
10 Old-School Recipes That Still Work Today
May 7, 2026
7 Easy Desserts for Family Meals
May 22, 202610 Easy Desserts To Bake With Kids
Baking with kids works best when every step feels clear and predictable. These desserts use simple ingredients and steady methods, so children can stay involved from start to finish; because each recipe explains exactly what happens next. You spend less time correcting mistakes and more time enjoying the process.
1. Chocolate Cornflake Cups
Serves: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients
200 g milk or dark chocolate
4 cups cornflakes
Paper cupcake cases
Method
Break the chocolate into small, even pieces so it melts at the same speed.
Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over gently simmering water, making sure the bowl does not touch the water.
Stir slowly until the chocolate melts completely and looks smooth.
Remove from heat and fold in the cornflakes gently.
Spoon into paper cases and press lightly to shape.
Refrigerate for about 20 minutes until firm.
2. Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Serves: 18
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 12–14 minutes
Ingredients
120 g butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg
1½ cups flour
¼ cup jam
Method
Mix butter and sugar until pale and creamy.
Add the egg and mix until combined.
Add flour slowly until a soft dough forms.
Roll dough into small balls and place on a lined tray.
Press a thumb into each ball and fill with jam.
Bake at 180°C until lightly golden.
Cool before moving.
3. Banana Bread Loaf
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas, mashed
½ cup sugar
1 egg
⅓ cup oil
1½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
Method
Mash bananas until mostly smooth.
Add sugar, egg, and oil, then mix well.
Stir in flour and baking powder gently.
Pour into a lined loaf tin and smooth the top.
Bake at 175°C until a skewer comes out clean.
Cool before slicing.
4. Microwave Mug Brownie
Serves: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 1–1½ minutes
Ingredients
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp flour
3 tbsp milk
2 tbsp oil
Method
Add all ingredients to a microwave-safe mug.
Stir until smooth and thick.
Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Heat for another 20–30 seconds if needed.
Rest for one minute before eating.
5. Apple Crumble Cups
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
2 apples, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup flour
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp butter
Method
Cook apples, sugar, and cinnamon over low heat until soft.
Remove once apples break easily.
Rub butter into flour and brown sugar until crumbly.
Spoon apples into dishes and top with crumble.
Bake at 180°C until lightly crisp.
6. Rice Krispie Squares
Serves: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients
50 g butter
1 cup marshmallows
4 cups rice cereal
Method
Melt butter over low heat.
Add marshmallows and stir until smooth.
Remove from heat and fold in cereal gently.
Press into a lined tin evenly.
Cool fully before slicing.
7. Traybake Yoghurt Cake
Serves: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup oil
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
Method
Whisk yoghurt, sugar, eggs, and oil until smooth.
Add flour and baking powder gradually.
Pour into a lined tray and level the surface.
Bake at 180°C until firm and springy.
8. Chocolate-Dipped Fruit
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients
200 g chocolate
Fresh fruit, sliced if needed
Method
Melt chocolate over simmering water until smooth.
Dip fruit halfway into chocolate.
Place on baking paper and refrigerate until set.
9. Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists
Serves: 10
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
Ingredients
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 sheet puff pastry
Method
Brush pastry with butter.
Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly.
Cut into strips, twist, and place on a lined tray.
Bake at 200°C until puffed and golden.
10. Frozen Yoghurt Pops
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups plain yoghurt
2 tbsp honey
1 cup mashed seasonal fruit
Method
Mix yoghurt, honey, and fruit until smooth.
Pour into ice-pop moulds and insert sticks.
Freeze for at least four hours until solid.
Baking Together Makes the Sweetest Memories
Baking with kids should feel enjoyable rather than overwhelming, and these desserts are designed to keep it that way. Because the methods stay clear and forgiving, children can take part with confidence while learning real kitchen skills. The ingredients remain simple and familiar, which makes planning easier and results more reliable. When you bake together at a steady pace, the process becomes just as rewarding as the finished dessert, and those moments are often what everyone remembers most.




