Food

Baking with Kids – Thumbprint Jam Cookies

thumbprint jam cookies

Baking with little ones is never quite as easy as you think it’s going to be. The image you have of parent and child, having fun choosing what to make, weighing out the ingredients and lovingly crafting the mixture into biscuits or buns never really goes to plan in my house. The reality is more a scene of flour and sugar on every work surface, half the cake mix being eaten by the tiny chefs and masses of icing and sprinkles. 

Well we had most of that this time, but we still had lots of fun. For the first time, we baked all together and both my children enjoyed getting involved and helping each other along the way. Oh and they had a mad five-minute Benny Hill style moment, where they each took a spoon to lick and chased one another round and round the table in fits of giggles. Cuteness interspersed with moments of mama stress! 

children baking cookies

We made these thumbprint jam cookies and they turned out ok – not quite as big as I’d hoped (I imagined the mixture would spread in the oven, but it didn’t). Still, they passed the taste test and for an easy fun bake, I’d make them again. Here’s the recipe, courtesy of The Big Book of Cakes and Cookies by Hannah Miles.

175g butter

85g icing sugar

225g plain flour, sifted

1tsp vanilla extract

4 tbsp jam

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4. Put the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat using an electric hand whisker or spoon until light and creamy. 

Add flour, vanilla extract and mix with your hands to a soft dough. Add a splash of milk if it’s too dry. 

Put cake cases into a bun tin (I made about 15 with this amount) and put two large spoonfuls of dough in each one.

Press down in the middle of each one with your thumb and fill the hole with jam.

Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Eat!

 

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13 Comments

  • Reply
    sarah christie
    February 25, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    these are so easy to make Julia, did they help you clean up, I bet not. The boys always make a swift exit at that stage too x
    sarah christie recently posted…The Perfect Family Day OutMy Profile

  • Reply
    You Baby Me Mummy
    February 25, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    These looks great, Baby can be involved in baking and she just chucks everything everywhere! x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…How to Work with BrandsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kat | Beau Twins
    February 27, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    I love these, they look scrummy! I must admit I can’t wait for messy baking days with the girls! Won’t be measuring! Just chuck it all in. Adore those silicone cases. xxx
    Kat | Beau Twins recently posted…The Prompt – RealityMy Profile

  • Reply
    Suz
    February 27, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Ah these look yummy! I cant wait until Baby E is old enough to do things like this, although i am sure it was be chaos! I mean meal times just now are messy – couldnt imagine him weighing out flour without getting a drop on the floor… haha!

    Hope you enjoyed them! Suz xo http://www.beauisblue.com

  • Reply
    Everything Mummy
    February 28, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    these are yummy we’ve made them before although i didn’t think to make them in cupcake cases! ours were a right misshapen mess!
    Everything Mummy recently posted…Turkey and red lentil CurryMy Profile

  • Reply
    Katie life on vista haydock
    February 28, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Your kids are SO cute!!!!!
    Such a good idea to get them involved in baking 🙂
    Katie life on vista haydock recently posted…You Make Me Feel a Little Bit Wilson Phillips…My Profile

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    March 1, 2015 at 11:41 am

    Fab, thanks for sharing 🙂 I don’t bake very often with mine – I’m not really very good at it, and I hate mess. But I want to start soon as I know they love it. Jess xx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…Enjoying the nice thingsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Georgie at minis and more...
    March 1, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    I love baking with Harry! You look like you had so much fun and such a cute recipe! xx

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers
    March 1, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Mine aren’t a huge fan of jam but I reckon i could try these with nutella for them! Fab.
    Mini Travellers recently posted…Ski Clothes for Dads – #MarkWarnerDadMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mim
    March 1, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    Ha haa I can totally imagine that Benny Hill moment!!! Oh this looks like so much fun – I can’t wait to start baking with Miss M – I think she’s getting just about ready so possibly at Easter. Send me some of those treats please 🙂 Mim @ http://www.mamamim.com #SundayStars
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  • Reply
    teacuptoria
    March 3, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    I love the fact that the kids get to make holes with their thumbs, I bet they loved that part the most and filling them with jam. What a lovely recipe. My son baked with me recently and it made me realise I don’t do it enough with him as he really enjoy enjoyed it. x
    teacuptoria recently posted…These people….our friends.My Profile

  • Reply
    Rachel
    March 6, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    these look delicious! I love the fact that they can legitimately get there hands (well thumbs) into the mixture too!
    Rachel recently posted…Wednesday Workout: Squats with kettlebellMy Profile

  • Reply
    Katy {What Katy Said}
    March 7, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Oh I like the fact they press in with a thumb to make the hole- never tried it but so much easier than trying to cut holes etc… Thank you for sharing! x
    Katy {What Katy Said} recently posted…Looking After My SkinMy Profile

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