Baking is a great way to teach kids about budgeting, nutrition, science, and even math.You can spend a few days making your favorite baked goods and learning at the same time if you pick out your favorites together.You will be able to enjoy delicious cookies, cakes, and pastries when you are done, which is always an added bonus.
Step 1: Pick out a few recipes that are interesting to you and your kids.
Talk to your kids about what they want to bake.If they don't know how to bake, you may want to start with the basics, like cookies or a cake.If you have baked together before, you can move on to more difficult things, like angel food cake or cheesecake.AllRecipes, Food, and Food Network are popular recipe sites.They don't take a lot of unusual ingredients, and chocolate chip cookies are always a crowd pleaser.Red velvet cake is a good way to teach your child food coloring.A fun way to try out frosting and sprinkles is to bake a Funfetti cake with sprinkles in the batter and the frosting.
Step 2: Make a list of what you need.
If you want to go to the store with your child, make a list of the things you need and check your pantry.If you can group the items near each other in the store, you will be able to teach your child about organization.It's important to check the amount of each ingredient.If you only have a small amount of olive oil in the pantry, you will need to buy another bottle.What basic ingredients do you use in baking?Salt magnifies flavors, sugar makes things sweet, eggs glue ingredients together, and flour gives your baked goods structure.
Step 3: You can set a budget for how much you want to spend.
Discuss with your child how much money to spend on food.If they are young, they might not understand how much money is too much, so try to explain it in simple terms.If your child is a little older, they can help you set monetary goals for your shopping trip.You could say, "So we have 10 ingredients that we need to buy."Since you can buy them in bulk, how much should we spend on baked goods?Budgeting and saving money are skills that aren't taught in typical school settings, but they are useful later in life.
Step 4: The store has different prices for different ingredients.
When shopping for ingredients, compare and contrast the brands on the shelves with your child.Emphasize the fact that name brand items are more expensive, while bulk or generic things can save you money.If you have coupons, try to find items that you can use to save money.If your child is young, they will be able to grasp the concept of spending money to get something.
Step 5: Take the total amount you spent into account.
When you are done shopping, be sure to take your receipt with you.Your child can see how much food costs if you take a look at the total amount you spent on ingredients.Younger kids might not know how much you spend on food each month.It might help them understand a little more what it takes to feed a whole family if you share your budget with them.
Step 6: Talk about substituting ingredients in your recipes.
Almond or buckwheat flour is a good choice if you want to make something free of wheat.To make something vegan, remove the eggs and dairy.It is possible to discuss why you would want to substitute ingredients in your recipe.It is possible to make something that is accessible for people who are not able to eat wheat.People who don't eat animal products can enjoy baked goods that are vegan.
Step 7: Discuss if your recipe is in line with healthy eating habits.
Eating plant oils in moderation is one of the healthy eating habits.Take a look at the recipes you chose and the ingredients you need, and talk about whether or not it's a healthy eating choice.If you want a healthier option, look for oatmeal cookies or zucchini bread.
Step 8: Baking goods should be included in a healthy meal plan.
After you look at the ingredients of your baked goods, you can talk to your child about how much they should be eating.You can limit it to one slice of cake after dinner, one cookie per meal time, or one pastry with fruit for breakfast in the morning.Discuss the importance of moderation in your diet.You don't need to count calories or sugars throughout the day if you eat treats in moderation.
Step 9: Talk about incorporating exercise into your routine.
Children need to be active for about an hour per day.Discuss with your child how they can stay healthy while enjoying baked goods in moderation.It is important to emphasize the importance of being healthy, not losing weight.Different kids enjoy the outdoors.If you can come up with a plan, your child won't resent having to go outside.Jump rope, shooting hoops, swimming, and playing with friends are some of the outdoor activities your child might enjoy.
Step 10: You should wash your hands before you start.
It's a good time to talk about the importance of clean hands.If your child is young, head with them to the sink and make sure they scrub their hands with soap and warm water.You should wash your hands as well.You can make sure that you and your child wash their hands after touching any shared surfaces, like door knobs or handles.
Step 11: There are basic safety rules.
If your child is young, hot ovens, electric mixers, and sharp tools can be frightening.Emphasize the importance of wearing oven mitts, holding sharp tools away from your hands, and asking for help if they need it before you start on your baking adventure.If you don't feel like your child is ready to handle hot pans, you can help them.Kids don't like using kitchen tools.Bring a stool with you so your child can access everything they need.
Step 12: If you want to make more batches, double or cut them in half.
If you want to teach your child about fractions, you can either double the recipe or cut it in half.Divide each ingredient by 2 to double it.Divide the ingredients by 2 if you are cutting it in half.If you are doubling the recipe, you should use 2 to get 5 cups of milk.Cut it in half and divide 2.5 cups by 2 to get 1.25 cups.
Step 13: If your recipe calls for ratios, keep them in check.
For example, certain ingredients in ratios are required in some recipes.Make sure you keep the same ratio even if you double it or cut it in half.Adding half the amount of water for every cup of milk is called the 2:1 ratio.If you added 1 c of milk, you would also need to add in water.
Step 14: Measure out the ingredients using cups.
