kids cooking: top 5 sweet recipes to make with kids

My mum just smiles and nods when I say things like "...oh I can't wait to have Harry help me cook..." I know it means mess, but I am so looking forward to seeing his big hazel eyes light up watching muffins he helped make, rise from the pan. Harry is only 13 months, so he won't be helping me just yet. But when I nannied, the kids would stand on their step-a-stools eagerly clutching the sieve and wooden spoon (and eyeing off the beaters).

Helping in the kitchen (safely) is so wonderful for children, it promotes self-confidence, teaches them about measurements, and connects them with raw food ingredients. Seeing how food is made, and taking an interest in cooking can also help with fussy eating. It's even better if you can include your children with growing their own herbs, or fruit, and then use them in the cooking. 

These were the top 5 sweet things my nanny babes loved to help me make: 

Chocolate coconut slice

Ingredients 

125g butter

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup coconut

½ cup plain flour

1/3 cup self raising flour

1 tablespoon of dark cocoa

1 egg

Icing

1 cup icing sugar

1 tablespoon of cocoa

1 teaspoon of softened butter

1 tablespoon of milk

Method 

1/ Melt the butter, stir in the brown sugar. Combine the buttery sugary goodness with coconut, sifted flours, cocoa and lightly beaten egg. 

2/ Spread the mixture evenly over a pre-prepared 28x18cm greased pan. Bake at 180oC for 20 mins or until just firm to touch (underdone is better than overdone). 

3/ Allow the slice to cool, then spread with icing and pop it in the fridge. Sprinkle with extra coconut - if you have time (this one gets eaten pretty fast!). 

Play dough 

Ingredients 

2 cups plain flour

4 tablespoons cream of tartar

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 cup salt

2 cups water

3 drops of food colouring

Method 

1/ Combine salt, colouring and water in saucepan and heat till salt is dissolved.

2/ Add the rest of the dry mix and stir until it 'doughs' together.

3/ Remove and let it cool for a min or two. Then knead it really well.

Tips:

Don't refrigerate, keep at room temp in zip lock bags.  

Mix it up with a bit of glitter or sand.

Gingerbread men

Ingredients  

(Makes 20) 

           

Melted butter, to grease

125g butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup, firmly packed, brown sugar

1/2 cup golden syrup

1 egg, separated

2 1/2 cups plain flour

1 tbs ground ginger

1 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Plain flour, to dust

Decorations: 

           

150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted & mixed with 3 tbs water 

food colouring 

Smarties, coconut, whatever you have in the cupboard

           

Method 

           

1/ Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter to lightly grease

2/ Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. 

3/ Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest
.

4/ Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 4mm thick. Use a 9cm gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes. Place on trays about 3cm apart. Repeat with any excess dough.

5/ Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.

6/ Once cool, mix up your icing sugar and prepare the decorations, then let the kids go wild creating their little master pieces.

Mix 'n' match rocky road

Ingredients 

250g milk chocolate, chopped

250g dark chocolate, chopped 

2 large cherry ripe bars, chopped 

2 bounty bars, chopped 

200g marshmallows, chopped 

1/2 cup pistachio nuts, chopped 

1/2 cup desiccated coconut 

Method

1/ Line a standard slice tin with greased baking paper. 

2/ Combine all ingredients (except milk and dark choc) in a bowl and mix well. 

3/ Place milk and dark chocolate in a bowl above a pot of boiling water. Gently melt, stirring continuously. 

4/ Pour dry ingredients into melted chocolate, mix well. 

5/ Pour into tin (quickly, as it sets immediately), and refrigerate until chocolate has set. 

Tip: Cut into triangles using a warm knife. 

Mix-N-Match 

I add 1/4 cup of coconut to give it that real Darrel Lea taste.

You can use any nut you want, toasted hazelnuts or almonds go nicely.

Substitute the bounty for turkish delight or other chocolate bar.

Pop it in a clear bag and tie a pretty bow around for gifts. 

Coconut macaroons 

Ingredients

2 cups desiccated coconut 

1/2 cup caster sugar 

3 egg whites 

1/3 cup choc chips (or more) 

Method 

1/ Preheat the oven to 180oC. Line a baking tray with baking paper. 

2/ Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. 

3/ Roll into balls and place on the tray, bake for about 10-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.