17 Fun Baking Recipes for Kids: Spark Joy in the Kitchen

Baking with kids is all about fun, learning, and a little bit of mess! With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up treats they’ll be proud of.

From bright, colorful sweets to super-easy recipes they can help make, these17 Fun Baking Recipes for Kids are safe, hands-on, and perfect for family time or school cooking activities.

1. Funfetti Birthday Cake Pancakes

These vibrant pancakes burst with rainbow sprinkles. It turns an ordinary breakfast into a festive celebration.

Rooted in the American tradition of birthday cakes, they’re a nod to the joy of confetti-laden treats that make every day feel special.

Ingredients:

• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (480ml) buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup (85g) rainbow sprinkles (not nonpareils)
• For cooking: butter or nonstick spray
• Icing: 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1–2 Tablespoons milk
• For serving: whipped cream and more rainbow sprinkles

Process:

1. Melt the butter and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, almond extract, and cooled butter.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients gently; let batter rest for 5 minutes.
5. Heat griddle over medium; fold in sprinkles just before cooking.
6. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake; cook 2 minutes per side until golden.
7. Whisk icing ingredients and drizzle over pancakes; top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Making it Unique/Tips: Let kids fold in the sprinkles to avoid color bleeding. Use ones that hold up well. For fun, add a candle for “birthday” vibes, encouraging wishes. Variations include whole wheat flour for a healthier twist. Freeze extras for quick reheats.

2. Homemade Dirt Pudding

A no-bake classic evoking childhood picnics and garden play. This layered treat mimics soil with its crumbly texture. It’s a staple in Midwestern potlucks that delights with hidden surprises.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/3 cups (267g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup (40g) cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 and 1/2 cups (1,080ml) whole milk
• 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 24–30 Oreo cookies
• 24 gummy worms

Process:

1. Whisk sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan; gradually add milk while whisking.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking occasionally for 10 minutes; boil 1 minute more until thickened.
3. Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla.
4. Pour into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap on the surface, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Crush Oreos into crumbs.
6. Layer in cups: Oreo crumbs, pudding, more crumbs, pudding, top with crumbs and gummy worms.
7. Refrigerate 3 more hours.

Making it Unique/Tips: Theme it for seasons. Use Golden Oreos for “sand” in summer. Kids adore hiding gummy worms; let them layer for messy fun. Use glass jars for portability.

3. Cake Pops

Born from resourceful bakers repurposing cake scraps, these lollipop-like bites are a modern party favorite, perfect for little artists to decorate.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 2/3 cups (209g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• Frosting: 7 Tablespoons (99g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 and 3/4 cups (210g) confectioners’ sugar; 2–3 teaspoons heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 24 ounces (678g) candy melts
• Sprinkles

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F; grease 9-inch springform pan.
2. Whisk dry ingredients; beat butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla.
3. Mix in dry and milk; bake 30-36 minutes, cool.
4. Beat frosting ingredients.
5. Crumble cake into frosting; roll into balls, chill 2 hours.
6. Melt coating; dip sticks, insert into balls, dip in coating, add sprinkles.
7. Set upright to dry.

Making it Unique/Tips: Chill balls well for easy dipping. Kids can customize with flavors or colors by trying chocolate cake. Freeze for gifting.

4. Butterfly Cakes

A British tea-time staple, these cupcakes flutter with whimsy, reminiscent of fairy gardens and afternoon delights.

Ingredients:

• 110g butter, softened
• 110g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 110g self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp milk, plus 2 tbsp if needed
• Buttercream: 300g icing sugar; 150g butter, softened; 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Jam and sprinkles for decoration

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4; line tin with 10 cases.
2. Beat all sponge ingredients until smooth; divide into cases, bake for 15 minutes.
3. Cool; make buttercream by beating icing sugar, butter, vanilla, and milk.
4. Slice off tops, cut in half for wings; pipe buttercream, add wings, jam, and sprinkles.

Making it Unique/Tips: Kids love shaping wings. Add food coloring to buttercream for vibrancy. Use jam flavors like strawberry for variety.

