baking together

We love to bake together. And Ivo is really starting to learn his way around the kitchen. In fact, his participation in cooking activities is less like toddler "help" and more like actual help at this point. Yippppeeeee!! I knew it would come to this sooner or later. Here's what we whipped up this afternoon . . .

Chocolate Brownies

Ivo's job: Open the refrigerator and take out the butter and the eggs. Unwrap one stick of butter and put it in the big bowl. Break two eggs into the small bowl and stir them up with a fork.

My job: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 8x8 inch pan. Melt the butter in the microwave and measure the following ingredients into seperate cups: 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/3 cup cocoa powder.

Ivo's job: Stir the sugar, eggs, and vanilla into the butter.

My job: Stir fast while Ivo adds the rest of the dry ingredients one at a time. (We like to add the cocoa last for dramatic effect). Stir about fifty times. (I like to count out loud, also for effect).

Ivo's job: Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

My job: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25 minutes.

Our job together: Remind ourselves that eating raw batter can lead to tummyaches. Eat a little anyway. Then clean up the kitchen. Ivo does tables and floors, I do dishes and countertops.

Save room for the finished product:

Notice the *dainty* portions. mm-hmmm . . . we are indeed very models of moderation around here.  Actually we both had second helpings. hee.

We do love to bake together, and we never have any quarrels doing so. We're always at our best in the kitchen and I really hope it stays that way for years to come. I'll have to hone my skills if I don't want to be out-pastried by a five year old, but I figure we can learn together.

Comments

[Anamika Singh: The Sugarcrafter]

Hi
Good, i dropped by your blog..nice layout and i can say blog + editorial = blogtorial...
Greetings to you from Botswana.

[Dawn]

Nice mustache :) Those brownies look delicious. There are so many benefits to cooking together from the learning process to the end result.

[Jenny]

Goodness, you've read my mind. One of my goals for this week is to make a cake (or brownies!) with CJ and now you've given my a recipe AND a script to follow! Perfect timing. :o)

[Carrie]

You write so wonderfully! I hope you do in fact have many many more lovely baking experiences together!

[Ram in the Thicket]

Baking with children can be a lot of fun. Not to be done on a day when you're feeling particulary impatient though ;o)

[Nicole]

Ivo looks so big in that picture, what a great helper!
I *love* your cup and saucer, very cool!!

[greenemother]

Oh, I just love that picture of Ivo! Here's to many great baking days for the two of you. Cheers!

[Kate in NJ]

Ivo is looking very big and grown up!
*Sigh* It happens so fast.
I hope you have many more delicious days in the kitchen together!

[libby jane]

that's great! How old is he? My almost-three year old is getting fun to cook with, but breaking eggs and cleaning the table and floor is impressive!
Also, the one year old now wants to be part of everything, and our fun cooking together is more limited. so fun! enjoy it!

[Jess]

I love this! Ella and I bake together often, hasn't helped with pregnancy weight gain. :-) Our current favorite are blueberry cinnamon muffins. Those brownies look awfully good, though, maybe that will be our baking project for tomorrow afternoon.

[Mom]

Save some brownies for me!! I will be there tomorrow!

Those baking memories will last a lifetime for Ivo--I still remember doing cookies with my Nana for just about everyone in town!

Love, Hugs, and Delicious Baking Smells kisses for Ivo,

Mom

[Taimarie]

Oh that chocolate face! He is looking so big these days, glad to hear there comes a time where they are helpful in the kitchen! My little guy *wants* to be helpful...