3 Easy Autumn Baking Recipes to Make with the Kids
, by Katie Hind, 4 min reading time
There's something about Autumn that makes us want to get cosy, pop the oven on and bake something delicious.
And you don't need to be a star baker to get the whole family involved! From cute woodland cupcakes to warming apple crumble, these easy Autumn baking recipes for kids and families are simple, tasty and perfect for a cosy weekend at home.
Grab your aprons, gather your little helpers and get ready for some autumn baking fun.
Easy Hedgehog Chocolate Cupcakes
Cute, chocolately and almost too adorable to eat.
These easy hedgehog cupcakes are a brilliant autumn baking activity for kids. Little bakers can help mix the cakes before having lots of fun decorating their own hedgehogs.
You'll need:
12 ready-made or homemade chocolate cupcakes
Chocolate buttercream
Chocolate sprinkles
Chocolate buttons or small chocolate pieces
Edible eyes, or white icing to make your own
Recipe:
1. Bake your chocolate cupcakes according to your chosen recipe or packet instructions and leave them to cool completely.
2. Spread a generous layer of chocolate buttercream over each cupcake.
3. Cover the back two-thirds of the cupcake with chocolate sprinkles to create your hedgehog’s prickly coat.
4. Add two edible eyes towards the front.
5. Finish with a little chocolate button or piece of chocolate for the nose.
Top tip: Put the decorations into separate bowls and create a mini decorating station. It’s an easy way to let children get creative — and every hedgehog can look completely different!
Easy Cinnamon Apple Crumble
A classic autumn pudding the whole family can help make.
Nothing says autumn quite like warm apples and cinnamon. This easy apple crumble recipe is perfect for chilly afternoons and is simple enough for children to get involved with too.
You’ll need:
For the filling:
4–5 cooking apples
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the crumble:
150g plain flour
100g butter
75g sugar
How to make it:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / Gas 4.
2. Peel, core and chop the apples. This part is best handled or closely supervised by an adult.
3. Place the apples into an ovenproof dish and sprinkle over the sugar and cinnamon.
4. Add the flour and butter to a separate bowl. Use your fingertips to rub them together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs — a great job for little hands!
5. Stir the sugar into the crumble mixture.
6. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples.
7. Bake for around 30–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling underneath.
8. Leave to cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm on a chilly autumn evening for the ultimate cosy family pudding.
Make it extra special: Try serving your apple crumble with custard, cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate-Dipped Autumn Leaf Biscuits
An easy autumn baking idea that doubles as a creative family activity.
Biscuit decorating is always a winner with kids, and these autumn leaf biscuits are a lovely way to celebrate the season.
Use leaf-shaped cutters if you have them, or simply cut out your favourite shapes and decorate them with autumn-inspired colours.
You’ll need:
250g plain flour
125g butter, softened
100g caster sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Milk or white chocolate for dipping
Sprinkles or decorations
How to make them:
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / Gas 4.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together until combined.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the flour until a soft biscuit dough forms.
5. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface.
6. Cut out leaf shapes and place them onto a lined baking tray.
7. Bake for around 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.
8. Allow the biscuits to cool completely.
9. Melt your chocolate carefully, then dip or drizzle it over each biscuit.
10. Add sprinkles and decorations before the chocolate sets.
Top tip: Younger children can focus on decorating while grown-ups take care of the hot oven and melted chocolate.
Make Autumn Baking a Family Tradition
Autumn baking doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. A few simple ingredients, some colourful decorations and a little imagination are all you need to turn a rainy afternoon into a fun family activity.
Whether you’re making easy autumn cupcakes with the kids, tucking into a warm apple crumble or decorating homemade biscuits, the best ingredient is getting everyone involved.
Before you start, pop into Poundland to look for baking essentials, sweet treats and decorations to help bring your autumn creations to life.
Happy baking!