I do enjoy, however, when she wants to help me bake. We go through the hand-washing and necessary sanitary measures, but generally, I limit her helping to dumping ingredients into the mixing bowl. It's great fun for us both, and she loves "cooking" with Mommy.
One of the recipes for cookies involves refrigerating the dough for at least 24 hours, and when I pulled it out, she wanted to help. In a slight predicament, I figured out an easy way that she could help and maintain my sanitary expectations. After all, I wanted to be able to give these to others and not feel guilt over them eating germ-laden, yet delicious (!), baked goods.
These tips are cookie-related only [for now] and mostly applicable to children who don't understand they shouldn't lick their fingers or pick their noses while baking.
ALICIA'S TIPS FOR INCLUDING KIDS DURING COOKIE BAKING:
1. Choose a bake time right before nap or bedtime. This allows your child(ren) to only help with one batch before being swept away.
2. Have them wash their hands and stand in front of the baking sheet.
3. Portion out a ball of cookie, hand it over to your child, and allow them to roll it and put it on the sheet.
4. Slightly overbake this batch. DO NOT BURN!
That last step is most important. This way you will know which cookies your child touched, and because they are slightly overcooked, you will be less likely to give them to your friends. And let's be honest, your friends are less likely to take a slightly overbaked cookie than one that looks deliciously chewy. Just remember not to burn the cookies or your kids won't eat 'em either.
Happy Baking!
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