Baking for My Valentine!
When you start to bake it is helpful to know why you are using certain ingredients and what their functions are. With time, you may be able to experiment a little bit with your ingredients to make a recipe your own creation. In order to do that, you need to know how they function in a recipe.
Measuring ingredients correctly is important, and in order to measure the right way you need the right tools. Here are guidelines to use for your equipment:
Look at our Family Fun Guidelines for information on how to make this a fun activity for your family!
When you start to bake, make sure you read your recipe thoroughly and gather the materials and ingredients you will need ahead of time. Keep the unused ingredients to the left side of your workspace and move them to the right after use. The right workflow will help make mixing easier. Also, keep a sink of warm soapy water ready for used dishes and utensils. This helps make clean up a snap!
Golden cupcake Recipe
Materials Needed:
- Large mixing bowl
- Dry and liquid measuring cups
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Ingredients (butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, sour cream, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt; confectioners' sugar, food coloring, assorted candies to decorate)
- Oven
- Wire Rack
- Cupcake or muffin tin
- Cupcake papers
Ingredients:
- Cupcake Batter:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cup warm milk
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Clabber Girl Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Clabber Girl Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Topping:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Food coloring (few drops, or as desired)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
- Assorted candies
Instructions:
- Read the recipe from top to bottom, explaining steps; ask if there are any questions.
- Assign tasks to each child, according to age and capabilities (see guidelines)
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line two cupcake tins with paper liners and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until well blended. Blend in the eggs, vanilla, milk and sour cream.
- Fold in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt and blend until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Spoon into paper lined muffin tins, filling each one about 2/3 full.
- Bake until cupcakes test done when gently pressed with fingertips, 25-30 minutes.
- Cool cupcakes on wire rack until completely cooled, at least 1/2 hour before icing.
Glaze: sift confectioners’ sugar into a medium bowl. Stir in milk and food coloring and stir until well combined. Add more milk if needed for desired consistency. Spoon glaze over cupcakes and decorate with candies.
Makes 24 cupcakes
Take one step at a time, finish each step and double check to make sure nothing was left out.
Additional Activities:
- Go online to find the history of this day and if other countries celebrate it.
- Discuss what Valentine's Day is and what other recipes might be appropriate for this day.
- Download other recipes you want to try next time. Or let children dream up their own creations (with your guidance), type them up on the computer and print out for experimentation.

Download Valentine Lesson Plan