Baking with kids can be quite fun and also educational for them, as they can pick up a few skills and get delicious treats at the end. It is also a great way to bond with children. Be it mixing, kneading, or decorating, one can involve their children at any stage. That said, one must choose the right recipes when baking with kids to ensure it is an enjoyable, memorable experience for everyone involved.
1. Cupcakes
Making cupcakes is one of the fun yet simple baking projects for kids. Cupcake decoration, in particular, helps engage their little hands and minds.
All one needs for a simple vanilla or chocolate cupcake batter is some flour, sugar, eggs or egg substitutes, butter, milk, vanilla essence/extract or cocoa powder, and optional fun ingredients like sprinkles, chocolate chips or chunks, or peanut butter. All these ingredients go into the mixing bowl and then, once combined, into the oven.
Once the cupcakes are ready and cool enough to touch, the fun begins. Kids can pick up the cupcakes and begin decorating them with frosting. They can pipe the frosting or just spread it. They can top the cupcakes with sprinkles or other colorful toppings, chocolate chips, or even cookie crumbs. One can plan themed cupcake bakes to make this baking activity even more fun for kids.
2. Peanut butter cookies
This easy-to-make, classic dessert is also for little ones who enjoy all things peanut butter. The cookie dough comes together quickly with a few simple ingredients. One can add chocolate chips or a sprinkle of sea salt to the cookie dough to switch things up and enhance the flavor. Once the dough rests for a bit, kids can begin working with it, rolling pieces of it into balls, and pressing them down. After they have the desired dough shape, children can make the signature crisscross pattern on the cookies using a fork.
At the end of this activity, kids will get to enjoy their nutty, sweet, and salty peanut butter creations. This can be a great way to allow kids to get their hands dirty and participate actively in the food-making process.
4. Baked donuts
As a safer alternative to fried donuts, this recipe will allow kids to help prepare and indulge in their favorite dessert without being exposed to any frying accidents in the kitchen.
One must first make a simple donut batter with flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, unsalted butter, eggs, and milk. One can add other ingredients for flavor, like vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon; the options are endless for donuts. One can get their little sous chefs here to help mix and pour the batter into a donut pan before starting the baking process. Once the donuts are ready to be taken out of the oven, kids can start decorating them with colorful glazes, sprinkles, and even drizzles of chocolate. Kids are bound to love the process of dipping and decorating their donuts and turning them into edible works of art.
5. Blueberry muffins
Another single-serve dessert option that kids will enjoy is muffins. As the muffin batter also comes together quickly and easily, making this dessert with kids can be a good way to introduce them to baking. Additionally, using blueberries in this recipe can lead to unique, fruity, and interesting final desserts. Kids tend to enjoy watching fresh or frozen berries swirling in the batter. Also, the kitchen will be filled with a warm aroma when the muffins are in the oven, something that kids will love. Once baked, the joy of peeling back the muffin liners, smelling the warm muffins, and the juicy bursts of blueberries in each bite will make the muffins all the more appealing to kids.
6. Pizza
Homemade pizza dough is a great recipe to get kids excited about baking. This savory treat can grab and hold their attention, as at the end of the process, they get a delectable lunch or dinner that they helped prepare. Kneading and stretching the dough can also be a fun evening hands-on activity. One can also put out a spread of toppings—veggies, cheese, meats, and more. Kids can choose their favorites for the pizza and add them along with the sauce. Whether they prefer pepperoni or pineapple pizza, letting kids make their own choices encourages creativity and experimental thinking. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce them to the joy of homemade meals.
7. Carrot cake
This can be a nutritious option for kids and allow them to see how veggies can help make delicious desserts. With an easy-to-make batter and simple ingredients, baking carrot cakes with kids can be simple. Peeling and grating the carrot can be a little time-consuming, but it will help kids learn to be patient and see how much work can go into making simple meals. After taking the cake out of the oven, kids can add a creamy layer of frosting to the dessert and top it with sprinkles, raisins, or chopped nuts. When the cake is ready to eat, kids will enjoy the crunch of the toppings combined with the natural sweetness and soft texture the carrots lend to the cake. This recipe is also a good way to introduce children to different flavors and expand their taste buds.
8. Brownies
Homemade brownies are another easy yet delicious treat option that kids will enjoy making. Baking brownies can be a treat for the eyes, nose, and tongue. The thick, rich brownie batter can be fun to stir and watch while it slowly transforms into fudgy brownies in the oven. When making the batter, one can add swirls of peanut butter, caramel, or chopped nuts to give the brownies an interesting final taste, texture, and appearance. When the brownies are ready, one can cut up brownie squares or let kids get their forks and eat straight from the pan.
