TOP 10 Sweet Treats Dads Can Bake With Kids

Baking with kids? It’s like trying to herd cats while making a soufflé. But hey, it’s totally worth it!

I write for Modern Dads because I believe in embracing the chaos of fatherhood. Plus, who wouldn’t want to share the joys of baking with their little tornadoes?

Here’s my lineup of sweet treats that guarantee flour-covered giggles:

Father’s Day Cupcakes: Because who doesn’t love a cupcake that screams “Dad!”?
Medal Cookies: For the ultimate bake-off (loser cleans up).
Mixed Fruit Tart: Watch as your kids transform into tiny fruit artists.
Cherry Crumble Cake: Fresh cherries? Yes, please!

These recipes are my go-to for kitchen mayhem, and trust me, the results are scrumptious!

Last year, I attempted the cupcake challenge with Emily, my 9-year-old.

We ended up with a cupcake explosion—blue icing in the hair, sprinkles everywhere, and a whole lot of laughter.

Liam (6) decided to “help” by taste-testing each ingredient. Spoiler: he wasn’t very discerning.

Through the mess, I realized these moments are the sweetest part of being a dad—baking failures and all.

Nothing like turning chaos into a delicious memory!

Table of Contents

Quick Strategies

Father’s Day Cupcakes: Bake flavorful cupcakes like Guinness chocolate or strawberry, allowing for creative decorating that fosters bonding time with kids.
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies: A timeless favorite, these cookies allow kids to help mix ingredients and add their choice of chocolate or nuts.
Cherry Crumble Cake: Involve kids in mixing fresh cherries and making the crumble topping, creating a delicious dessert with a fun texture.
Medal Cookies: Shape cookies into medals, letting kids decorate them with colored sugar and sprinkles for a memorable baking experience.
Mixed Fruit Tart: Customize a fruit tart together using different crusts and colorful fruits, promoting creativity and teamwork in the kitchen.

Father’s Day Cupcakes

Father’s Day cupcakes—what a sweet way to celebrate the dads in our lives!

Think of all the delicious father’s day flavors you can whip up together. You could go for Guinness beer chocolate cupcakes, or keep it classic with mocha. Experiment with different cupcake flavors Strawberry cupcakes scream summer, while double lemon ones offer a zesty punch. Additionally, incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients into your cupcakes can make them a bit healthier for the family! And let’s not forget about carrot cake cupcakes—they’re a crowd-pleaser!

As for cupcake decorating, let your creativity shine!

Use gum paste tools, sprinkles, or themed toppings. Trust me, your kids will love this bonding time, and it’s a tasty way to say “Happy Father’s Day!”

Cherry Crumble Cake

Nothing says “let’s have some fun in the kitchen” like a Cherry Crumble Cake!

This treat’s perfect for bonding with the kids and impressing guests. Here are some baking tips to guarantee success:

Use a mix of cherry varieties for more flavor.
Don’t overmix the crumble; big crumbs are key!
Refrigerate the crumble for that perfect texture.
Experiment with extracts for extra pizzazz! Baking with children can foster creativity and strengthen your relationship.

I recall Emily’s face lighting up when we added lemon zest. This cake features a light, fluffy cake with fresh cherries to make it extra delicious and delightful.

Trust me, you’ll love serving this delicious cake. It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser—enjoy every crumb!

Medal Cookies

When it comes to baking with kids, Medal Cookies are an absolute must-try! These treats come in fun medal cookie variations that you can customize together. Start with Gold Medal’s Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookies or classic sugar cookies for a fantastic base. Mary Bartz’s recipe has been tested extensively, ensuring that your baking experience will be reliable and enjoyable. Cooking with children is a great way to introduce them to healthy eating habits, promoting a love for nutritious foods while having fun.

Here are some cookie decorating tips:

Use colored sugar or sprinkles for a pop of color.
Add frosting for those swirly designs (trust me, it’s a hit!).
Shape them into medals with cookie cutters—perfect for celebrating achievements!

Baking with your kids is more than just cookies; it’s about creating sweet memories.

Mixed Fruit Tart

After whipping up those fun Medal Cookies, why not take our baking adventures up a notch with a delightful Mixed Fruit Tart?

This treat’s not just delicious; it’s a masterpiece you can customize! A crisp crust holds all the delicious layers together, ensuring each bite is a perfect blend of textures.

