BAKING CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES: Simple recipe to make with your child

Help your child find a love for reading by making real-world connections to the stories they read. While there are many ways to do this, one way is in the kitchen. A book that we have recently read that inspired some real-life connections was The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins. After reading The Doorbell Rang, a lovely book about sharing chocolate chip cookies with neighborhood friends, we made our own chocolate chip cookies!

In the story, a mother has baked twelve cookies for her two children to share. As they count out the cookies the doorbell rings and some neighbors come in. The children must count again as they equally share the cookies amongst themselves. This keeps happening until there is only one cookie for each child...then the doorbell rings again! (Don’t worry, I won’t give away the ending!)

Recently, my older daughter has been very interested in counting as well as organizing things to fit a space. We always love baking together in the kitchen as it gives so many opportunities for learning- volume, measuring, numbers and counting, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination to name a few, so this was a great opportunity. We made the cookie dough and then she counted out twelve cookies and spent time arranging them so she could fit them all in the pan to be baked. 

Nothing smells better than chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven! We read the book again as we waited and then sat down and counted out the cookies to enjoy! (Well, we didn’t eat all twelve at once- though I’m sure we could have!).

Whether you have this book available to you or not, chocolate chip cookies are always a good idea! Below is the recipe so you too can make some delicious chocolate chip cookies! We at Góc Montessori hope you can find some wonderful ways to bring your child’s favorite stories to life! 

The recipe below is written without the use of an electric mixer so your child can help every step of the way. If you do not have an oven at home check out our No-Bake Cookie Recipe (coming soon)!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar (this amount is reduced from original recipe with 1 cup sugar)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ cup butter, softened 

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 ¼ cups flour

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• 200g chocolate chunks 

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C

2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, salt, and butter until a paste forms with no lumps. I use the back of the spoon to mash the butter together with the sugar and salt. 

3. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well until the mixture falls from the spoon or whisk as a light ribbon.  

4. Sift in the flour and baking soda, then fold the mixture with a spatula.

5. Fold the chocolate chunks into the dough. (It is better to let the dough chill for 30 minutes- but honestly, we don’t always have time for that!)

6. Scoop the dough with an ice-cream scoop leaving space around each cookie for it to expand

7. Bake in a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes

8. Let cool then enjoy! (As always, best enjoyed with a cold glass of full cream milk!)

General tips on baking with children:

• Prepare the space beforehand - get ingredients ready and clear the space so your child only has access to what is needed - make sure eggs are out of reach for the throwers! And don't forget to prepare a Learning tower (aka Little kitchen helper) or a step stool that allows your child to easily and safely work in the kitchen.

• Don’t leave opened bottles and bags of ingredients within reach unsupervised

• Ensure your little one can easily reach into the mixing bowls

• Use a bowl with a handle for mixing wet ingredients to make pouring easier

• Use child-sized kitchen utensils

• Give smaller spoons and measuring cups for added scooping and transferring practice 

• Crack eggs into a separate cup in case your child drops the shells in too- it is easier to remove

• Take the opportunity to discuss oven safety with your child when baking together

• Slow down and let your child enjoy the full sensory experience of baking- touching the ingredients, tasting (when safe), smelling the spices...and if your child is focused on a single task try not to interrupt until they have finished. 

• And remember- practice makes better. It will be very messy at the beginning but not forever!

Written by

Góc Montessori