Everyone has to begin somewhere in the kitchen, and for kids, that often means a biscuit, cake or something else deliciously simple and sweet.
“The kitchen is a place for creating, not for being perfect,” writes popular cookbook writer Donna Hay in her new collection, Kids Baking . “Sometimes things will be neat, sometimes they’ll be a little messy or wonky, and that’s exactly how real baking works.”
All young bakers need is curiosity and a little bit of can-do plus some simple step-by-step recipes.
From chewy cookies to fudgy slices, Hay’s cookbook includes perennial childhood favourites that are designed to help children build skills and confidence in the kitchen.
“By following the recipes, you’ll pour, stir, crack, whisk and taste (yes, tasting is important!) your way to yummy things,” she writes.
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“Baking is about exploring flavours, textures and ideas. It’s about trying new things, using your imagination and discovering what happens when you mix this with that.”
That doesn’t mean children need to follow recipes precisely – if they’re feeling creative, they can add their own delicious twist. The most important thing is to roll up their sleeves and have a go.
Here are four easy favourites to enjoy with the young baker in your life, from an easy strawberry traybake to lunchbox-ready blueberry muffins.
This cake is one that you will make over and over again. It is so easy to mix together, you just need a bowl and a whisk. Get creative and top it with any fruit you have handy – fresh or frozen, it all works. Easy and delicious! The easiest cake you’ll ever make.
Be adventurous – you can swap the fruit topping on this cake for almost any sliced fruit, so let your imagination run wild with any combination you love. I want you to make this cake to delight your tastebuds!
If you are the adventurous or creative type, then muffins are a great place for you! Add chopped fruit, berries, dried fruit and other flavours like ground cinnamon or ginger to make your own wonderful flavour-loaded creations.
If your frosting is too runny to ice your cake then just let it chill out in the fridge for a few minutes. It will thicken up quickly, but if it chills too much and is not as smooth and spreadable as you want, warm it up in the microwave in 5-second bursts to soften it.
To keep your cupcakes light and fluffy, mix them until the mixture is just smooth. If you overbeat the mixture, you could end up with tough little cakes! Still yum, but a bit tough!
Makes enough to decorate 1 large cake
This is an edited extract from Donna Hay Kids Baking by Donna Hay, published by Fourth Estate, RRP $55. Photography by Chris Court; recipe and styling by Donna Hay
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