Baking is a great activity to enjoy with kids, but let’s face it, it can be a bit laborious. Fear not though, here are three super easy and failsafe baking recipes.
Cheesy pigs in blankets
These couldn’t be any easier. They require just three ingredients, don’t need any prep and are mess-free.
Not the Christmas variety of sausages wrapped in bacon, these are instead an American version where hot dog-style sausages – along with cheese – are encased in a puff pastry blanket.
Ingredients
(Makes 18)
- One sheet of puff pastry (approx 320g)
- Six hot dogs
- Six slices of cheese
We use Herta Classic Frankfurters, and Emmental cheese slices as they’re not too gooey but still melt really nicely. Cheddar slices would also work well.
Method
- Preheat oven to 220˚C (200c for a fan)
- Cook hotdogs as per packet instructions
- Get puff pastry to room temperature and slice into six rectangles
(Method continues after pictures)
- Place a slice of cheese on top of each rectangle leaving a margin of pastry
- Put the cooked hot dogs on top of the cheese and roll it up
- Slice each of your rolls into three even pieces and arrange on a baking tray lined with parchment paper
Grandma’s Biscuits
This is another very easy recipe with just four ingredients. It’s a great way to get the kids to eat oats. Mine aren’t huge fans but when incorporated into a biscuit, it’s a different story! You can ice these, but we don’t feel the need as they are nicely sweet just plain.
Ingredients
(makes 20)
- 55g of oats
- 110g of soft brown sugar
- 170g of Flora margarine
- 225g of self-raising flour
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 180c (160c for fan oven)
- Mix all the ingredients together and then roll the mixture into a sausage shape
- Cut discs about as long and thick as an adult’s little finger
- Press very gently onto a baking tray. Rustic is good!
- Bake for a maximum of 15 mins and allow to cool
Easy Baking Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 20g cocoa powder
- 140g caster sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 40g unsalted butter
- 120ml of milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Preheat oven to 180c (160c fan)
- In a mixer, add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter. Beat until well combined. You could also use an electric hand whisk.
- In a jug, mix the milk, egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add half of this mixture to the dry ingredients while beating. Increase mixer speed then add the rest of the liquid. Mix briefly until smooth.
- Fill paper cake cases two-thirds full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until a skewer comes out clean).
- Leave to cool slightly then transfer to a wire rack to completely cool
- Make your favourite chocolate or plain buttercream icing (or buy one!) to top your cakes
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What are your go to baking recipes? Would love to hear in the comments below.
