Baking can be so much fun and can give children opportunities to develop their confidence, bilateral coordination skills while using both hands together, measuring skills and the ability to follow instructions. It is a great real-life experience for children and they love making something delicious. They also enjoy making a mess and puddling in the sink!

Condensed Milk cookies

Chocolate chips added in make a great cookie too.

Crispy edged cookies with a soft, chewy centre. Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• 115g unsalted butter

• 50g granulated sugar

• 1tsp vanilla extract

• 200g condensed milk (1/2 large tin)

• 180g all purpose flour

• pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 180C and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

• Beat together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy.

• Add the condensed milk and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.

• Add the flour and salt (and choc chips if adding those in) and beat until a smooth dough is formed.

• Place small balls of cookie dough on the cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

• Bake at 180C for 12 -15 minutes until golden brown.

• Cool on a wire rack.

Pancakes

Top tip: Unless cooking with gas, heat frying/pancake pan as you start making the batter so it is the correct temperature when you want to start cooking the pancakes.

Ingredients:

• 4oz Plain Flour

• 2 rounded teaspoons Baking Powder

• pinch of salt

• 1 beaten egg

• 1oz caster sugar

• 1oz margarine/butter, melted

• 4fl oz milk

Instructions

Mix the sifted flour, baking powder, sugar and salt all together. Make a well in the centre. Add the milk to the beaten egg and add to the flour mix. Beat until smooth. Add the melted butter and mix briefly. Pour/spoon onto pan and wait for bubbles to appear and pop on the surface of the pancake. Flip over and cook other side. Adjust the heat of the ring depending on the colour of the pancakes.