Celebrate National "Bake for Family Fun Month" with Sunbeam!
Warm up your home and bring the family together to celebrate February’s National “Bake for Family Fun” Month! Baking is an inexpensive activity that provides opportunities for families to share baking traditions, try new recipes and learn about family heritage that can be handed down through each generation.
The Home Baking Association (HBA) founded Bake for Family Fun Month in 2002 to encourage families to spend more time together mixing up something delicious in the kitchen. As a company founded on family values, Sunbeam Bread has a collection of deliciously wholesome recipes to get you started! Check out our Pinterest page for inspiration: https://pin.it/2LbipD7
Now that you have picked out some recipes, follow these HBA tips for a successful baking session:
Do some prep work. Prep by reading and trying the recipe first. Add 20 to 30 minutes to explain, show and guide beginners and 15 minutes for intermediates or experienced bakers. Divide it into two sessions if needed, or pre-measure or prepare some steps beforehand.
Keep it clean. Remember to wash hands and countertops before starting and cleaning up after you’re done. Provide separate towels for hands and dishes and frequently wash potholders. Aprons or large T-shirts are great for keeping clothes clean during the baking process.
Take it one step at a time. Read the recipe, gather ingredients, and make sure nothing was left out. When short on time, or working with beginning or young bakers, prepare some steps ahead or do some steps one day and complete the mixing or baking the next.
Use the right tools. Pour liquids (water, oil, milk, honey, corn syrup) in a clear liquid measuring cup placed on the countertop. Read amount at eye level. Use standard dry measures for dry ingredients (flours, sugar, cocoa, brown sugar, cornmeal). Use measuring spoons for small amounts less than ¼ cup (4 tablespoons).
Do a safe kitchen checklist. Turn handles of pans toward the center of the stove so sleeves or people passing by won’t catch on them and spill. Keep cupboard doors and drawers closed unless in use. Use only dry hot pads or oven mitts because heat goes through damp mitts. When stirring or checking for doneness, tilt the lid away from you so steam is released away from your face.
Oven ins and outs. Before preheating, make sure the oven racks are in the right place for the pans and recipe. Preheat the oven as the recipe directs. Place pans in the oven so they do not touch each other or the oven sides. Do not place pans on racks directly below or above another pan. Keep clean, dry oven mitts or pads close by.
While baking together can be fun, it can also be a learning experience! Everyone has an opportunity to participate when you divide up the responsibilities and break down the steps. Depending on the size and age of your family, choose kid-friendly recipes. Pick a day of the week that’s flexible and let everyone take turns. Besides the benefit of quality family time, children will also practice skills like reading comprehension, following instructions, time management, cooperation, problem solving, and learning chemistry and mathematics. They will have so much fun they won’t even realize they are learning!
After all the baking and cleaning up, settle down to savor the results. Remember that once the treats are eaten and dishes are washed, the time spent baking together will contribute to stronger relationships at home. Enjoy all the family closeness and delicious rewards!
Show us your baked masterpieces — tag your social media posts with #BakingWithSunbeam!