Getting Started
The mouth-watering recipes that are in the Kids Chocolate Recipes section are for anyone but are specially designed for young budding chefs.
Each one is explained easily and clearly but I have laid out some hints and tips for getting started and this is a great way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of baking.
Before you start, you have let your child know the importance of washing their hands. I know this is supposed to be fun, but when you prepare food, it is most important that your hands are clean and free of germs. You wouldn't want to make anyone sick, would you?
Before you start read through the recipe and check that you have all the ingredients you will need.
It is a good idea at this stage to let your child help collect all the ingredients and equipment you will need.
Weighing and Measuring
When you are baking it is important to measure out all the ingredients exactly and don’t leave anything out as your cakes or buns may not turn out the way you want them.
Measure dry ingredients using kitchen scales and any liquids in a measuring jug.
If you are using measuring spoons the ingredient should lie level with the top of the spoon.
Keeping Clean
It is good practice to encourage your child to keep things clean while they are working so that at the end of your baking you are not faced with a huge amount of dishes!
Put things away after you have used them.
If anything gets spilled and I’m sure it will encourage your child to wipe up any spills straight away and to keep work surfaces clean.
At this point it is good to teach your child the importance of washing their hands before and during baking.
Preparing the Tins and Trays
If you are making a cake, use the shape and size suggested in the recipe as you may end up with not enough mixture and the cake will turn out the way you want it.
A lot of cake and bun recipes require that the tins and trays be greased and lined, this stops the food from sticking to the tin.
To Grease and Line a Cake Tin:
- 1. Dip a paper towel into softened butter or cooking oil and rub it over the insides of the tin.
- 2. Put a sheet of baking parchment or greaseproof paper under the tin and draw around it with a pencil.
- 3. Cut out the shape and place it in the inside of the tin so that the bottom is covered.
Cooking Times
If you have a fan oven you may need to lower the temperature or shorten the cooking time.
Do not open the oven while the cake is baking unless you really need to for example unless the recipe tells you to or you think the cake may be burning!
Which Shelf should I Bake a cake on?
This is a very common question and one that adults as well as children ask.
You should always use the middle shelf, unless the recipe states differently.
If you need to use more than one shelf you should use the middle shelf until the first item is cooked then move whatever is on the lower shelf up to the middle shelf until it is cooked.
Storing Your Cakes and Buns
When your cakes, buns, biscuits, or whatever you have baked has cooled you can store them in an airtight container or put them in the freezer.
Anything that contains fresh cream should be used straight away or kept in the fridge.
Mishaps
Every budding chef and for that matter every chef does have mishaps and the important thing to remember when teaching your child to cook is that it should be fun and even the great Gordon Ramsey or Jamie Oliver made mistakes when they were learning.
Having a kids birthday party or planning a childrens sleepover then why not have a look in our Party Recipe Section.
Feel Free To Contact Us With Any Suggestions For Recipes You Would Like To See On This Site
