Trying to help your child develop life skills at a young age can seem like a challenge, but cooking and baking with kids is an excellent way to start. With a few easy things to bake, you can help them become more responsible and independent while finding a new hobby they might love. You might even have the next winner of the Kids Baking Championship on your hands!
Why You Should Invite Your Kids into the Kitchen
It’s totally understandable if you’re hesitant to bake with your kiddos. They’re curious and can be a bit messy, but with you as their guide, they’ll be a pro chef in no time. Cooking and baking with kids helps them:
- increase language development
- become comfortable with science
- build their math and reading skills
- enhance fine motor skills
- bond with family
The sooner kids start learning life skills like cooking, the better. They’ll thank you later when they’re not stuck eating Ramen noodles and PB&J into adulthood.
Easy Things to Bake with Kids
The best way to introduce your child to the world of cooking is by finding fun, easy things to bake with them. When baking with kids, give them tasks that won’t be too difficult, like mixing the ingredients or cracking an egg. Our favorite recipes when baking with kids are:
- mug cakes
- cupcake ice cream cones
- dirt cake
Easy Mug Cake Recipe
Mug cakes are one of the quickest and easiest, yet most beloved treats for kids. What little one wouldn’t love their own personal cake after a long day of school or daycare? Plus, this recipe will require fewer ingredients and less clean-up than most traditional desserts.
To make a mug cake, you will need flour, baking powder, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, one egg, and a pinch of salt. When you’re baking with kids, have them mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients and stir until the batter is a smooth consistency.
Once your cake batter is mixed and ready to go, you can place it in the microwave for about a minute. You’ll know the cake is ready when it stops rising and is firm to the touch. Enjoy with powdered sugar, sprinkles, or frosting on top!
Cupcake Ice Cream Cones for Kids
If your kiddo loves ice cream but can never make it to the cone without a big, sticky mess, you need to try out cupcake ice cream cones. They’re an easy thing to bake, and your child will have a blast decorating them. To bake this recipe, you will need ice cream cones, oil, white cake mix, vanilla extract, three eggs, and your cupcake toppings of choice.
Make sure your oven is preheated to 350° before you start preparing your cupcake ice cream cones. Once you’ve mixed your wet and dry ingredients and created a smooth consistency, fill the cones with your batter.
After they’re done baking and have cooled off, frost, decorate, and voila! A delicious treat both you and your kiddos will love. If your little one dreams of living the Little Mermaid’s life, check out this mermaid cupcake-stuffed ice cream cone recipe.
How to Make Dirt Cake
What kid doesn’t love to play outside and get their hands dirty? Bring that playful energy into the kitchen with a dessert that’s much more appetizing than it looks. To make a dirt cake, you will need butter, cream cheese, sugar, instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, frozen whipped topping, and chocolate sandwich cookies with cream filling. Gummy worms are an optional but heavily encouraged add-on.
This dessert is a superb choice when baking with kids because it doesn’t require a hot stovetop or oven; they can help along every step of the way. First, simply combine the pudding and cream mixture. Then, start layering the crushed-up sandwich cookies and cream mixture.
Keep making layers until you get to the top of your bowl or flowerpot, and garnish with gummy worms. Who knew dirt and worms could taste so delicious?
Now that you have a list of easy things to bake right up your sleeve, inviting your kids into the kitchen will be fun and educational for the whole family. Plus, a sweet treat every once in a while won’t hurt; don’t let backseat parents tell you otherwise!