Making Jaffa Cakes with Kids: A Fun Cooking Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun and tasty ‘baking’ project to do with your kids – without actual baking of course – making Jaffa cakes is an excellent choice.

This easy recipe combines a few simple ingredients to create the iconic treat with a perfect balance of sponge, chocolate, and tangy orange jelly. It’s a great way to spend quality time together in the kitchen while teaching kids basic baking skills.

Here’s everything you need to know about making Jaffa cakes with kids.

Jaffa Cakes: What are they?

Jaffa cakes are a popular British snack that consists of three main layers: a light, spongy biscuit base, a sweet, orange-flavored jelly, and a smooth layer of dark chocolate on top. Their combination of textures and flavors makes them a favorite treat for many.

While you can buy Jaffa cakes from the store, making them at home with your kids is a fun way to create a more personalized version of this delicious snack.

If you don’t give chocolate to your toddler, you can skip the top layer or add fruit jam instead—so crust and jelly topped with jam.

Java Cake Recipe

Recipe By Playful Sprout

Course: Snack Cusine:British Difficulty:Easy

Servings

12 minutes

Preparing Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

15 minutes

Calories

180 kcal

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 packet of digestive biscuits (or any simple plain biscuits)

2. 50g butter (melted)

3. 1 packet of orange jelly (or flavored jelly mix)

4. 200ml hot water

5. 100g milk or dark chocolate (whichever you prefer)

6. 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or cocoa butter (optional, helps chocolate stay smooth)

DIRECTION

1. Prepare the Biscuit Base:

   – Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs (you can put them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin or use a food processor).
   – In a bowl, mix the crushed biscuits with melted butter. Stir until well combined.
   – Press the mixture into a muffin tin or silicone molds to form small bases (about 1-2 tablespoons of mixture per mold).
   – Place the tin in the fridge for about 20 minutes to set while you prepare the jelly.

2. Make the Jelly:

   – Follow the instructions on the packet of jelly, usually dissolving the jelly mix in 200ml of hot water, then stirring until fully dissolved.
   – Let the jelly cool down to room temperature, but not set yet. You want it to be thick but still pourable.

3. Assemble the Jaffa Cakes:

   – Once the biscuit bases are set, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cooled jelly on top of each base. Don’t overfill — just enough to cover the biscuit.
   – Place the tray back in the fridge to let the jelly set for about 1 hour.

4. Top with Chocolate:

   – While the jelly sets, melt the chocolate. You can melt it in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, or melt it over a pot of simmering water (double boiler).
   – Once melted, stir in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil or melted cocoa butter to make the chocolate smooth and glossy.
   – Spoon a small amount of chocolate on top of the set jelly, just enough to cover it. Use the back of the spoon to smooth it out.

5. Chill and Enjoy:

   – Place the Jaffa cakes back in the fridge to let the chocolate set for at least 30 minutes.
   – Once set, they’re ready to eat!

NOTES

Get Creative: Kids can experiment with different fruit flavors for the jelly, like strawberry or raspberry.
Smaller Portions: If your kids want to make bite-sized versions, use a mini muffin tin for smaller Jaffa cakes.
Use a Piping Bag: If you have a piping bag, it makes adding the jelly to the sponges a lot easier and less messy!

Why This Jaffa Cake Recipe is Great for Kids:

• Simple Steps: No need to bake or make anything from scratch — just mix, chill, and top with chocolate!
• Fun for Kids: Kids can easily help with crushing the biscuits, mixing, pouring the jelly, and spreading the chocolate.
• Quick & Easy: With just a bit of waiting time for the jelly and chocolate to set, it’s a straightforward and quick treat for little ones to make.

This version skips the sponge-making and gelatin preparation, focusing instead on simple steps that kids can actively participate in.

Conclusion

Making Jaffa cakes with kids is a delightful activity that combines fun and learning in the kitchen. The process of mixing, measuring, and decorating is a great way to engage your little ones while creating a delicious treat they’ll be proud of. Whether you’re baking on a rainy afternoon or preparing for a family gathering, these homemade Jaffa cakes will be a hit!

Remember to enjoy the process and savor the fruits of your labor together as a family. Happy baking!