Festive Fun: Christmas Bakes to Create with Children

The Christmas season is upon us and there is surely no better way to embrace the festive spirit and sense of togetherness than by whipping up some delightful Christmas bakes with children. Baking together not only fills the home with the irresistible aroma of festive spices but it also creates enduring memories of the precious time spent together. Here are some scrumptious Christmas goodies that are perfect for little hands to help prepare.

Gingerbread Men (or Gingerbread People!)

No Christmas baking session is complete without the quintessential gingerbread men. These marvellous morsels are not only delicious but they also offer a canvas for creativity.

Ingredients:

• 350g plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 125g butter
• 175g light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 4 tbsp golden syrup

Method:

1. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon into a bowl.
2. Rub in the butter and stir in the sugar.
3. Beat the egg and golden syrup together, then mix into the flour mixture to form a dough.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread people shapes.
5. Bake at 180°C for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Let the children go wild decorating these Christmas bakes with icing, sweets and edible glitter. It’s a baking moment that doubles as a craft activity!

Festive Shortbread Stars

Shortbread is a simple yet delightful Christmas bake that children can easily help with. The star shape adds a festive touch to this classic biscuit.

Ingredients:

• 250g butter, softened
• 125g caster sugar
• 375g plain flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
2. Gradually mix in the flour and vanilla extract.
3. Roll out the dough and cut into star shapes.
4. Bake at 160°C for 15-20 minutes until pale golden.

For an extra festive touch, dust these Christmas bites with icing sugar to create a ‘snowy’ effect.

Chocolate Orange Yule Log

This roll of orange chocolatey goodness is a Christmas bake that is a bit more involved but will be sure to impress. The rolling process can be great fun for older children.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 85g caster sugar
• 85g self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 300ml double cream
• 200g dark chocolate
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tsp ground cloves

Method:

1. Whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Fold in flour and cocoa powder.
3. Pour into a lined Swiss roll tin and bake at 200°C for 8-10 minutes.
4. Turn out onto a sugared paper and roll up while warm.
5. Unroll when cool and spread with whipped cream flavoured with orange zest.
6. Re-roll and cover with melted chocolate.

The addition of ground cloves gives this Christmas bake an extra festive flavour that complements the chocolate and orange beautifully.

Mince Pie Pinwheels

A twist on the traditional mince pie, these pinwheels are easier for little hands to manage and just as tasty.

Ingredients:

• 375g ready-rolled puff pastry
• 411g jar mincemeat
• 1 egg, beaten
• Icing sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Unroll the pastry and spread with mincemeat.
2. Roll up from the long side and slice into 2cm thick rounds.
3. Place on a baking tray and brush with beaten egg.
4. Bake at 200°C for 15-20 minutes until golden.

These Christmas bakes are a great way to introduce children to the flavours of traditional mince pies in a fun, new format.

Christmas Pudding Truffles

For a no-bake option, these truffles are perfect. They’re easy to make and great for gifting.

Ingredients:

• 300g leftover Christmas pudding
• 50g melted butter
• 100g dark chocolate
• 100g white chocolate
• Holly leaf decorations

Method:

1. Crumble the Christmas pudding and mix with melted butter.
2. Form into small balls and chill.
3. Dip in melted dark chocolate and set on baking paper.
4. Drizzle with white chocolate and add a holly leaf decoration.

These truffles are a brilliant way to use up leftover Christmas pudding and create a delicious new treat.

Cinnamon Swirl Christmas Tree

This Christmas bake combines the joy of cinnamon rolls with festive presentation.

Ingredients:

• 500g strong white bread flour
• 7g fast-action dried yeast
• 300ml warm milk
• 50g butter, melted
• 1 egg, beaten
• 100g brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Method:

1. Mix flour and yeast, then add milk, butter, and egg to form a dough.
2. Knead for 10 minutes, then leave to rise for an hour.
3. Roll out into a rectangle and spread with melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
4. Roll up from the long side and cut into 1cm slices.
5. Arrange slices in a tree shape on a baking tray.
6. Bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until golden.

This Christmas bake not only tastes delicious but also looks stunning on the table.

The Joy of Baking Together

Creating these Christmas bakes with your children is about so much more than just the end result. It’s the laughter shared while mixing ingredients, the concentration on their little faces as they carefully decorate their items and the pride in their eyes when they present their creations.

Each of these scrumptious nibbles offers a unique opportunity for children to get involved in the kitchen. From simple tasks like mixing and rolling for younger ones to more complex activities like piping icing for older children, there’s something for every age and skill level.

Moreover, family members baking together teaches valuable life skills. Children learn about measurements, following instructions and the science behind cooking. They also develop patience as they wait for their Christmas culinary creations to rise or cool.

Whether you’re crafting gingerbread people, rolling out shortbread stars or assembling a cinnamon swirl Christmas tree, you’re sure to create not just delicious Christmas bakes but also cherished festive memories that will last a lifetime.