Cozy Comfort: Two Easy Recipes for Your CorningWare Bakers

That unmistakable white, opal-like glass—we all know it, we all love it. It’s the sturdy, reliable friend in the back of your cupboard: CorningWare. Whether you inherited a set from your nan or just picked up a fresh baker at Woolworths, these dishes are designed for maximum flavour with minimal fuss.

We’re going to put your two new oval bakers to work, proving that an easy weeknight meal and a decadent dessert are just a few simple steps (and a quick trip to Woolies) away.

The Small Oval Baker (980mL): Golden Syrup Self-Saucing Pudding

It’s warm, gooey, and the ultimate comfort dessert, perfect for your CorningWare® Small Oval Baker. The magic of a self-saucing pudding is that it creates its own rich syrup layer beneath the light sponge as it bakes. It takes 10 minutes to prep, 35 minutes to bake and serves four.

Woolworths Shopping List:

• Pantry: Plain flour, caster sugar, baking powder, salt.
• Dairy/Fridge: Butter (or baking margarine), milk.
• The Star: Golden Syrup (check the baking aisle!).
• To Serve (Optional): Vanilla ice cream or cream.

The Easy-Peasy Method:

Part 1: The Cake Batter

1. Whisk the Dry: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1½ cups of Plain Flour, ½ cup of Caster Sugar, 2 teaspoons of Baking Powder, and a pinch of Salt. Give it a good air-lightening whisk.
2. Melt and Mix: Melt 60g of Butter (either in the microwave or a small saucepan). Once melted, pour it into the dry mix along with ½ cup of Milk and a splash of Vanilla Extract (if you have it).
3. The Fill: Gently fold until just combined, no need to overmix! Scoop the batter into your 980mL CorningWare Oval Baker. It should spread nicely across the base.

Part 2: The Saucing Layer

1. The Syrup Base: In a small, microwave-safe jug, combine ½ cup of Golden Syrup and 2 tablespoons of Butter. Microwave for about 30 seconds until the butter is melted and the syrup is runny. Give it a stir.
2. The Secret Weapon: Slowly pour 1 cup of Boiling Water into the hot syrup mixture, stirring constantly. This liquid is the sauce.
3. The Pour: Carefully and evenly pour this hot, runny liquid over the back of a spoon (this trick stops it from disturbing the cake batter) and directly onto the batter in your baker.

Bake & Serve

• Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 35–40 minutes.
• It’s ready when the top is golden brown and springs back lightly, and when you peek, you see that gorgeous, sticky golden syrup bubbling underneath.
• Serve hot, straight from the baker, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting gloriously on top.

The Medium Oval Baker (1.8L): Creamy Chicken & Pesto Bake

When the family is hungry and you want maximum flavour with minimum dishes, this Creamy Chicken & Pesto Bake is the answer. It’s rich, herbaceous, and incredibly satisfying, designed perfectly for your CorningWare® Medium Oval Baker. We’re going for a ‘dump-and-bake’ simplicity here. Takes 15 minutes to prep, 40 minutes to bake and serves four to six people.

Woolworths Shopping List:

• Meat: 4-5 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts (or a pack of thighs for extra flavour).
• Dairy/Fridge: Tub of Cream Cheese (full-fat or light), jar of Basil Pesto.
• Veggies (optional, but encouraged): 1 punnet of Cherry Tomatoes, 1 bag of Baby Spinach.
• Topping: Shredded Mozzarella or Pizza Cheese Blend.

The Easy-Peasy Method:

1. Prep the Plate: Preheat your oven to 200°C. Lightly spray the inside of your 1.8L CorningWare Oval Baker with cooking oil.
2. The Base Layer: Spread a thin layer (about 2 tablespoons) of the Pesto across the bottom of the baker.
3. Toss the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the Chicken Breasts (cut into large chunks or kept whole) with 3-4 generous tablespoons of Pesto. Season well with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of dried Italian herbs. Place the chicken pieces into the baker.
4. The Creamy Magic: This is the fun part. Take about half a tub (125g) of Cream Cheese and dollop it randomly over the top of the chicken pieces. Give it a little wiggle so it melts in later.
5. Add Your Greens (Optional): If using, scatter a handful of Cherry Tomatoes and a decent mound of Baby Spinach around the chicken. They’ll soften beautifully as they bake.
6. Cheese It Up: Top the whole dish generously with Mozzarella or your chosen cheese blend.

Bake & Serve

• Bake for 35–40 minutes. If using whole breasts, check for doneness (juices run clear). If using chunks, 35 minutes should be perfect.
• The cheese should be golden and bubbly, and the creamy pesto sauce will be gently simmering around the chicken.
• Let it rest for five minutes before serving.