How to Bake a Cake with a Child

A woman and child putting a cake into the oven

Baking is an activity that many people enjoy. Cookies, pies, breads, scones, muffins and biscuits, just to name a few. The list of amazing baked goods goes on and on, but the king of them all is cake. The smell of a freshly baked cake is what makes a house seem like a home, and also what makes your diet go out the window. Of course, you want to make one. But if you’re a mother of a toddler, this seemingly simple undertaking will likely be quite the adventure.

Before You Get Started

Here's a quick list of things to grab before you set out on this journey

  1. Mixing Bowl
  2. Measuring Spoons
  3. Ingredients
  4. Your Toddler
  5. 2 Aprons
  6. Several Changes of clothes

Taking The First Steps

Once you have gathered everything and wrangled your child, place all of the dry ingredients into the bowl. Remove your child’s hands from the bowl and wash them. If you look down, you might be surprised to find that your once colored clothes have now magically turned white. Do not fear, this is simply the work of a talented toddler who has managed to multiply the flour in ways that defy science. Dust off your clothes and remove your child’s hands from the bowl again. Repeat until you manage to have both a clean child and clean clothes, or simply accept the fact that that is never going to happen and continue with powdered clothes.

A Few Tips

The best way to keep your child engaged and out of trouble is to allow them to help you. Ask them to stir for you. You should be aware that this will require another washing of hands, and also a mopping of the floor afterwards. Take the spoon out of your child’s mouth and wash it. While you’re washing the spoon, you will hear a thud. Turn around to see a white floor and an empty flour container. Don’t worry, this is why we’re going to mop the floor later.

Almost Done!

Add the wet ingredients into the bowl. Remove your toddler’s hands from the bowl. The first place that your child’s slippery hands are going to go is into their hair. Unless you have lightning quick reflexes, your child will now need a bath. Go to the bathroom to start the tub filling. When you return you will have a proud mother moment, finally seeing all of your hard work paying off. You have been trying to teach your toddler to help you with the dishes, and they’re finally listening. They have completely cleaned out the bowl that you had all of your ingredients in.

Final Step

Call your local bakery and order a cake. In fact, you might as well order a whole meal, since you didn’t have time to cook anything while you were baking. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs out there, and every job allows a break to eat. Do yourself a favor and order in. It may not be as healthy, but it will save your sanity.