10 Autumn Baking Ideas for Family Fun on a Rainy Day
As the days grow darker and the weather is looking bleak, the smell of pumpkin spice in the air might leave you looking for engaging family activities to keep the children busy.
Autumn baking recipes during the colder months aren’t just a great way to pass the time; children of all ages can benefit from spending time in the kitchen by developing skills, teamwork, and fostering creativity, all while having fun.
With that in mind here are our ten autumn baking recipes to enjoy with the family.
1. Blackberry and apple crumble
A British classic, apple and blackberry crumble is a delicious autumn dessert that’s fun to make with children. Kids can help peel apples, mix blackberries with sugar, and crumble the buttery topping.
This quick and easy recipe only requires six ingredients, and you can make it extra special by going blackberry picking in late August or early September.
2. Baked apple crisps
Kids love those packets of dried apple, so why not make your own for a fraction of the price? Healthy snacking at its finest! This is such an easy recipe that your kids can enjoy getting involved in. Bake in the oven or use an air fryer to speed up the cooking. Older children can help slice the apples while the younger ones can sprinkle the cinnamon topping.
This baked apple crisps recipe is a fun and light snack to make, tasting fresher than store-bought ones. It’s more cost-effective, and you can customise the sweetness and seasonings to suit your family’s tastes. A perfect way to introduce your kids to the joys of making their own food and trying out new bakes!
3. Pumpkin pie
Nothing signals the arrival of autumn quite like the comforting aromas of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg wafting through the air.
This delightful autumn baking recipe provides the perfect treat to celebrate the season after visiting the pumpkin patch— be sure to pick the small, sweet pumpkins and leave the big ones for carving!
4. Hedgehog bread
This isn’t as hard as it sounds—you and your children will enjoy this easy bread recipe to create adorable and delicious hibernating hedgehog bread rolls. This family activity is also a great opportunity to talk about hedgehogs and other hibernating animals.
The kids will love making something by hand and getting a bit messy kneading and shaping the dough. Once you’ve tried this, why not get creative and see what other animals you can shape into bread rolls?
5. Puff pastry pear tart
This impressive-looking dessert is super easy and cheap to make. A ready-made roll of puff pastry does all the hard work, creating the perfect crust for fruit tarts once baked.
The puff pastry tart is flaky, light, delicate, and perfectly sweet, filled with delicious pears. Serve it plain or with a drizzle of honey, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a touch of caramel.
6. Brookies
If you’re looking for the perfect indulgent treat, then a brookie is your answer. Part fudgy brownie, part chewy chocolate chip cookie, these homemade brookies are the best of both worlds and definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!
This dessert recipe is great served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or, if you don’t eat them all at once, they store well in the freezer.
7. Autumnal Cottage Pie
Great for a chilly autumn evening and perfect for leftovers, an autumnal recipe is top autumn comfort food. Fill it with colourful vegetables like carrots and peas, and you could even mash some swede to pack in more nutrients.
Children will enjoy mashing the potatoes, and older kids can help layer the ingredients. Preparing this hearty dish in the morning ensures a cozy, delicious meal ready to enjoy by dinner time.
8. Baked apples
Now for something slightly healthier, baked apples make for a perfect, comforting, and cozy dessert, filling your house with the delicious aromas of apples and cinnamon while helping you get one of your five a day.
Let the kids experiment with plenty of fillings—whether they choose pecan nuts, oats, or raisins, you’ll be surprised by how much they love this simple treat.
9. Fork biscuits
Fork biscuits are a delightful treat requiring just three simple ingredients typically found in your cupboard: butter, caster sugar, and self-raising flour. This recipe is perfect for keeping children busy in the kitchen and is an ideal beginner bake with plenty of opportunities for little hands to get involved.
The result is light, crispy biscuits that are sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
10. Pumpkin soup
Pumpkin soup may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of baking, but since you bake the pumpkin, it certainly belongs on the list.
On cold, rainy days, nothing will warm you up quite like a hearty bowl of soup. Teach your little ones the names of different vegetables and let them use age-appropriate knives to help chop the vegetables and stir the soup.
Why not serve the soup with the hedgehog bread rolls you made earlier? You can advance your soup game by adding other vegetables like cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and carrots, or spice things up with a Thai-inspired twist. For added luxury and texture, sprinkle pumpkin seed on top.
Looking for ways to keep your children engaged and happy during half-term holidays? Look no further than Premier Education half-term camps! Designed to solve your childcare worries while you’re at work, our camps offer a diverse range of activities, including everyone’s favourite sports.
Your children will have a blast each day, making new friends and enjoying exciting adventures. Explore our handy search tool to discover the ideal holiday camp for your kids this autumn break.