Here are some kid-friendly baking tips:

Crust Techniques: Try different crust methods, like graham cracker or pastry dough.
Filling Options: Use cream cheese or pastry cream for that silky texture.
Fruit Arrangements: Get creative with colorful mixed fruit patterns.
Glazing Methods: Brush with jelly for a shiny finish!

Trust me, your family will love this tart, and you’ll earn serious dad points!

Pink Jam Slice

Pink Jam Slice is a fantastic kid-friendly recipe that’s sure to impress! To create the perfect texture, ensure you beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Here are some baking tips:

Preheat your oven to 160-180C.
Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla, then add flour.
Spread raspberry jam, cover with dough, and bake for 35 minutes.

Time management is key—let it cool before icing!

For fun decorations, use food coloring in your icing for a marbled effect.

You can also swap the jam with strawberry or apricot—go wild!

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are a timeless favorite that brings smiles and warmth to any kitchen.

Baking these with my kids is a blast! Here are some family baking tips to make it even sweeter:

Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy.
Mix in eggs and vanilla for that delicious flavor.
Don’t forget at least 2 cups of chocolate chips!
Experiment with classic cookie variations like adding nuts or different chocolate types.

These cookies are perfect for sharing! This recipe boasts a rating of 4.99 from 12,075 votes, trust me, they’ll disappear faster than you can say, “Who wants more cookies?”

Let’s get baking!

Oatmeal Bourbon Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Bourbon Raisin Cookies might just become your new family favorite!

These cookies are a delightful twist on the classic oatmeal cookie. Soaking raisins in bourbon not only enhances their flavor but also keeps the cookies moist and soft.

Here’s how to make them:

Soak raisins in bourbon (at least 30 minutes, or overnight if you’re feeling fancy).
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Beat butter and sugars, then add eggs one at a time.
Mix in the flour, bourbon-soaked raisins, and oats.

Use a cookie scoop and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Trust me, your family will love these sweet treats, and you can even call it “baking techniques”!

Funnel Cake

Funnel cake is one of those magical treats that can instantly transport you to a funfair or a summer festival, right?

Making funnel cake with the kiddos is a blast! Here’s how we do it:

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Mix milk, eggs, and vanilla for the wet ingredients.
Combine until smooth, then rest the batter (optional).
Fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Now, let’s talk toppings! You can’t go wrong with powdered sugar, whipped cream, strawberries, or even cinnamon sugar.

Funnel cake variations are endless—get creative and enjoy serving these delightful treats warm!

Banana Split Lasagne

After indulging in the crispy goodness of funnel cake, it’s time to shift gears and whip up something that’ll knock your socks off—banana split lasagne!

This dessert is a delightful twist on the classic banana split!

Here’s what you need:

Graham cracker crumbs
Melted butter
Cream cheese
Cool Whip
Bananas and crushed pineapple

Layer it all up, refrigerate, and voilà!

You can even add berries or a caramel drizzle for fun dessert variations.

Trust me, when you serve this, your crew will think you’re a kitchen wizard.

Who knew baking could be this magical?

7-Layer Cookie

Layer cookies are one of those magical treats that make you feel like a baking superstar, even if you’re just a dad in the kitchen trying to keep up with your little ones!

Here’s how we create these sweet memories:

Mix melted butter with graham cracker crumbs for the base.
Layer coconut, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips.
Pour sweetened condensed milk on top.
Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.

Don’t forget the fun decorating ideas! Use nuts or drizzle chocolate on top.

And hey, if you need baking substitutions, crushed vanilla wafers work wonders.

Let’s make family baking traditions together!

Easy Baking Activities Together

When you think about baking with your kids, isn’t it just like stepping into a fun-filled adventure?

We can whip up delightful treats while bonding over flour and sugar!

Think about making cinnamon rolls—let them spread the filling and shape the rolls.

Or pancakes, where they can mix ingredients independently—supervised, of course!

Don’t forget baking safety tips, like keeping a watchful eye on hot surfaces.

Explore fun flavor combinations like Nutella-stuffed pancakes or pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

These activities aren’t just about sweets; they’re about creating memories that last a lifetime.

Let’s bake some joy together!

Strengthening Family Bonds Together

Baking together isn’t just about the sweet smells wafting from the oven; it’s a recipe for strengthening family bonds that can last a lifetime!

Here’s how we can create those sweet connections:

Create Lasting Memories – Nothing beats laughter and a little flour fight!
Enhance Family Togetherness – The kitchen becomes our happy place.
Teach Valuable Life Skills – Kids learn patience while waiting for cookies to bake.
Promote Creativity and Traditions – Experimenting with shared recipes is a blast!