Handstand Kids Baking Around The World Cookbook Kit Review
As proud owners of the Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook for the past couple of years, my family and I were thrilled to have the opportunity to review the newest book in the collection, Handstand Kids Baking Around the World. Since my now-5 1/2- year-old lays claim to the Italian cookbook, my 3-year-old couldn’t have been more excited to have his very own, first cookbook. As soon as we opened the box, he wanted to use the kid-sized whisk and silicone baking cups in his play kitchen. When I told him he could use them to bake for real in our REAL kitchen, his eyes got wide as saucers! He ran to grab his stool so he could reach the countertops before I had even cracked open the book.
The first recipe we made was actually a box of Jiffy Corn Bread to go with our chili one weeknight, but my little guy was so proud to sit on the kitchen floor, whisking away with his very own whisk. We made muffins instead of a full pan of the bread, simply to be able to use the colorful muffin cups. They made popping out the muffins a breeze – we need more of these in our kitchen! No waste, like traditional paper muffin cups, and they clean up in a snap.
The next recipe we made was the Dutch Apple Crisp (page 41). One of the terrific things about cooking with kids is that it’s not just about cooking. He’s able to read numbers and tell me how many apples we needed (5, in case you’re interested), how much honey or agave nectar (1 cup), etc. He can’t quite get fractions yet, but he’s off to a great start, in part because of the Handstand Kids recipes. Other than cutting the apples for the recipe, he was able to do almost everything else…including taste-testing during the process. Found out flour by itself doesn’t taste so great. =) The crisp smelled so good while it was baking, and everyone was in such a hurry to eat it after dinner, that we completely forgot to take photos!
While the Handstand Kids products are geared for children, the recipes are anything but childish. This apple crisp rivals any I’ve ever had from a “regular” cookbook, and my husband’s response to it was, “WOW! This is delicious! Tastes just like an apple pie!” He loves apple pie, and he thought this tasted even better.
For a wonderful bonding experience with your kids, I have always suggested cooking or baking together. The Handstand Kids cookbooks enhance that experience and can help those little ones learn numbers, language, measuring, and more – all in the context of preparing something delicious for their families. The kid-sized accouterments make it even more fun!
