Baking

Here at the Allen house we try to invite the kids into the kitchen to help with meals.  Justin has the older kids help out with dinner quite often.  It helps the meals get to the table faster and is a great learning experience for the kids.  

Personally I've always enjoyed baking with and for kids.  I can remember baking Chocolate Chip cookies with Logan, my first Nanny child, nearly 12 years ago!  

By the time my first child, Adam, came along I was a pro at Chocolate Chip cookies.  When I ask Adam what he wants he usually chooses Oatmeal Raisin cookies.  My standby recipe is the same one you find on the lid of the circular Quaker Oats container.  Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  I am using an old version though I guess since mine calls for 2 sticks of butter and 1 cup of brown sugar.    These are probably the hardest thing for me to bake.  It took me many years to learn that I need to take them out of the oven when they are still gooey or they will be crunchy instead of soft and chewy.  I'm not a fan of raisins so once in a while I will substitute chocolate chips instead.

Justin's favorite recipe is Lemon Bars.  We use this recipe from our favorite Betty Crocker's New Cookbook.  Adam actually made these a couple weekends ago since he needed to make a dessert for Cub Scouts.  I don't know what the kid did wrong but they were only about a 1/2 inch or less tall and were not at all tasty.

Noelle prefers Chocolate Chip cookies.  I don't have a favorite recipe.  I just use the one on the back of the bag and since I buy generic that has been the Target one lately.  I usually bake most of the batch regular and then add in some coconut to the last bit of dough.  Yummy!

My favorite dessert is Apple Crisp, which also happens to be in the Betty Crocker's New Cookbook (circa 1996, LOL!)  I omit the nutmeg.  I HATE nutmeg, in anything.  Blech!

(Maybe I should contact Betty Crocker for an endorsement deal?!)

What baked goods do you and your family enjoy making/eating?

This post is inspired by Sarah McCoy's The Baker's Daughter. In a small Texan town, Reba discovers Elsie's German Bakery and falls in love with more than the pastries. She's drawn to Elsie's life in Germany during the last year of WWII. Join From Left to Write on August 29 as we discuss The Baker's Daughter. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.