5. Yogurt Cake

Inspired by French “gâteau au yaourt,” this no-measure wonder teaches kids portioning with a yogurt pot. It’s a timeless European baking lesson.

Ingredients:

• 1 container (4.4oz/125g) plain yogurt
• 2 containers sugar (7oz/200g)
• 3 containers all-purpose flour (6.3oz/180g)
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 container vegetable oil (4fl oz/120ml)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon zest (optional)

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F; grease 9-inch springform.
2. Mix yogurt, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil.
3. Add flour and baking powder; mix well.
4. Pour into the pan; bake for 35 minutes until the toothpick is clean.

Making it Unique/Tips: Use the yogurt container for measuring fun for kids! Add chocolate chips or berries; reduce sugar for a lighter taste.

6. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Try this plant-based twist on the American classic. These cookies honor the accidental invention of chocolate chips. They are egg-free for safe dough tasting.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups non-dairy chocolate chips

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; line sheets with parchment.
2. Mix flax egg; beat butter and sugar creamy.
3. Add vanilla and flax egg.
4. Mix in dry ingredients; fold in chips.
5. Roll into balls; bake 10 minutes.

Making it Unique/Tips: Freeze dough balls for fresh bakes. Add nuts or dried fruit; kids can mix in extras like cranberries.

7. Soft Pretzel Bites

Inspired by German pretzels, these soft bites feel like squishy dough you can shape any way you like. And they’re perfect for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon melted butter
• 3 3/4 – 4 cups flour
• Coarse salt
• Bath: 1/2 cup baking soda + 9 cups water

Process:

1. Mix water, yeast, sugar; let foam.
2. Add salt, butter, flour; knead 5 minutes.
3. Rest 10-30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F; boil the soda bath.
5. Roll dough into ropes, cut bites; boil 10-15 seconds.
6. Bake for 16-18 minutes with salt.

Making it Unique/Tips: Shape into letters for fun. Cinnamon sugar variation for sweet twist.

8. Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

Picture a cookie as big as a pizza, one you can place in the middle of the table so everyone can join in decorating.

It’s inspired by cookie cakes, making it perfect for birthdays, family nights, or any time you want a sweet treat to share.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F; grease the 14-inch pan.
2. Cream butter, sugars, vanilla.
3. Add eggs; mix in dry ingredients, chips, nuts.
4. Spread in pan; bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Cool and decorate.

Making it Unique/Tips: Kids decorate with frosting like a canvas. Nut-free option; freeze slices.

9. Snickerdoodles

These cinnamon-sugar treats have their roots in Dutch and German traditions. You roll little balls of dough, almost like making snowballs. Only these end up warm, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Coating: 1/4 cup sugar + 1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs, vanilla.
3. Mix in dry; chill 20-30 minutes optional.
4. Roll balls in coating; bake 9-11 minutes.

Making it Unique/Tips: Press for flatter cookies. Add cinnamon chips; kid-friendly first bake.

10. Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Back in the Great Depression, families made these cookies because they were cheap, simple, and fun.

Kids could roll the dough into little balls, press them down with a fork, and feel proud they helped make a sweet treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 large egg

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix ingredients until smooth.
3. Roll into balls; flatten with fork criss-cross.
4. Bake for 10 minutes; cool.

Making it Unique/Tips: Add vanilla; freeze dough. Sprinkle sugar pre-bake for sparkle.

11. Animal Crackers

Homemade versions of circus-inspired snacks, cutting shapes sparks imagination like edible zoo play.

Ingredients:

• 9 tablespoons butter, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Process:

1. Cream butter, sugar, honey; add egg, vanilla.
2. Mix dry; knead dough, chill for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat 350°F; roll ¼-inch thick, cut shapes.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Making it Unique/Tips: Freeze cut shapes. Kids use cutters for animals; add cinnamon sugar.

12. Unicorn Poo Meringues

These light, airy French meringues are swirled with bright rainbow colors, making them look just as magical as they taste.

A whimsical treat that’s sure to delight kids and bring out the inner child in adults too.

