared ahead of time and even frozen once topped with the cheese mix.
Get the recipe for chicken with pesto, taleggio and roasted tomatoes here
Shepherd’s pie dauphinois
Shepherd’s pie is one of the most comforting meals out there, and this recipe takes it to another level by replacing the traditional mashed potato topping with an indulgent layer of potato dauphinois. It's creamy, cheesy – and sure to become a new family favourite.
Tandoori chicken
Flavoured with fragrant, warming spices and hot madras curry powder, Mary Berry’s quick and easy tandoori chicken is just as delicious as any takeaway. Marinating the chicken makes it tender and juicy, and it can be baked in the oven or even cooked on the barbecue (if the weather allows). Serve with fluffy rice, warm naan breads and a chopped red onion, coriander and tomato relish.
Salmon and dill burgers
A brilliant alternative to classic beef burgers, these salmon and dill patties are made with smoked and poached salmon for plenty of flavour and texture. Serve them with or without a bun (you'll love them either way), and don't forget the lemon caper mayo – it gives the dish the perfect amount of tang.
Chicken and herb casserole
We all love a one-pan wonder, and this chicken casserole is what midweek dinner dreams are made of. A creamy mushroom and bacon sauce lusciously coats juicy chicken thighs for a comforting dish that's perfect for a cosy evening in. It can also be made ahead of time and even frozen, so it's perfect for batch-cooking.
Braised lamb with sweet potato
Left to slowly braise, a hearty stew is ideal for feeding a crowd during the colder months – plus, any leftovers can easily be reheated, and will taste just as good (if not better). In this wholesome and homely dish, Mary Berry combines tender lamb with cubes of soft sweet potatoes, with a couple of tablespoons of mango chutney adding the perfect amount of fruity flavour.
Shepherd’s pie
Nobody does the classics quite like Mary Berry. A delightful lamb stew topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, this traditional shepherd's pie is an easy yet satisfying meal that makes the most out of simple everyday ingredients. It's a perennial favourite that the whole family will love.
Lamb tagine
Tender pieces of lamb are paired with warm and fragrant spices for this hearty, flavoursome tagine, made with staple store-cupboard ingredients. It's oh-so-easy to prepare, too: just toss everything into an ovenproof casserole dish and leave it to mingle. Serve it up with a bowl of fresh couscous or pilau rice on the side.
Toad in the hole
A wonderfully British comfort food, you can’t go wrong with classic toad in the hole. Consisting of a light and springy batter and sausage meatballs, this recipe is as easy as it gets. While it rises to golden perfection in the oven, you can whip up a simple onion gravy that will bring it all together.
Beef Wellington
Is there anything more impressive than a tender, beautifully pink beef Wellington? If you're aiming to impress, this is the dish to prepare – and, luckily for us, Mary Berry has streamlined the process so you can achieve professional-looking results at home. This mouth-watering masterpiece brings together a juicy cut of prime beef and a delectable stuffing of liver pâté and mushrooms, all wrapped up in a buttery pastry shell.
Orange-glazed ham with mango and orange salsa
A show-stopping centrepiece, this beautiful, versatile glazed ham can be cooked in the oven or slowly simmered on the hob. Either way, it's coated in a glossy orange glaze, with caramelised orange slices providing a sumptuous garnish. Serve with a fresh mango and orange salsa. Irresistible!
Get the recipe for orange-glazed ham with mango and orange salsa here
Duck breasts with a piquant lime and ginger sauce
If you're looking for a sophisticated main course for a fancy dinner, try this delectable duck recipe. Here, duck breasts are paired up with lime marmalade to create a bold, zingy dish that's both impressive and simple to put together. The piquant sauce elevates the duck, with the acidity of the lime balancing out the richness of the meat.
Get the recipe for duck breasts with a piquant lime and ginger sauce here
Mango Eton mess
Like most good things in life, the Eton mess was created by accident – and what a delightful accident it was. It's no wonder this tasty dessert has become a British classic, and Mary Berry's refreshing mango and lime twist on the traditional recipe somehow makes it even more delicious.
Victoria sponge cake
This beloved British bake is fit for royalty. Believed to have been named after Queen Victoria, who apparently enjoyed a slice with her afternoon tea, it's simplicity itself: two layers of airy vanilla sponge, sandwiched together with layers of cream and jam. If anyone knows how to make it perfectly, it's Mary Berry.
Vanilla cupcakes with swirly icing
Everyone needs a good vanilla cupcake recipe, and who better to show us how they're made than the Queen of Baking herself? Easy to customise, these little cakes are beautifully soft and moist. The two-tone icing is swirled using a piping bag: simply spoon the coloured icing into one side of the bag, then add the uncoloured icing down the other side.
Carrot and walnut cake with cream cheese icing
This classic Mary Berry recipe comes complete with an indulgent (and wonderfully easy) frosting made with full-fat cream cheese. The carrots keep the cake moist and soft, while walnuts add the perfect amount of crunch. This is one you'll make time and again.
Get the recipe for carrot and walnut cake with cream cheese icing here
Malted chocolate cake
If you like chocolate, you'll love this cake. Topped with Maltesers, it's an impressive-looking bake that's actually incredibly simple to put together and decorate. The icing is light and fluffy, with a taste similar to a comforting mug of hot chocolate, making it a treat all ages will adore.
Brioche frangipane apple pudding
This rich and nutty frangipane apple pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert, while managing to look pretty impressive at the same time. You can easily customise it by substituting the apples for other fruits too. It's delicious served warm and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of custard.
Tiramisù
This classic Italian dish of espresso-soaked sponge fingers with chocolate shavings and whipped mascarpone can be served in individual portions, or as a large sharing dish. Whichever way you choose to present it, it's sure to taste delicious, with a few tablespoons of brandy adding that boozy kick.
Marbled coffee ring cake
It's astonishingly easy to make this marbled coffee cake, which goes perfectly with a cup of coffee or a steaming pot of tea. Glazed with a milky coffee icing, this recipe is ideal for those of us who struggle to choose between vanilla or chocolate cake – happily, it's swirled with both.
Apple and lemon sandwich cake
This cream cake is a fresh, zingy dessert that makes a perfect post-dinner palate cleanser or afternoon treat. The sponge is mixed with grated apples, while the filling is made from whipped cream and luscious lemon curd. The cake can be made ahead of time – that is, if you can resist eating it straight away.
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