Spring is the perfect time to bring fresh, seasonal ingredients into your baking—and what better way to enjoy it than by inviting kids into the kitchen? Baking with children isn’t just a fun activity; it also teaches them important skills like measuring, mixing, and patience. Plus, when they get to help, they’re more likely to try new flavors (even veggies in their desserts!).
In this guide, we’ll explore the best spring produce for baking, share kid-friendly recipes, and offer tips on how children of different ages can get involved.
Why Bake with Seasonal Produce?
Using fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables in baking has plenty of benefits:
✔ Better Taste – Ripe, seasonal produce is naturally sweeter and more flavorful. ✔ Budget-Friendly – Fruits and vegetables in season are often more affordable. ✔ Educational Fun – Kids can learn about where food comes from while helping in the kitchen!
Now, let’s dive into some delicious spring baking recipes that both you and your young bakers will love.
1. Strawberry Shortcakes 🍓
Best for ages 3+ (simple tasks) and 7+ (more advanced steps)
Nothing says spring like fresh strawberries! These fluffy shortcakes topped with sweetened strawberries and whipped cream are a great way to highlight this seasonal fruit.
Keep reading for my tried and true strawberry shortcake recipe!
How Kids Can Help:
👶 Ages 3-5: Wash strawberries, stir whipped cream, use cookie cutters for biscuit shapes. 👦 Ages 6-8: Hull and slice strawberries with supervision, help measure ingredients. 👩🍳 Ages 9+: Mix and knead dough, whip cream using a hand mixer, assemble shortcakes.
Pro Tip: Let kids sprinkle a little sugar over the strawberries to help them soften and get extra juicy!
2. Rhubarb Crumble Bars 🌿
Best for ages 4+ (simple steps) and 9+ (more baking responsibility)
These buttery crumble bars combine tart rhubarb with a sweet oat topping. They’re perfect for little hands to help press into the pan and sprinkle with the crumble mixture.
How Kids Can Help:
👶 Ages 3-5: Press the crust into the pan, crumble topping over the filling. 👦 Ages 6-8: Measure and mix ingredients, stir rhubarb filling. 👩🍳 Ages 9+: Use a small knife to help dice rhubarb, assemble the layers, operate the oven with supervision.
Pro Tip: Rhubarb’s tartness can be strong for kids—mix in strawberries for a sweeter balance!
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins 🍋
Best for ages 3+ (mixing & pouring) and 8+ (measuring & zesting)
These zesty muffins are a fun way to introduce kids to citrus flavors while working on fine motor skills like zesting and stirring.
How Kids Can Help:
👶 Ages 3-5: Stir batter, line muffin tins with paper liners. 👦 Ages 6-8: Juice and zest lemons with a grater, help measure dry ingredients. 👩🍳 Ages 9+: Crack eggs, mix the batter independently, portion batter into muffin cups.
Pro Tip: Let kids make a simple glaze by stirring powdered sugar with a little lemon juice—then drizzle it over the muffins!
4. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting 🥕
Best for ages 4+ (mixing) and 10+ (grating & assembling)
Carrots bring natural sweetness to this classic spring dessert, and it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies.
How Kids Can Help:
👶 Ages 3-5: Pour pre-measured ingredients, stir the batter, spread frosting. 👦 Ages 6-8: Crack eggs, measure dry ingredients, mix frosting. 👩🍳 Ages 9+: Grate carrots (with supervision), use an electric mixer for frosting, decorate the cake.
Pro Tip: Let kids decorate with colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut for a festive look!
5. Cheddar Asparagus Scones 🌱
Best for ages 5+ (simple mixing) and 10+ (chopping & baking)
A savory twist on traditional scones, these are a great way to get kids involved in baking beyond just sweets.
How Kids Can Help:
👶 Ages 3-5: Stir ingredients, press dough together. 👦 Ages 6-8: Measure ingredients, brush scones with milk or butter before baking. 👩🍳 Ages 9+: Chop asparagus (with supervision), mix dough, cut scones into triangles.
Pro Tip: Serve these warm with butter for a delicious springtime snack!
6. Cherry Almond Galette 🍒
Best for ages 4+ (simple assembly) and 9+ (fruit prep & baking)
This rustic fruit tart is easier than a pie but just as delicious! Kids can have fun arranging cherries on the dough and folding the edges.
How Kids Can Help:
👶 Ages 3-5: Roll out dough, sprinkle sugar on top. 👦 Ages 6-8: Pit cherries (with supervision), arrange fruit in the crust. 👩🍳 Ages 9+: Make and roll out the dough, fold edges, brush with egg wash.
Pro Tip: Let kids dust the finished galette with powdered sugar for a “snowy” effect!
Final Thoughts: Spring Baking Fun for the Whole Family! 🌷🍰
Baking with kids is about more than just making delicious treats—it’s about creating memories, teaching life skills, and having fun in the kitchen. Whether your little one is mixing, measuring, or decorating, there’s a role for every age.
By using seasonal produce, you can introduce them to new flavors and encourage them to enjoy fresh, wholesome ingredients. So grab an apron, pick a recipe, and start baking together this spring!
Just for fun, I'm giving you a tried and true Strawberry Shortcake recipe so you and your little bakers can test it out!
🍓 Easy Strawberry Shortcakes (Toddler-Helper Friendly) 🍰
Makes: 6 shortcakes | Prep Time: 15 mins | Bake Time: 15 mins
✨ Ingredients:
For the Shortcakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
For the Strawberries:
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1–2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
🧁 Toddler-Friendly Tasks:
🖐️ Stirring dry ingredients 🧈 Dropping butter cubes into the bowl 👐 Patting out the dough 🍓 Layering strawberries and whipped cream 👅 Taste testing, obviously
🥣 Instructions:
1. Prep the Strawberries Wash and slice the strawberries (grown-ups only). Let your toddler sprinkle sugar over them in a bowl and mix gently with a spoon. Let them sit while you make the shortcakes—this brings out their juices!
2. Make the Shortcake Dough
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
- Let your little one drop in the butter cubes. Then you (the grown-up) use your hands or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until it’s crumbly.
- Add buttermilk and stir until just combined. The dough will be a little sticky.
3. Form the Shortcakes
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Gently pat it out to about 1-inch thick (your toddler can help with this part).
- Cut out circles using a biscuit cutter or a drinking glass. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
5. Make Whipped Cream
- Whip the cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. (You can do this ahead if needed—or use store-bought for an even easier option!)
6. Assemble!
- Slice shortcakes in half. Layer with strawberries and whipped cream. Let your toddler do the stacking!