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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

40+ Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes – Sally’s Baking Addiction


The following 40+ kid-friendly baking recipes are my suggestions if you’re baking with young & eager kitchen helpers. The purpose of this page is to help adults find recipes that are fun and manageable when baking with children. As always, young bakers should have adult supervision in the kitchen. Page includes recipes free from common allergens as well as average recipe times.

graphic collage of kid-friendly baking recipes including baby muffins, dirt pudding dessert cups, soft pretzels, homemade cheese crackers, and sprinkle-covered banana muffins.

Baking is an exciting activity that everyone can enjoy. Not only is it quality time spent together, baking ignites creativity, teaches how to follow instructions, involves math & counting, and always brings smiles. Between my entire team and I, we’ve baked with kids enough that we understand what goes into the process. In this post, I’m sharing which recipes are fun yet manageable with children as well as the helpful advice I’ve learned along the way.

Q: What’s your best advice when it comes to baking with kids?


5 Tips for Baking with Kids

  1. Embrace the Mess: If you feel most calm in a tidy kitchen, set your expectations before starting. Baking with kids can be messy, but that’s the fun of it.
  2. Big Bowls: From experience—use very large mixing bowls so there’s plenty of room for stirring, pouring, splashing, etc.
  3. Pre-Measure If Needed: If you’re baking with more than 1 child, it’s likely helpful to have some ingredients pre-measured so all they have to do is pour into the mixing bowl. If you’re baking with 1 child who is beginning to understand math, it might be fun to have that child help measure so there’s learning involved. For example, “We have 2 cups flour and 1 cup oats needed, how many cups total do you think that is?”
  4. Allow Enough Time: Baking takes time and baking with kids takes longer. The recipes listed below include the average time, but including children in the process may slightly extend those times. Consider it a fun journey rather than a means to an end.
  5. Assign Jobs/Make it Fun: For example, if you have an 8-year-old and 4-year-old in the kitchen with you, give each a specific job such as the older child measures and the younger child stirs. If you’re baking with a child who is beginning to learn counting, have that child count all of the ingredients. To create excitement, you could call the child “chef” such as “please hand me the whisk, chef Sally” and label your kitchen tools with fun names such as “Sally’s Super Special Spatula” or “Dominic’s Mighty Mixing Bowl.” (This works wonders with super young bakers!) You could even pretend you’re doing a cooking show and make up a fun name for your show.

40+ Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes

stack of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups

You just need a few ingredients to throw together these healthy baked oatmeal cups and have breakfast ready for the week. See post for other flavor variations, like pumpkin and chocolate.

(35 minutes; gluten free if using certified GF oats)

overhead image of a variety of muffins

1 Batter for Infinite Muffin Recipes

Muffins are my #1 suggestion for baking with kids, because they’re versatile, convenient, and quick—just like this recipe! Use this base muffin recipe to create any flavor muffin you love.

(45 minutes)

mini pumpkin chocolate chip muffins on an orange and white plate

Whole Wheat Mini Pumpkin Muffins

These simple whole wheat mini pumpkin muffins are perfect for little hands and full of pumpkin spice flavor. Chocolate chips are optional, but obviously kid-approved.

(35 minutes)

overhead image of baby muffins stacked on a teal plate

Baby Apple Banana Oat Muffins

Although I developed this recipe with very little ones in mind, kids of all ages love these mini muffins. The batter comes together in a blender and truly couldn’t be easier to make.

(1 hour; gluten free if using certified GF oats; dairy free)

Quick & Easy Banana Muffins

Everyone has a go-to banana muffin recipe, and this is mine. They’re soft, buttery, and spiced with cinnamon—while fantastic on their own, they’re also great with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a generous dip in ganache and sprinkles for a special treat.

(30 minutes)

12 healthy apple muffins on wire cooling rack with coarse sugar sprinkled on top of each.

Healthy Apple Muffins

These healthy apple muffins are wonderfully wholesome and soft, and you’ll appreciate that they’re made without any refined sugar. This recipe is my go-to choice when I’m looking for an easy and quick healthy muffin.

(45 minutes)

breakfast cookies

Breakfast Cookies

Cookies for breakfast! These healthy morning cookies are so simple to throw together, highly customizable, and freeze wonderfully.

(30 minutes; gluten free if using certified GF oats; dairy free)

spreading cream cheese icing on a round pan of cinnamon rolls.

No-Yeast Cinnamon Roll Biscuits

This shortcut recipe is perfect for young bakers since there’s no waiting for the dough to rise. Buttery, homestyle sweet biscuit rolls will be on the table before you know it.

(40 minutes)

giant cinnamon roll cake

Giant Cinnamon Roll Cake

If you’re ready to tackle yeast with your kid baker, start here. This giant cinnamon roll cake is just as fun to make as it is to eat.

(3 hours, 30 minutes)

stack of birthday cake funfetti pancakes with icing dripping down the sides, whipped cream on top, and a lit gold candle on top.

Funfetti Birthday Cake Pancakes

Packed with rainbow sprinkles and topped with vanilla icing, kids (and adults!) can’t help but smile when making and enjoying these indulgent buttermilk pancakes.

