All 4 of mine 'helped' to cook from the time they could wield a wooden spoon and stand safely on a step at the counter. The pride on a little one's face as they present their efforts to family is a joy to behold. They all went on to take their turn in producing meals too and became adventurous cooks. Saturday nights were "around the world" meals when we all took it in turns to research a country's cuisine, make something to try and share a bit about the traditional culture. Youngest is 19, the only one still at home, and loves to bake for friends, frequently baking during the night for a lovely surprise in the morning.
My 3yo bakes with me almost any time I bake, although I don't love baking so it's not every day. . I accidentally used the word "dust" to describe the powdered muffin mix and now she talks fluently about muffin dust and pancake dust, etc. I love it.
I found a flourless chickpea muffin recipe that's surprisingly really tasty, full of protein too. It's my standard postpartum gift because what new mom doesn't need a lot of serious calories? When we make them for us, I don't mind my kids plowing through them because it's not just a bunch of empty carbs.
Two of my girls loves to cook and bake with me. My almost 10 year old can do a lot herself, which has been awesome. But now my 8 year old wants to bake with her. Sometimes it’s lovely. Sometimes it’s stressful. But I love to bake so don’t it with my kids was inevitable 😆
My #1 cooking with kids tip is make it a one-on-one project! We have a "dinner helper" every night who functions as my sous chef and it makes it so much easier to teach and watch over one kid rather than two (or three or . . . you get the idea ;-) at a time. My 8 year olds are learning how to make pasta, flip pancakes, saute veggies in a bit of butter, etc. My 5 year old loves to wash and tear lettuce for salad, cut soft veggies with her own kid-friendly knife (peppers and cucumbers are good beginner knife skills foods), and help with prep work like snapping the ends off green beans. The only time I will let them all "help" at the same time is if we are doing a major job like hulling 20 lbs of strawberries for jam or something fun like decorating cookies; all the rest of the time it is, "One helper and you can all take turns" otherwise I just get too stressed! And that way there's less fighting too!
I love how simple this recipe is. I’ve been putting off baking with Desi (20mo) even though I dearly love the idea, but this has given me the confidence! I’m going to try the cranberry and white chocolate variation for Valentine’s Day :)
Love this. Cooking and baking with kids is something that is naturally very difficult for me, but I have always acknowledged the value in it. Over the years it has definitely gotten easier with certain guardrails in place depending on ages! I will definitely add this recipe to the "make with little ones" pile. Thanks!
All 4 of mine 'helped' to cook from the time they could wield a wooden spoon and stand safely on a step at the counter. The pride on a little one's face as they present their efforts to family is a joy to behold. They all went on to take their turn in producing meals too and became adventurous cooks. Saturday nights were "around the world" meals when we all took it in turns to research a country's cuisine, make something to try and share a bit about the traditional culture. Youngest is 19, the only one still at home, and loves to bake for friends, frequently baking during the night for a lovely surprise in the morning.
Ok but now I want to see the boy pictures! I'm curious!
My 3yo bakes with me almost any time I bake, although I don't love baking so it's not every day. . I accidentally used the word "dust" to describe the powdered muffin mix and now she talks fluently about muffin dust and pancake dust, etc. I love it.
I found a flourless chickpea muffin recipe that's surprisingly really tasty, full of protein too. It's my standard postpartum gift because what new mom doesn't need a lot of serious calories? When we make them for us, I don't mind my kids plowing through them because it's not just a bunch of empty carbs.
Dixie - love this and the intriguing reads you linked! Have lots of thoughts but must get started on breakfast and walk. Will save this for later :)
Two of my girls loves to cook and bake with me. My almost 10 year old can do a lot herself, which has been awesome. But now my 8 year old wants to bake with her. Sometimes it’s lovely. Sometimes it’s stressful. But I love to bake so don’t it with my kids was inevitable 😆
My #1 cooking with kids tip is make it a one-on-one project! We have a "dinner helper" every night who functions as my sous chef and it makes it so much easier to teach and watch over one kid rather than two (or three or . . . you get the idea ;-) at a time. My 8 year olds are learning how to make pasta, flip pancakes, saute veggies in a bit of butter, etc. My 5 year old loves to wash and tear lettuce for salad, cut soft veggies with her own kid-friendly knife (peppers and cucumbers are good beginner knife skills foods), and help with prep work like snapping the ends off green beans. The only time I will let them all "help" at the same time is if we are doing a major job like hulling 20 lbs of strawberries for jam or something fun like decorating cookies; all the rest of the time it is, "One helper and you can all take turns" otherwise I just get too stressed! And that way there's less fighting too!
I love how simple this recipe is. I’ve been putting off baking with Desi (20mo) even though I dearly love the idea, but this has given me the confidence! I’m going to try the cranberry and white chocolate variation for Valentine’s Day :)
That recipe is so simple, even I could do it. Thank you. And I think I would wait until the child is six or older. But that's just me.
Some of my best memories are baking with my best friend when we’re around nine. My mother trusted us for some reason. 😅
Love this. Cooking and baking with kids is something that is naturally very difficult for me, but I have always acknowledged the value in it. Over the years it has definitely gotten easier with certain guardrails in place depending on ages! I will definitely add this recipe to the "make with little ones" pile. Thanks!