From sugary delights to savoury bites, there’s a whole world of delicious and easy baking recipes for kids to try at home. Plus, we’ll show how our PGL baking camp is the perfect chance for children to develop their cooking skills.
So, on your marks, get set, BAKE!
5 Fun baking recipes for kids
Baking with kids opens up a new world of creativity! That’s why we’ve picked five recipes which are all simple, quick, and use common ingredients you likely already have at home, ensuring minimal preparation time. Plus, you can easily customise each recipe to suit your child’s taste for maximum enjoyment.
Pro baking tips:
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature to ensure smoother mixing.
- Encourage your child to help with stirring and decorating to help build their confidence in the kitchen.
With these simple, kid-friendly recipes, baking together will be a breeze!
1. Iced shortbread biscuits
These iced shortbread biscuits are not only tasty but a fantastic way for kids to get creative with icing and decorations.
Ingredients:
- 250g plain flour
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Royal icing and food colouring for decoration
Instructions:
Simply preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas Mark 4. In a large bowl, mix butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until fluffy, then add flour to make dough. Next, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface, then use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown, then let the biscuits cool down completely before decorating with royal icing and food colouring.
2. Mini pizzas
Mini pizzas are a hit with kids and they can choose their own toppings, making mealtime a fun and interactive experience!
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of ready-made pizza dough
- Tomato passata
- Grated cheese
- Toppings: pepperoni, bell peppers, olives – whatever you like!
Instructions:
Preheat your oven as per the instructions on your pizza dough pack. Roll out the dough and cut it into small circles using a cookie cutter or glass before placing these circles on a baking tray. Now, spoon some tomato passata onto each mini pizza, followed by a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese and your favourite toppings. Bake according to the pack instructions until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
3. Cheese and ham tarts
For a quick lunchtime snack, why not try these scrumptious cheese and ham tarts? Kids will adore the delicious combination of flavours and leaves them eager for more!
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of ready-made puff pastry
- 100g grated cheddar cheese
- 75g diced ham
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions:
Roll out your puff pastry and cut it into squares, then place them on a baking tray. Next, sprinkle cheese and ham in the centre of each square, fold the edges to create a border, and brush them with beaten egg wash. Finally, pop them in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan) / Gas Mark 6 and bake for 12-15 minutes until the pastry turns golden and puffy. Voila!
4. Brownies
Making soft, fudgy brownies is a fun and simple way to satisfy your little one’s sweet tooth!
Ingredients:
- 115g butter, melted
- 200g caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 40g cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 60g plain flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 175°C (fan 160°C) or 350°F and grease or line a 9-inch (23cm) square tin. In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until combined. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs. Finally, let the brownies cool in the tin before cutting into squares.
5. Puffed rice cakes
Puffed rice cakes are a timeless favourite that’s easy for kids to bake and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 75g butter
- 300g mini marshmallows
- 180g puffed rice cereal
Instructions:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, add mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Next, take it off the heat and mix in puffed rice cereal until everything is nicely coated. Press this mixture into a greased baking dish, then let it cool completely before cutting into squares. It’s that easy!
The benefits of baking with kids
The benefits of baking with kids are endless. It isn’t just about creating delicious treats; it’s a mix of learning, bonding and fun! Let’s take a moment to explore why baking with your little ones is such a fantastic idea (hint: they’re going to love it as much as you do!).
1. Encourages learning and development
When children join you in the kitchen, they engage with maths, science, and language in a hands-on way. For instance, measuring ingredients teaches basic mathematical concepts like addition, fractions, and proportions. Mixing batter and watching it rise in the oven demonstrates scientific principles like chemical reactions. Meanwhile, reading a recipe together boosts their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
2. Sparks creativity
One of the biggest benefits of baking with kids is it allows them to experiment with flavours, colours, and decorations. Whether it’s designing cupcake toppings or shaping cookie dough into fun forms, this creative outlet helps them express themselves. They can think outside the box, try new ideas, and even come up with their own recipes!
3. Builds confidence and independence
Kids gain a sense of achievement when they contribute to a task and see the results of their efforts. Successfully baking a batch of biscuits or frosting a cake boosts their self-esteem and also teaches responsibility. Over time, they’ll feel more confident about tackling new challenges, both in and out of the kitchen.
4. Strengthens bonds
Baking together creates moments of connection in our busy lives. It’s an opportunity to work as a team, share laughter over messy spills, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your efforts. These shared experiences deepen relationships with friends and family members, creating cherished memories.
5. Promotes healthy habits
When kids participate in the baking process, they’re more likely to try new foods, learn about the importance of balance in their diet and understand what goes into their meals. Plus, it’s a great way to teach kitchen safety—showing them how to use utensils and appliances properly, practice hygiene, and keep the workspace clean.
6. Teaches patience
Finally, waiting for the dough to rise or cookies to cool teaches kids the value of patience. It’s not always easy to wait for something delicious to be ready, but it’s a great lesson in self-control and anticipation. And when a recipe doesn’t go as planned—like when the cake doesn’t rise properly or the frosting doesn’t set—it’s a perfect opportunity for kids to learn resilience and perseverance.
Baking fun at our adventure camp for kids!
Looking for more baking fun? Enrol at our summer outdoor adventure camp today! We offer a variety of thrilling multi-activities alongside our TRAILBLAZE! Specialist Adventures, including, Cool Science, Watersports and Bake It!, where your kids will learn new recipes and cook amazing cakes and bakes to wow friends & family with! You can also browse all of our children’s adventure holidays here.
At PGL, safety is our top priority and our experienced leaders ensure that all activities are age-appropriate and engaging. Whether your child is a budding chef or just loves to bake, our kids’ camp provides a supportive and fun environment for them to explore their culinary skills.
So, why wait? Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help bring your baking adventures to life!
