never baked before-any ideas?

[swiftybaby]

as title suggests i have never baked before and really want to get my nigella impersonation downpat. I am really enjoying cooking savoury for my little boy and would like to bake maybe some biscuits etc for him. Any ideas??? thanks x

[scotlou]

I had never baked until this year (although I cook other stuff all the time) - and what got me started was a kids cookery book someone gave my ds - the recipes are really easy -and foolproof. I can now make chocolate chip cookies and sponge cakes -which for a non baker is a major achievement!

[Posey]

Hoe old is your ds? I started "baking" with mine from a very young age. Favourite thing is fairy cakes and then decorating them.
Very simple. Do you need a recipe?

[speedymama]

I made some shortbread biscuits on Saturday (about 25) and they are all gone (just me, DH and 2yo DTS).


Rub 125g butter, 50g caster sugar and 175g flour together in a big bowl until it looks like bread crumbs. Add a tablespoon of milk to the mixture and knead for a minute or two until it forms a smooth ball of dough then pop in the fridge for half an hour.

Turn onto a floured surface and roll out the dough until it's 1cm thick. Cut out biscuit shapes using a biscuit cutter or upturned cup. Reshape the scraps and cut more rounds. Place the biscuits on a baking tray and prick with a fork. Bake at 180 C for 15 minutes.

You can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks but they'll probably be eaten well before then.

[merrily]

these are fabulous muffins, and dead easy to make:

Banana Oat Muffins (Makes 8)

25g unsalted butter
3 tsp runny honey
2 large ripe bananas
100g plain flour
55g porridge oats
1 heaped tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp bicarb of soda
0.5 tsp cinnamon
75ml milk

Preheat oven to 190 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper cases. Melt the butter and honey in a saucepan. Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mash the banana and mix into the honey and butter. Add this mixture and the milk to the dry ingredients, stirring until mixed lightly. Spoon into the muffin cases. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch.

Enjoy!

[swiftybaby]

ah thanks ladies-he is one so cant really participate in the baking process yet (can he?) but will love eating everything i make , i hope!!! would love the fairy cake recipe!?

[speedymama]

Another one I bake is Shrewsbury biscuits.


Cream the 125g butter and 150g sugar until pale and fluffy. Add 2 egg yolks and beat well.

Stir in 225g of sifted plain flour and grated lemon rind from one lemon and mix to a fairly firm dough. Turn out on to a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Roll out to about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick. Cut into rounds with a 6 cm (2 1/2 inch) fluted cutter and place on greased baking sheets. Bake in the oven at 180°C for about 15 minutes, until firm and a very light brown colour.

As an alternative you can use the rind of one orange.

[Posey]

Oh 1 year olds can bake! Or at least sit in the high chair and watch.
Anyway fairy cakes:
4oz sugar and 4oz marg, beat well together til light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 2 eggs.
Stir in 4oz of self raising flour.
Divide between cake cases (probably get 14-18 depending on how much mixture you put in each)
Cook gas 5 for about 20 minutes.
Cool then decorate with whatever you like.
Eat and enjoy!

[speedymama]

Mini carrot cakes is a good way of getting him to eat carrots.

Put muffin cases into a muffin pan.

Mix 2 eggs and 100g of soft brown sugar, beat in 5 tbsp sunflower oil. Add 150g carrots, 100g self raising flour, 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon and 100g any dried fruit/s e.g. raisins, chopped apricots, glace cherries. Mix everything together.
Spoon into muffin cases, bake for 15-20 mins at 190 C until firm to the touch and golden brown.

[speedymama]

I should add that the carrots should be grated.