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THE CHANGE IN THE SEASONS…….

Haven’t we reached this point of the year so unbelievably quickly???

It seems like yesterday the cold weather was just starting to break and we enjoyed some unusually hot summer sunshine (some would say to hot!) but nevertheless just like that there is a chill in the air, we are swapping our t-shirts for jackets and our iced drinks for hot drinks and considering maybe the events of the winter season, Halloween, Guy Fawkes and dare I say…. Christmas.

It’s a time of year where for many we may feel a little down, not being able to get outdoors as much, and enjoying the fresh air, and with the dark nights seem to bring some dark moods.

It does however seem to be the time of the year when people start or increase the amount of baking they do, and here’s an interesting fact, science agrees with us Bakers, that baking really is the answer to shaking off the autumn and winter blues and here is the proof……

BAKING SMELLS CHEER US UP

We have all past a Bakery and commented about the delicious smells and we should not underestimate the power of smells in boosting our moods, its widely claimed that the smell of Vanilla makes us happier and that the smell of cinnamon boosts our cognitive functions.

BAKING HELPS WITH ANXIETY

Focusing on a single task has it been said been proven to help anxiety and increase a person’s well-being. The process of making a cake for example allows a person to almost “get lost in the process” and not concentrate on other things in their life. Being creative with something has also proven to have a simple affect

BAKED GOODS MAKE US FEEL BETTER

Whilst an “everything in moderation” warning should be  added here. A treat, whether that be a piece of freshly baked loaf, a warm apple pie and custard or a slice of Victoria sponge, always boosts the mood, Carbohydrates encourage the brain to release serotonin which it is understood help with the feeling of happiness.  

BAKING BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

Whether it be baking with your child, baking a gift for someone, or sharing a home baked cake with the family, research has shown that food brings people together. Also people feel less guilty when eating with others.. the moral of this story is Make it, Bake it, Share it, Enjoy it.

Baking really can make us happier and the science supports it.

Baking has brought me much joy over the years and I wanted to help people experience their own joy from baking, which is why I have set up my FREE Group, Bake me confident to help people improve their confidence and find joy in baking. If this sounds like you, please click the following link.

EASTER LEFTOVERS

Easter is definitely a time for indulgence for many people. So many Chocolate Eggs and treats get bought and received around this time, estimated at around the 180 million mark! That’s a lot of Chocolate!! Added to that there is Hot Cross Buns, Easter biscuits, Simnel cake and a whole host of other seasonal treats to be consumed over the Easter Holidays.

But maybe your looking at some last minute recipes to use up some Easter Eggs or leftover Hotcross buns and with half term not yet over it’s a great way to keep the kids entertained!

Here are some recipes that I have found that you may like to try to get creative with some of those  Easter treats!

HOT CROSS BUN PUDDING

Like the traditional Bread and Butter Pudding but using Hot Cross buns instead of Bread!

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/hot-cross-bun-butter-pudding

3 INGREDIENT EASTER BROWNIE

A quick and simple way to use up some Eggs, any eggs can be used for this recipe

https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/introducing-3-ingredient-easter-egg-brownie/37b97e88-abcd-4134-bc63-cf0e5263d402?r=recipes/collections/ww6efk1x

EASTER CHOCOLATE TRAYBAKE

A chocolate sponge topped with a rich chocolate cream cheese buttercream. Not a cream cheese fan then a simple substitution could be an ordinary buttercream or even just melted chocolate

https://www.sewwhite.com/leftover-easter-chocolate-traybake/

 

CHOCOLATE EGG COOKIES

Make these delicious cookies in under half an hour!

https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/chocolate-cadbury-egg-cookies/

Oh No Not Baking!

“PLEASE CAN WE MAKE SOME CAKES WHEN WE GET HOME?”

This innocent request by a child is often heard as I go about my weekly shop, I often glance at the parent and see a look of fear and dread in their face as if they have been asked to walk a plank above an ocean of angry sharks. The cogs in their mind are already saying “don’t eat the batter”, “don’t break the eggs on the worktop”, “why have you added that to that” “Why can I smell burning”, “look at my kitchen” and the idea is dismissed before the child can say cupcake! Sound familiar???

But you can make it easier on yourself to grant their wish without having a meltdown over your child licking the butter or the kitchen resembling a war zone, honestly you can!

There are many documented reasons on why you should bake with your kids such as  boosting their confidence, developing their reading, literacy and numeracy skills, but I think the most important thing is the way it makes them feel and that sense of accomplishment at the end product.

Here are a few hints and tips on baking with children.

1.      SET ASIDE A TIME TO DO IT

Usually a rushed bake before the film starts or after tea is never successful, set aside a time when you and your child are focused on the baking task

2.      DON’T BUY EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT

Many parents think baking will be an expensive hobby and it can be, but there is no need to buy an expensive tin that will never be used again, or a million tools, generally things you have around the kitchen are just as good as specific cake equipment!

3.      PICK A MANAGEABLE RECIPE 

Don’t pick a recipe with a million complicated steps that will take most of the day to complete! Trust me a toddler will have little patience with waiting for a dough to prove, or interest in making a cake with equal 1cm layers!!!

4.      GET ALL INGREDIENTS READY

Make sure you have everything you need and lay the ingredients out in an organised manner with younger children you may finding pre weighing the ingredients into containers is easier for them to manage and avoids mistakes or frustration. Children are also less likely to spill ingredients tipping them from bowls or cups than they are from packets.

5.      REDUCE MESS

If you are worried about mess, try laying a strip of greaseproof paper across your worksurface, most mess will be caught on this, and it can simply be scrunched up and chucked in the bin when you have finished.

6.      KEEPING THEM ENTERTAINED

The time when the bake is cooking, or you are waiting for something to cool is the time they loose interest. Pre plan for this by getting an activity ready for this time, maybe get them to draw a baking related picture, or play a baking related quiz, keeping them entertained and not dashing off to do something else

IF IT GOES WRONG WHO CARES

Remember its not about a perfect sponge or an award-winning cookie its about having a go and having fun, if they learn something along the way then that’s a bonus! Most bakes may not look picture perfect but will usually taste great.

I hope you enjoyed these simple tips, and they take some of the fear out of those dreaded baking requests!  Be sure to follow my new blog, and also my social media pages @bakealongwithbec on Facebook and Instagram for more hints, tips and recipes for baking with children.

Or check out our Bake Along with Bec membership where I take all the hard work out of baking with kids and just leave the fun part

https://www.rhcakes.com/bake-along-with-bec

Hopefully together we can get you off that plank walk over the ocean into an apron and relaxed

Bec

Bake Educate Create