Kids Can Cook: Hot Fudge Sundae Cake
Things are a little crazy right now, right? You may be working from home… for a while. Kids have been sent home with the contents of their desks, and are preparing to complete work through online activities until school resumes. You may be wondering what you are going to do for the coming weeks! How about letting the kids make hot fudge sundae cake, while you make fresh whipped cream!
Kids in the Kitchen…
Have you ever thought about how much kids can learn from making a recipe? Cooking and baking covers almost every core subject, helps them experience problem solving, and lets them exercise their creativity! Kids as young as two years old can help!
According to theglobeandmail.com, kids that start helping in the kitchen by age eight are 50% more likely to make five meals a week from scratch as adults! Those are incredible and lasting life skills being learned from a young age! For this reason and many others, I am excited to debut my new “Kids Can Cook” series!
Why my recipes are designed for kids…
One obstacle I run into with my three kids is that the recipes are too big. It can be hard for them to measure, stir, scoop, etc. large quantities. Have you made cut out cookies with kids before? Am I the only one that cringes as they handle and squeeze and roll out that poor dough 27 times? No one needs (or wants) 12 dozen harder-than-a-rock cookies! LOL! But seriously, the idea is to build their confidence through the experience while keeping cost, time, and yield down. My recipes will account for small hands (and attention spans).
More than just a recipe…
If there’s one thing I love just as much as baking – it’s games! So, creating fun activities to support my recipes was a no brainer! Each free printable set is designed to help kids get more familiar and comfortable with the ingredients and instructions before they tackle making it. This resource transforms a single recipe into a complete experience!
I was inspired to do this from my good friend and fellow blogger, Jennie of Four to Love. Among other things, she creates themed printable activities that my kids love! Be sure to check her blog and fb group out for some great parenting resources!
Hot Fudge Sundae Cake activities…
The first sheet they’ll use the picture key to fill in the ingredient amounts. The second sheet is the recipe instructions with a few words scrambled. The third sheet lets them design and decorate a cake! This one is a perfect to do while their own cake bakes! They can even use the first two sheets as their recipe to follow!
PLEASE NOTE: The answer key is the official recipe at the bottom of this page. Please be sure to check their work, so that the recipe is made correctly!
About this cake…
My mom has been making this for decades, and passed it down in an amazing hand-written binder that I call my recipe bible. It’s part chocolate cake, part ooey-gooey lava-like fudge sauce in each scoop! This is made with pantry essentials you likely have on hand! Best of all, there’s hardly any dishes since it’s mixed, baked, and served in one dish!
The Adult’s Turn…
Making a fresh whipped cream is the science experiment of this recipe, and your turn to be the Chef! You won’t need any special equipment; this can be done with a cold bowl and whisk! However, if you have an electric mixer, or Pampered Chef’s whipped cream maker, this will be a faster process! Have your kids watch and observe as the liquid transforms. Here’s a few questions you can ask them while they watch:
1) What do you think will happen?
2) Is this hot or cold?
3) Is this changing fast or slow?
4) What do you like whipped cream on?
5) What does this look like to you?
I hope you have fun with these new recipes and activities, and they give everyone a (tasty) distraction from the outside world! Please share a picture of your baking experience in our Facebook group when you try this out! Also – don’t forget to treat yourself during this stressful time! My 3 ingredient white chocolate raspberry truffles have your name on them 😉!
Download For Free Here…
Have suggestions for future Kids Can Cook series? What activities or recipes would your kids enjoy making? Let me know by leaving a comment on this post or emailing me at thesumofallsweets@gmail.com!
Hot Fudge Sundae Cake
Equipment
- 8X8 Baking Dish
- Measuring cups and spoons (or scale)
- 2 Whisks (or 1 electric mixer, optional)
- Rubber Spatula
- Oven Mitts
- Cooling Rack
- Timer
- Cold Bowl
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- baking spray or oil
- 142 g flour
- 6 g cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 150 g sugar
- 7 g baking powder
- 110 g milk
- 22 g vegetable oil
- 4 g vanilla extract
- 200 g brown sugar
- 22 g cocoa powder
- 363 g hot tap water
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM (OPTIONAL)
- 235 g heavy whipping cream
- 27 g confectioner's sugar (or more to taste)
- 4 g vanilla extract
Instructions
FOR THE CAKE
- Wash hands. Preheat oven to 350* then read all recipe steps.
- Get out all ingredients and equipment (mise en place).
- Spray sides and bottom of 8×8 baking pan with baking spray.
- Add flour, 2T cocoa powder, salt, sugar and baking powder to baking pan and stir with whisk.
- Add milk, oil and vanilla extract to baking pan and stir until smooth.
- Use a spatula and spread mixture evenly in baking pan.
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over batter.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup cocoa powder over batter.
- Pour hot water on top, all over.
- Carefully place baking pan in oven. Set timer for 40 minutes.
- When timer goes off, remove from oven and place on cooling rack for 15 minutes. Make whipped cream while waiting.
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM (OPTIONAL)
- Add heavy cream, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla to cold bowl.
- Whisk by hand or with electric mixer until cream if fluffy. Do not over mix or it will turn to butter!
- Serve scoop of cake with fresh whipped cream, and any extra toppings you'd like!
- Post a picture of your creations to Rachel's Kitchen Conversations!
Thank u for showing me that it look so good
Thanks for stopping by, Patrice!
Omg! I can’t tell how delicious this looks!
Can’t go wrong with ooey gooey chocolate, right?! Lol! Thanks for stopping by, I hope you give this a try!
I’m saving these kid friendly recipes for when I have grandkids. I can’t wait to try this one! I’ve learned so much from Rachel!
You can try it out before they arrive, I won’t tell anyone 😉 Thanks for the kind words, Colleen!
This looks so incredibly good! My mouth is watering! Cannot wait to make this 🙂
Thanks, Cathy! It’s my go-to for unexpected company! Be sure to let us know how it turned out for you!
Look very delicious and want to learn how to make it with my son also like to teach him how to cook also as I learn the trade thank you for the recipes it’s be really fun
I hope you have so much fun making this with your son, Anthony!
Yum! I will devour anything with chocolate 😀 This looks wonderful!
Thanks so much, Colleen! The fudge sauce in the bottom is irresistible!
Picking up my ingredients now. Can’t wait to start baking.
We hope you enjoy it, Wanda!