Introduce Your Child to Baking

Baking can be both fun and relaxing, and can also be an opportunity to spend some time doing something with your children. I love backing, but I don't do it as much as I should. I think I'm afraid I might eat all of the results, which is something I don't want to do.

When I do find the time, I like to allow my daughter to help me with baking. It may be teaching her a little about chemistry or math, but I do it just for the sake of doing something special with her. Whatever your reasons may be, take the time to bake something special with your child. He or she can't whip up a batch of cookies on their own, but they can help you with some of the various tasks involved with basic baking.

Choice

Open up your favorite cookbook and let your child help you pick what you will be baking together. If you have a specific item in mind, such as a pie for a family dinner, ask them to pick which pie they think will be fun to eat. When they help you choose, they will be more enthusiastic about helping.

Ingredients

If you don't have everything you need for your backing project, take a special trip to the store with your child to pick up the ingredients you will need. Let your child choose the fruit (if needed) all by themselves and teach your child what they should look for when choosing.

Some people already have tons of baking ingredients on hand. If this is the case in your home, make a list from the recipe of what you will need, and let your child help you find each item from the pantry.

Preparing

If you know the science behind baking, go ahead and throw some knowledge in while you are baking together. Show your child how to preset the oven, and tell your child how heat affects the foods and changes them while they back.

Get all ingredients out onto your counter space, and then let your child help you get all requisite bowls, pans, and utensils. Show them the different sized measuring cups and spoons, and explain that some ingredients only need to be used in small amounts, while others make up the bulk of the desert.

Mix It Up

Perhaps the most fun part of baking for a child will be the mixing. Choose simple tasks for your child, and show them how to do the harder parts. Children may be able to help you find the right measuring spoon or cup, crack an egg, or open a bottle. They can, at almost any age, help you pour in the ingredients and mix the batter. Your child may not be able to mix the ingredients as well as needed, but let them do as much as they can.

Baking

You want to keep your child from burning themselves, but you should let your child watch you put the mixture into the oven. They can also watch some of the baking if you have an oven light, and if the outside of your oven doesn't get too hot while baking.

You can point out why a cake rises, or what things should look like once they are finished. Have your child stand back while putting the creation in the oven, and while you remove it after it is done.

The Best Part

The most special part of baking to most people is the taste test. When everything is finished, have a special snack together and taste your creation. Children will love to taste what they have helped to create and will love the time they have spent in your company.