Now that fall is here and the air is crisp and cool, it's a great time to do some cozy baking with your kids. Especially with all those apples and pumpkins! For kids, baking is like playing with play dough only better because you get a tasty treat afterward. For us parents it's definitely the harder, messier way to get food on the table. But that's not the point! Baking with your kids is just a fun activity to share that ends with something delicious they can be proud of and everyone can enjoy.
Here are some ideas and recipes for our favorite fall baking treats you can make with your kids.
Pumpkin pie: Kids just love this classic. The easiest way to bake a pumpkin pie is to buy a pre-made crust and use the recipe from the label on a can of pumpkin puree. And for most kids that's going to be just enough fun! But just in case you've got a budding Top Chef in your home, here's a recipe for pie using fresh pumpkin.
Pumpkin bread. Love! Especially with chocolate chips.
Baked apples: Grab some apples and some cinnamon sticks for this simple treat, whole baked apples stuffed with sugar and spice. Grown-ups may need to do the carving first, but then kids can fill in the apples. Here's one version of whole baked apple (skip the rum), and here's a fancier recipe, baked apple with chocolate chips.
Toasted pumpkin seeds: Once you've carved your Jack-o'-lantern, rinse and save the seeds. Here's 14 tips showing you how to toast pumpkin seeds.
Granola: This is something kids can help mix up — and they can help decide on the ingredients. The possibilities are almost limitless! Here's a basic granola recipe. And here's a more decadent orange and dark chocolate granola recipe.
Check out our Recipe of the Day posts through October for more super-fun, kid-friendly baking ideas!
Ruby's Oatmeal Double Crisp Pie via Nick Jr.
Serves 8. Inspired by the show Max and Ruby
Ingredients
1 ready-made pie crust
For the filling:
3 Granny Smith apples
3 Macoun or Macintosh apples
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
For the crumble:
2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter
Directions:
Arrange the baking rack to the lower third of your oven and preheat to 400°F.
Unroll the ready-made pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Press into the pan, allowing the excess to hang over the edge. Fold the excess dough under, so that it is even with the plate's rim, and pinch the edges to make a decorative design.
Peel, core, and cut the apples into 1/2-inch chunks. Place them in a medium bowl. Add the sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Toss to combine. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pie crust.
Combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the butter and work with fingertips until it looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apples.
Place the pie into the oven and bake for 30 minutes at 400°F. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for 20 to 30 minutes longer, or until the apples are tender.
Remove the pie from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before serving.
What do you like to bake with your kids in the fall?
Image via qwrrty/Flickr
