Winter in Melbourne is the perfect season to cozy up indoors and enjoy baking with the kids. Baking together is a wonderful way to bond, teach practical skills, and create delicious memories — plus, it fills your home with the warm aromas of freshly baked treats. At Gertrude Grocer, we stock a wide range of baking mixes, sprinkles, and wholesome ingredients perfect for family baking projects that little hands can help with.
Why Bake with Kids During Winter?
The colder months encourage indoor activities, and baking is both fun and educational. It fosters creativity, patience, and basic math skills through measuring and mixing. Plus, kids love the chance to decorate and personalise their baked goods, making every treat special.
Gertrude Grocer Ingredients for Kid-Friendly Baking
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Baking mixes: Convenient cookie, muffin, and cake mixes that simplify preparation.
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Wholesome flours: Including gluten-free and premium imported flours for all dietary needs.
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Decorative sprinkles & toppings: Brighten cupcakes and cookies with colourful sprinkles, edible glitter, and more.
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Natural sweeteners & chocolate: Artisan chocolate chips, maple syrup, and honey add flavour without artificial nasties.
5 Fun & Easy Winter Baking Recipes for Kids
1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
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1 packet of cookie baking mix
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½ cup artisanal chocolate chips
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1 egg
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50g softened butter
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C. In a bowl, combine cookie mix, egg, and butter. Stir in chocolate chips. Kids can help scoop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking tray. Optionally, sprinkle with colourful sprinkles before baking for 10-12 minutes until golden. Cool and enjoy!
2. Rainbow Sprinkle Cupcakes
Ingredients:
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1 packet vanilla cupcake baking mix
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2 eggs
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125ml milk
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Buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
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Colourful sprinkles for decoration
Method:
Mix the cupcake mix, eggs, and milk as per packet instructions. Pour batter into cupcake cases. Bake at 180°C for 15-18 minutes. Once cooled, let kids spread buttercream on top and decorate with sprinkles for a festive, colourful finish.
3. Cinnamon Apple Muffins
Ingredients:
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1 packet plain muffin mix
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1 diced apple (use seasonal apples from Gertrude Grocer)
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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1 egg
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125ml milk
Method:
Combine muffin mix with egg, milk, diced apple, and cinnamon. Spoon batter into muffin cases. Bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Kids can help with stirring and filling muffin trays.
4. Oaty Banana Cookies
Ingredients:
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2 ripe bananas (mashed)
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1 cup rolled oats
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½ cup chocolate chips or dried fruit
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
Mix mashed bananas, oats, vanilla, and chocolate chips/dried fruit. Scoop spoonfuls onto baking trays and flatten slightly. Bake at 175°C for 12-15 minutes. These cookies are wholesome, naturally sweet, and perfect for little hands to prepare.
5. Mini Jam Tarts
Ingredients:
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Ready-made shortcrust pastry
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Local Gertrude Grocer jams (e.g. strawberry, apricot, or raspberry)
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1 egg (for egg wash)
Method:
Roll out pastry and cut into small circles to fit a mini muffin tray. Press pastry into tray holes, spoon a small amount of jam into each, and brush edges with beaten egg. Bake at 180°C for 12-15 minutes until golden. Kids will love spooning jam and watching the tarts puff up.
Tips for a Successful Baking Day with Kids
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Create a safe, organised workspace where kids can reach everything easily.
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Use measuring tools to teach math while baking.
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Encourage creativity with decoration choices.
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Keep recipes simple to hold attention and avoid frustration.
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Make it a family event with everyone tasting and sharing the results.
Shop Gertrude Grocer for Baking Fun
Find all these ingredients and more in-store at Kensington and Carlton, or shop online for Click & Collect at your convenience.