my-ty

What a wonderful memory that happened by accident.

nanac

I baked with my kids, and now, with my 14 grandkids. Every year, around Christmas time, we have a Cookie Day with Nana. I make the dough, they do the cutting, baking, and, oh, yes, the decorating. Each child get to take home the ones that he/she decorated. And, boy do we have some creative decorations. They are allowed to make whatever messes they need to, but they also have to help clean up afterwards. This gives me time to spend, creating memories for my grandkids, and the moms all get some cookies they didn't have to make. Win-win, all around.

Sleepy Hollow

I started baking (and cooking) with my son when he was very young. We cook pretty much daily, but don't bake a whole lot. However, when he was 15 I had him bake his own birthday cake from scratch (key lime pie, he even had to juice the limes himself). Now he does a lot in the kitchen himself (18, just started at the community college).

Growing up I had four siblings, and we were always baking some kind of cookies, cakes, etc. Eventually, all but the youngest moved out and my dad asked my mom why she wasn't baking cookies anymore. She told him she never bakes, it was always the kids that did the baking! So, dad learned to bake in his 60s, and now cooks all the meals for my mom (she got a part time job 19 years ago for something fun and a little extra money). Anyway, it was when my dad mentioned this comment that I realized I never learned to bake with my mom, but with my older siblings.

One of my favorite recipes to bake when he was little was a candy cane cookie recipe from an old Betty Crocker cook book (we didn't add crushed candy canes, just left them plain). It had been a favorite of mine when I was little. The first bite taste really weird (they use almond extract), and kind of gives a "not sure I like these" feeling, but they are weirdly addictive and I have to stop myself from eating the whole plate.

I've been working on different bread recipes, and when I find "the one!" I will show him how to bake that as well.

Tothill

Sleepy Hollow, I started my son making the Pizza dough for Pizza Night.

Pizza dough is easy and forgiving. You can also use it to make home made pita bread.

One of the best pieces of advice I got for making pizza was to invest in a pizza stone. I love it, it is best if you have a pizza peel too to transfer the pizza.

Cinnamon buns are good too, basically a sweet bread, that you can make as buns or raisin bread etc.

I love almond flavouring, can you share your recipe for the cookies?

Sleepy Hollow

I was going to link to the Betty Crocker site, but they've changed the recipe. This is the one is from my old book (first 12 pages are missing, so I don't know what year it was printed).

Candy Cane Cookies

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup confectioners' (aka powdered) sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red food color
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy (I never use this)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I don't use this either)

Heat oven to 375°.
Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, confectioners' sugar, egg and flavorings.
Blend in flour and salt.
Divide dough in half; blend food color into one half.

Shape 1 tsp dough from each half into 4 inch rope. For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on lightly floured board. Place ropes side by side; press together lightly and twist. Complete cookies one at a time. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down to form handle of cane.

Bake about 9 minutes or until set and very light brown. (I stop here and then devour the whole thing)

Mix candy and granulated sugar. Immediately sprinkle cookies with candy mixture; remove from baking sheet.

About 4 dozen cookies.

*if using self-rising flour, omit salt. If using quick-mixing flour, stir 2 tablespoons milk into butter mixture.

Sleepy Hollow

Pizza and pizza doughs are definitely good ones for kids.

My son got his start cooking with a package of ramen noodles (that I had bought for when he had surgery, but never used). He didn't like the thought of just noodles, so asked what he could put in it. I let him have at the refrigerator. By the time he was done he had a great soup with hamburger, carrots, broccoli, etc. He took off from there and still likes to experiment in the kitchen. He can follow a recipe, but likes to play with it after the first time.

margied

My son helped me baking and candy making and at 10 i introduced him to cooking dinner. I wanted to be sure he new how to do the whole thing. Now he cooks everything, tries new recipes, asks for some of mine, even bakes pies. He apparently likes it

Tothill

Thank you for sharing the recipe.

Grace creates

I baked with my kids and have fond memories doing such. My Mom occasionally baked with me and those are fond memories as well. I sometimes bake with my Granddaughters and more fond memories, but the best was making pizza together and thats really not in the baking category, but fun anyway

Jeanne Egeland

We have three sons and 2 of them still cook today and they are in their 40's. Our grandson started making pumpkin pie before he was 6 and he is now 20 and still makes all the pumpkin pies. I worked in a day care and we always made cookies, bread, baked chicken. They had a blast helping do this.