The Home Baking Association named February as National Bake for Family Fun Month as a way to get family members to hone their baking skills while bonding. If you’re not a great baker, your mom and dad may have some lessons to teach you. You might have some tips to teach them.
No matter what your skill level is, gather the family and spend the month building your baking skills. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started.
Stock the Kitchen
Talk to your parents about the items you most need in your kitchen. You need baking sheets, measuring cups and spoons for dry ingredients, and a measuring cup with a spout for liquid ingredients.
Get the ingredients you need. At the heart of most baking projects are eggs, milk/water, butter/oil, flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. If you have those items, you should find suitable recipes for your family to make.
Measurements are key to successful baking. A digital scale is the best way to ensure your measurements are always accurate. If you can’t afford a digital scale, make sure you spoon flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients into a cup and use the back of a knife to level the dry ingredients to the top of the cup.
Start With a Simple Recipe
Boost your confidence with a simple recipe. Mix two cups of natural peanut butter (crunchy or smooth are both acceptable), 1 ½ cups brown sugar, and 2 eggs. Use a spoon and scoop out golf ball-sized portions. Roll into balls between your hands and place on a cookie sheet that’s been lined with parchment paper or non-stick foil.
Use a fork to press a criss-cross pattern into each ball. Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow them to sit for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Advance to Bread as You Get Comfortable
One of the easiest breads to make is a simple oatmeal bread. Mix 3 cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of old-fashioned oats, and 1 tablespoon of instant yeast. In a microwaveable bowl, mix 1 cup of extra creamy oat milk, 2 tbsp walnut oil, and ¼ cup maple syrup or honey. Heat on high for 30 seconds. Stir in ¼ cup of filtered water. Mix well with the flour mixture and take turns kneading for 10 minutes.
Let the dough sit in a warm place for one or two hours. You want it to spring back up when you press the top. Flatten the dough into a rectangle and roll it up. Place in a greased bread pan and move to the refrigerator. Let it rise overnight. Bake at 350 degrees F for an hour.
Family baking fun can take place even if you’re not there. Talk to a home care agency about companionship services for your mom and dad. Caregivers can spend time with them and join them in fun baking projects. Home care aides can also help with household chores, transportation, and personal care. Make a call to learn more.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Medfield MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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