There is no better way then baking to introduce your children to some basic cooking. Not only you will be spending some quality time together, but also you will have a delicious treat to show for it. However to make sure everybody stays uninjured and in perfect health, it might be a good idea to introduce some basic rules your children should follow on their way to becoming aspiring chefs extraordinaire.

Make sure to read and re-read the recipes you will be using all throughout the baking of your favorite treat. Also ensure they wash their hands with water and soap, before doing any food preparations and all throughout the process if needed (in case something falls on the floor or they have to thrown things in the garbage bin).

Go through the recipe's ingredients and prepare them before hand on the kitchen counter so they are easily accessible. Also prepare all the bowls, measuring cups and kitchen utensil you might need. Clean as you go along and make sure oven mitts are being used when taking pans in and out of the oven.

Here are some basic recipes for most favorite baked treats.

Ingredients:

110 grams of margarine or butter, softened

130 grams of peanut butter

100 grams of white sugar

110 grams of brown sugar

1 egg

Vanilla extract

3 grams of baking soda

Salt to taste

220 grams of flour

Mix together margarine or butter, peanut butter, white and brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt with a mixer. Cover the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Roll into balls by hands.

Pre-heat the oven at 175°C. Place the cookies on a cooking sheet and bake until very slightly brown on the edges (it should take from 7 to 10 minutes approximately). Store in the plastic storage containers so they stay soft.

Ingredients:

240 grams of whole wheat flour

75 grams of brown sugar

Cinnamon to taste

7 grams of baking powder

5 grams of baking soda

225 grams of mashed bananas

4 egg whites

Vanilla extract

145 grams of fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 175°C and lightly grease 12 cup muffin pan.

In a bowl mix together whole wheat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder. In another bowl mix together mashed bananas, eggs whites and vanilla extract.

Banana mixture should be mixed with flour mixture until smooth. Then fold in the fresh blueberries. Divide the dough into 12 cups muffin pan.

The muffins should be baked for approximately 15 to 16 minutes or until the toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Ingredients:

225 grams butter, melted

400 gram sugar

4 eggs

125 grams of self-raising flour

55 grams (or more according to taste) of cocoa powder

Salt to taste

Vanilla extract

120 grams of chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 175°C and lightly grease 8x8 inch baking pan. In a bowl mix together butter and sugar. Add the eggs and mix well. Combine together flour, cocoa powder and salt and mix with the eggs mixture. Mix in vanilla and chopped walnuts.

Pour into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes or until edges firm up. Cool before cutting.