10 Easy Autumn Baking Recipes to Make With Kids

Autumn is the perfect excuse to get the oven on. Cooler days, cosy jumpers and the smell of cinnamon filling the kitchen make baking with the kids feel like the ultimate afternoon activity.

Of course, baking with children can also mean flour everywhere, sticky fingers and someone eating half the chocolate before it reaches the bowl. But that is all part of the fun.

Here are 10 easy autumn baking recipes that little hands can help make, with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.

1. Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, sweet and packed with cinnamon, these are guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing.

Easy recipe: Spread ready made puff pastry with softened butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, roll up and slice. Bake at 200°C for around 15 minutes, then drizzle with icing.

2. Apple and Cinnamon Muffins

A brilliant autumn bake and an easy one for little helpers to get involved with.

Easy recipe: Mix 2 chopped apples, 2 eggs, 100g melted butter, 100g sugar, 150g self raising flour and 1 tsp cinnamon. Spoon into muffin cases and bake at 180°C for 20 minutes.

3. Pumpkin Spice Cookies

These cosy cookies are full of warming cinnamon and make a lovely autumn afternoon treat.

Easy recipe: Mix 100g butter, 100g brown sugar, 1 egg, 200g plain flour and 1 tsp pumpkin spice. Roll into balls, flatten slightly and bake at 180°C for 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Nothing says cosy quite like a warm sticky toffee pudding served with custard.

Easy recipe: Mix 150g chopped dates with 200ml boiling water. Stir in 100g butter, 100g brown sugar, 2 eggs and 175g self raising flour. Bake at 180°C for around 30 minutes. Serve with warm toffee sauce.

5. Chocolate Orange Brownies

Chocolate and orange are made for autumn, and brownies are wonderfully easy for children to help make.

Easy recipe: Melt 150g chocolate with 100g butter. Stir in 150g sugar, 2 eggs, 100g flour and the zest of one orange. Pour into a lined tin and bake at 180°C for 20 to 25 minutes.

6. Pear and Ginger Cake

Sweet pear and warming ginger make this a delicious bake for a chilly afternoon.

Easy recipe: Mix 150g butter, 150g sugar, 2 eggs, 200g self raising flour and 1 tsp ground ginger. Fold in one chopped pear, spoon into a cake tin and bake at 180°C for around 35 minutes.

7. Easy Apple Crumble

Let the kids get their hands messy making the crumble topping. It is practically impossible to get wrong.

Easy recipe: Add 4 sliced apples to a baking dish with 2 tbsp sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Rub 100g butter into 200g flour, then stir in 100g sugar. Sprinkle over the apples and bake at 180°C for 35 minutes.

Serve with custard for maximum autumn comfort.

8. Carrot Cake Cupcakes

A family favourite that gives children plenty of opportunities to mix, spoon and decorate.

Easy recipe: Mix 100g grated carrot, 100g sugar, 100ml oil, 2 eggs, 150g self raising flour and 1 tsp cinnamon. Divide between cupcake cases and bake at 180°C for 18 to 20 minutes. Decorate once cool.

9. Cinnamon Apple Turnovers

Ready made pastry makes these look much more complicated than they actually are.

Easy recipe: Cut ready made puff pastry into squares. Add chopped apple, a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon, fold into triangles and press the edges with a fork. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 200°C for 15 to 20 minutes.

10. Halloween Gingerbread Biscuits

Perfect for an autumn baking session as Halloween approaches. Let the kids go wild with the icing afterwards.

Easy recipe: Mix 100g butter, 100g brown sugar, 1 egg, 250g plain flour and 1 tsp ground ginger. Roll out and cut into pumpkins, ghosts or bats. Bake at 180°C for 10 to 12 minutes, then decorate when cool.

Make Baking Part of Your Autumn Routine

You do not need a rainy day or a special occasion to bake with the kids. Pick a recipe, put the kettle on and embrace the inevitable flour covered kitchen.

The best part is not whether the cupcakes look perfect. It is watching little faces light up when they realise they made something themselves. And yes, licking the spoon is basically compulsory.

A Quick Safety Note

Always supervise children around the oven, hot trays and sharp kitchen equipment. Younger children can stick to mixing, pouring and decorating, while adults handle anything hot or sharp.