(40 minutes)

overhead picture of homemade cheese crackers

Homemade Cheese Crackers

Making crispy, salty, and totally cheesy crackers at home is surprisingly simple. Little ones can help throughout the process and then enjoy their homemade treat in time for snack.

(1 hour, 30 minutes; egg free)

peanut butter banana chocolate chip oatmeal bars

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

Out of all the recipes on my site, I make these bars most often. They’re highly adaptable, made in just one bowl, and make for an excellent snack or breakfast to enjoy throughout the week.

(2 hours; gluten free if using certified gluten free oats; egg free)

soft pretzel bites with cheese sauce

Soft Pretzel Bites

This easy dough requires only 6 ingredients and there’s hardly any rise time, so this is a wonderful recipe for yeast beginners and excited young bakers. Have fun shaping the bites—they don’t need to be perfect!

(1 hour; egg free)

cups of dirt and worms pudding dessert with layers of crushed Oreo cookies, homemade chocolate pudding, and gummy worms on top.

Homemade Dirt Pudding

With its layers of creamy homemade chocolate pudding, crushed Oreo cookies, and gummy worms, this whimsical dessert is the quintessential childhood treat.

(4 hours, 50 minutes; includes refrigeration)

stack of 3 white chocolate dipped Lucky Charms cereal treats.

White Chocolate Lucky Charms Treats

An easy 4-ingredient recipe that brings out the kid in all of us. These gooey cereal bars couldn’t be more simple to prepare, yet they taste magically delicious.

(3 hours)

cookies and cream puppy chow

Cookies & Cream Puppy Chow

Made from simple ingredients like Chex cereal, Oreos, and chocolate, this puppy chow is downright irresistible. There’s no baking involved, so it’s a great after-school treat to make together while chatting about the day.

(15 minutes)

candy corn pretzel hugs

Candy Corn Pretzel Hugs

An obvious choice for Halloween, these salty-sweet candy corn pretzel treats are so easy it’s scary. 😉 In the off season, swap the candy corn for M&Ms.

(25 minutes)

chocolate lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

Chocolate Lava Cakes

With their deliciously rich molten chocolate center, this surprisingly quick and easy dessert always impresses. They can be made in individual ramekins or a muffin pan.

(25 minutes)

soft pretzels

Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels

This is our family recipe for soft pretzels. The rise time is short (only 10 minutes) and young bakers love the challenge of shaping this iconic snack.

(40 minutes; egg free)

baked cheese pizza on homemade dough with fresh basil.

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe for Beginners

Make pizza night a family affair and prepare my 6-ingredient homemade dough. Most of the work is hands-off and the chewy, crisp crust is the perfect base for an endless variety of toppings—let young bakers top their own pizza!

(2 hours, 30 minutes; egg free)

ham and cheese pockets with one pocket cut in half showing ham and cheese filling

Homemade Ham & Cheese Pockets

These freezer-friendly homemade ham & cheese pockets are made with my popular pizza dough, and they can be filled with your favorite meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They’re great for snacks or as a quick, hearty meal option.

(2 hours, 15 minutes)

close-up of buttermilk biscuit.

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits (6 Ingredients)

My biscuit recipe requires only 6 simple ingredients but produces hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of flaky layers. Kids love cutting out the biscuits and watching their hard work rise in the oven.

(35 minutes; egg free)

no yeast bread

No Yeast Bread Recipe (Soda Bread)

If your young baker wants to try their hand at bread, this no-yeast soda bread recipe should be on your list. You only need 6 ingredients, and the process is much quicker than yeasted bread.

(55 minutes; egg free)

sliced chocolate chip cookie pizza

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza

Who wouldn’t have fun making a chocolate chip cookie pizza? It’s easier than rolling individual cookies, and there’s no dough chilling required.

(1 hour)

stack of no bake cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

These no bake cookies are another family favorite. I make these 8 ingredient cookies more than any other cookie recipe on my site because they’re simple yet totally decadent.

(1 hour; gluten free if using certified GF oats; egg free)

mini M&M cookies with Christmas M&Ms on a black plate with a Santa tag

Mini M&M Cookies

Adorably tiny and perfectly pop-able mini M&M cookies are always a hit with kids. They love shaping these cookies that fit perfectly in the palm of their hands!

(40 minutes)

6 giant chocolate chip cookies

6 Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

With this no-chill cookie recipe, you can make 6 giant chocolate chip cookies or 24 regular sized cookies. They’re extra soft and thick with chewy centers and crisp buttery edges—everyone loves these.

(40 minutes)

One giant monster cookie

One Giant Monster M&M Cookie

Kids always love the thrill of making one GIANT size-of-your-head cookie. This easy monster cookie is loaded with all of your favorite add-ins, like peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&Ms.

(45 minutes)

slice of chocolate chip cookie cake on a white plate

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a special milestone, or just-because, a chocolate chip cookie cake is a wonderfully easy and delicious way to leave a big impression. Decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or enjoy plain.