Your child should have all the measuring cups you need.Help your child measure out the ingredients, and talk about the importance of using the correct measurement when baking.Conversions can be discussed within measuring cups.There are 3 and 16 in 1 cup.The larger the measurement, the more it adds up to the smaller one.Baking takes a lot of precision, and you must get the ratios of each ingredient right for the baked good to work.
Step 15: Measure by weight and volume.
Point out the difference between measuring by volume and by weight as you measure the ingredients.If you have a kitchen scale, you can pour 2 cups of liquid into a measuring cup and weigh it in grams to compare the two measurements.The weight is determined by the mass of the object.The amount of space taken up is what determines volume.Dry goods usually have weight and volume.Some recipes have all their ingredients in cups, while other ingredients combine that with grams.
Step 16: The temperature of the oven can be adjusted.
Talk about how the temperature is measured when you preheat the oven.Explain that the conversion is done by subtracting 32 from the temperature and then dividing it by 9.200 F - 32 is 168.There is a number of 168 x 5.93.3 C is the equivalent of 840 / 9.
Step 17: Cream it with butter and sugar.
You can add a lot of fluffiness to a recipe by stirring butter and sugar in air.Use a hand whisk or an electric mixer to stir butter and sugar together.You should point out how the ingredients change as you stir.If you don't have a whisk, you can use a fork.
Step 18: Adding some eggs will make your mixture better.
Eggs protect the air bubbles formed by mixing so your baked good stays light and fluffy, and they add moisture to make the recipe nice and creamy and smooth.Use a mixer to stir in a couple of eggs and watch your batter change.If you want to learn more about food ethics, you can talk about the difference between grass-fed chickens and factory farming.
Step 19: Baking soda or powder can be used to give your baked good a boost.
Baking soda and baking powder release carbon dioxide into the mixture as they are heated up, making the dough lift and stay fluffy in the oven.You can explain the purpose of the ingredients before your baked good goes in the oven, even if you and your child won't be able to see it.Baking powder and baking soda serve the same purpose.Baking powder won't start releasing carbon dioxide until the mixture is hot.
Step 20: To give your mixture structure, fold in the flour.
Measure out your flour and use a baking spatula to fold it.As the flour is mixed in, theGluten will give your mixture some elasticity and help your baked good hold its shape.If you over mix the flour, it will make your baked goods heavy and dense, instead of light and fluffy.If your child is in charge of stirring, flour can get messy.If the flour flies around your kitchen, have some kitchen towels on hand.If you want your recipe to hold it together, you need to fold in the flour until it is just incorporated.You can use a different kind of flour if you are free of gluten.They add someprotein to the mixture to give structure to your baked goods, even though they don't haveGluten in them.
Step 21: As the baked good begins to change, watch it in the oven.
Depending on the type of baking you are doing, your mixture may start to rise, brown, or get harder.When the timer is down to 0, turn on the oven light to see what is happening with your recipe.Ask your child what they think the end result will look like, and note the differences from the time you put it in the oven until now.Fluffy cakes will rise and expand, while cookies will turn golden brown.Some pastries will turn golden brown, which can be fun to watch.Take a picture of your baked goods to see how much they change in the oven.The oven door needs to be closed as much as possible.It can take longer to cook if you open it up too many times.
Step 22: Allow your baked goods to cool down.
The inside of the oven is usually pretty goopy when you first take it out.Let the baked goods cool down so that they can solidify their bond and become stable again.You can cut into your baked goods to see how different the inside is from the outside.The inside of bread and cakes will look different than the outside.Since they are so thin, cookies will look the same.It's okay if things don't turn out perfectly.Even if your baked goods don't look the way you want them to, emphasize the importance of having fun and trying your best.Set your child on a decorating mission if you want to add a little art and creativity to your baked goods.
Step 23: There is a preschool for 2 to 5 years old.
If you start with the basics, you'll be good to go.Allow your child to enjoy the process of tasting the batter, smelling the ingredients, and feeling the texture change as the mixture comes together.If they feel up for it, give them a bowl and a whisk.You don't have to start from scratch with simple recipes like cakes and cookies.Start with a brownie or cake mix from the store.Baking Cookies Together or Sesame Street: Let's Cook! can be read to introduce the aspect of baking.
Step 24: The elementary school is for children 6 to 8 years old.
Kids this age do not need as much supervision in the kitchen.If they need a helping hand with measuring or pouring, stay nearby and double check the recipe with them.Emphasize the importance of sticking to a recipe in its entirety and following through all the way until the end, and help them out with oven duties if they need it.Simple recipes like cookies and cakes are good to stick with.If your child isn't already interested in baking, shows like Masterchef Junior and Kids Baking Championship can get them interested.
Step 25: The kids are 9 to 12 years old.
Your child might be able to handle most things on their own by this age.You can allow them to use an electric mixer and pull things out of the oven on their own.Don't let your child take their own baking journey if you stick around just in case.It is possible for your child to move onto harder recipes like bread or angel food cake.If your child has never baked before, you may need to help them get started.
Step 26: Teens are 13 years old.
At this point, your child won't need much help from you.Take a look at the recipe they choose to make sure you have everything you need.Try to steer them in the right direction, instead of pointing out a solution, and emphasize the importance of problem-solving on your own.Depending on your child's skill level, they could start making difficult recipes.Kids around this age are figuring out what they like and don't like to do.If your child isn't interested in baking anymore, try not to push it.