- Getting your children involved in the cooking process has many positive impacts such as instilling them with confidence; building on math, science, and health skills; teaching them valuable life-long lessons; and creating fond memories.
- This simple chocolate pie recipe allows children of all ages to contribute and help in the kitchen and then enjoy a delightful treat.
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Benefits of Cooking with Kids
There are many benefits of cooking with your children. Letting them help prep for and prepare a meal teaches them safety in the kitchen and the lifelong skill of how to properly cook food. It also helps to hone their planning skills, especially if you make weekly menus or do weekly food prep. Children are also more likely to try new foods if they are involved in the process of preparing and cooking them. This invites new experiences and encourages healthy habits. Being able to prepare a few meals, whether solely for themselves or for their family, gives them both confidence and a sense of independence.
As far as “school” type learning goes, measuring and the use of fractions, as well as conversions between the metric and US Customary System, all build on math skills. The act of cooking, adding varying degrees of heat to different ingredients, is a science skill. Cooking with your child is also a good time to review the food pyramid and discuss foods that are healthy, everyday foods versus treats. These should all build on topics already covered in other ways by bringing them into their daily lives.
On top of lessons learned, cooking together with your family will create wonderful memories for all involved. Who doesn’t fondly remember some type of cooking memories with a member of their family? And working together as a team in the kitchen will help reinforce bonds (or help create them). Not to mention the fabulous recipes that will be passed down. This can also start traditions that will continue through your children’s childhood and into their adult lives.
How to Get Everyone Involved
There are many ways to get everyone involved in the cooking process. Small children can help gather ingredients and cooking utensils as well as help “supervise” others. Elementary aged children can measure ingredients and add ingredients to mixtures. They can also help stir, mix, and knead. Older children can help throughout the entire process including preparations. Using a sweet treat recipe, such as this pie, will hopefully get all of your children excited to help. Though keep in mind, when getting your child involved in the actual cooking process, to consider their age, ability, and maturity level.
Ingredients
For the pie:
1 1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup evaporated milk
¾ cup water
3 egg yolks (save the whites in case you want to make a meringue)
1 1/12 Tbsp vanilla extract
For the meringue (optional):
2 egg whites
4 drops of water
4 Tbsp sugar or sugar substitute
Steps – and How to Include the Children
Step 1: Gather Ingredients This is the basic first step to any recipe and children of all ages can easily help. I like to gather all of the ingredients as well as all of the utensils that are needed. I have learned that for a smooth experience, especially with younger kids, make sure that you give specific instructions such as “can you get two eggs for me?” and “can you grab the cocoa powder and sugar?”.
Step 2: Measure out all of the ingredients. I like to measure out all of the ingredients first, before starting the mixing process. Yes, this does mean that you get a lot of dishes dirty. However, I particularly like to have all of the needed ingredients set out in the order that they need to be added just to make the process run smoother. While measuring out ingredients with your children, talk about the importance of measuring each item correctly, conversion methods, and/or how cooking is similar to chemistry. These talks will give them a different, deeper perspective on cooking and how it relates to school topics such as math and science.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. This will need to be a job for older kids, a teen, or yourself. Remind small children that the oven is hot and to keep their little hands off the door and stovetop.
Step 4: Mix all ingredients for the pie and cook. For this step I put all of the ingredients straight into a pot on the stove. Mix well and turn the heat up to medium-high. Make sure that you keep a close eye on the mixture and stirring regularly every few seconds. Cook until the mixture has thickened. This step may be best for older kids but you can let your younger children stir as long as they are being monitored and reminded that the mixture is hot.
until thick.
Step 5: Follow the instructions for your pie crust. I am terrible at making a homemade pie crust. I have tried twice and failed miserably. Therefore, I always purchase premade pie crust. Particularly a graham cracker crust for this pie. However, you can use a homemade crust, premade pie crust, or a frozen pie crust. Just remember to follow the directions for whichever crust you decide to use prior to moving on to the next step.
Step 6: Place the chocolate mixture into your pie crust. Once your pie crust is ready, pour the chocolate mixture into your crust. You can do this step if you are worried that your child may burn themselves or make a mess.
Step 7: Optional: Make meringue and spread it over your pie. My family and I are not fans of meringue; therefore, I do not put this on any of our pies. However, if you like meringue or are planning on taking the pie to a gathering you may want to add this topping. To do so, add the ingredients of the meringue together in a bowl. Feel free to add more or less sugar to taste. Let your child whip it until it forms a peak. Then spread it over the top of the pie.
Step 8: Bake for 5 minutes. Whether or not you have added meringue, bake the pie in the oven at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or until the meringue is slightly browned (if added). Take out of the oven and let cool completely.
Step 9: Enjoy your pie! Everyone can definitely be included in this step! I like to refriderate mine and serve it cold but it is just as tasty served room temperature or warmed. It is great with vanilla bean ice cream as well!
If you are interested in recipe cards to use with your children, I have made a set of 54 3×5 inch cards available on my TPT store. The set is split into 6 different categories: Baked Goods, Appetizers, Soups, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, and an empty customizable category. Each category has 3 different design options and includes an optional back side with additional lines to write on to be printed on each.
<– Here is a link to my Recipe Cards page on my TPT store.
I hope this cooking with kids recipe helps to creates happy memories, a delicious pie, and helpful lessons for everyone involved. If you found this blog helpful please consider subscribing to and liking this post as it will help to grow the community as well as let me know which type of posts are more beneficial for you. If you like cooking with your child, try my Cooking with Kids: Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies blog.
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Did you and your family enjoy this pie? If so, please let us know in the comments below.
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