It's getting cold outside and what better way to spend time with your kids than to bake a delicious treat!
Baking cookies together is a fun, creative, and delicious way to spend time with your kids. It’s also an opportunity to teach them about measuring, mixing, and following simple instructions. This easy, no-fuss cookie recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and kids of all ages. It requires just a few common ingredients, and the process is simple enough to let your little ones get hands-on in the kitchen. Plus, the end result is a batch of soft, chewy cookies that everyone will love.
Check out our fool-proof recipe below!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (or mix-ins like raisins, nuts, or M&Ms)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives the oven enough time to warm up while you’re getting the cookie dough ready.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer, but if your kids are old enough, they’ll love the hands-on experience of stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Crack the eggs into a small bowl to make sure there are no shells, then add them to the sugar and butter mixture one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract as well. This is a great moment for kids to learn about how ingredients interact in baking.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the baking soda and salt throughout the dough. If your kids are old enough, they can help with this step, too.
Mix Dry Ingredients with Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined. You can help by scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated. Your kids can take turns stirring as the dough begins to come together. It should be soft but not too sticky.
Add Chocolate Chips or Mix-Ins
Stir in the chocolate chips (or any other mix-ins you prefer). This is the fun part, where your kids can get creative with what they want to add to the dough. gems, mini marshmallows, or chopped nuts are all great options too.
Scoop and Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave about 2 inches between each scoop to give the cookies room to spread. If your kids want to help shape the dough into balls, that’s a fun and easy step for them to do!
Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so don’t worry if they look a little underdone when you take them out.
Cool and Enjoy!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Of course, you’ll want to sneak a warm cookie while they’re still soft, but these are also great to enjoy with a glass of milk once they’re cool.
Tips for a Fun Baking Experience with Kids
- Let them help with each step: Even young children can assist with tasks like stirring the dough, adding chocolate chips, and dropping the dough onto the baking sheet.
- Get creative with add-ins: Let your kids choose different mix-ins or try fun shapes. You could even make some cookies with different colored sprinkles or mini marshmallows for a fun twist.
- Encourage patience: Baking is a great way to teach kids about waiting for the cookies to bake and cool. While the cookies are in the oven, you can chat about the baking process or set up a little “cookie decorating” station for when the cookies are ready.
- Make cleanup easy: Make sure to keep a clean workspace, but don’t worry about perfection. Kids can help wipe down counters or toss dirty bowls into the sink, teaching them a bit about cleaning up after themselves.
Why This Recipe Works for Kids
This DIY cookie recipe is perfect for young bakers because it’s simple to follow and uses basic ingredients that most kitchens already have. The mixing steps allow your kids to get involved and be hands-on, and the short baking time means they won’t have to wait too long before they can enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Whether it’s a rainy afternoon, a weekend activity, or a special treat for a family gathering, these homemade cookies will surely bring smiles all around. Happy baking from Neubaby!