Making sweet memories!
Baking with your child is a great source of learning and development. It does not have to be a complicated recipe – in fact, the simple ones are the best because it is about the process, not necessarily the outcome!
Baking can help to develop:
- Fine and gross motor skills: when using kitchen utensils, and pouring and mixing ingredients
- Early mathematical concepts and skills: when weighing and counting ingredients, it introduces early mathematical language such as ‘more and less’
- Early reading and sequencing skills: when following a recipe and its stages
- Creativity skills: when decorating with icing and sprinkles etc
Why not try making this recipe for yummy flourless brownies with your child?
What you need:
- 4 ripe and brown bananas
- 60g cocoa powder
- 320g peanut butter
- Chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts (optional)
Allergy Disclaimer: Always check the label of each ingredient for allergy warnings
What to do:
- Mash the bananas into a paste using a fork
- Mix in the cocoa powder, peanut butter and optional filling
- Combine fully before transferring to a lined/greased brownie tin
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 170 degrees
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes before serving and enjoying slightly warm!
Recipe source: Jacob King 3 Ingredient Brownies
Top tips:
- Make sure your child washes their hands first: this is important before doing any food preparation and when handling foods such as raw eggs and between different types of foods
- Involve your child: helping with preparing and cooking their own food can encourage them to be more willing to try new foods
- Introduce new vocabulary: use verbs with your child such as ‘whisk’, ‘knead’ and ‘melt’
- Use sensory language: talk to your child about what they can smell, feel and taste
- Ensure your child is supervised closely: especially when using scissors or knives
