Easy Math Recipes for Kids

Baking For Fun and Learning

Two fun and successful recipes for young children are "Three Ingredient Apple Danish" and "Eggless Cake." These recipes provide math skill practice and talking time for young children without feeling like work.
Dashing Danish
  These are like little apple pies found at fast food places.
You’ll need three ingredients: 2 medium cooking apples like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, 1/3 cup white sugar, and two sheets ready rolled puff pastry.                 
  Peel, quarter, and core apples.

Young children can use a table knife to cut after adults have peeled the apples. Place in a saucepan with a few splashes of water.  Cover and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes until the apples have softened. The apples are also delicious with morning oatmeal.
  Remove from heat and stir through with the sugar. Add a small amount at a time since you may not want to use all the sugar. Then set to cool.
  Children can cut each puff pastry sheet in half and half again and then into two triangles or any other shape.  Talk about shapes with the kids while brushing each border of the pastry with water. Spread big spoonful of apples on top but not too close to the edges. 
Cut another pastry rectangle as you did before and cut a few slits across the shapes being careful not to cut all the way across. Place over the apple covered shapes so they fit together. Lightly press and firmly press along the edges. Children can use a fork to press down on the edges. Sprinkle each lightly with sugar.  Bake 12-15 minutes in a 220-degree oven or until puffed and golden.
Vegan Cake
  This chocolate cake was commonly made in cities during WWII when eggs were rationed and chocolate was saved for a special occasion.
In one bowl mix 1 ¾ cups nondairy type milk (almond, soy), 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce, 2/3 cup canola oil, and 2 teaspoon vanilla. 
In another bowl sift together (or gently mix well with a spoon) 2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons flour, 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. 
Slowly mix (with a mixer) dry ingredients to liquid ones. Children can put their hand on top of yours to get the experience while talking about safety. Mix until very creamy. 
Place in cupcake papers or a cake pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cook in 350-degree oven 25-30 minutes, less for the cupcakes. Check the center with a toothpick.  It should come out clean. 
Let cool. Eat with ice cream and a few raspberries on top.
Sketch: Mark Nowicki
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest