Plain scones with jam and cream

Easter is coming! And yes, I’m looking forward to it. But yes, it is a long weekend – and then there are the two weeks’ holiday that follow. It’s weirdly exciting and daunting at the same time, isn’t it – having time off with the little ‘uns? OK, so you don’t have the school run to stress about. But then you do have to fill the days doing something.

One thing to do, especially when it rains, is bake. Yes. Bake with the kids.

Wait, wait – don’t go! I know. The whole cook with kids thing is actually easier said than done. For most people, or maybe it’s just me, there is an overarching need to helicopter parent the whole thing! Make it tidy, ensure it’s done well, safe, clean etc etc – and then it’s kind of pointless. To get real benefit from it they need to get stuck in and only have you interfering when they really need your help.

So, as a control freak who does venture into the kitchen with her offspring every once in a while, I have some tips for those of you who fancy a spot of baking over Easter. Garden Trading sent some dreamy bits and bobs to enable our little Easter baking session – prices and items listed under the images!

Recycled glass salad bowl, £28

1. Pick something simple. 

The shots you see are of Bea making some scones today. Just simple, plain scones. She managed most of it without any help from me. I only got involved to help ensure the butter was breadcrumbed enough. And to bring the dough together.

Here’s how you make them (makes about 8 scones):

225g self-raising flour
50g cubed cold butter
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons of caster sugar
1 egg
Large splash of milk (about 75-100ml)

1 extra egg, to glaze

To serve: 
Clotted cream
Strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 200C. Rub cold butter cubes into flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix sugar and salt into flour and butter mixture. Beat egg into milk and mix together to make a dough. If it’s too sticky then add more flour until it’s just right. Don’t over handle. Liberally flour the worktop. Flatten the dough to make a rough circle with your hands, about 2cm high. Cut out scones and place on lined baking tray. Glaze with egg and sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar on top. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cook’s kitchen scales, £35

2. Set / measure everything out first
As though you were presenting a TV show! Cooking like this does take an extra ten minutes to prepare, but having little bowls of things ready makes it so much easier with little ones. And you feel a little bit like Delia. Older kids might want to help measure.

Egg run, £17.50

3. Don’t helicopter 
Allow them to make a mess. Guide by watching them. If they need your help then give it but then step back. It’s hard. If it helps take pictures of them to occupy yourself.

Cutters, £12

4. Treat yourself to some gorgeous baking equipment
Baking with kids doesn’t mean you have to use plastic bowls and pink utensils. The lovely stuff Garden Trading sent is great to use as well as looking simply beautiful in the kitchen.

5. Make a fuss about eating it
Not only will this give them confidence, it’s also really fun. We set the table and had a cream tea party, just the two of us. She was so chuffed with herself. And they genuinely were the best scones I have ever had!

Do you get your kids into the kitchen? How does it go? Let me know if you have any good tips to add to these nuggets…

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Garden Trading. All links are no follow as per Google guidelines.