The Enjoyment of Baking Bread Together

One of the most practical, basic, and delicious things we can cook with our kids is good ole fashioned bread! Not only will it provide and activity for you and the kids to do together, it helps them learn to cook, and you might very well save money on groceries! Think of all that you can make… rolls, loaves of bread, whole wheat bread, bagels, pretzels…

Cookbook author and macrobiotic enthusiast Wendy Esko makes bread without using commercial yeast. She uses natural leavening in the form of a sourdough starter or no leavening at all; she claims that unleavened bread dough will rise on its own if placed in a warm place for 8-12 hours. But when she lets her children help her make bread, she says, it never fails to turn out well. When the children help, “they are so happy and really put a lot of happiness into the bread,” she says. Maybe you should try putting some happiness into your bread, too!

Letting your children help you bake some bread making is sure to be enjoyable and fulfilling for all. Here are some things to look forward to when you bake bread with your children, as well as some ideas on how to make it an even better experience.

Science and Math Lessons

Cooking with your kids can be a fun, hands-on way to teach them about the principles of leavening, the mathematics of measurements, and, depending on the age and interest level of your children, the chemical changes that occur when dough is kneaded and baked.

Interaction and Communication

It’s so important to spend quality time with our children. Today’s fast pace makes its so hard to do sometimes! Baking bread is a chance for everyone to slow down, gather in the kitchen, and talk with each other. Give each child a job to do so he or she can participate in the process, pointing out the importance of everyone’s role in the family. A lot of good lessons, such as teamwork, can be taught in the kitchen.

Health Benefits

If you have trouble getting your kids to eat healthy bread (perhaps they prefer the squeezable white stuff from the store), try making a whole grain loaf with your children. They will be much more likely to eat bread they have helped to make, and that they are proud of.

Make Some Memories

Don’t forget the creation of memories. Warm, positive childhood recollections can provide retreat and solace in the adult years. These kinds of memories are a priceless gift you can give to your children. Take pictures so that your kids can remember their bread making adventures.

Tradition

The baking of bread with the children can become a family tradition. Your children can then pass the tradition on when they start families of their own.

Don’t Limit Yourself

The traditional kneaded loaf is not the only way to go. Get creative with your children and bake big, soft pretzels or flat breads. Make braided loaves, rolls, or pull-apart “monkey bread.” You can make sweet breads, quick breads, cornbread, or sourdough breads. Let your children come up with some ideas, too.

Above all, have fun and enjoy your time together!

We recommend: Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!