At least in my mind they are. Because who has room to store project after project!
There is something about baking and cooking that children love. I suspect it has to do with taking ingredients, that seem somehow random to them, combining them and coming up with something that tastes good.
“It’s like magic!” one of my children recently exclaimed after we baked a loaf of bread.
Pretzel Recipe (makes 12 largish pretzels)
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
7/8 cup water
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
Mix it all together like you would bread.
Don’t know how to do it? Don’t have a bread maker with a dough setting?
This is a great tactile experience for younger children. And it is extremely easy to do. I know what you are thinking, I used to be afraid of baking bread too.
Get a mixing bowl.
Measure water in first, room temperature. Too hot or cold and it will not rise.
Then pour the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl in a little mound.
Dig a little hole in the top of the mound, like a volcano.
Put the yeast in the little mound.
Then stir it all up.
When it is doughy, dump it out onto a floured table and knead it.
This is the part when all the kids can help.
After they are done kneading, put it in a bowl and cover the bowl with a damp cloth so the dough doesn’t dry out while rising.
Once it has doubled in size, it is ready to shape into pretzels.
Break the dough into 12 pieces.
Your children can make the traditional pretzel shape. Form the dough into letters or shapes. Or even just leave them as pretzel sticks, but that would be boring.
Once you are done shaping them beat an egg and brush it over the pretzel.
Sprinkle them with Kosher salt.
Or a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 450 for 10-15 minutes. The time will depend on the thickness you have rolled the pretzels to. So keep an eye on them. Once they are golden, they are ready to come out of the oven and enjoy.
I have been considering making my own bread. I was wondering could you make the dough in a food processor? I have seen them do it on the Food network, but I am not sure if they used yeast or not. Just curious. I don’t mixing.
Hey, these might make nice Christmas gifts for neighbors and such.
Comment by SoMo — October 1, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I remember when my 6th grade boy had an assignment for school. Make your own recipe book. He amazed his teacher by putting in thing he really makes like grilled cheese (using a toaster and a microwave) smiley hot dogs (again nuked) and deviled eggs (this one used the stove). He was shocked to hear that there were only 4 other kids who cooked anything in his class. He had been cooking for 3 years.
My daughter is now in 3rd grade and totally excited to learn how to cook. It is a great opportunity to teach her about nutrition, safety, self reliance, and math. It is also a wonderful bonding experience for us.
Comment by Claire — October 13, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
I agree. I love to bake with my son. I used to bake cookies and other things with him and his older half brother and sister. We would have a blast. My son is already gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmnas baking for us to do. It is a great way for us to spend time together, goof off, make a mess, talk, bond, and end up with something good to eat. Keep on baking.
Comment by Momma G (Georgetta) — October 15, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
Ooh, that’s a great idea (making them for Christmas presents)!
The best thing about Pretzels is the fact that you can make them into almost any shape you like. That feature came in pretty handy last year while my Kindergartener was learning his letters.
Comment by Jennifer — October 29, 2008 @ 4:37 pm