10+ Best Baking Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you looking for the perfect way to introduce the joys of baking to your young chef? Dive into our curated selection of Baking Books for 10-Year-Olds that promise to transform kitchen time into an exciting adventure! Whether your child is a beginner or already showing signs of a future pastry chef, these books are packed with fun, easy-to-follow recipes designed just for kids. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will inspire and educate your little baker!

Fun Baking Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Baking Class: 50 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Bake! by Deanna F. Cook
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This interactive cookbook provides step-by-step recipes and baking tips for young chefs. From cupcakes to pizza, it covers a variety of fun and easy recipes that kids can try at home.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for children, with easy-to-follow instructions and lots of fun facts about baking. This book encourages reading through engaging content and hands-on activities.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to be in the kitchen and parents looking for educational cooking activities.

• The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book teaches kids how to bake over 100 recipes, including cookies, breads, and more, tested by more than 5,000 kids to ensure they're foolproof and fun.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps build confidence in young bakers through thoroughly tested, fail-safe recipes and includes tips and techniques for mastering baking basics.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring chefs and any child interested in learning the science and fun behind baking.

• Bake Up! Kids Cookbook: Go from Beginner to Pro with Recipes and Essential Techniques by Robin Donovan
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, How-to
  • Synopsis: This cookbook not only offers recipes but also focuses on baking techniques and essential skills, helping kids to become proficient bakers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for beginners and provides a solid foundation in baking, which enhances reading and following instructions.
  • Perfect for: Children who are new to baking and eager to learn the basics before advancing to more complex recipes.

• American Girl Baking: Recipes for Cookies, Cupcakes & More by Williams-Sonoma and American Girl
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: A collection of sweet and savory baked goods recipes developed especially for young bakers, featuring American Girl's touch on cookies, cupcakes, and more.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of baking with the charm of American Girl, encouraging young readers to engage with the step-by-step recipes.
  • Perfect for: Fans of American Girl and young bakers looking to explore new and delightful recipes.

• Super Simple Baking for Kids: Learn to Bake with over 55 Easy Recipes for Cookies, Muffins, Cupcakes and More! by Charity Mathews
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the joy of baking through more than 55 simple recipes, each designed to be fun and accessible for young bakers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an easy introduction to baking, which can help improve reading skills and follow-through by engaging kids with immediate, tasty results.
  • Perfect for: Beginner bakers and young readers who enjoy hands-on activities in the kitchen.

Educational Baking Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Kids' Baking Fun: Sweet and Savory Treats to Make and Enjoy! by Lisa Atwood
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This colorful cookbook is packed with a mix of sweet and savory recipes, teaching kids how to make everything from scones to cupcakes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic cooking techniques, measurement accuracy, following instructions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great blend of fun and educational content that keeps young readers engaged while they learn.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a mix of sweet and savory baking projects.

• My First Baking Book: 35 Easy and Fun Recipes for Children Aged 7 Years+ by CICO Kidz
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: Offers a variety of easy recipes that children can bake with minimal adult supervision, including cakes, cookies, and bread.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Independence in the kitchen, safety awareness, creativity in baking
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages kids to take initiative and develop self-confidence through baking.
  • Perfect for: Young bakers who are ready to start experimenting in the kitchen on their own.

• Baking with Kids: Make Breads, Muffins, Cookies, Pies, Pizza Dough, and More! by Leah Brooks, illustrated by Petrina Tinslay
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book covers a wide range of baking recipes and includes additional teaching moments about the science of baking.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of baking science, fine motor skills, recipe reading comprehension
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines practical baking skills with educational content, making it a comprehensive guide for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in both the how and the why of baking.

• The Baking Cookbook for Teens: 75 Delicious Recipes for Sweet and Savory Treats by Robin Donovan
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Teen Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: Tailored for teens, this book offers a range of recipes from basic to slightly complex, perfect for developing advanced baking skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Advanced baking techniques, precision, and patience
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed to challenge teens while still being accessible and fun.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking to expand their baking skills and tackle more challenging projects.

