Fun Christmas Cooking with Kids: Easy Recipes to Get Them Involved
Written by Food, Travel & Lifestyle Creator Jacqui Toumbas @jacquitoumbas
This season, we've partnered with Brisbane-born Australian nutritionist & content creator, Jacqui Toumbas. Jacqui loves wholesome foods, curating unforgettable events, exploring her culture and heritage, and opening up dialogues and conversations with some pretty incredible people. All of this done from the kitchen, over a love for cooking and food.
Every year, I step into my favourite holiday role as the "cool aunt" by hosting an annual Christmas cooking day with over eight nephews and nieces, all under the age of six. It’s a day filled with flour-covered countertops, chocolate-streaked cheeks, and joyful chaos—a tradition that brings the magic of the season to life. For me, it’s about more than just baking; it’s about creating lasting memories and sharing the joy of cooking with the little ones.
The goal isn’t perfect, Instagram-worthy treats. It’s about giving the kids a fun, hands-on experience in the kitchen where they can mix, decorate, and, of course, taste-test along the way. Cooking together not only fills the house with delicious aromas, but also gives the kids an opportunity to learn basic skills like measuring ingredients, stirring mixtures, and even following instructions. These small tasks help build their confidence, foster creativity, and encourage a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce them to the idea that food is something to be enjoyed and celebrated, not just eaten.
Hosting a cooking day with a group of little ones does take some planning, but it’s worth every moment of preparation. Over the years, I’ve learned some tricks to keep things organized, manageable, and fun for everyone involved:
👩🍳 Set Up Stations: I find it helpful to organize different activity areas in the kitchen—one for stirring and mixing, another for decorating, and a space for assembling no-bake treats. This keeps the activities flowing and prevents the kids from crowding each other (and the mess from getting too out of hand). Each child gets to feel like they have their own special task suited to their age, which adds to the excitement and keeps them engaged.
👩🍳 Prep Ahead of Time: A little preparation goes a long way when cooking with young kids. I like to measure ingredients into small bowls and set out decorations like sprinkles and icing in little cups before the kids arrive. It saves time and lets them jump straight into the fun. Plus, having everything prepped means I can focus on helping them and enjoying the experience, rather than scrambling to get things ready.
👩🍳 Keep It Simple: I always choose recipes that are forgiving and don’t require too much precision—because let’s face it, there’s going to be flour in the air and sugar on the floor. Activities like decorating cookies, making rocky road, or assembling snowman biscuits are perfect because they’re fun, easy, and allow the kids to get creative. The simpler the recipe, the more the kids can do independently, which builds their confidence and makes them feel like real little chefs.
Beyond the immediate fun, cooking with kids has lasting benefits. It’s a playful way to teach patience, develop fine motor skills, and introduce them to new flavours. Even the littlest tasks, like sprinkling sugar or using a spoon to mix, help with their coordination. And when they see their finished treats lined up on the table, the pride and sense of achievement are priceless.
The best part, though, is the joy on their faces when they show off their creations to the family. There’s nothing like watching a group of tiny chefs, grinning from ear to ear, as they proudly present their masterpieces—even if they’re a little wonky or slightly over-decorated. It’s a day of delicious messes, shared laughter, and a sprinkle of holiday magic—everything that Christmas is meant to be.
White Chocolate Christmas Trees
Makes: 12 trees
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
• 200g white chocolate, melted
• 12 Malt O Milk or biscoff biscuits
• Edible decorations (sprinkles, glitter, pearls, small stars)
Method
🎄 Melt the chocolate
Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water or in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Place in a piping bag, and cut the end.
🎄 Shape the trees
Place the Malt O Milk biscuits on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle melted white chocolate onto each biscuit in the shape of a Christmas tree (a simple triangle with a trunk works well).
🎄 Decorate the trees
While the chocolate is still wet, decorate with edible sprinkles, silver cachous, or small stars to create a festive look. Add extra details like "baubles" or "garlands" with the decorations.
🎄 Set the chocolate
Place the tray in the fridge for 20 minutes or until the chocolate trees are completely set.
Christmas Crack
Makes: 24 squares
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes + cooling
Ingredients
• 250g salted crackers (e.g., Saladas or Jatz)
• 1 cup (220g) brown sugar
• 250g unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups (260g) dark or milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup (75g) crushed nuts (e.g., pistachios, almonds, or macadamias)
• ¼ cup (50g) festive sprinkles or flaky sea salt (optional)
Method
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan-forced). Line a large baking tray with baking paper, ensuring it covers the edges to catch the toffee.
2. Lay out the crackers
Arrange the salted crackers in a single layer on the lined tray, making sure they’re touching but not overlapping.
3. Make the toffee
In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil.
Once boiling, stop stirring and let it bubble for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Pour the toffee
Carefully pour the hot toffee over the crackers, spreading it with a spatula to cover them evenly.
5. Bake the toffee layer
Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes. The toffee will bubble up but should not burn.
6. Add the chocolate
Remove the tray from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot toffee. Let them sit for 2–3 minutes to melt, then use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly.
7. Decorate
While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle with crushed nuts, festive sprinkles, or flaky sea salt for extra texture and flavour.
8. Cool and set
Let the tray cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour, or until fully set.
9. Break into pieces
Once hardened, remove the slab from the tray and break it into rough pieces or squares.
Reindeer Brownie Cookies 🦌
Makes: 12 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 - 15 minutes
Ingredients
🦌 For the Cookies:
• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 125g unsalted butter
• 1 cup (220g) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
•1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (150g) plain flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
•1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
🦌 For the decorations:
• 24 mini pretzels (for antlers)
• 12 red M&M's (for noses)
• 24 edible eyeballs or white chocolate buttons
Method
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan-forced) and line two baking trays with baking paper.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter
In a heatproof bowl, combine the dark chocolate and butter. Melt over a saucepan of simmering water (double boiler method) or in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until pale and creamy. Gradually mix in the melted chocolate mixture.
4. Combine the dry ingredients
In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently until just combined. The batter will be thick and glossy.
5. Shape the cookies
Scoop tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking trays, spacing them 5cm apart to allow for spreading.
6. Bake the cookies
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are crackly. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
7. Decorate the cookies
While the cookies are still slightly warm (but not hot), gently press two mini pretzels into the top of each cookie to form antlers. Use a small dab of melted chocolate or icing to attach a red M&M as the nose and two candy eyes above it to create the reindeer face.
8. Cool completely
Allow the cookies to cool fully so the decorations set before serving.
Your next read:
How to Plan the Perfect Christmas Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide
For me, the secret to a memorable Christmas feast lies in careful planning and thoughtful choices. When I host Christmas, my priority is spending as much time as possible with friends and family, rather than being stuck in the kitchen all day. By planning ahead, I can create a festive, harmonious dining experience that lets everyone (myself included!) fully enjoy the day. Here’s how I approach planning the perfect Christmas menu, step by step.