Ten Christmas baking ideas for the festive season
With the nights officially drawing in, many of us will be looking for ways to keep the little ones busy during the cold days to come and, what better way to enjoy some family time indoors than with a Christmas afternoon baking? So, whether you fancy a crumbly mince pie, a slice of delicious yule log, or a cheeky piece of Christmas cake, what would Christmas be without a delicious dessert or a selection of sweet treats to enjoy over the festive season?
Festive baking recipes during the colder months are a great way for children of all ages to benefit from spending time in the kitchen and with family, while developing skills, learning about teamwork and fostering creativity, all while having fun.
Safety tips for baking with children
Baking with the kids for Christmas can be extremely fun, but safety should always come first. Start by establishing basic kitchen rules- teach children to avoid hot surfaces and sharp tools and to always wash their hands.
To avoid any accidents altogether, you could use child-friendly, age-appropriate utensils like plastic spoons and knives and make sure that adults always manage oven use.
And finally, explain food safety, such as avoiding raw batter with eggs and not double-dipping utensils, to prevent spreading any germs. Encourage kids to clean as they go, making the clean up part just as fun as the baking. And lastly, make sure to have fun!
With that in mind, here are ten Christmas baking recipes and ideas for this festive season.
Christmas Biscuits
What would Christmas be without the smell of cinnamon in the air? These easy cinnamon flavoured biscuits are great for getting the kids involved in cooking together. Whether you enjoy them with a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate on a cold winter day, or even use them as edible tree decorations, these biscuits are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Or, you could pack them together in a festive box and give them to a teacher or friend as an early Christmas treat!
Find the recipe here!
Christmas Tree Brownies
These Christmas tree brownies are the perfect way of turning some delicious brownies into something fun and a little festive. Make a traditional rich, gooey, chocolatey brownie and then use a cookie-cutter in the shape of a Christmas tree to make your outlines. Put some green icing in a piping bag and let your little ones decorate their trees. You can even add some sprinkles at the end for an extra Christmas sparkle.
Find the recipe here!
Mince Pies
Here at Premier Education, we believe that Christmas isn’t really Christmas without a mince pie. For an unbelievably easy idea, why not just press the raw crumbly pastry straight into your tin for a delicious, biscuity finish. Add in your favourite shop bought mince meat full of yummy fruits and cover with more pastry before you bake. This recipe is great fun to make with kids this Winter!
Find the recipe here!
Snowman Cupcakes
Treat your guests during this Christmas season and let your little ones join in too with some festive snowman cupcakes. Perfect for a party or as a festive centrepiece for your special occasion, these little cupcakes should only take around 20 minutes to make- a quick job for little hands!
Add some white buttercream icing to the top of your cupcake once it has cooled and top this with a marshmallow and some little chocolate matchsticks for the arms. You can even add M&M’s or Smarties down the middle for the snowman’s buttons. This task is sure to keep your kids busy this Christmas.
Find the recipe here!
Santa Hat Meringues
Perfect for the holiday season, these Santa hat meringues involve whipping egg whites coated with red sugar in the shape of a Santa hat, trimmed with a white cuff and a pompom. These little sweet treats are so much fun to make and we’re sure that your little one’s will love them! You can eat the Santa hat on its own or you can even put it on top of a Christmas cheesecake or a cupcake for some additional decoration.
Find the recipe here!
Mini Christmas Pudding Bites
While a traditional Christmas cake might be a favourite with parents and other festive visitors, it might not go down so well with your little ones. So, why not try and make some mini Christmas pudding bites- minus the rum and brandy. Little ones can take a piece of the Christmas cake in their hands once it has cooled down and roll it into a fun snowball shape to enjoy!
Find the recipe here!
Gingerbread People
What smells more festive than homemade gingerbread? Gingerbread shapes and people are one of the most fun recipe’s for kids to make this Christmas time. Choose your favourite recipe and get to work with your little ones. These biscuits make for the perfect festive treat for loved ones and can even be used as Christmas tree decorations for a homemade touch!
Find the recipe here!
Hot Chocolate Stirrers
Now, while this may not technically be part of your Christmas recipes, who doesn’t love a hot chocolate at Christmas? But, instead of your normal chocolatey drink, why not encourage your kids to get creative and try something new? Hot chocolate stirrers are just blocks of chocolate that have been melted with a wooden stick inside
Find the recipe here!
Christmas Crinkle Cookies
This style of cookie is a new trend that has popped up in the last few years, but why not add a festive spin to an already delicious Christmas bake? There are so many flavours to choose from. You can make chocolate crinkle cookies and dust these with sugar to give a snowball-like effect. Or, why not opt for more festive flavours like orange zest, mixed spice and cinnamon. Whatever you decide, these cookies are sure to go down a treat.
Find the recipe here!
Reindeer Rice Krispies
These cute little reindeer Rice Krispie bars are so fun and easy to make! They are perfect for a Christmas or holiday party treat or a snack for the kids to take to school. The rice krispie bars are decorated with a red smartie for Rudolph’s nose and little pretzels for the antlers
Find the recipe here!
So, there you have it! Our fun Christmas baking recipes to enjoy with family and friends this Winter. We hope your Christmas is as delicious and exciting as these festive bakes. Tag us in your creations and don’t forget to leave some treats out for Santa and his Reindeer on Christmas Eve!
