With a Measure of Help, Young Bakers Rise to the Occasion

Baking with children is a wonderful holiday tradition, says Rena Coyle, author of “My First Baking Book.” It’s a good time to share family history, talk with children and enjoy the delicious results.

If you’ve never baked with children before, Coyle suggests choosing a recipe that you feel comfortable with, one that can be made in steps. Remember children, especially the younger one, don’t have to help with every step to feel a part of the baking process.

Read through the recipe together before starting, and let children gather the ingredients and utensils needed to prepare the recipe. Adults need to be on hand in the kitchen to supervise and to teach kitchen safety.

The following suggestions are from Debbi Fields, author of the “Mrs. Fields Cookie Book,” founder of a chain of cookie stores nationwide and the mother of five daughters, ranging in age from 13 to 2.

“With a little preparation, holiday baking with kids can be educational and a great, safe indoor family activity on those cold winter days,” she says. The following are a few of her Doughs and Don’ts:

* Mix and math: Encourage children to work with measuring cups and spoons and to puzzle out measurements on their own.

* Tough cookies: Let children try the difficult parts of baking, like breaking eggs. This encourages kids to try things that are challenging.

* Kitchen chemistry: Encourage kids to experiment with their own recipes and ideas. This will help develop their self-confidence and kitchen judgment.

* Making a mistake: Teach kids that baking is an art--there are no “right” or “wrong” ways to prepare food. Recipes serve as wonderful guidelines, but a recipe should never override creativity in the kitchen.

* A spoonful of sugar: Allow young bakers to taste ingredients as you go so they can learn to distinguish similar ingredients, such as brown sugar and white sugar, and what they contribute to recipes.

* Never too young: If children are too young to participate in actual mixing and baking, put them in charge of cookie cutters and sprinkles. Let them know that decorating is an important part of making great cookies.

* Mixing it up:. Have older children help younger ones with baking tasks. Older kids can learn faster if they are also teachers, and younger ones may better understand someone closer to their age. This also encourages patience and family togetherness.

* How long till we’re there? Teach children to use a timer and use it consistently. This will help prevent burned cookies and improve children’s time and numbers skills.

* Good things come: Don’t rush it! It usually takes you an hour to make cookies, so allow at least two hours when baking with kids. Remember working in the kitchen is fun, not a chore to be rushed through. Let the kitchen get a little dirty--the cleaning can be done after the baking. (But be sure to clean up spills on the floor as they happen so no one slips. It’s a good idea to keep a supply of paper towels and a sponge nearby to clean up any small disasters.)

* Just desserts! Praise the final result. Whatever you decide to make with the kids, reward their efforts with warm words and encouragement. Making the finished product a meal centerpiece or sharing the family-baked treats with friends and relatives makes the effort extra special.

For inspiration for your holiday baking: “The Fannie Farmer Junior Cookbook” by Joan Scobey and illustrated by Patience Brewster (Little, Brown and Company, $19.95), revised and updated, offers delicious and easy recipes for cookies, cakes and pies; plus biscuits, soups and salads, meats and pastas.

The cookbook includes step-by-step instructions, illustrations and simple guides to the basic ingredients, terminology and equipment most often used in the kitchen. With kitchen safety tips, meal plans and menus.