Being a teacher myself, I know the importance and rewards that come from baking with children. Along with developing practical life skills, baking introduces the science of ingredients, where you can learn about and observe the chemistry of their reactions. Mathematical concepts are another huge element of baking too, for example exploring time, measurement and the ability to follow the steps of a recipe. Baking is also a great bonding activity with children within the kitchen, so I bake (and eat) with my daughter every chance I get.
Recipes and baking don’t have to be complicated either, because after all, it’s about the process and fun you have while doing it. It’s just a bonus when it bakes as it should and tastes amazing too. So here I’ve put together an exciting child friendly recipe that parents, family or friends can work on together with young ones after school, on the weekends or during school holidays.
This Funfetti Cookie Cake brings the party to the table, it’s colourful and even has the word ‘Fun’ in it! With a chocolate chip cookie base, it is then topped with a delicious vanilla cake full of colourful speckles of excitement before being smothered with a vanilla buttercream and more sprinkles! After making this, everyone deserves a slice. I won’t even hold it against any adults who find enjoyment in this fun and colourful guilty pleasure too!
Enjoy.
- 120g Butter – Room Temperature
- 30g Caster Sugar
- 30g Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 260g Plain Flour
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Egg
- 60g Chocolate Chips
- 170g Plain Flour
- 150g Caster Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- 90g Butter – Room Temperature
- 60g Sour Cream
- 60ml Milk – Room Temperature
- 30ml Water
- 3 Egg Whites
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 Tablespoons Sprinkles
- 150g Butter – Room Temperature
- 340g Icing Sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
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To start, flick the oven onto 180°C bake and line a 20cm square baking tin with baking paper.
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Making the cookie base first, cream together the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy using either a free-standing mixer or a hand-held beater.
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Beat in the egg and vanilla, then on a low speed, mix in the flour and salt until the dough comes together.
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Fold through the chocolate chips, then firmly press dough into the prepared baking tin.
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Bake the base for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside. However while the base is baking in the oven, start on the cake mixture.
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To make the cake, again cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
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Add vanilla and sour cream and beat until incorporated.
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On a low speed, add one egg white at a time until all egg whites have been added and mixture is nice and silky.
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In a separate bowl, sift in the flour and baking powder and set aside. Also measure out milk and water in a jug and set aside.
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On a low speed, alternate with adding the flour and milk over 3-4 additions, beating between each. Once all of the flour and milk has been incorporated and mixture is smooth, gently fold through the sprinkles with a spatula. Make sure not to over mix.
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Pour the cake mixture over top of the cookie base (the base should still be hot) and return to the oven and bake for another 40-45 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.
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Set the cake aside and allow to cool completely before icing.
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To make the buttercream, add butter to a mixer and beat for 5 minutes until pale.
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Scrape down the sides and sift in half the measure of icing sugar and beat for another 3 minutes. Add final measure for icing sugar and beat for another 3 minutes.
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Scrape down the sides once more and on a slow speed add the milk. Turn the speed back up and blast for another minute or so.
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Smoother buttercream over top of cake and then cover with plenty more sprinkles. Slice and serve!
Flashback!
Above were the first and only photos taken of this recipe when it was shared back in September 2016. This content was created in collaboration with Chelsea Sugar to encourage parents to bake with their children during school holidays. Since I really enjoyed creating this fun and colourful recipe, I really wanted to tidy this content up with some new photos and updated copy/recipe. Happy baking!
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