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Digital edition published in 2014
elSBN: 978-1-61058-874-4
Digital edition: 978-1-61058-874-4
Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-776-6
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Available
Copy Editor: Catherine Broberg
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Photographs: Dan Brand
Techniques, Projects, and Party Plans for Teaching Kids, Teens, and Tots
Autumn Carpenter
Contents
Introduction
SPENDING TIME BAKING in the kitchen with a child not only creates lasting memories but also teaches children a rewarding life-long hobby. Piping buttercream icing or working with rolled fondant feels like playing and is a creative (and delicious!) way for children to express themselves. Decorating also gives children a wonderful sense of accomplishment, no matter how young the child. Making treats with kids for a party can save money and will impress their friends. Homemade treats created by children make excellent gifts for friends, teachers, or loved ones. Invite your childs friend to spend the day baking and decorating. Its a great way for children to spend a few hours with a friend. Surprise your child and transform an ordinary day into an extra-special day by working together to create a beautiful, delicious dessert for dinner. Whether you want to spend an hour or a full day in the kitchen, this book offers plenty of projects to choose from.
A CLEAN AND SAFE KITCHEN
Before getting started working with children in the kitchen, take some time to teach smart kitchen skills. Here are the basics that every child should know.
Ask an adult for help when using electrical appliances, such as a mixer.
Have an adult remove baked goods from the oven.
Check the expiration date of the food items you are using. Make sure the dates have not passed.
Wash your hands with soap and water before you begin to bake or decorate and after every time you lick your fingers!
If trimming a cake with a cake slicer or knife, ask an adult for help.
Cleanup is part of the baking and decorating process! Wipe up any spills to avoid slipping and falling in the kitchen.
Read all the instructions before beginning and gather everything you need before starting the projects.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Baking and Decorating Basics covers the ABCs of working in the kitchen, such as baking cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. After the baking basics, learn how to pipe with buttercream or cover cakes and treats with rolled fondant. Finally, find out how to make chocolate candy treats to coordinate with the cake or cupcakesrecipes include suckers, dipped pretzels, dipped cookies, and cake balls.
Party Themes covers decorated projects for fifteen different themes, seasons, and holidays. Whether you copy the ideas from this section exactly or use the techniques shown to decorate your own theme, you can create cakes and treats that are sure to impress! The projects feature clear instructions with step-by-step images. Most of the projects and techniques can be created with minimal adult help for children 10 and older. Each project is graded for difficulty with one to three stars: one-star projects are easy; three-star projects are more complicated and may be best suited for older children. Suggestions are given on ways to include younger children no matter how difficult the project.
Writing this book was so much funespecially when it meant spending time with my four children, my friends and their children, my sister, mom, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Several of the adults and children who helped me were new to decorating, but once they got started were inspired to try their own projects. I hope you enjoy the book and use it to create memories with the special little ones in your own life.
Baking & Decorating Basics
T his section begins with a supply list for baking and decorating. After the tools, learn the essentials of baking cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Next, learn how to ice cakes and treats with buttercream. Using pastry bags and piping fundamentals with the most popular piping tips are shown in this section. Simple instructions are given for covering cakes, cookies, and cupcakes with rolled fondant. Finally, instructions are included to make coordinating treats such as chocolate suckers or cake balls.
Baking Tools
COOLING RACKS
It is important to cool cakes, cookies, and cupcakes on a cooling rack (1) to avoid the bottoms from becoming soggy. Choose a cooling rack with a close wired grid to prevent small cookies from slipping. Stackable cooling racks save space.
JUMBO SPATULA
A spatula (2) with an extra large blade (usually 10" to 12" [25.4 to 30.5 cm]) is useful when lifting cakes.
PASTRY BRUSH
A pastry brush (3) is used to apply pan grease to cake pans.
PAN GREASE
Pan grease (4) is a commercially made recipe for bakers that helps cakes release properly from pans. There is no need to flour the pan if pan grease is used.
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