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites
• 100g caster sugar
• 100g icing sugar
• Food coloring gels (pink, yellow, blue, green)
• White and black fondant for eyes/mouth

Process:

1. Preheat the oven to 120C/100C fan/gas ½.
2. Whip whites to stiff peaks; add sugars gradually.
3. Paint stripes in piping bag; fill with meringue.
4. Pipe swirls; bake 20 minutes, then 1 hour at lower temp.
5. Add fondant features.

Making it Unique/Tips: Kids paint bag stripes. Use royal icing for sticking if needed.

13. Brownie Cones

Imagine a soft, chocolatey brownie topped with cool, creamy ice cream. It’s all packed into a handy treat you can carry around.

You can enjoy the sweetness of a sundae and the richness of a brownie in one bite. It’s like bringing back the joy of strolling through a funfair.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 15 ice cream cones
• Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries

Process:

1. Preheat 350°F; stand cones on sheet.
2. Melt chocolate and butter; whisk sugar, eggs, vanilla.
3. Add flour, salt; fill cones.
4. Bake for 20-22 minutes.
5. Top with ice cream, etc.

Making it Unique/Tips: Use liqueur for adults. Kids top with favorites; make ahead.

14. Peanut Butter Blossoms

These classic American cookies are topped with a sweet chocolate kiss in the center.

Kids love gently pressing the chocolate into the warm cookie. It’s fun, easy, and makes them feel part of the magic.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar + more for rolling
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1½ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 36 chocolate kisses

Process:

1. Preheat 375°F; line sheets.
2. Cream peanut butter, butter, sugars, salt.
3. Add egg, vanilla; mix in dry.
4. Roll balls in sugar; bake 8-10 minutes.
5. Press kiss in center immediately.

Making it Unique/Tips: Freeze kisses to hold shape. Roll in colored sugar; vary kisses.

15. Easy Cinnamon Rolls

A super-easy, no-yeast version of Swedish cinnamon buns. No waiting around for the dough to rise.

Just roll it up like you’re making soft little scrolls, fill them with cinnamon sugar, and bake your way to warm, sweet heaven.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 5 cups self-rising flour
• 2 cups milk
• 8 tablespoons melted butter, divided
• Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup milk; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Process:

1. Preheat 350°F; grease 9×13 dish.
2. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon.
3. Whisk flour, 1/4 cup sugar; add milk, 4 tbsp butter for dough.
4. Knead, roll to a 24×10 rectangle.
5. Brush butter, sprinkle filling; roll, cut 15 pieces.
6. Bake for 35 minutes; glaze.

Making it Unique/Tips: Add spice to icing. Kids roll and cut; holiday variations.

16. Homemade Cheese Crackers

Crunchy like Goldfish crackers, these bring back those childhood snack vibes. When kids would nibble little holes in them just for fun.

It’s that simple, playful kind of treat that makes you smile before you even take a bite.

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 Tablespoons cold butter
• 2 Tablespoons cold water
• Sea salt optional

Process:

1. Process cheese, flour, cornstarch, salt.
2. Add butter, then water; form dough, chill for 45 minutes.
3. Preheat 350°F; roll to 9-inch square, cut 1-inch squares.
4. Poke holes, sprinkle salt; bake for 16-18 minutes.

Making it Unique/Tips: Grate fresh cheese. Use cutters for shapes; crunchier bake longer.

17. No-Bake Rice Krispies Treats

Born in mid-century America, these chewy, gooey squares are a quick treat anyone can whip up. Kids love making them.

Pressing the mixture into the pan is like little sculptors shaping their masterpiece.

Ingredients:

• 5 Tablespoons butter
• 16 ounce mini marshmallows
• 6 cups rice krispies cereal

Process:

1. Butter 9×13 dish.
2. Melt butter and most marshmallows.
3. Stir in cereal and remaining marshmallows.
4. Press into dish; cool, cut.

Making it Unique/Tips: Add sprinkles or chocolate chips. Color for holidays; plastic knife cuts clean.