I decided to recreate one of my top holiday recipes from last year—but this time, to try baking with my toddler by my side and to capture the process on video! The video shared on Lansing Mom’s Social Media Pages is the result, and, following, you’ll find the delicious recipe and my main takeaways you can try at home with your kids. So, with that, welcome to my kitchen!
Takeaway #1: Aim for something simple.
We made a cranberry and Brie crescent wreath, recipe courtesy of Tasty! Since I had already made this recipe several times, I knew it was something my toddler could handle.
Takeaway #2: Prepare ahead of time.
When baking with a toddler, remember that their attention spans are notoriously short, so do as much as you can ahead of time. I had already preheated the oven, laid out the cookie sheet, and opened the cans for the ingredients while my daughter was still napping. I also did the slicing jobs because two-year-olds and knives are a bad combination. That way, I left us with only the fun, messy stuff left to do together.
Takeaway #3: Make it hands-on.
What’s the fun of cooking if you don’t get your hands dirty? I tried to leave things for my daughter that I knew she’d enjoy, like scooping the cranberries and folding over the squishy crescent dough. Honestly, washing up in the kitchen sink afterwards was a highlight for her!
Takeaway #4: Build excitement for the end result.
All baking involves some amount of waiting. Use the waiting time to build your kids’ enthusiasm for the end result. Set out plates, check on how the food is cooking in the oven, and make it a big show when the timer finally goes off!
Takeaway #5: Enjoy the process—and share the goods!
After all that (and some cleanup), enjoy the treat you created! Tell your kids about how fun it is to share special baked goods with others, especially at the holidays. Try not to worry if it looks perfect or if the kitchen is messier than usual. These are memories you are making together, and that’s worth it all.