Challenging Baking Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Science of Baking: A Breakthrough Approach to Baking for Young Scientists by Dr. Michelle T. Baker
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the chemistry and biology behind baking, explaining the scientific principles that make recipes work. It includes complex recipes that require precision and understanding of the scientific concepts.
  • Why this book is challenging: It integrates advanced scientific concepts with baking, requiring readers to understand and apply these principles to achieve successful results.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique blend of science education and culinary arts, encouraging critical thinking and precision in young bakers.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in science and how it applies to everyday activities like baking.

• MasterChef Junior Baking Cookbook: Inspiring Young Bakers with Over 100 Recipes by MasterChef Junior
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Reality TV Inspired
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the TV show, this cookbook challenges young bakers with over 100 recipes ranging from basic to advanced levels, including detailed techniques and presentation tips.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a variety of complex recipes that require advanced skills, such as tempering chocolate and perfecting French pastries.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and precision, inspired by the competitive and educational nature of the MasterChef Junior show.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young chefs who enjoy a challenge and are fans of the MasterChef series.

• Artisan Breads for the Young Baker: From Simple Baguettes to Spectacular Sourdough by Elaine Peterson
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, Artisanal Baking
  • Synopsis: This book teaches the art of bread-making from simple baguettes to more complex sourdough breads. It includes lessons on the fermentation process, dough kneading, and shaping techniques.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers artisanal techniques that are typically mastered by professional bakers, requiring patience and attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a deep dive into the craft of bread making, providing young bakers with a solid foundation in a specialized area of baking.
  • Perfect for: Young bakers who are serious about advancing their skills in bread making.

• Patisserie for Young Chefs: Advanced Techniques in Sweet Confections by Chef Pierre Lefebvre
  • Genre(s): Cookbook, French Patisserie
  • Synopsis: This book provides a detailed guide to creating French desserts and pastries, including techniques for making macarons, croissants, and éclairs.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex French baking techniques and precise recipes that demand a high level of skill and focus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It exposes young bakers to high-level patisserie skills, fostering a sophisticated understanding of baking arts.
  • Perfect for: Young bakers with a passion for fine desserts and an interest in mastering French baking techniques.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to pair the joy of reading with the fun of baking, especially for the young chefs in your home, you've come to the right place. Baking books for 10-year-olds are not just about recipes; they're a great way to improve reading skills and comprehension. Here are some engaging exercises that will help your young reader get the most out of their baking books.

• Recipe Relay
  • What it is: Read a recipe aloud before starting the baking process.
  • How it helps: Enhances reading fluency and comprehension.
  • Tips: Take turns reading different sections of the recipe to keep it fun and engaging.

• Ingredient Scavenger Hunt
  • What it is: Find and gather all ingredients mentioned in the recipe before starting.
  • How it helps: Boosts word recognition and retention.
  • Tips: Use sticky notes to label ingredients with their names as they find them.

• Bake and Tell
  • What it is: Summarize the baking process after completing the recipe.
  • How it helps: Improves verbal articulation and memory recall.
  • Tips: Encourage them to use specific details from the book in their summary.

• Creative Substitutions
  • What it is: Modify a recipe by substituting one or more ingredients.
  • How it helps: Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Tips: Discuss why certain substitutions might work better than others based on the recipe.

• Illustrated Recipe Book
  • What it is: Create drawings or illustrations of the finished baked goods.
  • How it helps: Reinforces comprehension and adds a visual element to the reading experience.
  • Tips: Use colored pencils or markers to make the illustrations vibrant and appealing.

These exercises are designed to make reading more interactive and enjoyable, turning each baking session into a learning adventure. Remember, the key is to keep the activities fun and engaging, allowing your young reader to explore the delicious world of baking while enhancing their reading skills. Happy baking and reading!