I am a baking virgin - where do I start?

[ShadeofViolet]

I havent baked since I was really little but I would love to start making cakes - are there any recipes that would be great to start with?

And what equiptment do I need?

fairy cakes!

Victoria Sponge - just a big fairy cake!

In terms of a basic kit, I would get scales, a mixing bowl, one springform tin (I use 20cm most often), 12 hole muffin tin, maybe 2 sandwich tins (20cm again), some baking paper, and skewers for checking the cakes are done.

If you fancy doing cookies, I've just tried a really good recipe for cranberry and white choc ones, and while baking cakes is definitely more of a science, biscuits are more of an art, and so less faffing with exact amounts and sizes and such.

Oooh I would like the recipe for the white choc and cranberry please!

Shortbread or flapjack. Both easy-peasy, no experience necessary.

here you are:
cream 75g dark brown sugar, 125g caster sugar and 125g butter. Beat in an egg and 1tsp vanilla.
mix in 150g plain flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 75g oats. when mixed add 75g dried cranberries, 50g chopped nuts of your choice, and 150g white choc chopped into chunks.

get tablespoons of the dough and roll into little balls, and pop on a lined baking tray. Squish the balls a bit to make little fat discs. Size doesn't really matter, and mine all sort of blob into one anyway. bake for 15ish minutes at gas 4. let them cool a while before taking them off the paper.

I'm sure these would work with milk choc and raisins as well.

I would say fairy cakes and Victoria Sponge are best left until you've mastered a few easier ones. The best sort to start with IME are all in one cakes, such as Lemon Drizzle. There's a very popular Lemon Drizzle recipe on here by MarsLady.

Muffins - you don't even need a mixer (ok so strictly speaking you don't need a mixer for any baking but does help with creaming and beating for sponges)

The joy of muffins is that you pour all the ingredients in a bowl - barely stir and pop in cases in the oven. Absolutely fail safe.

Google nigella - her rasperry ones are yummy.

i second nigella's muffins. Her's orange breakfast recipe is lovely and easy.