How to Bake a Cake with Small Children Around
Baking a cake with small children around can be a delightful adventure, and this step-by-step recipe is designed to make it both manageable and fun! Featuring simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract, this fluffy classic cake comes together with just 20 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of baking time. The recipe is packed with kid-friendly tasks, from measuring and stirring to counting and decorating, turning the baking process into a hands-on bonding activity. With safety tips woven throughout—like setting up kid-safe zones and supervising cracking eggs—this guide ensures your kitchen stays calm amidst the whirlwind of tiny helpers. Perfect for family celebrations or an afternoon treat, this interactive baking project transforms ordinary cake-making into unforgettable memories.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 3 pieces large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). While preheating, guide the children to clean their hands and set up a safe work area far from the hot oven.
Step 2
Prepare your baking pan by lightly greasing a 9-inch round cake pan or lining it with parchment paper. Let the children assist by handing you the parchment or butter.
Step 3
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Allow the children to stir gently with a whisk (or a big spoon if they’re tiny). Keep a watchful eye to limit spills.
Step 4
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. To keep children occupied, let them add the sugar in spoonfuls as you mix.
Step 5
Break eggs one at a time into a separate small bowl, checking for shells. If the children are old enough, supervise them cracking the eggs. Add the eggs to the butter mixture and mix well.
Step 6
Stir in the vanilla extract. For fun, let the children count 'one... two...' teaspoons as you pour.
Step 7
Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour. Mix well after each addition, letting the children ‘help’ by pouring small amounts (you may need to pre-measure these into smaller dishes).
Step 8
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. To engage the children, provide a spatula for them to carefully scrape the mixing bowl (extra batter licks are optional!).
Step 9
Place the cake pan in the oven. Set a timer for 30-35 minutes and explain oven safety to the children. Encourage them to stay away from the hot appliance.
Step 10
While the cake bakes, occupy the children with a quick table cleanup or by having them decorate paper hats to ‘celebrate’ when it’s time to eat the finished cake.
Step 11
Check the cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 12
Optionally, frost or decorate the cake as a group activity once cooled. Let little hands sprinkle decorations, but supervise closely to prevent chaos. Enjoy your delicious teamwork creation!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (819.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3100.5 |
| Total Fat 113.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 65.6g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 816.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1411.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 487.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 301.7g | |
| Protein 43.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 178.3IU | 0% |
| Calcium 142.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 14.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 507.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories