8 Easy Treats to Bake With Your Kids

Getting kids in the kitchen, cooking and baking, not only builds life skills but also fosters a sense of curiosity. Molly Birnbaum, author, and editor-in-chief of American's Test Kitchen Kids, believes that teaching kids to cook gets them interested in the world around them.

"It’s been said that good cooking is an art form," Birnbaum wrote in Time. "The truth is, it’s much more than that. It’s a way to teach kids vital 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration."

And since you never know when baking inspiration is going to strike, or when you need to divert a child in the midst of a meltdown as a way to refocus their energy, it's best to be ready in a pinch with fun things to bake with kids. Be prepared by stocking your pantry with these basic ingredients:

• Flour

• Sugar

• Baking soda

• Baking powder

• Chocolate chips

Safety in the kitchen is paramount too, so be mindful of providing age-appropriate tasks for your children. Make sure they know basic rules, like not touching the stove, or handling hot pans and ingredients without an adult present.

"Beyond the practical skills, cooking builds character. It encourages kids to work with others to produce the final result and boosts their confidence as they take the lead in packing their own lunches, baking holiday treats, or helping to get dinner on the table," Birnbaum wrote.

Ready to get started? Here's a fun and easy recipe to start off with!

1. Easy Bread Recipe
This basic bread recipe from Chef Kimberly Bryant is perfect for beginner bakers because it all comes together in one bowl. Baking bread is a full sensory experience, especially for young children as they observe how yeast makes dough rise and ultimately bakes into a fluffy delicious loaf of bread.

Reading and baked goods go together like cookies and milk or peanut butter and jelly, so why not cozy up with a good picture book while munching on some book-themed treats? These book and recipe combinations will have you running to the kitchen after your next library excursion.

2. Basic Sugar Cookies
Get kids in the kitchen mixing, stirring, and pouring with this easy sugar cookie recipe inspired by the book, Little Blue, Little Yellow. Not only will your little ones be practicing their fine motor skills, but they'll also get a quick lesson in color mixing. For older kids, use the lesson presented in the book to discuss self-love, acceptance, and respect, and as an introduction to social justice.

3. Birthday Cake Whoopie Pies
If you have younger children who struggle with understanding the concept of time, Julie Fogliano's book, When's My Birthday is the perfect read-aloud. Pair it with these Birthday Cake Whoopie Pies from the baking experts at Wilton if it's almost birthday-time, but not quite.

4. Shortbread Button Cookies
Corduroy fans will love baking and eating these Shortbread Button Cookies made to look just like the lovable bear's overalls buttons.

5. Sunbread
Whether you're celebrating the solstice or just want a bright, sunny bread to bake on a cold, dreary day, this golden bread recipe from Acorn to Oak is adapted from Elisa Klevens children's book, Sun Bread, and is the perfect cure when the clouds won't go away.

Baking as a whole incorporates processed flours and copious amounts of sugar and butter. Of course, there are the occasional healthy holiday treats to be had, but what if you want healthful options year-round? These healthy treats for kids are big on taste without many of the typical processed ingredients.

6. Gluten-free Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Trying to find a delicious gluten-free treats recipe to bake with your kids can be challenging, but Lisa Bayorek of Homesteading and Hungry hits the mark with these Gluten-free Cupcakes. She's themed hers to include a special surprise; peanut butter or chocolate chips inside the cupcake, and she also included cute pirate flag cupcake toppers.

"These gluten-free cupcakes with peanut butter frosting are the cupcakes that I made for my boys and their friends after a fun day of Geocaching," the Charleston-based mom of two wrote. "They have a fun buried treasure inside! The boys loved them and it was a great reward after a hard day of searching for treasures."

They would also be great cupcakes to serve for a pirate-themed birthday party or to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th.

7. Vegan Strawberry-Banana Muffins
Packed with fresh fruit, these Vegan Strawberry-Banana Muffins from The Simple Veganista come together in just one bowl, making them an easy baking project. They're also nutritious and lower in sugar, to make the tooth fairy happy. Bonus: they freeze well and last for up to two months, so you can bake some now and save the rest for a rainy day!

8. Chocolate Sunbutter Fudge
According to Food Allergy Research & Education, an estimated one in 13 children are allergic to at least one of the eight major food allergens, which is why many schools have gone either "nut-free" or are at least "nut-aware." If you're preparing treats to take to school or just want a nut-free option to enjoy at home, try this Allergy Friendly Chocolate Sunbutter Fudge from Ambitious Kitchen.