Baking With Children

kah22

I've promised my grand-niece we would do some baking after school on Friday. She's 8yo but has 'helped' me in the past

My intention had been to do a sponge cake or little buns but after making the promise she announced she wanted to make a chocolate cake ! Trouble is I can't find one suitable for her age group. Those I did come across were more adult

Any good childproof chocolate cake recipes out there they sure would be welcomed. See what you can do. Thanks
Kevin

krlyr

Follow a typical sponge recipe - e.g. 4 eggs, 8oz SR flour, 8oz sugar, 8oz butter. Take out maybe a couple of spoons of the flour, and replace with cocoa powder. Add a spoonful of golden syrup, if you have it. Voila, chocolate sponge cake! The golden syrup gives it a good moistness, and you can fill or top with chocolate buttercream - simply make a buttercream with butter and icing sugar, and add a little cocoa to taste.

helcat26

I agree with the above and that recipe is good.
I find though with children and baking it is all about the decoration- so arm yourself with a good stock of sprinkles, mini smarties, icing glitter etc.
If you are not sure your buttercream will stand up to the challenge either melt chocolate to put on the top, or buy that (rather awful but kids like it) pre-made chocolate fudge topping
I would personally suggest muffins as they cook and cool quicker so that the kids do not get bored during the process.

VfM4meplse

krlyr wrote: »

Follow a typical sponge recipe - e.g. 4 eggs, 8oz SR flour, 8oz sugar, 8oz butter. Take out maybe a couple of spoons of the flour, and replace with cocoa powder. Add a spoonful of golden syrup, if you have it. Voila, chocolate sponge cake! The golden syrup gives it a good moistness, and you can fill or top with chocolate buttercream - simply make a buttercream with butter and icing sugar, and add a little cocoa to taste.

This is a geat idea.

It can easily be cut in half and rejoined as a chocolate hedgehog. You'll need chocolate buttercream, a fork and plenty of buttons though!



I can't wait to do this kind of stuff with my niece when she gets a bit older!

esmy

krlyr wrote: »

Follow a typical sponge recipe - e.g. 4 eggs, 8oz SR flour, 8oz sugar, 8oz butter. Take out maybe a couple of spoons of the flour, and replace with cocoa powder. Add a spoonful of golden syrup, if you have it. Voila, chocolate sponge cake! The golden syrup gives it a good moistness, and you can fill or top with chocolate buttercream - simply make a buttercream with butter and icing sugar, and add a little cocoa to taste.

I do this with my 3 year old GD. She likes to weigh out the ingredients, break the eggs and ,of course, lick out the bowl! We also cook it in the microwave so she can see it rise.

Bumblebear

I have got to make that hedgehog :T

sooty&sweep

Not sure I can top the hedgehog but chocolate brownies ?

Jen

VfM4meplse

Bumblebear wrote: »

I have got to make that hedgehog :T

Tip: use a thin pan to get a domed effect. Then when you cut it half (2 half moons) and sandwich them together on the fiat side, it's a rounder shape.

Flat cakes = a tall and thin hedgehog. Equally delicious, mind.

kah22

First of all thanks for the replies.

The little girl announced today that her Nanny makes lovely Apple crumble and she'd like to make that. Her father came sometime later and announced he'd be picking her up early tomorrow. So now I don't know whether the baking is on or off 🤔 If she insists I'll go for the crumble at least that way she can take it home and cook it there.

I'll let you know what happens

Kevin

Katzen

Rice Krispie Easter nests? Quick, easy, cheap and chocolate! She could even do it virtually on her own

kah22

Well she made the Apple crumble and I think she got as much flour on her as we used for the crumble and it's away home now for after tea