'Better than school cake': 14 easy and delicious bakes to make with kids this half term
Scrabbling around for inspiration for what to do with the kids this half term? Wooden spoons at the ready....
If you’re looking for an easy way to entertain the kids this half term that a) won’t cost you a fortune and b) doesn’t necessitate leaving the house, then a little baking session is the perfect solution. We’ve rounded up a selection of our best low effort bakes, from cookies and biscuits to loaf cakes and more; what's more four of the recipes can be made with just 3 ingredients. Help to instill some key kitchen skills and get a delicious bake into the bargain. And we can guarantee they are all better than school cake….
No-scales needed loaf cake
The secret ingredient in this loaf? A pot of cherry yogurt that also doubles up as your weighing equipment!
Recipe: Yogurt pot loaf cake
Chocolate frosted cupcakes
These cupcakes are covered in a smooth chocolate frosting made with yummy condensed milk.
Recipe: Chocolate frosted cupcakes
Peanut butter cookies
These nutty little snacks couldn't be any easier - there's only 3 ingredients!
Biscoff traybake
Another recipe that doesn't require an arms-length shopping list is this creamy Biscoff traybake.
Recipe: 3 ingredient Biscoff traybake
Raspberry lemon drizzle loaf
A slice of this with a cup of tea will make the dreary weather seem somehow better.
Recipe: Raspberry lemon loaf cake
Smarties cookies
Those little buttons bring colour to these cookies, plus melty pools of creamy chocolate.
Recipe: Smartie cookies
Chocolate sandwich cookies
The best bit about these creamy, gooey chocolate biscuits? Only 3 ingredients!
Cheats lemonade scones
Crack open a can of pop for these 3 ingredient scones.
Recipe: Cheats lemonade scones
Giant jammy dodger
Take everyone's favourite jammy biscuit but make it GIANT! Have fun with the jam - it doesn't have to strawberry.
Recipe: Giant jammy dodger
Homemade party rings
Bring the party to your living room with these homemade iced rings.
Recipe: Party rings
Banana & nutella muffins
Get rid of those overripe bananas with these yummy chocolate muffins.
Fried egg and bacon biscuits
Who wouldn't want breakfast in biscuit form? These fun bakes are perfect for an afternoon nibble.
Recipe: Fried egg and bacon biscuits
Chocolate shortbread fingers
The only thing that can possible make shortbread taste better? Dipping them in chocolate.
Recipe: Chocolate shortbread fingers
Marshmallow melts
Let the kids get creative and stamp out stars, triangles or any shape the like in the middle of these gooey biscuits.
Recipe: Marshmallow melts
Linzi joins the Good Housekeeping team as Kitchen Manager, looking after the brand-new, state-of-the art test and demo kitchens based in the heart of Leicester Square. With over a decade of experience producing food content for leading brands, she’s won awards for her recipes, battled Christmas dinners in July, and spent a lot of time pondering the next big food trend (no more pistachio, please!) Originally from the North East of Scotland, she lives in West London with her Italian husband and twin daughters, feeding them a variety of haggis and ragu - depending on the mood!
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