Easy Baking with Children

Baking with the family is a great way to pass the time and can also be used as a fun way to teach maths. Children especially love to get stuck in with baking and as they learn new skills, they also enjoy a sense of accomplishment when they can sit down to taste the end result of all their hard work.

Cupcakes For Kids

For the perfect treat that everyone can get involved with, how about making Vanilla Cupcakes? A true family favourite, this classic recipe needs only a few ingredients, which hopefully everyone might have in the store cupboard and fridge (but if you don’t head to our post on Baking Substitutes) – caster sugar, self-raising flour, butter, eggs, a vanilla pod or vanilla essence and milk. They are so simple to make, and the fun comes from preparing the mix and decorating at the end. You can leave them plain of course or you can make a little buttercream icing for the top or maybe add a blob of jam for a fruity punch.

Any kitchen activity comes with a certain element of mess and embracing the chaos while watching children’s minds open up to all the possibilities and processes of home baking is certainly worth a little disruption. To help things run smoothly, there are a few tips and tricks you can do to prepare, in order to make your baking session feel easy, effortless and stress-free. First, choose a recipe that doesn’t include too many ingredients or steps, as it’s easy for little ones’ attention to wander. Next, weigh out all the ingredients before you start and get all the equipment you’ll need out on the worktop ready to begin. You don’t want to be hunting for that elusive whisk or wooden spoon mid-bake. And don’t forget to pre-heat the oven if needs be too.

Easy Scone Recipe

Another easy recipe to try at home and perfect for a weekend afternoon tea is Fruit Scones. Easy to make and so delicious, you can always customise them with your own choice of dried fruits and serve with your favourite topping – clotted cream, jam, lemon curd, even chocolate spread if you fancy. Serve with classic cucumber sandwiches, crusts removed of course, and a comforting pot of tea with soft drinks for the children.

Afternoon Tea

For something savoury, which can be added to your afternoon tea or just made for a simple supper or snack, Cheese Scones are always a favourite. A pinch of smoked paprika gives them a little extra kick, though you can always leave this out if you prefer. Use whichever cheese you have in the fridge – a mature Cheddar or a Red Leicester will give a strong flavour while milder cheeses will need more cheese.

While you’re in the kitchen, it’s the perfect time to chat about hand washing and food hygiene. At each stage of preparing and baking, there will be things you can discuss so that children recognise and understand bacteria and germs and what we can do to get rid of them.

Once your bake is underway, have fun by giving little ones the chance to personalise their cakes, scones, sponges, biscuits or traybakes. This will really help to emphasise their sense of achievement and keeps them focussed for longer. Whether it’s the amount of chocolate chips they add to the cookies or the colour of the icing on their cupcakes, let their creativity run free. So have fun, relax and enjoy this time together, as well as all the tasty treats you’ll have at the end.