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Baking is a tasty and enjoyable activity for children, while also being a fantastic opportunity to introduce them to the world of nature, and in particular botany!
By simply incorporating edible flowers into cakes, we can create a visually beautiful treat while providing a unique educational experience for kids.
In this blog post, we will explore the wonders of baking edible flower cakes, and how it can help children learn about flowers. So grab your aprons and let’s dive into this delightful adventure!
The Magic of Edible Flowers:
Introducing children to edible flowers is a wonderful way to spark their curiosity about flowers and nature.
Edible flowers are not only safe to eat but also offer a variety of flavors, colors, and scents.
Incorporating them into cakes not only adds visual appeal but also introduces kids to the diverse world of flowers.
Flower Selection and Preparation:
Before embarking on our baking adventure, it’s crucial to choose the right edible flowers. Opt for organic, pesticide-free flowers such as roses, lavender, pansies, or violets.
Additionally, ensure that the flowers you select are safe for consumption.
It’s essential to involve children in the selection process, encouraging them to explore different flowers and their unique characteristics.
Safety First:
When involving children in any cooking activity, safety should be a priority.
Teach them about proper hygiene, including hand washing before handling any ingredients or flowers.
Emphasize the importance of picking flowers from a safe source or growing them organically.
Remind children to NEVER consume any flowers or plants without adult supervision. Explain that while some flowers can be eaten, many should not and can make them very sick.
Learning Botanical Names:
While baking edible flower cakes, take the opportunity to teach children about the botanical names of the flowers you’re using.
Introduce them to the concept of scientific naming and explain how it helps identify and classify plants. For instance, while using roses, explain that the botanical name for roses is Rosa rubiginosa.
Exploring Colors and Aromas:
Edible flowers come in a vibrant array of colors and delightful aromas. Encourage children to observe and describe the colors they see, exploring the shades and patterns present in each flower. Help them identify and differentiate various scents, linking them to the corresponding flowers. This sensory experience can be both educational and enchanting for young minds.
Cultivating Curiosity about Pollination:
Baking edible flower cakes offers an excellent opportunity to introduce children to the concept of pollination. Explain how flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to aid in the reproduction process. Discuss the importance of pollinators and how they contribute to the growth and diversity of plants.
Documenting the Journey:
To make this educational activity more memorable, encourage children to document their baking adventure. Take photographs of the flowers, cakes, and the entire process.
Encourage them to write or draw about their experiences and what they have learned.
This documentation can serve as a keepsake and a means for children to share their newfound knowledge with others.
Baking edible flower cakes is an engaging and educational activity that allows children to learn about flowers in a hands-on and exciting way.
Through exploring flower varieties, understanding botanical names, and discovering the importance of pollination, kids can cultivate a deep appreciation for the natural world.
So, the next time you’re in the kitchen with your little ones, consider incorporating edible flowers into your baking routine and let their curiosity blossom alongside their culinary skills.
Here is a delicious and simple recipe to try, using one of our favorite edible flowers: Lilacs!
Lilacs are more than just a gorgeous visual treat…They carry a unique fragrance that can add a delightful aroma and taste to cakes!
Before incorporating lilacs into your recipes, ensure they are organic, pesticide-free, and edible. The delicate floral notes of lilacs blend beautifully with various cake flavors, such as vanilla, lemon, and lavender.
This recipe makes one single layer Lemon Lilac Loaf Cake, or one single layer 8 inch round cake. You can double it if you would like to make a two-layer cake. Also, because this recipe is egg-free it is completely safe for kids to taste as you go! Yay!
Here is the recipe:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
minutesCook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup evaporated cane sugar (or granulated monkfruit for a sugar-free version)
• 1/3 extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup non-dairy unsweetened yogurt
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegan yogurt glaze
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla vegan yogurt
• 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar (or equal parts powdered monkfruit and arrowroot starch for sugar free version)
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest (optional)
• Lilac flowers removed from stems
Instructions
Prepare the cake:
• Preheat oven to 350˚F/175˚C.
• Grease and flour a loaf pan or 8 inch cake pan.
• Sift dry ingredients together into a bowl
• Whisk wet ingredients & sugar together in a measuring cup.
• Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir until combined.
• Fold in a handful of fresh lilac flowers if you wish.
• Pour batter evenly into loaf pan.
• Bake on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean from the center
• Cool the cakes in the pan for 10 minutes then remove them from the pans and cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
Prepare the frosting:
• Whisk the confectioners sugar and lemon zest into the vegan yogurt
• Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 min
• Spread over cake using a spatula
• Arrange fresh lilac flowers on the top of the cake and around the base
Happy baking and happy learning!
If you’re looking for another recipe to try, these Flower Fairy Cakes are delicious and so simple to make! Click here to view the recipe.
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