(2 hours)

overhead photo of chocolate ganache and pink heart sprinkles on a chocolate cake

Small Chocolate Cake (6 Inch)

If you have an aspiring cake decorator in your home, this small chocolate cake is the perfect canvas for practice. This recipe yields one 6-inch chocolate cake that pairs well with a variety of frostings and toppings.

(3 hours)

sugar cookies with icing

The Best Sugar Cookies

Let the creativity flow—kids of all ages love picking out a variety of shapes to make and decorate sugar cookies with my royal icing recipe or easy cookie icing recipe. Use squeeze bottles to make decorating and cleanup a breeze.

(4 hours)

stack of 3 homemade Oreos on blue linen.

Homemade Oreos

Another childhood favorite but with a homemade spin. With only 10 minutes of chill time and no rolling pin required, making a batch of these iconic cookies from scratch is easier than you think!

(2 hours; includes cooling)

animal cracker cookies with icing and sprinkles

Mini Animal Cracker Cookies

By adding a dash of cinnamon to my sugar cookies recipe, you can make adorable mini animal cracker cookies. Dunking in icing and sprinkling are perfect tasks for young bakers.

(4 hours, 30 minutes; includes chilling & cooling)

dog treats shaped like bones

Soft Peanut Butter Carrot Dog Treats

Kids will love making sure their furry friends are in on the baking action. These soft-baked peanut butter carrot dog treats are easy and fun to make.

(40 minutes)

baked apple cut in half with brown sugar oat filling inside.

Baked Apples Recipe

Like an individually portioned apple crisp, this dessert is great for a small family and is one of my favorite healthier dessert recipes to make with kids.

(2 hours; gluten free; egg free)

cinnamon roll sugar cookies with vanilla icing

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

These simple and sweet cinnamon roll cookies start with my go-to sugar cookie dough and are just as irresistible as they are cute!

(2 hours, 40 minutes)

stained glass window cookies on baking sheet with decorative ornaments

Stained Glass Window Cookies

This is a wonderfully fun and festive cookie that you can turn into any shape—so don’t limit them to the holidays. Lots of steps that kids can help with, so grab your rolling pin, hard candies, and get started.

(3 hours)

white sandwich bread cut into slices

Simply Sandwich Bread

This straightforward recipe yields one loaf of white sandwich bread. Young bakers can enjoy their bread for sandwiches and toast throughout the week.

(3 hours, 20 minutes; egg free)

slices of cheesecake with strawberry topping on a silver plates with a fork

Creamy Small Batch Cheesecake

If you don’t want the hassle of a large cheesecake, this creamy small batch cheesecake conveniently makes 5 slices in a 9×5-inch loaf pan and no water bath is required.

(6 hours; includes cooling & chilling time)

overhead photo of homemade cinnamon swirl bread slices.

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Nothing compares to fresh bread, and this simple 8-ingredient recipe for homemade cinnamon swirl bread is a family favorite.

(4 hours, 45 minutes)

homemade brown sugar pop tart broken in half to show cinnamon filling.

Homemade Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts

There’s nothing like the homemade version of Pop-Tarts! Although it’s a more involved baking project, there are plenty of steps for older kids to help with, and they’ll be so proud of their final creations.

(3 hours, 30 minutes)

monkey bread with icing on pink cake stand

Homemade Monkey Bread (aka Cinnamon Roll Bites)

Monkey bread—aka pull apart cinnamon rolls—is a fun treat to serve and everyone goes nuts over it. Kids love digging right in—utensils optional!

(3 hours, 20 minutes)

Apple hand pies in a white baking dish with salted caramel sauce

Apple Hand Pies

Rather than taking on a full pie, grab your round cookie cutter and your baking buddy and make little hand pies.

(3 hours, 15 minutes)

gingerbread house with frosting and decorations

Gingerbread House Recipe

Set aside a day every holiday season to make gingerbread houses with your little bakers. Use my helpful recipe, video tutorial, and shape templates, then let the kids make their own uniquely decorated houses.

(1 day; see post for make-ahead options)

homemade chocolate, vanilla, and pink cake pops.

Homemade Cake Pops

If there’s one treat kids always go crazy for, its cake pops. Ditch the cafe versions and try making your own at home with my vanilla and chocolate versions dipped in your choice of coating.

(7 hours; includes cooling time)

Nut Free Recipes

Most of the recipes above are nut free recipes with the exception of recipes for peanut butter baked goods. As always, double check recipe ingredients before starting.


Gluten Free Recipes

Here are all of my published gluten free recipes, or if you’re just after desserts, see my roundup of favorite gluten free dessert recipes.


Egg Free Baking Recipes

Here are all of my published egg free baking recipes

Shortbread cookies are a favorite and also fun for little ones to decorate and make their own!


8 Ingredients or Fewer

If you’re looking to bake a recipe with few ingredients, I have an entire page dedicated to recipes with 8 or fewer ingredients, even some as low as 5 ingredients or fewer. I include dinners, desserts, breakfast, and snacks.


Quick Dessert Recipes

If you’re in a time crunch, you’ll appreciate these 30+ quick dessert recipes. Have fun!

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