(NC) Besides taste-testing baked goods and treats during the busy holiday baking season, children also love to get their hands dirty and participate in the baking and cookie making process. Whether it’s helping mom frost her latest batch of red velvet cupcakes for her work holiday party or learning the family recipe for candy cane squares from dad, baking is a creative outlet that many children enjoy during the holiday season.
When working in the kitchen with children, holiday season or not, it is extremely important to discuss safety tips for everyone to keep in mind while whisking and rolling. Here, registered dietitian and baking enthusiast Cara Rosenbloom shares safety tips that every parent should teach their little ones.
Wait ’til they’re baked. It’s important to teach your little ones exactly why they shouldn’t taste test any uncooked baked goods. When baking for the holidays, it is likely that you’re using raw ingredients, like eggs. Remember that flour is also a raw ingredient that has been minimally processed and should not be consumed unless baked or cooked.
Keep hands and counters clean. Good hygiene is very important in the kitchen. Before, during and after baking anything this holiday season, make sure everyone involved is washing their hands and properly cleaning any counter or table tops that have come into contact with raw ingredients. This includes any surfaces where cookie dough has been rolled out and cut into snowflakes or snowmen shapes.
Supervise children. While your child might want some independence in the kitchen and bake their own version of family-favourite gingerbread angel cookies, it’s important that they understand some baking tasks are best left for adults. Whether it’s dealing with a hot oven or plate or even a sharp knife, little hands should be kept away from these risky recipe steps.
Visit www.canadianmillers.ca for a fun and informative infographic detailing the flour-making process and additional safe handling tips for using flour when baking.
