Spring Break is well known for schools being closed and many families go on vacation together. However not all families are able to go away during this time, and often parents struggle to entertain their children during this weeklong break from school.

Knowing this can be a dilemma for some families, Boone County’s 4-H Agent conducted a Baking 101 program April 2024 during spring break this year at Boone County’s Enrichment Centers Cooking Lab Classroom. The Baking 101 program offered two sessions. The morning session was designed for 9–12-year-olds, and the afternoon program for 13–18-year-olds. No pre-baking skills were required. The Baking 101 class was designed to teach youth how to bake from scratch, bringing awareness of what goes into the product they will be eating. Versus using a boxed/premade mix that usually contains preservatives and an ingredients list of items that are sometimes unrecognizable.

Initially the youth were nervous about preparing recipes from scratch and using the hot stoves. Most of the youth mentioned they have limited cooking experience and have only cooked at home with boxed/premade mixes. Under the supervision of the 4-H agent and two 4-H assistants, the youth quickly gained confidence as they practiced reading recipes, measuring, and mixing their way through each lesson taught. The twenty-seven youth participants prepared two recipes from scratch. Using traditional methods of mixing by hand with a spoon, instead of using a hand mixer, the youth learned how to read, measure, and mix ingredients. They created their own homemade cookies and cupcakes that were simple to make and delicious. Learning these basic cooking skills can build confidence and allow them to be more successful in the kitchen.