Baking with youngsters may seem a little daunting, but there are actually tons of reasons why it can be pretty great. First off, it's a great life skill to have: can you think of anything sweeter (pun intended) than gifting someone you love with freshly prepared goodies? We can't. Second, working with your kids in the kitchen is a sneaky approach to getting them out from behind the computer or TV screen and working with their hands. Third, baking is a great way for kids to gain confidence in their own abilities since it requires measuring, counting, dealing with fractions, and more to create a (delicious) finished product. Lastly, and perhaps the most important of all, the kitchen is a creative place to spend quality family time together. The project itself is as fun as the end result.
Pillsbury® has just come out with new Girl Scout Cookie-themed baking mixes, and I couldn't be more excited. In honor of this sweet collaboration, we’re showing you ways your kid can help you make Caramel Coconut Blondies. Now all you have to do is roll up your sleeves, grab some matching aprons, and have fun.
Step 1: Preparation
Set your oven to 350°F. Coat the bottom of a 8x8 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Kid Assist: This one's all them. The best thing is that cooking spray is a lot harder to overdo than shortening.
Step 2: Smooth Like Buttah
Melt one stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 to 45 seconds, or until liquid. Let this cool for five to 10 minutes until the next step, otherwise it'll melt the chocolate chips found in the mix.
Step 3: Stir Baby, Stir
In a large bowl, stir together the Pillsbury® Girl Scouts® Caramel & Coconut Blondie mix, butter, one egg, and 2 tbsp. water together until blended. It should take about 50 strokes. Spread mixture into pan.
Kid Assist: There’s something mildly enjoyable about cracking eggs, so let them have a go at it. Just be sure to have them do it into a separate bowl. That way, if they get any shell pieces, you can remove them without compromising the batter. Let them take turns at stirring, too.
Step 4: Oven
Bake for 28 to 31 minutes (or, if you're using an 8x8 pan, 31 to 34 minutes).
Kid Assist: Now would be a great time to put your kid to work cleaning the dishes. Make a game out of making sure the bowl and measuring utensils are cleaned and put away before the oven timer beeps.
Step 5: Mmmmm
Cut and serve the blondies once they're cooled. Enjoy with a nice cold glass of milk and good company.
Bonus: Send your kid to school with some to share, thus teaching them a very important lesson in the art of the humble brag. ("I made these!")
This post is sponsored by Pillsbury® Girl Scouts® Baking Mixes.
Illustrations by Shea O'Connor.
The GIRL SCOUTS ® name, mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ®, THIN MINTS ®, and the Trefoil Design, are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. The J.M. Smucker Company is an official GSUSA licensed vendor. ©/TM The J.M. Smucker Company. Pillsbury, the Barrelhead logo and the Doughboy character are trademarks of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license.
